Teppo Numminen unlikely to return for Sabres

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 9, 2008 | 8:34 PM ET

CBC Sports

Buffalo Sabres defenceman Teppo Numminen will need at least two more months to recover from open-heart surgery, likely ending his season.

Numminen, 39, was told Wednesday by Sabres doctors that his heart is fine, but he requires more time for his sternum to heal.

Teppo Numminen needs at least two months to allow his sternum to heal.
(Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

"It is disappointing," said Numminen, who planned to return to the lineup in the next week or so.

Numminen's doctors made their recommendations after examining test results from a recent checkup, and consulting with doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, where he had the operation last September.

"Things were going really well," Numminen said. "I was getting into good shape.

"[You get] your mind to a point where you will be playing again. Now you're just kind of floating and floating, and wondering what happened and where to go from here."

Numminen has experienced heart murmurs since childhood and was diagnosed with a dilated aorta nearly four years ago.

He avoided surgery until doctors noticed a faulty valve in his heart during a routine checkup prior to training camp.
 
Numminen, who makes $2.6 million US, has compiled 115 goals and 505 assists for 620 points in 1,314 games over 18 NHL seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes and Sabres. 

He was drafted in the second round (29th overall) by Winnipeg in 1986.