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VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Sami Salo is preparing for his winter of discontent as best he can.While his Vancouver Canuck teammates and prospects prepare for training camp in Penticton, B.C., next week, the veteran defenceman will be undergoing rehab from his most recent injury. A torn Achilles tendon, suffered July 22 while he was playing a form of floor hockey in his native Finland, could keep him out the entire regular season.
"We're a week away from getting on the ice, so it's very frustrating," Salo, sporting a walking cast, told reporters Thursday at Rogers Arena.
The injury is just the latest in a series of freak mishaps that have dogged Salo, 36, throughout his 11-year NHL career.
During last spring's playoffs, his status for Vancouver's sixth and final second-round series game against the Chicago Blackhawks was in doubt after he suffered a ruptured testicle while blocking a shot. After teasing reporters and the Blackhawks about whether he would play, he suited up.
Although he knew the answer then, he is not making any predictions now. Salo said there is no time frame for his return. He is expected to be out three to six months -- or at least until December, if not longer.
He has already proven capable of coming back strong from injuries. One website estimates this is his 34th injury while another report put the number around 40.
When it comes to recovering from injuries, he said, the mental challenges are more gruelling than the physical ones.
"The first three weeks were really challenging, just lying down on the bed and not being able to do anything around the house -- play with the kids or work out with your buddies," said Salo. "This obviously helps, being around with the guys (in Vancouver) and seeing them prepare themselves for the new season. Any injury, mentally is usually the toughest part."
Salo said he was sprinting alone in the floor hockey game when he felt his Achilles pop. His recuperation period and placement on long-term injury reserve will give the Canucks some salary-cap breathing room and keep veteran defenceman Kevin Bieksa in a Vancouver uniform for at least a little while longer.
"I feel very confident .... I should be able to play hockey at some point," said Salo.
NOTES: Defence prospect Yann Sauve is recuperating from minor injuries suffered when he was hit by a car in downtown Vancouver this week. But he is not expected to miss much action.
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