Lindblom visits Flyers for first time since cancer diagnosis

PHILADELPHIA -- Oskar Lindblom met with his Philadelphia Flyers teammates and coaches Tuesday, the first time he'd seen them since being diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

"I know for me and I know for the team, it was the best thing that could happen for us," coach Alain Vigneault said. "In the last week since Denver, since we found out the day we arrived there, this was the best day internally, how we feel, to see him, to see him smiling."
Lindblom was with the Flyers in Denver on Wednesday when he learned of his diagnosis. He left the team before their 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, immediately returning to Philadelphia to meet with specialists at the University of Pennsylvania.
"I think today was great because he left Denver and probably didn't get a chance to say goodbye to everyone before he left," general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "Everyone's concerned. This transcends hockey. He's here, he's getting great care. I suspect our energy level will be good here."
The Flyers went 0-3-0 during their three-game road trip that also included losses against the Minnesota Wild (4-1 Saturday) and the Winnipeg Jets (7-3 Sunday).

After a day off Monday, the Flyers returned to Wells Fargo Center rested, refreshed and happy to see their teammate, then defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-1.
As much as the players and coaches got a lift from seeing Lindblom, the 23-year-old forward appeared to get just as much from it.
"I see Oskar here today, I think for him it was great," Vigneault said. "Probably cleared his mind, he was around his friends, was almost tempted to skate this morning. ... It was great.
"I've been texting back with Oskar for the last few days. We knew he was coming in. Felt it was important for him, especially important for his teammates to see him. He's got a tremendous amount of support from his family but from his extended family, the Flyers players and their wives, and their coaches and their wives, the great fans we have here in Philly and across the state that are going to support him. Hockey is a real strong and real good community. Oskar is a real good person and a real strong person. He is going to be around, and he's going to be back soon as he possibly can."