VOORHEES, N.J. -- The first player on the ice for the Flyers at their morning skate Wednesday was forward Matt Read, which was odd because he's not expected back for six weeks due to torn muscles in the left side of his rib cage sustained Feb. 20.
After Read skated and shot a few pucks, the second-year forward said he's far from making any kind of speedy recovery.
"It's pretty painful," he told reporters. "I guess it could be a lot worse. … I can skate but can't do anything else beside that."
Because of the location of the injury, Read said he feels pain when doing just about anything: sneezing, coughing, heavy breathing.
Read said he wasn't sure when he would be back on the ice next.
"Just take it day by day," he said. "We'll see how my body feels in the next couple days and if I can get back on the ice. It's not my decision, it's the trainer's decision and [general manager] Paul Holmgren's decision, so it's not up to me."
Making the injury even more frustrating was the fact that Read, after leading NHL rookies last season with 24 goals, was leading the Flyers with seven goals.
"It's part of the game," he said. "Injuries are part of the game. Can't do anything about it. … When you get back to being healthy, get ready to play at 100 percent."
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