Straka to miss early season, maybe more Aug 22, 6:39 PM (ET) PITTSBURGH (AP) - High-scoring forward Martin Straka of the Pittsburgh Penguins, out most of last season, will miss at least the start of this one because of a back injury. The 29-year-old Straka cracked a vertebra and tore a ligament in his back in a weight-training accident July 22 in his native Czech Republic. Penguins general manager Craig Patrick said Thursday that Straka will fly to Pittsburgh within the next few weeks to be examined by the team's medical personnel. Surgery on the torn ligament would require six months of recovery time, Patrick said. "We're trying to avoid that," he said. "Hopefully, there's some healing going on now. We'll know when he gets here and we look at him." Patrick remains optimistic. He said Straka, who is at home in the Czech Republic, is walking and not experiencing pain lately. But Straka's back remains immobilized in a brace. Straka told trainer Mark Mortland this week that he wanted to return to Pittsburgh immediately to undergo an MRI and other tests, but Patrick ordered him to stay put. The Penguins want Straka to stick to the original plan of remaining mostly in the Czech Republic for 7-8 weeks after the injury. Trainers believe the torn ligament might heal on its own. Straka was among the NHL's leading scorers in 2000-01, when he had 95 points on 27 goals and 68 assists. Last season will be remembered for a string of strange mishaps that sidelined him. Straka played in just 13 games, getting five goals and four assists. He broke his right leg Oct. 28 and did not return to the lineup until Feb. 27. On his third shift in that game against Los Angeles, Straka took an inadvertent high stick from teammate Johan Hedberg and broke the orbital bone near his left eye. He returned five games later wearing a full-length face shield, but didn't last the first period. He re-broke the leg after making an awkward move and was lost for the season. Straka was deep into his training for the upcoming season when his latest accident occurred. A weight machine collapsed on his back, crushing him under about 300 pounds. "You just wonder, 'When's this going to stop?' " Patrick said. Straka's linemate, Alexei Kovalev, had some advice for him. "If I was in your place, I'd be afraid to go anywhere," Kovalev said. "I mean, just making a step I'd be afraid to get hurt."
