The Flyers have not played since they last defeated the Washington Capitals a week ago. It has also been almost a week since they have practiced. It all started when Travis Sanheim was deemed ineligible to play and later added to the COVID-19 protocol.
Since then, seven other players have found themselves in protocol. Claude Giroux, Justin Braun, Jake Voracek, Morgan Frost, Scott Laughton, Oskar Lindblom and now Travis Konecny.
Frost’s addition on the list comes after he recently had shoulder surgery in Colorado. Therefore his reason for being on said list is more than likely due to leaving the team all together.
Konecny became the eighth Flyers player to be added to the list since last Sunday. He is the seventh player currently on the list as Sanheim is no longer in protocol. With that said, the Flyers will be opening their facilities for practice on Monday morning.
They had a total of four games postponed, though two came due to the Devils having their own outbreak. As it stands, the Flyers next game is scheduled for Thursday against the Rangers. They are then, as of right now, still on board to head to Lake Tahoe to face the Bruins next Sunday.
There have been rumors floating that if the Flyers are unable to travel, the New York Rangers would take their spot in Nevada. The next few days will tell the story on what the league decides to do. If Philadelphia is able to have a few practices with players either coming off the list or having no one else in protocol, it is likely they will play in Lake Tahoe.
While they are returning to practice, it does not officially mean they are out of the woods just yet. It has been less than a week since they have been separated from each other and self isolating. So it is possible that more tests could pop up. But returning to practice is a good sign nonetheless.
The health of these players is what is most important. While their addition to the list does not necessarily mean they have a positive test, it is nothing to take likely either. The league, and Flyers, were quick in shutting everything down and allowing the players to isolate on their own.
The next few days will be key when the team comes back together. Hopefully everyone remains healthy and the return of Flyers hockey is able to commence.