Flyers Del Zotto, Laughton closer to returning
Michael Del Zotto, one of the Flyers' best defensemen, is getting closer to returning - and when he does, the Flyers will have some tough lineup decisions.
For the first time since they suffered preseason injuries, Del Zotto and forward Scott Laughton participated in a Flyers' practice, going through drills Sunday in Voorhees.
Both skated the previous two days on their own.
Del Zotto, 26, injured his left knee in a collision with the Rangers' Chris Kreider in at Oct. 6 exhibition game at Madison Square Garden.
The Ontario native did not want to estimate when he thought he would be ready to return. The Flyers originally said he would be back between Nov. 4 and 11, so he appears ahead of schedule.
"At this point, I'm trial and error," Del Zotto said.
Del Zotto and Laughton will travel to Montreal - where their teammates face the 4-0-1 Canadiens on Monday night - and are expected to take part in Monday's morning skate before doing some additional skating.
"It's a day by day thing and then we'll see how we feel from there," Del Zotto said.
Both said they are feeling better every day - physically and mentally.
"And I think more than anything, feeling good being back around the guys again," Del Zotto said. "For me, being out for so long last year and coming back and starting to feel comfortable again - and then getting the injury - was tough. As far as my spirits go, just being back around the guys and having that team chemistry and camaraderie and being able to joke with the guys has been the best thing for me."
Del Zotto was limited to 52 games last season because of wrist surgery. He went through a grueling six months of rehab work, started to feel himself in the exhibition season, and then suffered the latest injury in New York.
"It stings that much more," he said of back-to-back injuries. "It's part of the game. It's a contact sport. I signed up for this. It is what it is and I'm just happy to keep getting better every day and hopefully I'll be back in no time."
Laughton, who injured his left knee during an Oct. 5 practice, said he thinks he will be ready to return in five to seven days.
"I'm just trying to get in game shape," Laughton said.
The 22-year-old forward suffered a season-ending head injury in last spring's playoffs against Washington.
There is a good chance the Flyers send Laughton (seven goals last season) down to the Phantoms for conditioning when he is ready to return.
Barring injuries, the Flyers will have eight defensemen, including Radko Gudas, when Del Zotto returns.
Gudas is eligible to return from his six-game suspension Tuesday against visiting Buffalo. He is likely to replace Nick Schultz.
When Del Zotto returns, the Flyers will have a tough decision on which defenseman sits. Andrew MacDonald is among the candidates.
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