[News] Gilbertson: No surgery needed on Ladislav Smid's neck injury

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Are you his doctor? If he plays again, it will be because the doctors said it was okay.

Fans saying they are concerned for his well being are more likely to simply be hiding behind that IMO.

I'm not doctor but I don't think you need to be a doctor to know that neck injuries are pretty serious business. I don't think you can seriously hurt your neck (to the point where you need surgery or close to it) repeatedly and not risk permanent/long term effects.

Sure, I'd want Smid to come off the books but more than that I'd hate to see a guy get seriously hurt or worse in a game. I think the team would be better off without him but if it was a choice of having him in the lineup every game and him not being allowed to touch the ice or him getting paralyzed, I'd rather see him on the bench. I don't know if it's that severe but if concussions are that big of an issue, I'm sure neck injuries are too.

[MarkGio]

People think he's going to retire and foregone millions? Not to mention these guys are pro athletes who have trouble letting go. He's not going to retire lol

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

People think he's going to retire and foregone millions? Not to mention these guys are pro athletes who have trouble letting go. He's not going to retire lol

Something tells me only a small portion sincerely want him to retire for his health, considering how many suggested he get waived or traded for a bag of pucks.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Laddy, please forego your career and all your personal aspirations and just do what a few selfish fans want you to do.

That'd be great, thanks.

Well he had neck surgery in 2010 and 2015. Since his last surgery he's played spot duty for the team and still suffered another neck injury and while this one doesn't need surgery surely you can see a trend here. His doctors can give him advice and odds of re-injury but the ultimate decision is up to him and I expect him to be back in training camp next season and that's fine and all but I felt the same way about Gary Roberts so I don't appreciate the "selfish" comment very much as not all of us put team's best interest over the personal welfare of players.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Are you his doctor? If he plays again, it will be because the doctors said it was okay.

Fans saying they are concerned for his well being are more likely to simply be hiding behind that IMO.

Well I for one am legitimately concerned about his future. He may be cleared by doctors to play, but it may only be a borderline clearing at best in his case. It doesn't make it a good idea for him to play an extremely heavy contact sport like hockey. Baseball? Basketball? Soccer? Sure, but the risk of having one big hit (like the Despres one last year) ruin your ability to live a normal life is very real for someone like Smid. Spinal instability is scary in contact sports, and the fact that he's already had fusion surgery indicates he had some very serious instability previously.

I can't speak to what is going on with him since I haven't examined him, but a mild hit like the last one that put him out indicates he doesn't have a lot of strength or stability in that area, and I'm guessing that he's getting some pretty strong neurological symptoms, otherwise he'd be back in by now. That's EXTREMELY concerning for me, and like Nathan Horton, Smid should seriously consider not playing again if a small collision like that can affect him so severely.

It's still Smid's decision, absolutely, but all professional athletes have a hard time hanging up their skates, and especially him since he's got a warrior mentality, is only 30, and would otherwise be an effective bottom roster NHLer if not for his neck issues. I just hope the doctors are very honest with him and the risk he would be taking should he decide to continue to play.

I couldn't care less about his contract or his on-ice abilities. I'm just uncomfortable with him taking such an unnecessary risk with his long term health just to play another season or two of hockey.

[saillias]

Regardless of his health the team needs him gone, I'll say it. I have no personal connection to Smid. Sucks for him, but he's not a good player, his continued occupying of a roster spot would just keep better defensemen buried, and we'd be better off if he were off the roster. Prime buy-out candidate IMO

[bob-loblaw]

The hit he took into the boards was relatively mild so its not that great that his neck was tweaked from it. Thankfully it wasn't a harder collision. He should just go on LTIR until the end of his contract.

[Benched]

I think yes, we could use the roster spot to play a young guy.

That being said....I don't think the majority of the 'don't play again' is because of that. Smid is still servicable as a player (when he's healthy).

But that back stuff....oh man, we're talking about your life here, and a serious potential to lose major quality of life. It was great he came back, but honestly if it's another back injury...take a hint before it's too late.


I think the last thing we want to see is a guy being stretchered off the ice with a spinal injury. That's not good for the Flames, the league, and especially Smid.

[JJ1532]

I'm not going to suggest he retires, because in my heart of hearts I'd know a small part of me would be calling for it just so his spot and money burden on the roster is removed. I can't say it would entirely genuine.

End of day, I think its funny that people would question the doctors diagnosis. If the doctor thinks there is a serious risk of him playing again(which there must be), they'll surely advise the player and management of that. Then the management and player can come to a decision between themselves as to how best to proceed. I'm sure the Flames would have no issue letting Smid run out the last year of his contract on LTIR if thats what it comes to. I would hope that if the doctor issues warnings about his health to him, he takes that advice.

But if the doctor says he can play and he wants to play, then let him play. Just hope this ends amicably for all parties.

[sureLoss]

More on Smid's injury

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=873607

The 30-year-old hasn’t played since Feb. 17, and could miss the remainder of the season because of an upper body injury.

“There’s lots of precaution on Laddy right now,” Flames coach Bob Hartley said. “I don’t really know what to tell you, to be honest with you. It has been an injury that has kept coming back and coming back. At this time it’s more of a wait-and-see approach.”

Smid was injured in the first period of a 5-3 loss against the Minnesota Wild nearly four weeks ago.

There isn’t a timetable for his return.

“It’s too early to say, but at the same time the doctors, our medical staff, are working with Laddy on a day-to-day basis,” Hartley said.

The injury isn’t related to one sustained by Smid 14 months ago.

[Locke]

It might be unrelated, but speaking for myself theres a limit to the number of neck injuries I'd be willing to sustain near the end of my career.

What is this for him now? The third or fourth one?

[CroFlames]

If it's unrelated, why does Bob say it's an injury that keeps coming back?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

If it's unrelated, why does Bob say it's an injury that keeps coming back?

Because he's being dishonest?