Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tomas Vokoun is expected to be sidelined for 3-to-6 months to recover from a surgical procedure to dissolve a blood clot.
Vokoun underwent surgery on Sept. 21 and was released from the hospital four days later.
"He's going to be on blood thinning medicine," said Penguins general manager Ray Shero on Wednesday. "Physically, he's doing great. Mentally, he's doing great. During this time, he's OK to work out, he's OK to do everything except play hockey.
"This is not a short-term situation. The most important thing for us, and Tomas and his family, is his short-term health and his long-term health."
Vokoun also missed the end of the 2005-06 season and the entire postseason, when he was the starter in Nashville, due to blood clots in his abdomen.
"Right now, I'm not thinking about my career or playing hockey," said Vokoun. "I'm more worried about long-term health. Three months is the minimum. After that, I'll evaluate where I am. The doctors will monitor my health and progress. Then I'll make my decision."
The 37-year-old Czech native supplanted incumbent Penguins starter Marc-Andre Fleury during the playoffs last spring, going 6-5 with a 2.01 goals-against average while backstopping the club to the Eastern Conference finals.
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