Hatcher's Career in Jeopardy

The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Thursday that defenseman Derian Hatcher will be placed on injured reserve to start the 2008-09 season due to a right knee injury. The Flyers report that Hatcher's knee injury is possibly career-threatening. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren announced that Hatcher would not participate in training camp and would take some time to consider retirement. Hatcher played in 44 games last season with the Flyers, scoring two goals and adding five assists for seven points and 33 penalty minutes. He missed several games during various parts of the 2007-08 season with a nagging knee injury. In 16 NHL seasons, Hatcher has 80 goals and 251 assists for 331 points and 1581 penalty minutes in 1045 games with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers. During his playing career, Hatcher has been one of the most rugged and gritty defensemen in the league. It will be a shame if his career comes to an end because of the knee injury. NHL players do not deserve to see their careers cut short due to an injury.