Niittymaki could be sidelined for while with hip injury

PHILADELPHIA -- Flyers goalie Antero Niittymaki could miss up to two months because of a hip injury sustained during practice Tuesday.

An MRI revealed the torn labrum in his left hip, and Philadelphia general manager Bob Clarke said a decision on whether to operate would be made Wednesday.

"If surgery is necessary, it will be six-to-eight weeks before he is back playing," Clarke said.

Niittymaki, 26, was competing with Robert Esche to be the Flyers' No. 1 goalie in the new season that begins next week.

He had surgery on his right hip following last season when he went 23-15-6 with a 2.97 goals-against average in 46 games. Niittymaki's 23 wins were tied for third among NHL rookies.

Martin Houle was recalled from Philadelphia of the AHL on Tuesday and was available to play that night in a preseason game against Washington.