Minnesota Wild: Tomas Fleischmann Fails Team Physical

Tomas Fleischmann failed his initial physical today at the first day of Minnesota Wild training camp. With a history of pulmonary embolisms, Fleischmann could be facing an old foe that could cut down his dreams of making the Wild before he even skates a stride.

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Day one of Minnesota Wild training camp was a hard affair with lots of skating that would rival the Herbies scene in Miracle. However, while that was going on one piece of drama that looks to put a question mark on roster selection process going forward. Forward Tomas Fleischmann who was on a PTO has failed his physical according to the Star Tribune’s Michael Russo. There are no details being released at this time, and the team has no yet release Fleischmann from his PTO contract.

According to Bruce Boudreau the doctors are still doing tests to find out exactly what it is going on with Fleischmann. Already the speculation is that it could have to do with the pulmonary embolism issues that he suffered in 2009 with Washington and 2011 while part of the Colorado Avalanche. But right now there has been no definitive word.

No details, but Tomas Fleischmann didn't pass #mnwild physical. Boudreau doesn't know yet if that means he's done in camp
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 23, 2016

The issue of pulmonary embolism is when an artery in the lung is blocked by a blood clot(s). The clot will start somewhere else in the body and travel through the blood stream before being lodged into one of the arties of the lungs. The issue then becomes that because the artery is blocked it can starve the lung oxygen and blood, which can cause rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing/shortness of breath, or possibly death if sever enough.

The first iteration of this was in 2009 starting on return flight from the Czech Republic Fleischmann when a blood clot had developed on that flight. That time it would only stay in his leg and did not spread to his lungs. After missing a few games to begin the season he returned to full action with the Capitals.

Mar 27, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks forward Tomas Fleischmann (12) skates with the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena.The Chicago Blackhawks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Then in 2011 when Fleischmann first encountered the condition in its worst form during a normal morning skate with the Avs. As he put it “I didn’t know what happened, I just knew I felt bad. I couldn’t really breathe through my lungs. They were clogged and that’s why I went to see doctors. They found out that I had blot clots in my lungs.”

That led to Fleischmann being out for six months of recovery and has been under treatment ever since. He is required to take an anticoagulant injection after every game or practice and wears a rubberized suit that protects him from the hazard presented by a pressurized cabin when flying.

When interviewed about his condition while a member of the Florida Panthers in February of 2015 Fleischmann explained that ”You have to thin your blood, so that’s what I’m doing. You can’t play any contact sports when you thin your blood, so I do it after practice or after games.” But he leaves the interview saying ”I got used to it. ‘It’s been four years now and it doesn’t bother anymore.”

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So bottom line is this is a condition that Fleischmann has been living and playing with effectively for some time now. But it might be that it has gotten worse and could sideline him for a long time, or it might be what it normally is which is manageable and just requires more tests for the doctors to confirm. But with the fact that this had happened to him twice before shows that it could happen again.

Fleischmann can help this team with his experience and solid play. But if he’s not completely healthy he’s a risk to bring in on a PTO, so the Wild need to do their due diligence and make sure he’s go to go.

Next: Minnesota Wild Training Camp Opens Today

My initial thought is that Fleischmann has been able to live with this condition for some time, so it stands to reason if it’s still treatable he can play through it. But add the element that Fleischmann is now 32 his recovery time will be longer and he might not be able to recover well from a serve bout with an embolism(s). Regardless I hope that Tomas is okay because personally I know, it’s a very hard thing to have your health knock you out of doing what you love. Let’s hope for the best here.