Wild's Keith Ballard contemplates future amid concussion syptoms
Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard hasn't played a game since Dec. 9, and he's hoping it wasn't his last.
It's been five months since Ballard suffered his latest concussion, but he told reporters at the Wild's final press conference Monday that he's still experiencing its effects.
"Not much has changed. Still have days that I don’t feel well," said Ballard. "Hopefully I start feeling better at some point and then decide. My day-to-day stuff has been pretty good. It’s been more when I’ve been on the ice and even working with the (Black Aces) last week. There’s days I just get headaches from it. You start getting dizzy a little bit.”
The continued side effects have forced him to contemplate a return to the game, knowing that it could be in his best interest to walk away.
“I’d love to play, but I’ve got to feel better first,” Ballard said. “I don’t want to close the door and say, ‘Oh, I’m done,’ but I’m going to factor everything in and give it some time and see if I can get to a point where I can get on the ice and feel OK.”
The 604-game veteran will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, so on top of feeling better, Ballard will also have to hope a team is willing to accommodate a veteran with a history of concussions.
Ballard played just 14 games during the regular season, putting up one assist.