Kimmo Timonen is expected to make his season debut this weekend. But it will be with a different team than originally thought.
The Flyers traded the 39-year-old defenseman to the Blackhawks on Friday. In return, Philadelphia received a second-round pick in this year's draft and a conditional fourth-round selection in 2016.
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Timonen, who will turn 40 on March 18, has not played this season while recovering from blood clots in his lungs and right leg. He told reporters Thursday that he is finally healthy and that he would likely be in the Flyers' lineup for the first time Saturday against the Rangers.
Instead, Timonen goes to the Blackhawks, who required another defenseman for their playoff push after placing Johnny Oduya on injured reserve Friday. Chicago's next game is Monday at home against the Hurricanes, when Timonen is likely to make his season debut.
Kimmo Timonen has a bonus-laden contract that sees him receive $750,000 after playing 10 games and $250,000 after 20 games. #blackhawks
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 28, 2015No salary retained in Flyers-Hawks deal
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 28, 2015There are two stipulations for the conditional pick, according to TSN: If the Blackhawks win two rounds in the playoffs and Timonen plays in 50 percent of the team's remaining games, the pick will be upgraded to a third-round choice. If the Blackhawks win three rounds and Timonen plays in 50 percent of the games, it becomes a second-rounder.
Timonen, a 15-year NHL veteran, has not played since since Game 7 of the Flyers-Rangers Eastern Conference quarterfinal series last April 30. He was diagnosed with the blood clots in early August after signing a one-year, $2 million contract extension with the Flyers.
The Blackhawks are expected to be aggressive ahead of the March 2 trade deadline. They cleared more than $6 million in cap room after placing star winger Patrick Kane on long-term injured reserve. With Kane lost for 12 weeks, Chicago is said to be in the market for another forward.
Blackhawks still aim to trade for a forward as well before the deadline
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 28, 2015