Schenn out 4 to 6 weeks
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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
test— mean mean pride,mean mean pride.- Great defensive effort over the last two games. Hey, not bad, we only allowed 14 goals. Sure am glad we spent a ton of money on a new goalie. Sweet.— 1983ufgator
- Put Hartnell on the fourth line,he plays like he belongs there now.I agree with the other bloggers,dump Shelly and Walker,go with the young guys now and let them develope for the end run to the playoffs.The multi million dollar goalie is playing like a two cents goalie.Coach needs to sit him down for a few games and have a talk about his focus.— Andrew Grier
- Put Hartnell on the fourth line,he plays like he belongs there now.I agree with the other bloggers,dump Shelly and Walker,go with the young guys now and let them develope for the end run to the playoffs.The multi million dollar goalie is playing like a two cents goalie.Coach needs to sit him down for a few games and have a talk about his focus.— Andrew Grier
- I've never seen such a bunch of whiners. Everyone just relax. It's like the first week of the season, this is hockey remember. Everyone makes the playoffs. They are weak on D right now and lack a 6th guy in the long run. Homer will make a move before the end of the year either trading one of the younger guys or will clear up some space for a rental. The goalie they got this offseason is the real deal and they didn't get him for Halloween, they got him for Memorial Day. As I write this, they have come all the way back!!!— andrewc23
- It's funny, we have all cried for the last 20 years that we need a real goalie. We finally get one and now we want him replaced after 10 games. This guy was the runner up in the Veznia two years ago. There is no doubt he is struggling but the whole D system is. And our back-up looked no better tonight. Let him play every night and he will be fine.
- Now that we see the Flyers and Eagles will both be big disappointments to its fans all I can say is let's go Union!— mindstorms
- EDIT: no loss what so ever. he is not ready for the NHL yet; he needs more time in the AHL to develop his skill set.— smacklby
- no loss what so ever. he is not ready for the NHL yet; he needs more time to devlope his skill set in the AHL.— smacklby
- I would like to join the waive Shelley train!!! Bring Harry Z back!!!. Not too sure why they called Rinaldo up. I think Harry Z would have been better. Just saying!!!
- I would like to join the waive Shelley train!!! Bring Harry Z back!!!. Not too sure why they called Rinaldo up. I think Harry Z would have been better. Just saying!!!
- Walker had a dismal game, as did Lilly, I mean Lilja. Bryzgalov looked worse than Leighton, Boucher, et al and the Flyers are paying him 5.7 million a year. That works out to just under $70,000 per game. So for that totally lackluster performance he collected 70 Gs. Nice work if you can get it.
The Canadiens were sure glad to see the Flyers last night. Off to their worst start in 73 years, they were salivating during warm-up, knowing the Flyers would mail in the two points.
And please, don't tell me it's only October. These are the games they will wish they had won when April rolls around.— Razer - I would also like to say that JVR is non existent out there. He needs to show up!!!
- Schenn really hasn't showed how good he is reported to be. The games I watched he got tossed around. Walker sucks.
As for the Bryz matter. Last year when I said the D sucked in front of Bob everyone got on my case and people said that he was no good. So this year Bryz isn't doing great the last few games and now its the D's fault. Funny how everyoned tune changes. As far as Bryz being proven please enlighten me on what he has proven? Especially the last few years in the playoffs. Bryz is funny and nice and all. But, It would seem that he has the Ryan Howard disease. - HHHHOOOOORRRRRAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!! ...I mean ...Aawww.— justacarpenter
- Relax...it's still early. Schenn is out...see how that works out.— Phillyfan666
- The problems for this team and all Philadelphia teams just seem to never end. Who is next? Oh well at least they have excuses why they stink so much.— eaglesman1
- Bryz: 10 million. Bobrovski:900k?? Line adjustments are part of the early season with the coach getting to see who can do what. I dont have a problem with that. The D needs to step it up. OK, Pronger is out, time for the other veterans to wake the heck up and fill the void....— relgate
- i again agree , bryz is playing poor at best , and you cant keep blaming everybody else for it , his big rebounds cost us last night as much if not more then the D , he dont look like a 51 million dollar goalie to me , and we gave up alot of players to be able to sign him , right now , its looking like a bad more to me— flyerscrazy
- Not blaiming Bryz for the goals. The D has been very shaky and most GAs can be linked directly to a bad giveaway or unlucky bounce. Yes, it would be nice to see him steal a chance or two, but he's been under fire recenly. Looks like the Goalie from Slap Shot (begining of the movie).— thawthor88
- I agree..it would be really nice to see him come up with a huge save and nab one of those deflections. But that hasn't happened. I'm not saying he's not worth it , but so far, he looks rusty..and he even said that. But when will he be ready?? How much time? You can't go long in this league with a goalie not on their game. But he's making 51 million..he'll play no matter what. — FLYGUY31
- Why not make Rinaldo Talbot Nodl line? Why do we need Shelley against Jets? Do Jets even have a goon on their roster? I do not think they do, do they?
— Nitroglycerin - the kid is tough way to gut it out Brayden— onetimer
- Walker...not good. You need to watch the games. He constantly goes to the wrong spot at wrong times. Watch the guy try to defend skating backwards. Watch how he leaves a skater to go double up on a puck handler. Watch how he blocks the goalies vision to blue line shots. Schenn and Couterier should be at lower level honing their game. Shelley needs to go. You don't need enforcers in todays game. I'd rather have Betts than the teenagers and/or Shelley.— rbecker1963
- 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 - i have been saying his isnt worth the money since day 1 and look at how many goals he has given up 7 games and 22 goals and i know , its the D's fault , thats bull , bottom line is he has to step up and start to earn his money , and in the same token , nobody said anything bad about the D when they were 3-0 — flyerscrazy
- Agreed. Thanks. On paper, it looks bad for him. But, I've been watching and he's been the recipient of some bad luck. Not absolving him, just keeping it honest.
The team isn't as bad as they've looked recently and they're probably not as good as they looked the first week. Everybody should relax until February (barring some insane extended slump or win streak).— thawthor88 - 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
- 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
- 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 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Comment removed.- "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 - 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
- bbeach stands for bl0ws balls each [day]. Take your pathetic comments elsewhere.— MikeWizowski
- Comment removed.
- i can't spell. and the dude that wrote this article has a weird haircut. very funny
- ..lowered expections. on ice
- Why not bring up Kevin Marshall. He is a stay at home defenseman with an attitude. He will not let opponents stand in front of the net without hitting them. That is what the Fyyers need.— zeke128
- Shelley is going to remain on the roster.
WHY? no one knows.— Nitroglycerin - He is there to protect his teammates. You know like the other knight when the Toronto players showed a complete lack of respect playing carelessly and recklessly with their sticks up all night? Shelly is there to send that message and thats exactly what....Oh wait, he didn't do a thing about that. Pronger might be blind at that point they don't know and he goes out there thinking he is there to score. — Sidewinder7
- Not sure why I spelled night like that, in before the grammer, language and spelling police come. — Sidewinder7
- 51 million eh? Sound business move ther I tell ya.
- wow bryzgalov is being run out of town 1 month in to a 7 year contract. you guys are great.— bobbyd24
- Bryzgalov's contract this year will pay him $10,000,000. That's 10 MIllion Dollars. Let's repeat that number slowly, shall we? Ten Million Dollars. He has played one month and won 3 out of 7 games. Assuming he's healthy enough to play 60 games, that's $166,666.00 a game. He has a lousy 3.16 GAA and he feels his game is "not quite there yet". At what point do you think we should expect someone making more money in one game than most of us will earn all year to be ready? How ready would you be for your job, how hard would you prepare, if you knew you were getting $166,666 to come to work? Do we expect a lot from him? You're damn right? He's taking the (ridiculous) salary, it's high time he started earning it! — Valjean24601
- And its not like he has cost them games, they have played poorly in front of him. He hasn't carried them through one of those bad ones but its very very early. — Sidewinder7
- Has everyone forgotten Bryzgalov's first quote when he heard he was signed by the Flyers for his $51M deal: "What's the price of marble in Canada"? He's building a huge home back in Russia and was thinking about decorating. He's here to make his big bucks and run back to Russia. His attitude is the same as all the overpaid athletes who think I before team. Everyone watching the last few games KNOWS that Bobrovsky is who should be our goal. OK, he had a rough time in the playoffs last year, let's not forget it was his first NHL season. Why are we so quick to ignore the obvious? Get Bob suited up and let's start putting some wins together before this all comes back to haunt us in April.— Valjean24601
- Only 729 games left until Bryzgalov's contract expires. Can't trade him. Can't cut him. $91M. Remember the last time the Islanders were relevant? It was before they gave DiPietro a similar deal. I'm sure it'll work out better this time, though.— TongueWagger
- Chuck Wagon you are an idiot.Bryz is a top notch goalie.There problem is Carle,Walker,Lilja are all horrible in front of Bryz.Even the great Marty Broduer would look average with this defense.— donne8008
- Alright I'll ask...Has Bustgalov made a good save yet? He looks technically sound, but slow and unathletic.— Chuck Wagon
- 1) Send Shelley down. Bring Rinaldo back up.
2) Move Couturier up and Schenn down to the 4th line. Schenn is a good forechecker and hits. He will fit well with Rinaldo/Talbot. That will be a good energy line.
3) Start Bob tonight. I think Bryz will be good but while he is struggling, play Bob as he has outplayed Bryz since preseason.
4) Walker and Lilja are not working out. I say send both down and bring up Bartulis and Gustafsson. It couldn't be any worse. That will also solve the cap issue.
5) Does anyone know where to find Briere and JVR? They've been missing from the lineup.— TedR - The Flyers won their first few games with a ton of energy, something they haven't exhibited since calling up Schenn and bringing back Shelley. Nothing against Schenn at all, but he doesn't belong on a 4th line - send him back down to continue his AHL seasoning with the Adirondacks. Bring back Rinaldo or Z for the 4th line and Gustaffson on D, and for god's sake - dump Shelley! As a side note - the Hartnell blind pass turnovers are just killing this team!— CTL
- Give Walker a couple games, he's been in and out of the line up. They need the goalie to play up to his paycheck. hasn't stole a game yet....just the opposite. I put this on Snider, he wanted the goalie, but there are alot of growing pains to go through. Should have gone through them with Bob.— chham57
- Eddie, why the hate on Schenn. He's got nothing to do with the stupid mistakes and bad defense (minus a shift or two where he's coughed up the puck).— exrec9
- voracheck, JVR, and schenn have all sucked so far. but they're young and i expect them to bring it around. not sure what all the buzz is about couterier. he seems like a solid guy defensively, but he's slow footed and plodding. but again, he's young so i give him the benefit of the doubt. the people who i am most disappointed in are coburn, who has never found a way to turn his strong skating skills into offensive production (0 points in 9 games) and bryzgalov, who was supposed to be the answer in net. so far, he's no better than bob. and he's probably not much better than if we had had boucher come back.— tockeyhockey
- If the Flyers only had a top tier goalie. Wait, they do...except he's the backup.— taxmanndumbeth
- I agree with the line changes. Shelly should have been cut before the season and saved over a million on the cap. I think Schenn will be a good player but they made all these change just becuase shelley came off suspension and schenn coming up.
4-0-1 before.. 1-3 after.. Seemed to have lost energy when they sent the 2 down and moved lines around.— Hobbes66 - I want Luca back.— Romus
- you guys better be ready for Winnipeg tonite - they're better than their record indicates— petemagoop
- Your kidding ...right?
They're a 1 player team .. Nash
With a below average goaltender
This is a stone mortal lock WIN tonight for the Flyboys— RockingatMidnite - Nash plays for Columbus, not Winnipeg. And the Jets can play well which they proved by beating Pittsburgh. They way the Flyers played past night has to be inspiring to them. "Below average goaltender?" Are you referring to Bryzgalof?
- Let's see if Bob can win with the same D tonight.— P Even
- I posted a few times on this board to give Walker a chance, that he adds physicality to the back line and he makes good decisions. Sorry. At least I proved to myself that I never would have made a good NHL GM.— gob1234
- Agreed with above post. Calling up Schenn was a mistake - he hasn't done a damn thing and the lineup has lost its cohesion. Now Pronger is out and Bryzgalov is looking average. If they keep playing like they did last night, a trade should be in order.— UncleEddie
- maybe if Bryz didn't suck it wouldn't be so noticeable— rothstein12
- Wanna help the defense? Stop toying with lines that were giving results. Stop wasting a young 18yr old who is a very solid two way player with skill on the 4th line.
— inkd0874
