alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />It’s becoming increasingly clear to me that Justin Williams might far exceed my expectations for his return. Since his injury, I’ve considered the idea that he might return this season to be doubtful at best, but given the way he has looked in practice for the past few days, I’d have to change my opinion of that.
Williams made it through his first full practice on Monday morning and accompanied the Kings on their two-game road trip. Williams still has quite a bit of conditioning work to do, but injured players typically don’t travel, so Williams’ presence on the road indicates that the Kings are very serious about his return. Everyone is staying tight-lipped about a possible return date — and Williams stressed that he will not play during this two-game trip — but Williams is progressing very well.
The doctors might have helped. After practice, Williams explained his injury — which is technically a broken bone in his leg and stretched ankle ligaments, not a broken ankle — and how a newer procedure might have helped his recovery time.
WILLIAMS: “There’s the tibia, and then the fibula on the side. Those bones join together at the ankle. Those bones are joined by ligaments, which I stretched, and they spread out. What they usually do is, they take screws and tighten it up, and take the screws out eight weeks later. In this, they basically put in a plate with buttons on it, and they cinch it tight. They wrap it around and pull it, so there are no screws involved. They just pull it and tighten it up to where it needs to be and tie it in a knot and wait. This way, the screws don’t need to be taken out. The plate stays in there. It’s attached to the bone, and that will just stay in there. But there’s no screws going into the tibia, which is what they would usually do.”
WILLIAMS: “I did as much research as I could on this. I had a goal in mind for myself, and it just helps me drive forward every day. Surprisingly, it’s like right around where I thought it would be.”
Wow. Astoundingly good news, it seems like.
But if a relatively new procedure is to credit for this, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprise. I’m old enough to remember what it was like with certain knee and elbow injuries before arthroscopic surgery.
WOW! traveling already? I’d be stunned if he’s back in a week or two
So it was simply a broken fibula and sprained ankle? Well, that explains his quick recovery. Good news indeed.
really unbelievable….good stuff Rich!
Good to see Justin might make it back…. I dont see that we will make any deal of substance unless DL totally changes he mind… Justin will help..
Great news! It’s like a trade Happening!
Awesome news! Thanks, Rich!
J Williams on one leg outplays POS Sullivan
THIS IS OUR DEADLINE ACQUISITION!
Who is this Williams player all of you are talking about. Tiger Williams is not coming out of retirement.
@VanKingsFan, basically, yup
I commented on another thread that on Sunday I saw that Williams was practicing with the team and not wearing a Red Jersey. In my mind at least, that had to be an indication that JW was progressing quicker than anticipated.
Great news!He’ll help, a lot!
So at this point its all about conditioning?
I hope he doesn’t say the return date publicly. I hope he shocks everyone and just comes out the locker room right before the game starts. Imagine the ovation he would get. But he would have to miss the morning skate before the game. He doesn’t skate and the media will think something is wrong with him and his ’surprise’ return would be successful and awesome.
@Running Man,
Is this serious?
Maybe his (Justin Williams) new nickname should be Logan.
-Dave
@macdup,
Logan’s Run!
@VanKingsFan,
An injured, non-existent JW will outplay POS anytime
JW, when healthy, is just as effective as Whitney if not more. I hope DL doesn’t trade the farm for a has-been
This is unbelievable! Well…if they DO make a trade, than it’s for a depth defenseman, and no more than that at all.
Getting JW back is like making a deadline deal all over again, but this time, he actually knows his teammates names.
Great to hear that Williams is on the mend so fast.
Wow, just wow, and I was at the game where it all happened, watching him rip his hair out on the gurney (bow three times….)
@khanon, Whitney is hardly a has been. As far as trading the farm, not going to happen.Unless Whitney gets more than a 2 year extension, he won’t waive his NTC.
Nobody better is even available at the deadline. Great news. Love the way this guy plays hockey!
KHANON…my thought exactly!! JW is absolutely more valuable than Whitney.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the field ya..
Awesome. JW is the trade for a top 6 forward we didn’t have to make.
Man, this guy’s got heart. You can see what DL saw in this guy when he made the trade.
Just in time the big playoff push about to come. Nice!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HofoK_QQxGc
Symth Kopitar Williams
Richardson Stoll Brown
Moller Handzus Simmonds
Ivanans/Purcell Cliche Clune
Scuderi Doughty
Johnson Greene
O’Donnell Harrold/Jones
Quick
Looks like a playoff team to me!
@Will Hutchison,
I’m glad you left out Frolov! I can’t stand that guy, hope the KHL “snatches” him up…
My line-up:
Smyth-Kopi-Simmonds
Richardson-Stoll-Brown
Moller-Handzus-Clune
Ivanans-Moreau-Chris Neil Type
@khanon,
However, considering Frolov is a king at the moment:
Frolov-Handzus-Clune
Ivanans-Moller- Chris Neil Type
@Will Hutchison, you forgot fro. Drop down Moller, drop Ratis and Purcell and then you are talking.
@khanon, There has to be some sort of rule about replying to yourself. That’s Ricky Hendersonish.
@Will Hutchison, Is Frolov a healthy scratch?
@khanon,
To me, they are not really the same player and each can contribute in their own way. IMHO JW does the little things that aren’t even in Whitney’s thought process.
HE IS A CYBORG NOW!!!
Hopefully his timber will hold up for the remaining games.
Moral of the story; DL won’t let his players get screwed.
@jet, or is williams now a fashion plate?
Would of lost a lot of money on that bet (that he would make it back this season), but with it not even being a broken ankle and no screws explains a lot.
We should not expect him to be himself for at least 3 – 4 weeks after he comes back. Still, it means he’ll be ready for the playoffs and that is amazingly good news.
Wow, I’m pleasantly surprised. Good luck Justin, I can’t wait to see you back on the ice.
I’m a ….
I’m a little shocked.
But a happy shocked. Kinda nervous about “rushing it” … but I trust the system that is professional sports, and professional doctors and professional atheletes – all of whom make it their living to make good judgements about such things.
@HawKings,
So happy for you. You were the first to see and report this! Thanks! Way to go buddy!!!1!
@Running Man, I think he meant Wolverine with the healing factor :)
I had a very similar injury while racing motocross about 10 yrs ago and wish this procedure was available back then . The recovery time is not the issue its how the bone heals either with or without hardware . im sure JW will be back as strong as ever but it doesnt happen overnight . I can still ride and skate but with alot of pain involved . Lots of respect to JW and anyone who knows what im talking about . GO KINGS GO
@goldielocks, nothing simple about this injury , its like my doctor told me , take a piece of tape and stick it to the wall . dont peel it off but rip it from the side tearing the paint off . this is what the bone does and its not fun .not to mention the stress on the ligaments . just to give you an idea of what happens .
Very cool information, hope he can get his wheels back as quickly as he thinks he can.
@Running Man,
I think that was a Wolverine reference.
[...] like he’ll be back in a Kings uniform this season. Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider is seeing promising strides toward his [...]