Ricci leaves Coyotes, possible retirement

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Center Mike Ricci has been granted a leave from the team and is considering retirement. He has been struggling with injuries (and had neck surgery in the offseason) so he requested that he be allowed to fly back to Phoenix to discuss his future with his family.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0104coyotesricci.html

 

[devilfan02]

What the heck is going on with this team??? Seems like nothing can go right

 

[Scott MS]

Not totally surprising. I like Ricci, but he's been scratched for 7 straight games and I don't think he'll crack the lineup again.

I don't find any of this surprising . . .

Reinprecht comes back - Comrie traded - Ricci retires - Seidenberg is traded.

All this is nothing more than a mid-season adjustment based on which players have worked out this season and which ones haven't. The only question left is how long with Roenick be happy?

 

[Willie D]

I remember back in the early 90s when he was coming out of the OHL. He was far and away the best junior coming out in some time. He was billed as the next Gretzky.

Guess that prediction was wrong.

I think Owen Nolan and Keith Primeau were in the same entry draft.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Ricci will not retire, but he has been placed on injured reserve

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0109ricci.html

 

[Scott MS]

I remember back in the early 90s when he was coming out of the OHL. He was far and away the best junior coming out in some time. He was billed as the next Gretzky.

Guess that prediction was wrong.

I think Owen Nolan and Keith Primeau were in the same entry draft.

It was the 1990 Entry Draft, and here's the top 5:

1. Quebec, Owen Nolan
2. Vancouver, Petr Nedved
3. Detroit, Keith Primeau
4. Philadelphia, Mike Ricci
5. Pittsburgh, Jaromir Jagr

I'm guessing it's the fact that most of the rest of those players, except Primeau who retired due to concussions, are still playing makes Ricci think he can come back again next year, similar to Nolan.

Of course, in 1994, the #1 pick was . . . Ed Jovanovski.

 

[Scott MS]

Here's a nice description of "Injured Reserve". Looks like Ricci won't be playing again this season and Fischer should be activated.



Injured Reserve List:
In the event that a player is injured and a Club wishes to place him on the Injured Reserve List, the Club must follow these procedures.

1. A Club may place a player on the injured reserve list if such player is injured, disabled or ill and unable to perform his duties as a hockey player after having passed the Club’s initial physical examination in that season.

2. A player who has an injury that renders him physically unable to play for a minimum of seven days after that date of the injury can be placed on the Club’s Injured Reserve List. Once a player is placed on the injured reserve, the Club may replace said player on its NHL roster with another player. All determinations that a player has suffered an injury warranting injured reserve status must be made by the Club’s medical staff and in accordance with the Club’s medical standards.

3. A player placed on Injured Reserve is ineligible to compete in NHL games for a period of not less than seven days from the date of injury.

4. Players on Injured Reserve may attend Club meetings and meals, travel with the Club and participate in practice sessions.

5. Players on Injured Reserve are prohibited from appearing in games, participating in pre-game warm-ups with their Clubs, or dressing in game uniforms on game days.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I'm guessing they will send Ricci down to San Antonio for a conditioning stint sooner or later.

 

[Scott MS]

During the first period intermission during tonight's game they interviewed Barnett. He said Ricci's back was only 1/3 of the strength it was prior to the injury so Ricci is entering a strengthening program with the hopes of coming back.

Didn't sound like he'd be back this season.