MeanGene
08-04-2003, 10:51 PM
http://espn.go.com/nhl/news/2003/0804/1590272.html
TORONTO -- New York Rangers star Pavel Bure's career could be in jeopardy due to lingering pain in his knee after surgery, according to the player's agent.
Mike Gillis told Canadian sports website Sportsnet.ca that Bure still had significant discomfort in his right knee, eight months after the forward's second arthroscopic knee surgery within a 10-week period.
"Pavel came into New York from Moscow on Wednesday for tests that confirmed he still has ligament damage," Gillis told the website.
The "Russian Rocket" hasn't played in five months, since the Rangers once again failed to make the NHL playoffs. But despite the long layoff, he continues to feel pain in the knee.
"Whether he'll be able to play next year, no one can say," Gillis added.
"This isn't something that's in his mind. Pavel did three weeks of rehab in Florida immediately after the season, he's been working out in Moscow, he's in great shape.
"He has great leg strength and done everything possible to come back and play, but the situation is what it is and after seven operations that knee is just not healthy."
Bure managed 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points in 39 games with the Rangers last season.
He surprised some observers by coming back relatively quickly after the surgery, as original reports said he might not play at all in 2002-03.
Since coming into the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks in 1991-92, Bure has been one of the league's top scorers.
He has twice scored 60 or more goals in a season in his career and won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as leading goal scorer in his first two seasons with the Florida Panthers.
Florida dealt Bure to the Rangers in 2002.
TORONTO -- New York Rangers star Pavel Bure's career could be in jeopardy due to lingering pain in his knee after surgery, according to the player's agent.
Mike Gillis told Canadian sports website Sportsnet.ca that Bure still had significant discomfort in his right knee, eight months after the forward's second arthroscopic knee surgery within a 10-week period.
"Pavel came into New York from Moscow on Wednesday for tests that confirmed he still has ligament damage," Gillis told the website.
The "Russian Rocket" hasn't played in five months, since the Rangers once again failed to make the NHL playoffs. But despite the long layoff, he continues to feel pain in the knee.
"Whether he'll be able to play next year, no one can say," Gillis added.
"This isn't something that's in his mind. Pavel did three weeks of rehab in Florida immediately after the season, he's been working out in Moscow, he's in great shape.
"He has great leg strength and done everything possible to come back and play, but the situation is what it is and after seven operations that knee is just not healthy."
Bure managed 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points in 39 games with the Rangers last season.
He surprised some observers by coming back relatively quickly after the surgery, as original reports said he might not play at all in 2002-03.
Since coming into the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks in 1991-92, Bure has been one of the league's top scorers.
He has twice scored 60 or more goals in a season in his career and won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as leading goal scorer in his first two seasons with the Florida Panthers.
Florida dealt Bure to the Rangers in 2002.