Flyers F Oskar Lindblom Diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, Likely Out for Season
The Flyers knowingly went into Wednesday's game in Colorado shorthanded with Travis Konecny out with a concussion and Phil Myers dealing with back spasms. They also were without Oskar Lindblom due to an undisclosed injury.
On Friday, the Flyers issued a statement on Lindblom's status with an update that has sent shockwaves through the organization and fanbase. Lindblom has been diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, and is not expected to return to play for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
Lindblom will undergo further testing over the next week before beginning treatment.
So far this season, Lindblom had been one of the Flyers top scorers, posting 11 goals and 18 points in 30 games. Over the course of his three seasons, a total of 134 games, Lindblom has 30 goals, but 11 in the first 30 showed the potential for a breakout season.
"The Flyers will do everything possible to support Oskar and assist him in securing the best care available," GM Chuck Fletcher said in the statement. "Out of respect for Oskar and his family, the team will have no further comment at this time and asks that Oskar be afforded a period of privacy so that he may focus his efforts on his treatment and a return to full health."
According to the Mayo Clinic website, Ewing's sarcoma is "a rare type of cancer that occurs in bones or in the soft tissue around the bones. This cancer most often begins in the long bones of the pelvis, legs or arms, but it can occur in any bone. Less often, Ewing sarcoma starts in the soft tissues of the arms, legs, abdomen or other locations.
"Major advancements in the treatment of Ewing sarcoma have significantly improved outcomes. After completion of treatment, people need lifelong monitoring for potential late effects of intense chemotherapy and radiation."
The Flyers will return to action on Saturday night in Minnesota, surely with the thought of their teammate on their minds.
Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN and Flyers editor for SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.