The Pittsburgh Penguins will likely be starting the regular season without their backup goaltender.
Tomas Vokoun is out indefinitely after undergoing a procedure to dissolve a blood clot in his pelvis. According to the team, Vokoun left Saturday morning’s practice and went to the hospital after he noticed swelling in his thigh.
“The most important thing right now is Tomas’ health and well-being,” Penguins General Manager Ray Shero said. “The clot was dissolved by the procedure, and the doctors tell us that he will remain in the hospital for several days. We will continue to monitor his progress after that.”
During the 2005-06 season with the Predators, Vokoun missed the final eight games of the regular season, as well as the playoffs, after a blood clot was discovered in his pelvis. He was cleared to play the next season.
Vokoun took over for Marc-Andre Fleury during the Pens postseason run last season, leading Pittsburgh to wins over the Islanders and Rangers before falling to Boston in the conference finals. Jeff Zatkoff is the only other remaining goaltender on their roster.
