Kimmo Timonen's return from injury suddenly seems much closer than that of fellow Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn.

The All-Star was all but ruled out for the season a week ago, on the eve of the Eastern Conference finals, when it was revealed he had a blood clot in his left ankle. But after a visit to his doctor Thursday, just hours before the Flyers extended their season with a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the prognosis got a whole lot better.

If Timonen gets through practice without any problems today, and can deal with numbness and pain in his injured foot, he expects to be in the lineup Sunday in Pittsburgh when the Flyers try to stay alive in Game 5.

Coburn has been out since the opening minutes of Game 2 when a deflected shot struck him in the face near his left eye.

MARTIN, PANTHERS REACH DEAL: Jacques Martin has reached an agreement to remain with the Florida Panthers as general manager through the 2011-12 season, the team said Friday.

Martin was stripped of his duties as head coach last month but said he would stay on as general manager. He said the two jobs were too much for one person.

PREDATORS ARE SPENDING: The new ownership of the Nashville Predators is committed to keeping its young talent from leaving.

Want proof? Start with the seven-year, $31.5 million contract handed out to forward Martin Erat in the longest and most expensive deal yet for this franchise.

Predators GM David Poile credits the new owners with understanding the need for stability in a franchise that endured so much uncertainty over the past year.