Gus replacing Grossmann for Flyers
PITTSBURGH -- The Flyers’ defense will have a new look Friday as they try to finish off the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Consol Energy Center.
Gus replacing Grossmann for Flyers
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
PITTSBURGH -- The Flyers’ defense will have a new look Friday as they try to finish off the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Consol Energy Center.
Erik Gustafsson is in; Nick Grossmann is out.
Grossmann has a concussion, teammate Claude Giroux confirmed, and he did not make the trip to Pittsburgh.
No matter how long the series lasts, it appears Grossmann - arguably the Flyers’ top defenseman - will not play in it again. Fact is, there are questions about if he will play again in the playoffs this season.
Grossmann took first-period hits from the Tyler Kennedy and Evgeni Malkin in the Flyers’ 10-3 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday. He played sparingly in the second period before sitting out the third period.
Gustafsson, 23, who was plus-12 in 30 games with the Flyers this season, will be making his playoff debut.
“It’s going to be a dream come true,” Gustafsson said after the morning skate Friday. “My first pro playoff game. A little nervous, but mostly I’m excited, so it’s going to be a lot of fun tonight.”
Gustafsson said he did not know who would be his defensive partner.
Grossmann had been on the top D pairing with Braydon Coburn. Coach Peter Laviolette is expected to have Coburn with Kimmo Timonen; they played together a bit on Wednesday.
Gustafsson has spent time with Matt Carle this season, and he could be paired with him Friday. That would leave Andreas Lilja and Pavel Kubina on the third pairing.
Then again, a Carle-Gus pairing would not have much physicality.
If it's me, I pair Carle with Kubina, and Gus with Lilja.
Coach Peter Laviolette said Gustafsson was not demoted to Adirondack this season because of his performance, but because the Flyers had players returning from injuries.
Gustfasson doesn’t think the Flyers’ lopsided loss Wednesday will have a carryover effect.
“We’re just going to hit the reset button,” he said.
Meanwhile, Giroux said he felt badly for Grossmann.
"I've had a concussion and it's the worst," he said. "You're basically sitting on your couch and you can't even watch TV."
Bryz ready. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov was making snow angels at the morning skate and seemed loose as he prepared to face the Penguins.
“He’s going to be great tonight, I have a feeling,” Giroux said. “He’s focused.”
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
Kubina/Lilja paired together? too slow.— gob1234- I have never seen so much concern about whether a mediocre journeyman d-man plays a game as I have about Grossmann.
That must say something about the depth of defense on this team.
Good thing the Flyers gave up a second round pick for him, so fans can continue to whine when the Penguins draft players with their picks, and Grossmann walks via free agency.
I do hope he feels better, though. Penguins fans are much more sympathetic about concussions than the fans of certain teams.— WhatWhiners - What? Grossmann has signed with the Flyers for four years, 14 mil. after this year... This happened a couple of weeks ago.
The Flyers have great draft picks that are already playing on the Flyers.
Do you even know what you are talking about?— wgagne12 - Grossman signed a 3-year extension with the Flyers a month after the trade, dope. As a Penguin fan, you should be the last person questioning the depth of another team's defense. Enjoy the Pirates because after tonight, that is all you've got until football season... that and waking up every morning in that God-forsken city. — tugmcerlain
- Is it too much to ask of people posting here that they come remotely close to knowing what they're talking about? — sklandog
- pennguins players are not as sympathetic to concussions and the symptoms as they should be, and its evident in the way neal and crosby go for the upper torso of the opponent when the opponent is not even in the play — SyddBarrett
- So why is Malkin not being suspended or fined for obviously head-hunting our top guy on defense? He didn't even get a penalty for it did he? Wtf NHL? Someone in the ranks of our depth should end that guys career tonight.— Mo Biggsley
- OK, so.....Grossman gets hit in the head by both Kennedy AND Malkin, and now has a concussion. WHERE IS THE REVIEW BY SHANAHAN ON THIS????— Phantoms9805
- Didn't you hear, it was Rinaldo's fault that Grossman got hit. — oobeyboobey
- Malkin is a punk.....and a cheapshot artist....we will miss Grossmann....cant believe there was no penalty or review by the NHL on this hit to the head. Gus ..get ready. Bryz will bring it home to us tonight!— PhillyfanCanadianflavor!
- lets finish these punks they have been taking runs at grossmann since last game of reg season .— broadst.17
- Sam, I like your pairings. I would rather see Manning in because he is more physical but this game seems to be a lot about skating and Gus fits that to a tee. I also think Bryz has a break out game! Flyers in 5!— Fabulous
- Hey, WhatWhiners, get your fact straight before you comment. Number one, Grossmann IS NOT a journeyman and two, the Flyers already resigned him, so he can't walk this summer.— acoren
- Why isn't Malkin suspended for the Elbow to the Head of Grossman? We lose out top defenseman because of a cheap shot to the head and the guy doesn't even get suspended. I'M FREAKING ANNOYED with the NHL!!!! Why don't people in the media call for Malkin to be suspended?— ChrisM
- Why isn't Bourdon playing? I thought he was well again.— Johnnyboyl
