PHILADELPHIA – Insurance will cover the majority of Martin Straka’s salary if he misses a significant portion of the regular season, as seems likely. “I’m sure it’ll kick in, in this case,” Penguins general manager Craig Patrick said. “It kicks in after a certain number of days.” Straka’s contract is worth $3.5 million this season. The Penguins already have paid him a month’s worth of that salary. Whatever they save on the rest – it could be more than $2 million – theoretically could be used to acquire reinforcements. Meanwhile, Straka’s agent says his client is determined to return from his injury earlier than the expected. “He said, ‘Last time I was injured, they said eight weeks, and it only took four. I heal fast,’ ” said Straka’s agent, Rich Winter. “He’s hoping to be ready for the Olympics. Whether his body accommodates him is another matter.” It sure doesn’t look that way, unless Straka is willing to take a huge risk. He had an 18-inch titanium rod inserted in his right tibia during Monday’s surgery and is projected to be out 4-6 months. Penguins team physician Cr. Charles Burke said he would be surprised to see Straka return before the six-month mark. The Olympics begin in about 31/2 months. The regular season ends in 51/2 months. Straka will be on crutches for 6-8 weeks. Winter said Straka plans to stay in Pittsburgh during that time, then “take a vacation and relax” and perhaps return to the Czech Republic, where he would be with friends and family and watch his brother play hockey. Meanwhile, the Czech daily MF Dnes interviewed Straka on Sunday – the day after his injury his occurred against the Florida Panthers. The interview was translated on the web site letsgopens.com. Straka apparently wanted to return to the ice after the injury, not knowing its severity. “I was able to take my leg protectors off,” he said. “The pain was fading. It didn’t even get swollen that much. Our doctor examined the bone, and I pretty much did not feel anything. … So I said, ‘Let’s put it into ice for five minutes, and I’ll return back to the game.’ … I still did not know what had happened. I tried to get up, unsuccessfully.” Straka was shocked to find out that his tibia had sustained a twisting-type fracture. His explanation of how he got hurt: “Idiot me – I tripped over the linesman, and maybe even over the line itself. Then my leg got stuck in the boards, and at the same time that bear-like defenseman (Lance Ward) bumped into me. I lost my balance, fell backwards and landed on my leg. That pain was terrible, but I thought that I just pulled the ligament in my ankle. I couldn’t get up so they dragged me off the ice.” Straka promised that if it’s possible, he’ll be back this season. Many factors will determine that, but there is no doubting Straka’s heart. “I will fight,” he said. “I am a fighter.”

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