Allison Is Skeptical on Return
Jason Allison, who stopped skating last week because of a recurrence of symptoms related to his whiplash injury, said Tuesday he might not play this season.
He also indicated he’s unhappy with comments made by Coach Andy Murray, including Murray saying Allison had been cleared to play. Murray has said he’s baffled by the center’s prolonged absence and the changes in doctors’ diagnoses and their inability to pinpoint the cause of Allison’s woes.
“That’s just something that to me is just wrong. It’s not right. Some of the stuff, it was basically a lie,” Allison said. “No doctor I saw said I could play. But I don’t want to get into that. There’s too much going on with the team to be a distraction.”
Allison last played Jan. 25. He appeared to be progressing until last week, when he again experienced fuzzy vision. He hasn’t practiced since.
“With how long it’s been, there’s a chance I might not be able to play this year,” he said.
“Basically, right now I’d be really happy just to make it back at all. I have to be realistic about it and obviously it’s going to take more time on the rehab end of it than I thought.”
Allison said when he feels better, he’ll ease back into shape in hopes he can avoid triggering the symptoms.
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Goalie Roman Cechmanek (hip strain) missed his fourth straight game and is out indefinitely.
“Roman is not doing as well as we would hope,” Murray said. “He just doesn’t have the right range of movement and it’s difficult for him to play right now.”
Defenseman Aaron Miller, out nine games because of a neck strain, also is progressing slowly. But Lubomir Visnovsky and Ian Laperriere (concussions) practiced vigorously and said they feel better. Visnovsky will have tests today and might play soon; Laperriere has no date for his return. “I have some headaches but the doctors tell me that will happen until I get my nose fixed,” he said, pointing to a face that has met a few fists.
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TONIGHT
at Phoenix, 6 PST
Site -- Glendale Arena
Radio -- KSPN (710)
Records -- Kings 16-12-5-4, Coyotes 11-12-11-2.
Record vs. Coyotes -- 1-1-1.
Update -- The Coyotes opened their $22-million arena with a loss to Nashville on Saturday and an overtime loss to the Rangers on Monday. Left wing Ladislav Nagy has led them in scoring most of the season and has 16 goals and 37 points, but Shane Doan has tied him with 14 goals and 37 points.
