It has been 11 days since the Philadelphia Flyers first claimed Patrick Brown off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights. He arrived in the area shortly thereafter and was almost immediately put in COVID protocol. So it took a little bit of extra time before he was able to skate with his new teammates.
A day before the team welcomes in a red-hot Florida Panthers team, Brown was on the right-wing with Derick Brassard and Joel Farabee. He will wear No. 38 for the Flyers. Cam Atkinson, who scored two goals in a big win over the Bruins, was not out on the ice.
For Brown, he first found out he’d be sidelined when he took a COVID test after he was in Philadelphia. He was forced to quarantine with his wife and 13-month old son, Wellington. It was frustrating, but Brown took a look at the positives as he was able to get an idea of how the Flyers systems work.
"”It was an unlucky bounce, but the team was playing great and they were fun to watch. I tried to turn it into a postive. I got to watch the systems, and try to watch how the guys play a little bit more focused. I did the best I could.”"
Getting an idea of how the team plays and what he will be able to add, Brown mentioned his hard-working style of play that can allow the team’s higher-skilled players to go to work.
"“Just bring lots of energy. And hopefully play in the offensive zone with the puck. I try and chip pucks in and get them back. And just work the other team so the high skilled players can get out there and score some goals. And hopefully I can get a couple bounces near the net too.”"
While he has finished up his 10-day quarantine, he may not be able to travel with the team right away. The Flyers will be heading to Canada for a three-game road trip. According to Vigneault, Brown would still need to wait for the 14 day period to be up before he could come. That would mean he could join them as early as Tuesday ahead of their matchup against Edmonton the following night.
"“Really liked what I saw on the ice. Probably give him a couple of practices. The irony of all of this is he can practice with us, he’s done his 10 days. But when we leave for Canada on Monday, he can’t leave with us because he hasn’t done the 14 days that are required if you get COVID to come to Canada. So he should be able to meet us there, I think it’s Tuesday or Wednesday.”"
It has been a tough break for Brown having to wait almost two weeks to join his new team, but there was a familiar face out there for him. He was suitemates with Kevin Hayes during their time at Boston College. It was fun to be out there with him to open up his first practice.
As Vigneault mentioned, he’ll have a few practices under his belt before he checks into the lineup for the first time. If all goes well, he could debut on the Canadian road trip as the Flyers will also play Vancouver and Calgary during their time out north.
Atkinson, Ellis Not on the Ice for Flyers
Atkinson went hard into the boards after his second goal on Wednesday night but his absence from practice was chalked up to simply being a maintenance day. With a day off on Thursday as well, the team was likely giving him the extra time to heal any bumps or bruises. He is all but expected to be in the lineup against Florida. The Flyers would have to do some major shuffling if he somehow could not play.
Ryan Ellis was also absent from practice. He has made a big impact since coming to Philadelphia. While shoring up their top pairing, he has a goal and three assists in three games. It wasn’t the first time he has missed practices early on. He took a few maintenance days before the season began and was said to be nursing a lower-body injury.
Justin Braun was skating in his place and Cooper Zech, who has been nursing an injury as well, was seen with Keith Yandle. If Ellis is unable to go, which is a big possibility, Nick Seeler would be the one to be called back up. Yandle and Braun would be Vigneault’s ideal third pairing if it was possible, but Seeler would slot in with Yandle if it comes down to it.
It is unclear if Ellis is dealing with that same injury that he had early on, but this would be a tough loss for the Flyers. If he does not play on Saturday, there is the expectation that his injury is not long-term, though.