Carlo Colaiacovo hopes to debut Tuesday

SUNRISE, Fla. - While veteran Carlo Colaiacovo joined his new Flyers teammates and practiced with them Friday, rookie Shayne Gostisbehere prepared to head back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

After a deal to play in Russia hit a snag, Colaiacovo signed a $625,000, two-way contract Friday, but he will not be ready for Saturday night's game against Florida. The 31-year-old defenseman is hopeful of making his Flyers debut Tuesday against visiting Edmonton.

On Saturday, as Colaiacovo continues to round into game shape, Brandon Manning will again be on the third pairing.

When he does play, Colaiacovo may not be in the lineup for long. Braydon Coburn (left foot) and Andrew MacDonald (right knee) could return from injuries in three weeks or fewer. General manager Ron Hextall said Coburn is progressing quickly, and that he will return sooner than first projected.

"I can't control any of those fates or decisions," the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Colaiacovo said after Friday's practice at the BB&T Center. "I can only control what I can do, and the way I look at it right now, it's a great opportunity for me to come in and play. Just let my play do the talking and be part of a great group."

Down the road, Colaiacovo may battle Nick Schultz for the sixth spot on defense.

"We like hungry guys," coach Craig Berube said. "That's a good attitude. This guy has played a lot of games in the NHL, and has been a good player in the NHL."

Colaiacovo, known for his puck-moving ability, has had an injury-filled career, and Hextall conceded that was probably the "biggest reason why he was out there and we're aware of that. He had a physical and everything checked out. There is risk with every player. When he has played, he's been a pretty good player. One of those under-the-radar guys, who does his job and fits into a team."

Gostisbehere, 21, who grew up in nearby Margate, Fla., and used to play in tournaments at the Panthers' home rink, played two games with the Flyers and had some good and bad moments while registering a minus-2 rating. His demotion will open a roster spot for center Vinny Lecavalier's return on Saturday.

"I knew it was coming," Gostisbehere said after practice. ". . . I'm a young guy, and guys like that over there [Colaiacovo] get called and signed. Guys have earned their stripes here already, so they get the opportunity to play, and my time will come."

Gostisbehere got the satisfaction of practicing Friday in the arena where he played as a youngster, and also rooted for the Panthers.

When he got on the ice Friday, Gostisbehere said he glanced at the seats in Section 101, where his grandfather used to have season tickets.

"I've seen some games from that seat," he said.

Gostisbehere called his brief stint a "good learning experience. I was glad I got to play my first game. It was a lot of fun. I got some good quality minutes, and it will help me the next time I'm called up. I'll know what to expect a little bit and my nerves will be a little more calm."

Breakaways. After missing seven games because of an injured left ankle, Lecavalier will return to the Flyers' lineup Saturday night against Florida. Lecavalier, 34, said that, "conditioning-wise, I'm in pretty good shape. I had some good practices. The game is just the next step.." . . . Steve Mason (0-3-1, 3.83 GAA, .878 save percentage), looking for his first win of the season, will make his first start in the last five games Saturday night. Ray Emery (4-1-1, 2.74, .915) went 3-1 in the last four games.

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