One player back as another one departs. That was the situation at Flyers practice on Monday morning. Carter Hart was unable to play in the team’s last game with an undisclosed illness. It was a rough go-for the young goaltender that lasted a few days, but he did not return a positive test.
Having missed the last few days, though, the team must be smart about his usage in their last two games before the break. While he will get one of them, it is undetermined if he will be in net against the Capitals on Tuesday.
Felix Sandstrom, who had missed time recently due to a sinus issue, was loaned back to the Phantoms. He was the backup to Martin Jones against the Senators. So while the Flyers did get Hart back, they lost another player.
Before practice began, Kevin Hayes was on the ice. Moments before it was to start, though, he left and would not return. Recent test results forced the team to pull Hayes from the ice after said results placed him into COVID protocol. He joins Morgan Frost and Max Willman as the three players in protocol.
"”We were notified he’s in COVID protocols. He’s one of three players with Frost and Willman and a couple staff members. It’s creeping in a little bit into our group but we removed Kevin once we got the result.” Chuck Fletcher said after practice."
The Flyers, at the moment, have two more games scheduled before the Christmas break. They’ll take on the Capitals on Tuesday before heading to Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Brassard close to return, Allison seeing specialist
With one center gone, another one could be returning soon. Derick Brassard has missed the last five games with a hip injury. That came after he returned for one game following a six-game absence.
"“Derick Brassard’s been skating, he’s getting closer. He’s day to day, I would say. I don’t think he’s a player for tomorrow, but he’s making good progress. Feeling better and hopefully after tomorrow’s game…whether it’s Thursday or the first game after the break, he’ll be a player.”"
So there is a chance that Brassard could be available on Thursday, but it wouldn’t be shocking if the Flyers air on the side of caution and hold him out until they return from the break.
Wade Allison, after returning from the high ankle sprain that held him out thus far, is out once again. He suffered an elbow injury during the Phantoms game on the 17th. He is off to see a specialist so there is no current timetable to his return.
It’s been a tough break for Allison as he had suffered the ankle sprain during a rookie game before the season. He returned to play three games with Lehigh Valley, grabbing one assist, before suffering the elbow injury. It happened during the third being via a collision alongside the Phantoms bench.