The Flyers depth took a big hit the last few days when the team announced that Sean Couturier, Scott Laughton, and Carter Hart were added to COVID protocol. Derick Brassard and Ryan Ellis were added as well, though the two have been rehabbing from separate injuries. With Kevin Hayes and Morgan Frost still in protocol at the time, the Flyers’ center depth was almost non-existent.
Good news came on Tuesday, though, when Hayes and Frost returned to practice. And it was perfect timing as the team was scheduled to fly out to Seattle ahead of their West Coast road trip. They’ll take on the Kraken, Sharks, Kings, and Ducks in a span of seven days. So they will need all of the reinforcements that they can get.
With the team’s lack of depth, it means that Hayes and Frost will be jumping right back into the swing of things despite only having one full practice before taking on Seattle on Wednesday night. In Hayes’ case, he ended up not having any symptoms and was pretty shocked he tested positive. For Frost, he mentioned feeling lousy for the first day or two but felt better after that.
While both faced mild cases, they still went over a week without being able to skate. Even with the time off, though, the two felt they held up well during the skate.
"“I feel fine. To be honest, I thought I was actually gonna feel worse in the practice there, but I feel pretty good. Just tried to stay in shape as much as I could.” Morgan Frost said after Tuesday’s practice.“My COVID battle wasn’t too bad. I know it’s a serious thing, obviously. I had no symptoms at all, was shocked I tested positive, but I did. I did my quarentine and felt pretty good on the ice today.” Kevin Hayes mentioned after the practice."
Those words are just what the Flyers wanted to hear as they go into a tough stretch with some of their top and most used players out of the lineup. Players are able to test out of protocol if they receive two negative PCR tests in a 24-hour span so it is possible a player such as Couturier could join the team on the trip. He was placed into protocol on the 23rd, putting him five days into a 10-day stay. Having not been able to join the team on Tuesday, though, makes it tough. The others were placed in COVID protocol on the 27th so the chances of any of them clearing during the trip are less likely.
Losing any player to COVID protocol, or even injury, is bad for any team. But losing top players who have such a big role can be even harder to deal with. But Mike Yeo believes that someone like Hayes has the ability to step in and fill the all-important role that a player like Couturier has each night.
"“Kevin is such an important player for our team. And you look at, obviously, we got Coots coming out. And the matchups that Coots has night in and night out, defensively, going head to head against the top d-men, top offensive lines. For a guy like Kevin to be able to go in and he can fill that spot. And we believe that he can.”"
Cam York, Kirill Ustimenko added to Taxi Squad
With the Flyers leaving for Seattle, Chuck Fletcher decided to give the team a couple of extra reinforcements in case they are needed during the trip. Those came in the form of defenseman Cam York and goaltender Kirill Ustimenko.
They joined Jackson Cates, Gerry Mayhew, and Felix Sandstrom who had previously been called up. The latter two will be on the active roster throughout the trip. Mayhew was slotted on the third line with James van Riemsdyk and Morgan Frost. Sandstrom, who could make his NHL debut, will begin as the backup to Martin Jones.
For York, this wouldn’t be his first opportunity to play in the NHL if the team does need him. He skated in three games with the Flyers last season. In 21 games with the Phantoms this year, York has one goal and seven assists. Yeo said the team is comfortable putting him into the lineup if they do end up needing him. They know what he is capable of doing and have seen his game progress and come along this year.
"“The thought process as far as bringing him is if you need a guy, whether it’s performance related, whether it’s because of everything that’s going on with COVID and injuries obviously. And you’re all the way out on the west coast. If we need a guy, then let’s call up somebody that can help us.”"
Ustimenko has spent most of his season in the ECHL with the Reading Royals. In seven games, he has a 4.09 GAA and a .893 SV%. He has also appeared in two games with the Phantoms, posting a 4.00 GAA and a .862 SV%.
He’ll be along for the ride and have an opportunity to practice with the NHL squad. The trip will see four games in seven days so Ustimenko will essentially serve as an extra goaltender to take shots as Jones, especially, is expected to face a lot of work.