Flyers GM Hextall on Kimmo Timonen: 'There's no question, it's a setback'

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen is out indefinitely due to multiple blood clots in his right calf and lung, and general manager Ron Hextall admits the injury has the potential to have an adverse effect on his team.

"There's no question it's a setback, there's no other way to explain it. But we'll adjust and we'll do what we can to make the team better," Hextall told NHL.com. "But we'll see what happens. But absolutely, you can't take not only the player but I think the experience and the calm and the poise and the respect that Kimmo has in the locker room and say you didn't take a step back."

The 39-year-old signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the club through 2014-15, after recording 36 points in 77 games and acting as a key contributor on the blue line, especially on special teams.

Hextall boosted the defense corps by signing Nick Schultz and Michael Del Zotto to one-year contracts, but Timonen's absence is sure to be felt nonetheless.