GO WINGS GO!!

It's common tho...I see it a lot too. I think they all work out so much they don't actually take "care" of their bodies. Meaning enough sleep...fluids...etc things we take for granted. I also think they feel strong and indestructible so when they feel a smidge of something they don't baby themselves, they don't tell anyone, even their wives/families...they might even work out harder, thinking that will help. Men are ALL like that not just athletes. They will be at death's door for 3 days and you know it...won't stay home, won't go to the doc, ask if they're sick "I'm okay (croaking like a frog)" etc.
 
I think it's also that like a day care or school...you have large groups of people with differing levels of hygiene...playing and sweating, spitting and snotting together. They are in close quarters like buses or planes, lockerrooms and showers etc...it all sets up a good place for viruses to travel. Given that many are on antibiotics for other things...they might even have a resistance issue.

ORIGINAL: mrstjohnson

I never understood how these fine tuned athletes all get sick.  They are in the best of shape, with nutritionists, doctors, trainers, etc. fondling over them.   I know they give up their bodies for the game 4 times a week, but what the heck.  

Personally with Holmstrom out I am very nervous.   I like him, he is like our secret weapon that everyone knows about but can't do anything about.

 
You go ahead and try traveling through different time zones, different climates, shaking hands with hundreds of fans while signing autographs, and spending ungodly amounts of cash.[]
 
The "flu" is a term that playoff teams can use so as not to disclose any other injury as well.  Block a slapper with your foot...YOUCH!  Happened to one of my buddies and he broke 2 bones in his foot.  (And that was from an AAA team, not even minor leaguers.)  Wrist injuries (slashing happens.)  A pulled groin, back spasms, seperated shoulders...
 
Hockey players will finish a game, or sometimes even a series injured.  Look at Stevie Y. (one of my all time favorites!)  He played an entire playoffs with knees that were so painful he walked out every night on crutches.
 
Gretzky said it best, IMO.  He related a story of how they lost the cup to the Isles.  Afterwards he was expecting to go by the lockerroom and see celebrating, instead all he saw was guys with ice packs all over their bodies, or sitting in the hot tub, or having injuries tended to.
 
Hockey players, myself included, will play through injuries that no other professional athlete would even dream of.  Lose a tooth, be back next period.  Break a toe?  Ice my foot inside the skate and let me back in.  Sprained knee/ankle/wrist?  Tape me up and put me on the 4th line.
 
Even so, with Holmstrom out, the 3rd and 4th liners really need to dig deep.