Read could return in Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Matt Read may be close to a return to the ice.

The Flyers loaned forward Tye McGinn back to the Adirondack Phantoms on Monday, opening up a spot on the 23-man roster for Read. He had been placed on the injury list retroactive to Dec. 31 when he sustained a concussion in Calgary.

Read, 27, has missed the last six games rehabbing from his second career concussion. The Flyers went 3-3-0 without him.

Read skated for nearly an hour, pushing himself at Madison Square Garden, prior to Sunday night's game against the Rangers. He dressed quickly after a tough skating session with assistant coach Ian Laperriere and passed along requests for comment to general manager Paul Holmgren.

Last Wednesday, when Holmgren said Read was "not doing too good," the Flyers said he would be out through last weekend's games.

Read now appears to be a game-time decision for Tuesday night's game at First Niagara Center.

"He's getting closer," Holmgren said via text Monday. "We will see how he is after the morning skate."

The genesis of Read's concussion remains unclear, though an elbow to the head from Brian McGrattan may have spurred the symptoms which were initially masked. The Flyers initially termed Read's troubles as an "upper-body injury."

Holmgren said Read suffered with "rapid eye movement, stuff like that" and turning his head to catch a pass. Read practiced on Friday with the Flyers, progressed and skated on Sunday.

Against the Rangers, Craig Berube scratched Steve Downie, opting to use a lineup that included McGinn, Chris VandeVelde and Jay Rosehill.

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