MIKE CASSESE
Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Komisarek is facing the possibility of having his season come to a premature end, with his immediate future hinging on another meeting with medical personnel Wednesday.
The 28-year-old has been sidelined since Jan. 2 with an undisclosed upper-body injury, which has been widely reported as a shoulder. His spot on the U.S. Olympic team is also hanging in the balance.
"I've tried not to think too much about it," Komisarek said Tuesday. "If you dwell too much on something like that, you sort of lose track of the focus and what you need to be doing. I've been working hard with the strength coach and been talking with the doctors a lot, doing exactly what I need to do to get back."
He acknowledged the possibility of having to end his season.
"I think there's a possibility that's definitely there," he said. "If there wasn't, I'd definitely be back. But it's definitely a possibility."
Komisarek said he resumed skating within a week of the injury. He took part in the team's morning skate Tuesday, but has not been cleared for physical contact.
"Our first priority with Mike is, 'what are we doing to get him back to play for the Leafs?"' said Toronto head coach Ron Wilson, who is also the U.S. Olympic coach. "The Olympics is secondary."
Komisarek has four assists through 34 games with the Leafs. He is a minus-9 with 40 penalty minutes.
"I have one more test tomorrow," Komisarek said. "I'll be sure to be well-rested and have a cup of coffee before, ready to go. I want to do as well as I can. I'm looking forward to not only coming to help this team, but with the Olympics, you definitely need four or five games to get in there and feel comfortable and confident."