Anssi Salmela Leaves Devils Game On Stretcher

Usually when a player is taken off the ice on a stretcher, he’s at least taken to the hospital for observation. Apparently, there were no early signs of concussion and Salmela went to the Flyers locker room for treatment. Philadelphia beat writer Anthony SanFilippo reports that Salmela was walking around and talking in the locker room.

Jay Grossman also reports that Salmela has re-fractured his nose and has several broken teeth. While you certainly don’t wish for any injury, it’s a much better outcome than what it originally appeared to be just a few hours ago.

Our Flyers site, Broad Street Hockey, has their initial reaction to the Salmela hit:

Travis is right in this case in that the hit is unnecessary but its another hit for the league to look at trying to phase out of the game. For a player to rebreak his nose and lose several teeth is ridiculous for a hit that is technically legal.

Here is the video of the hit:

He was eventually taken off the ice on a stretcher, as is the normal course of action for head injuries of this nature.

Check back for any updates on Salmela’s condition here on SB Nation.