Flyers' Timonen open to playing past this season

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen said Tuesday this may not be his final season in the NHL even though he's 38 and has a one-year contract.

"I'm not sure if this is going to be my last year," Timonen told CSN Philadelphia. "I am going to take the approach of, how do I feel? If I can still play at the level I've accomplished over the years, and enjoy it, I don't see why not play one more year [after this season]. That will be my approach.

"If I stay healthy and play at the level I want, then I'll go one more year. We'll see."

Timonen had 29 points (five goals) for the Flyers last season, his sixth with Philadelphia. He played all but the final three games, when he was sidelined by a foot injury.

According to CSN, since 2008, Timonen has sustained a concussion, a chip fracture to his ankle, a broken toe, injuries to both feet that did not require surgery, a hip flexor and herniated disk surgery.

"I'll know if I'm struggling or can't get to the level of my play or a bunch of injuries comes along," Timonen said. "You never know what will happen, but those things factor in to whether this is my last year."

Timonen, who made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators in 1998-99, extended his contract one year for 2013-14 in February. At the time he said, "That's it. Ninety-nine percent sure that's my last."

He said he is hoping to make the Finland team that will play at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

"This might not be my last year in the NHL, but it would definitely be my last Olympics," he said.