The San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, released a statement earlier this week in regards to Raffi Torres undergoing another procedure on his previously surgically repaired knee. Wilson said this in regards to the situation:
"“Raffi recently underwent a surgical procedure in Toronto to alleviate an infection in his previously surgically repaired right knee. The procedure involved removing the graft previously implanted in his repaired knee in September 2013. Raffi has started a rehabilitation phase, but will need to repeat the surgical procedure to repair the ACL damage suffered on Sept. 20, 2013. We expect Raffi to return to the team during the 2014-15 season but no official timeline for his return is being set at this time.”"
Merely a month away from the start of training camp, this is sad news for the Sharks franchise. Not to mention the unfortunate deja vu after the originally injury occurred during the 2013-14 preseason. When will Torres catch a break?
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Torres may miss up to half of the regular season due to the infection and subsequent surgery. Although he is expected back during the upcoming season, the rehabilitation time is unclear and no exact timetable has been given for his return.
What does this ordeal mean for the Sharks? Although they will be down a strong player, as mentioned, Torres was barely healthy last season. The Sharks have learned to play without his presence on the ice and I doubt it will affect the play of the team. Despite always enjoying Torres’ high energy on the ice, I don’t know that his absence will be detrimental to the season. Once he’s back it will be great to have those extra points he can generate, but I believe the Sharks will be able to hold their own without him. Perhaps the biggest setback is that the Sharks will begin the season shorthanded.
Torres will be in his second year of a three-year, $6 million contract with the Sharks. Only being able to play five regular season games last year before being benched yet again, and struggling through seven postseason games while injured, one has to wonder if the franchise will keep Torres for his final year. If the injury heals successfully this time around, there’s no doubt he’ll stay. However, if still injured and unable to play at the end of the 2014-15 season, decisions will need to be made.