Saturday, April 20, 2013

José Won't Be Healed Enough to Play Anymore This Season

It was reported on RDS that José won't be able to return for a game at the end of the season as he had hoped. And this was verified.

Renaud Lavoie@RenLavoieRDS
José Théodore (groin) won't play next week. He wanted to play one or two games but he's not 100%.

Very disappointing news for us, but I'm sure even more disappointing for him.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

José Worked out with Tallas on Monday, April 15, 2013

It was reported on twitter by Erin of Rinkside that José worked out with goalie coach Robb Tallas before the rest of the team practiced. He had been working out on the ice since last week, but this is the first time we've seen any sort of photos.

Erin Brown @rinkside 
#FlaPanthers G Jose Theodore on the ice early, working with coach Robb Tallas on some fundamentals.


Monday, April 8, 2013

THEODORE RETURNS: Jose Theodore Practices, Wants to Play for Florida Panthers Before End of Season

From George Richards
TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

See article here.

Jose Theodore slipped into his Panthers jersey Monday afternoon to join his teammates on the ice for the first time since tearing two groin muscles in Carolina on March 2.

Theodore was in full uniform for the team's annual picture on the BB&T Center ice. He hopes that wasn't the last time.

Not only did Theodore start skating Monday for the first time since being hurt, but he plans on joining the Panthers in regular practice during the final two weeks of the season.

Theodore also said he hopes to get back into game shape so he can start one of Florida's final 10 games.

"It was good to be back in the gym, but it felt really good to be back on the ice in the equipment,'' Theodore said while sitting in a stall between current Florida goalies Jacob Markstrom and Scott Clemmensen.

"My goal is to be healthy and start practicing, get a game or two in. When the summer comes and you're training, you want that piece of mind. I want to be able to focus on training and not overthink this summer. If I can practice and play, that will get my confidence up.''

Florida coach Kevin Dineen has often spoken of his fondness for Theodore and said the team took a hit when he had to be helped off the Carolina ice with the torn groin muscles.

Because Theodore didn't need surgery, a potential return is possible.

"I felt it right away, knew something really wrong had happened,'' Theodore said of his injury. "It was a sharp pain and I knew it was bad. The MRI showed two big tears and they knew it was six-to-eight weeks. As a goalie it can take longer. I'm going to be smart with it.''

Dineen said he welcomes the effort and would welcome Theodore back.

"We have had a unique year on the injury front so to be able to get a quality guy like that would be great,'' Dineen said. "We won't go there on him playing in a game until a more realistic point because we are a ways away from that. I've always been a fan of his and it's been a tough year for him. It's good to see him working so hard to get back.''

General manager Dale Tallon is in a bit of a sticky position these days after telling a group of potential season ticket holders that he wasn't opposed to re-signing Theodore to a new contract.
Florida, if it brings back Theodore, would have three goalies under contract next season as the 23-year-old Markstrom is a restricted free agent and Clemmensen is signed for one more season.
If Theodore is brought back, Clemmensen would likely be the odd man out in the Florida rotation.

"Time will tell what happens,'' Tallon said Sunday during Clemmensen's masterful 40 save performance in a 2-1 win over Ottawa. "I was very happy with [Theodore]. He works hard, is a pro and I like him. It's just a matter of getting Markstrom signed, we have Clem signed. We'll see what happens. We really have no commitment to anything right now.''

Theodore said Monday that he is working himself back for next season - with the hope that it's with the Panthers. He said he doesn't think there will any awkwardness with Clemmensen.

Theodore, 36, would be playing in his 16th NHL season next year.

"I want to turn the page and forget about [the injury] and just get ready for the season,'' said Theodore, who was 4-6-3 with the Panthers this season. "We've built something here and I want to be part of the solution here. We hadn't made the playoffs in 12 years yet won the division last year. We have a good team. I want to be part of it.''

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/2013/04/theodore-returns-jose-theodore-practices-wants-to-play-for-florida-panthers-before-end-of-season.html#storylink=cpy

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Dale Tallon, Panthers' GM, mentioned José to Season Ticket Holders

I don't know any more information about these tweets other than what you see here, but I thought I'd share them.



The 2nd one was tweeted by a fan in response to George's. I just didn't want to publish his name.

"GM Dale Tallon tells ST renewal group bring Jose Theodore back next season a possibility with Jacob Markstrom."
"He added on that he liked that they got along and thought Jose could help Marky a lot in practice."

But I don't know what this was in response to. Surely a fan asked Tallon about his goalie situation next season, but I also can't believe Tallon didn't mention Clemmensen at all, since he's under contract through next season.

Also, last night a friend of mine saw José after the game, and just asked him how he was. He said he's good. She asked how his rehab was going and he said it was going well. Of course that's all very vague, but she said he was walking with no limp at all. And she was told that he's been working out a  lot.

Yesterday was 5 weeks exactly since his injury.