Richards talks about concussion-like symptoms; Benn a possibility for Tuesday

Brad Richards spoke to the media today and said that he has been frustrated while trying to deal with his concussion-like symptoms. He said he truly is day to day and is hoping to get over the common symptoms that come with a concussion. He is out for the foreseeable future, but he also could come back if he starts feeling better.

``I'm just trying to get healthy. It's the first time I've been through something like this, and it's not fun. You have your moments during the day where you think you're turning the corner, and then you have another couple of hours where things are affected. It's a process, and patience is what I'm being told is the biggest thing I have to have right now, just let Mother Nature fix itself with my brain and whatever is going on.''

When asked about what kinds of symptoms he had, Richards said:

``It's nothing crazy or out of this world. The thing that scared me to start with is the light-headedness. That's what put the red flag up. But that seems to be getting better. The obvious thing is headaches, but every day I wake up I hope that it's getting better. It definitely hasn't gotten worse.

``I would have liked to have been on the ice today, but I don't think that's safe for my health or good for anybody. I'll wake up tomorrow and keep plugging away.''

When asked if he has talked with friends who have had concussions, he said that he had, but he added:

``It seems like the people who have them talk a lot together and try to gauge what's been going on. But that's the hard thing, everyone is different. Every person is different, every answer is different, every timetable is different. Some guys just wake up one day and it's gone, so you hope it's not too long.''

When asked how frustrating the injury is, he said:

``It's obviously the most frustrating. The thing that is frustrating is it's your brain. It put things in perspective. It's not a bone, it's not a hip I'm going to go get fixed. It's your brain. So whether it's frustrating or not, this is the one thing where you have to make sure everything is right.''

When asked about a potential return, he said:

``Hopefully, this is the week where things get better and I start skating. But if not, I'll have to take my time.''

And when asked about the hit by Columbus center Sami Pahlsson, he said that it was a direct elbow to the chin from Pahlsson:

``I remember everything. I didn't go out. I knew right away it was a good shot to the jaw. Nothing was called and nothing was done, but he threw his elbow into my jaw as he was going past. Nobody skates with his elbow up at head level, and my head wasn't down at his waist. But it is what it is.''

Jamie Benn (shoulder), Adam Burish (orbital bone) and Krys Barch (orbital bone) all skated, but coach Marc Crawford would not say whether or not they would be ready to play Tuesday against New Jersey. Benn said he was ready, but Crawford said none of the players had been cleared by a doctor.