The Flyers are getting one defenseman back and losing another as they prepare for tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Philadelphia activated Cam York from injured reserve and recalled forward Jacob Gaucher from the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, according to a team announcement. At the same time, the club placed Rasmus Ristolainen on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
Ristolainen’s move comes after reports yesterday said he is expected to miss the next few weeks after re-aggravating a left-hand injury. That issue has already kept him out for nine games this season.
York, 25, has been out with an upper-body ailment of his own. Before the injury, the former first-round pick went scoreless in five games and posted a minus-6 rating while averaging 21:49 of ice time per game. He also had 10 blocked shots and five hits during that stretch.
His return should put him back on Jamie Drysdale’s side on Philadelphia’s second defensive pair. If Nick Seeler drops to the bottom pair, that leaves either Simon Benoit or David Jiříček as a likely healthy scratch for tonight.
Even with York back in the mix, the Flyers didn’t have to force him into the top pair with Travis Sanheim. Fellow first-rounder Oliver Bonk has been one of Philadelphia’s few bright spots this season, piling up four assists in seven games while posting a 56.6% xGoals% alongside Sanheim.
Gaucher, meanwhile, is back after being reassigned Sunday. With no new injuries up front, he’ll likely be the extra forward tonight. In three games with the Flyers, he has no points, a plus-1 rating and an average of 9:11 of ice time per game.
In Other News...
Flyers Linked To Young Winger Who Could Fill A Real Need
The Flyers have started to look more like a team with a direction, with young names such as Trevor Zegras, Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone helping drive the better play. As that group takes shape, it makes sense that Philadelphia would keep scanning for young talent that fits the age curve and the style the organization seems to want to build around.
One name now in the mix is Ivan Miroshnichenko, the 2022 first-round pick in Washington. He brings a physical edge along with some offensive upside, and that combination could appeal to a Flyers roster that still could use more speed and bite on the wing. He is also the kind of player who could be available at a price Philadelphia can at least consider, which makes him a worthwhile fit to watch as the market develops. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Just Entered A New Kind Of Trade And Cap Fight
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For the Flyers, that kind of inflation does not just affect who they can chase, it changes how they have to think about every move. The bigger cap space sounds like freedom, but the new rules around contract length and signing bonuses are tightening the framework at the same time, forcing teams to get more creative in both negotiations and trade talks. In other words, the Flyers are now playing the same roster-building game with a very different rulebook. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Have A Chance To Help Michkov With One Bold Move
Ivan Miroshnichenkos name has suddenly become a watch item for the Flyers, and not just because he is a young forward who could use a change of scenery. According to Sportsnets Elliotte Friedman, the Capitals have opened the door for him to look elsewhere after he has had trouble carving out a steady NHL role, and Philadelphia stands out as a logical fit given its need for more offensive depth.
There is also a natural hockey connection here that makes the idea more intriguing for Flyers fans. Miroshnichenko previously showed chemistry with Matvei Michkov, and if Philadelphia were to pursue a deal, it would be about more than adding another winger to the mix. The challenge now is whether a trade can be framed as a real hockey fit rather than just a speculative name on a list, because Washington is not positioned to let him go for pennies. [Read more 🡒]