HARTFORD, Conn – In 13 seasons in the NHL, Wade Redden never missed more than 18 games. In fact, in 10 of those seasons, the defenseman played at least 75 of 82 games.
So the 22 games that Redden has had to sit out since he was injured in the Connecticut Whale’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Providence Bruins on Dec. 17 have been uncharted territory. Not to mention being rather agonizing and a bit boring at times, though it did provide more time at home with wife Danica and 17-month-old daughter Leni.
“I’ve been making the most of that,” Redden said. “One thing that has helped me get through this is having them there. It’s not easy sitting out, but when you go home, life’s pretty busy so you have to keep going on day by day and get healthier. That’s all you can ask for.”
Redden, 34, the second overall pick by the New York Islanders in 1995 and a two-time NHL All-Star, has spent much of the past two months rehabbing an injury that has sidelined him twice as long as any other time in his noteworthy 15-year pro career. That included Thursday, when he had a 20-minute, post-practice “bag skate” under the watchful eye of assistant coach J.J. Daigneault, who handles the defense. Redden did plenty of huffin’ and puffin’ and needed a few minutes to catch his breath before doing an interview.
But, not surprisingly, Redden has remained professional in his approach to his recovery and discussing some of the most difficult times of his career as he is about to return to the game that he loves and has provided a lucrative livelihood. It was especially difficult in January, when the Whale went through an 11-game winless streak (0-6-3-2) to temporarily lose the Northeast Division lead to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
“It’s hard just to be watching and skating (alone),” said Redden, who has 10 assists in 25 games, missing 28 total so far. “You want to be playing and going with the guys on the road. The most important thing is the games, so it’s hard sitting out those and having a chance to do something, especially in the bad stretch with all the close games and nothing to show for it.
“But when you’re not playing, the focus is just to get healthy, and I’ve been doing a lot of stuff with (athletic trainer Damien Hess and strength and conditioning coach Mark Cesari), so I’ve been feeling good about that. It’s been a process that has been good and has come a long way, and when I’m healthy and ready, I’ll be able to step right in again. Practices have gone fairly good, but I still do feel a little bit held back, especially with things that I have to do in a game like mobility and getting into certain positions when it can flare up and I don’t feel like I’m ready to go. The one good thing is I haven’t had any real setbacks. It has been getting better and better, and I’ve been able to do more, so I don’t see that changing. It’s just a matter of needing a little more time.”
But Redden didn’t need any time before breaking into a wide smile when asked about giving new father and fellow defenseman Pavel Valentenko some tips on raising a daughter. Valentenko’s wife, Ekaterina, gave birth to the couple’s first child, 8-pound, 6-ounce Polina, on Feb. 3, and Redden got Valentenko to visit www.babycenter.com as the Russian sat out seven games with an injury sustained in a 3-2 overtime loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Jan. 27.
“The website (information) starts even before birth,” Redden said. “You can put in the due date beforehand, and each week it sends you an update, where the baby is at and the stage of pregnancy. And there’s stuff about after the birth, just little things that you wouldn’t really know. I didn’t have any clue, so it’s pretty cool.”
Valentenko was beaming even more than Redden when asked about fatherhood and possibly returning to the lineup Friday night when the Whale hosts the Springfield Falcons at the XL Center.
“I’ve missed the guys, being with the team, and now I feel good and ready to go,” said Valentenko, who has been practicing since the middle of last week. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to have a baby. It’s like I have a different life. I feel more mature.”
What about those tips from Redden?
“He gave me some lessons to take care of the baby,” Valentenko said, smiling again. “We showed me some websites, and I learned some things about babies, like what to do at one month.”
Though their first loves might be at home, Valentenko and Redden said they are excited to get back to work, and their possible returns come at a good time for the Whale since defenseman Jeff Woywitka and left wing Wojtek Wolski returned to the New York Rangers on Wednesday after helping the team put together a 5-0-1-0 run and reclaim the division lead during two-week conditioning assignments.
The Whale has another busy weekend as they also host the Worcester Sharks on Saturday night and visit the Providence Bruins on Sunday afternoon.
It’s especially encouraging to be on the verge of playing again for Redden after an unprecedented absence in the fourth year of a six-year, $39 million deal that he signed with the Rangers on July 1, 2008. Redden’s $6.5 million annual cap hit doesn’t count toward the NHL salary cap when he is in the minor leagues.
The extended off time has given Redden more time to consider all his options.
“I don’t know what the (Rangers) plan is, but obviously we’ll see what happens this summer,” said Redden. “I want to work to get another chance in the NHL, and lots of different things can happen. When you’re rehabbing and knowing there’s not much time left in the season, you want to come back and be ready and show what you can do. Obviously it’s going to be important to showcase that if anybody was going to want me.
“One of motivating things in this rehab, too, has been to get back and be healthy and be strong and be good, especially with the playoffs coming up. Honestly, I’ve been very fortunate (financially), but I don’t sit there counting my money. That’s not what it’s about and not what you look back on at the end of a career. I’m sure a lot of guys would take my position in a heartbeat, and I wouldn’t trade it with anyone. But you make the best of what you’ve got, and I still want to play (in the NHL).”
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