Zero
09-17-2005, 07:13 AM
Tkachuk fails physical, is suspended by team
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
Post-Dispatch
Friday, Sep. 16 2005
Blues forward Keith Tkachuk will not be with the team when players report today
for training camp.
Tkachuk failed the Blues' physical Friday, general manager Larry Pleau said.
"He failed his physical and he's been suspended," Pleau said. "That's all I'll
say."
Why Tkachuk failed the Blues' medical exam is unknown, but it's important to
note that players have failed team physicals in the past and not been
suspended.
There have been reports in recent weeks that Tkachuk, 33, was over his normal
playing weight, listed as 231 pounds in the Blues' 2003-04 media guide.
Tkachuk has participated in informal scrimmages with Blues players in recent
weeks, but he did not play during the NHL's lockout.
"The last game I played was the World Cup (September 2004)," Tkachuk told the
Post-Dispatch Aug. 27. "So, it's going to take some time. But as long as you're
ready by Oct. 5, that's the main goal."
Tkachuk did not return a phone message from the Post-Dispatch Friday night.
Pleau, who said he gave Tkachuk the news Friday, would not comment on the
amount of time the 14-year NHL veteran could be out.
Blues coach Mike Kitchen, reached late Friday night, said the loss of Tkachuk
for any length of time will hurt the team. In the season before the NHL lockout
- 2003-04 - Tkachuk led the Blues with 33 goals. On a team that appears to be
lacking goal-scoring, he was expected to be a major contributor again this
season.
"It is disappointing because we were looking for him to be our best player game
in and game out," Kitchen said. "He has the potential to get 50 goals with his
skill level, getting to the net, with his size, he's terrific.
"We'll have to change and hope he gets back sooner than later."
Kitchen would not divulge the reason Tkachuk failed his physical, but his
comments suggest that the Blues forward is out of shape.
"Players have to come to camp in shape," Kitchen said. "He's been terrific
following the program previously. The work stoppage has been hard on a lot of
people. We had a lot of frustrated players. ... They had so many dates they had
to peak, and they weren't able to hold their level of fitness."
Pleau said he hopes the Blues can have Tkachuk back on the team soon -
something Kitchen echoed.
"We hope he's back where he can still have a great season," Kitchen said.
Tkachuk has scored 431 goals in 856 NHL games.
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
Post-Dispatch
Friday, Sep. 16 2005
Blues forward Keith Tkachuk will not be with the team when players report today
for training camp.
Tkachuk failed the Blues' physical Friday, general manager Larry Pleau said.
"He failed his physical and he's been suspended," Pleau said. "That's all I'll
say."
Why Tkachuk failed the Blues' medical exam is unknown, but it's important to
note that players have failed team physicals in the past and not been
suspended.
There have been reports in recent weeks that Tkachuk, 33, was over his normal
playing weight, listed as 231 pounds in the Blues' 2003-04 media guide.
Tkachuk has participated in informal scrimmages with Blues players in recent
weeks, but he did not play during the NHL's lockout.
"The last game I played was the World Cup (September 2004)," Tkachuk told the
Post-Dispatch Aug. 27. "So, it's going to take some time. But as long as you're
ready by Oct. 5, that's the main goal."
Tkachuk did not return a phone message from the Post-Dispatch Friday night.
Pleau, who said he gave Tkachuk the news Friday, would not comment on the
amount of time the 14-year NHL veteran could be out.
Blues coach Mike Kitchen, reached late Friday night, said the loss of Tkachuk
for any length of time will hurt the team. In the season before the NHL lockout
- 2003-04 - Tkachuk led the Blues with 33 goals. On a team that appears to be
lacking goal-scoring, he was expected to be a major contributor again this
season.
"It is disappointing because we were looking for him to be our best player game
in and game out," Kitchen said. "He has the potential to get 50 goals with his
skill level, getting to the net, with his size, he's terrific.
"We'll have to change and hope he gets back sooner than later."
Kitchen would not divulge the reason Tkachuk failed his physical, but his
comments suggest that the Blues forward is out of shape.
"Players have to come to camp in shape," Kitchen said. "He's been terrific
following the program previously. The work stoppage has been hard on a lot of
people. We had a lot of frustrated players. ... They had so many dates they had
to peak, and they weren't able to hold their level of fitness."
Pleau said he hopes the Blues can have Tkachuk back on the team soon -
something Kitchen echoed.
"We hope he's back where he can still have a great season," Kitchen said.
Tkachuk has scored 431 goals in 856 NHL games.