Schenn out 4 to 6 weeks
Daily News Flyers blog
Schenn out 4 to 6 weeks
UPDATE (1:35 p.m.): Brayden Schenn has a broken left foot and will be out 4 to 6 weeks, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said.
Schenn injured his foot when he blocked a shot by P.K. Subban on Wednesday night in Montreal. Schenn hobbled off the ice but finished the game. He was seen limping after the game.
The Flyers also have recalled defenseman Erik Gustafsson and forward Zac Rinaldo.
Rinaldo's recall raised a few eyebrows at first but not when it was learned Schenn would be out a few weeks.
By our math, that means Andreas Nodl would return to the lineup in Schenn's place and Rinaldo would likely be the healthy scratch at forward.
We'll have more after the team's first media availability of the day at 4:30 p.m.
EARLIER:
MONTREAL – Wednesday night’s loss in Toronto was obviously a tough night for the Flyers’ defense, in their first regular season contest without Chris Pronger since last April.
Matt Walker was on the ice for two crucial goals-against, on back-to-back shifts that spanned nearly 13 minutes of actual game time over two periods. In all, Walker played just 7:20.
Andreas Lilja saw a little more time, clocking in at 15:49. That left the bulk of the work to Braydon Coburn (25:30), Matt Carle (23:17), Kimmo Timonen (22:17), Andrej Meszaros (21:02). Coburn and Timonen were the Flyers’ only defensemen able to stay out of the minus column.
So, while Pronger remains off the ice for the foreseeable future while nursing his eye injury, what are the Flyers’ options on defense?
With such a short turnaround – the Flyers are back on the ice tonight against Winnipeg – Peter Laviolette’s hands are largely tied.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren was not with the team in Montreal, unavailable to comment as he is on a scouting trip.
With the Flyers strapped against the salary cap (they are actually one of two NHL teams to be exceeding the current $64.3 million cap, only remaining cap compliant with the use of long-term injury exceptions), they cannot fit another player under the daily cap without first making a move to demote a current player.
Walker, 31, would be the most likely to be demoted.
Out of Walker's 7 minutes and 20 seconds of ice time, a full 1:42 of that came in the final 3 minutes of a four-goal game.
His $1.7 cap hit has made him an easy target in the past. Since Walker cleared waivers on Oct. 6, to start the season, he could be freely sent to Adirondack without having to clear again, as long as it is within 30 days of his original clearing.
Even then, the Flyers’ options remain limited on the return.
Phantoms defenseman Oskars Bartulis, for one, would need to clear re-entry before being able to join the team. Since that process takes a full 24 hours – in a period from noon to noon, to allow all 29 other teams an opportunity to claim – Bartulis would not be an option for tonight’s game.
Erik Gustafsson, 22, who had a strong training camp and played 3 games with the Flyers last year, is another option. He does not need waivers to be re-called. As stated earlier, another player would need to be moved to create room for Gustafsson’s $900,000 cap hit.
What does all of that mean? With limited options and such a short window in between games, the Flyers will likely be stuck with the same defensive lineup for tonight’s game against Winnipeg.
It's clear that a move needs to be made. That is not opinion, rather just an observation based on Laviolette's use of his depth defensemen. Prior to absolutely needing both Walker and Lilja on Wednesday for the first time, the two had been swapped in and out of the lineup interchangeably.
Without singling anyone out, Laviolette made it clear on Wednesday night that he wasn't pleased with the puck play in front of his own net.
"I think four of the five goals were the direct result of turnovers," Laviolette said. "You've really got to know what you're doing with the puck. Turnovers, in any sport, will kill you. We made bad decisions and it came back immediately, the other way, and in our net."
Even if it’s just temporary, those minutes are a lot to ask of your core of 4 defensemen on a nightly basis, especially on the back-end of a stretch of 9 games in 17 days... when it’s still October.
JETS WAITING: Despite not landing back home until 1:06 a.m., the Flyers had tonight’s opponent already waiting for them in their Philadelphia hotel beds. Tonight will be the Flyers’ first crack at the new-look Atlanta Thrashers, err Winnipeg Jets.
It also wraps up the Flyers’ first of 13 back-to-back sets of games this season.
The Jets have had a tough start to the season, both at home and on the road, as they’ve played a lot like the old Thrashers – just wish new uniforms. Winnipeg is still searching for their first win (0-3-1) away from the MTS Centre this season. Tonight is the beginning of a 7-game trip for the Jets.
“We don’t fear going on the road,” Jets rookie coach Claude Noel told the Winnipeg Sun. “We just have to continue doing things the right way. I think we’re taking steps in the right direction. If you’re going to be a playoff team, you have to be able to win on the road.”
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
Comment removed.
bbeach stands for bl0ws balls each [day]. Take your pathetic comments elsewhere.— MikeWizowski- Again, Holmer can make the big trades like Pronger and it takes not strategy to sign a big name goalie free agent. But when he traded Gags, he didn't "dump" much salary because he took on an overpaid, often injuried Walker. He SHOULD have done that deal for a low round pick or lower paid AHL guy to truly "dump" salary. Then, they signed Bartulius after like 3 games in the NHL...much like he did with Randy Jones and Picard = mediocre d-men we traded away. he overpaid for Shelley and if you have 3-5 potential 3rd-4th line young players ready to break in, WHY on earth sign Nodl? MOST OF ALL, if you're going to keep the D in tact in front of Bryzgaalov, and you know that Pronger and Kimmo are old, then why not go for broke and bring in a 4-th - 6th defenseman in case someone gets hurt??? Lilja makes NO sense when you have Walker. Neither made sense if you had a crack at keeping O'Donnell or Boyton. None make sense if you signed McCabe. Trade Schenn & Nodl now for a reasonably talented defenseman.— MichaelZoe
- "send crissy p to the wnba, what a sissy havent seen a bigger sissy then that loser lindros!"
Your mother called to say that they will be performng that frontal lobotomy on you tonight out in the henhouse so remember to take your hat off.
— Claudio Vernight - Comment removed.
- Homer has strapped this team with salary cap issues for the past few years. It's killing them. I'm worried about Bryz..he looks old and slow. I'm hoping it's just rust, but hell, he hasn't made a big save since the first game. Yes, there are deflections, but you have to make some big saves. Bob looks sharp and is a very good reaction goalie. He burned out last year. Keeping him was a good move. Where the hell is JVR and Danny Boy. Schenn should have never been called up. It upset the chemistry. PS: Take a look at Vokoun's stats in Washington..— FLYGUY31
- Tough break for Schenn, but it might be addition by subtraction for the Flyers. Schenn's play reminds me of the last player to wear No. 10 here.— Snap Crackle Propp
- You can't judge an NHL team until the same group of guys play together for a while. that is not the case with this team. A lot of youngsters and a lot of newcomers equals the possibility of a slow start. Now we lose Captain Pronger which will expose a lot of weaknesses. I laugh at all you posters wishing for Bob in net while ripping Bryz, Homer, and the rookies. You are the same people who ripped Bob not even 5 months ago lol. It's sad our country is full of dolts who cannot make a decision for themselves. They fall for any ol thing that sounds promising!— 420Phillie
- Schenn missing some games is good news for everyone except Schenn and his agent.— icarus
- I agree except I'm wondering if Schenn was PLAYING with a broken foot. He looked terrible to nonexistent last night, unlike the previous few games where he looked okay. I guess there was a reason the Kingfs kept him in the minors. — Razer
- this team better get it in gear FAST. another 6 months and the playoffs will be here!— jim715
- Schenn isn't ready for the NHL anyway. The lines haven't been right since his promotion. Could be a blessing in disguise. He needs more seasoning. Give Courtourier more minutes.— Batt13
- Schenn doesnt gain anything by playing in the AHL he can play at this level just needs some games. That said, dont think he is as good as scouts say he is. There is a reason the Kings were willing to part with him.— shanehockey28
- I have watched pee wees make better breakout passes then Walker and Lilja last night. Holy smokes, that puts pressure on a goaltender when you can't hit the winger going out of the zone. I can't blame Bryz one bit for that loss. Pronger is the glue that holds this D together.— Atlee
- I feel a bit like people commenting about Brzy on here have not really processed 3 quarters of the goal he has given up. When four pucks are deflected by you (three by your own defense), unmarked players are screening in front all day and players are easily getting to the net of course a goalie is going to look average. This is exactly what killed him in the playoffs last year. Notcie how the Flyers give Bob way more sightlines than Brzy so far.
Really, after 7 starts (or how ever many we are talking about), lets all settle down. no one was saying this after the 3-0 start with a shutout were they?— frstrm
