Flyers' Rodrigo Abols Exits Game vs. Rangers with Lower-Body Injury
The Philadelphia Flyers took a hit on Saturday when forward Rodrigo Abols left the game early against the New York Rangers with a lower-body injury. The team confirmed he would not return after logging just 1:19 of ice time across two shifts in the first period.
The injury occurred after a collision with Rangers forward Gabe Perreault along the boards in Philadelphia’s offensive zone. Abols went down awkwardly and needed assistance getting off the ice, appearing to favor his right leg.
It’s a tough break for the 30-year-old winger, who’s been carving out a steady role in the Flyers’ bottom six this season. Through 42 games, Abols has tallied three goals and 10 points while bringing size and physicality to the lineup at 6-foot-4. He’s under contract through the 2025-26 season with an $800,000 cap hit, a value deal for a player who’s added depth and international experience to the roster.
Abols’ journey to this point has been anything but conventional. Originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL Draft, he never signed with the club.
Instead, he took his game overseas, building a solid résumé in Sweden and briefly joining the Florida Panthers’ system during the 2019-20 season. He returned to North America in 2024, signing a one-year deal with the Flyers and splitting that season between the NHL club and their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
His play earned him a one-year extension in May 2025.
Beyond the NHL, Abols has been a mainstay for Team Latvia. He’s already been named to the national squad for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, adding to a resume that includes the 2022 Olympic Games and eight IIHF World Championship appearances. His consistent presence on the international stage speaks to the kind of two-way, reliable game that coaches trust.
For now, the Flyers will be hoping the injury isn’t a long-term setback. With a tight Eastern Conference race unfolding, every roster spot counts - and Abols has proven he can be a dependable piece of the puzzle.