Read anxious for return

Matt Read was getting anxious.

Even though the Flyers' rookie - who has already entrenched himself as a go-to player - had only missed the last three games with what the team called an "upper-body injury," human nature began to set in.

"You don't want to miss any games," Read said. "Even if you're hurt, you don't know what's going to happen to you."

In fact, Read was given the opportunity to play in Saturday night's game against Columbus - after skating with his teammates for the first time in a week - but decided to pull himself out of the lineup.

Read, 25, has 7 points in 11 games for the Flyers this season. Off to a strong start, he didn't need any bumps in the road.

"It's been tough to watch from the stands," Read said. But it's a long season, you've got to take care of yourself."

Now, Read has skated on his own for 5 days in a row and says he feels ready to play on the Flyers' three-game road swing which starts on Wednesday night in Tampa.

"Today's practice was pretty good, it gave me a good feeling," Read said. "I know I have one more practice tomorrow before we head to Florida and I should be ready."

And, Read has some extra company now at his house, as teammate and fellow rookie Harry Zolnierczyk moved in with him last week.

"I've got a spare bedroom," Read explained. "I told him instead of staying in a hotel by himself, he could bunk up with me. He's a good guy off the ice and I might as well have some company instead of sitting at my place by myself."

INJURY UPDATES: According to Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, defenseman Erik Gustafsson missed practice with a "maintenance day," and forward Andreas Nodl, who also missed practice, is still nursing a lower-body injury. Nodl sat out Saturday's game with the same injury. Eric Wellwood, who replaced Nodl in the lineup on Saturday, was re-assigned to AHL Adirondack on Monday ... Chris Pronger participated in a full practice on Monday - exactly two weeks after sustaining a nasty eye injury - and appears to be able to play on Wednesday, should he received clearance from eye specialist Dr. Stephen Goldman.

For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers