Vokoun expects slow recovery from injury - Nashville, Tennessee - Thursday, 01/11/07 - Tennessean.com
Predators goalie Tomas Vokoun said he'll probably continue to wear a support cast on his left hand for up to six weeks.
It's helping him recover from the torn ligaments and fractured bone he suffered in his thumb Nov. 23. Vokoun made his first appearance Tuesday since the injury, stopping 27 of 31 shots in Nashville's 5-4 overtime win over Anaheim.
"It's not perfect, but I'll have to deal with it for quite some time. I went through with it and hopefully it will get better each time out," Vokoun said. "The hardest thing to do is to keep the stick strong in your hand, especially on wraparounds and things like that. You just don't have the same grip."
Predators Coach Barry Trotz said he understands Vokoun will have to make gradual improvement.
"We knew that was the case where he'd have to work through some things, but there's no other way to do it," Trotz said. "Tomas' goal is to get back to where he was on a regular basis."
Trotz said the goaltending chores likely will be split between Vokoun and Chris Mason for this weekend's back-to-back games against Columbus, and for every set of back-to-backs in the future.
"By the end of the season, hopefully we'll have both goalies ready to go and at the top of their games," Trotz said.