After a disappointing loss at the Stadium Series game to the Devils the Flyers rebounded with a win over the struggling Blackhawks. On Friday Konecny left practice early in discomfort in what would later be diagnosed as an upper body injury. Konecny ended up missing both games this weekend. The Flyers did get Tyson Foerster back after missing the past 4 games after blocking a shot against Seattle.
The weekend started off with a home matchup agaisnt the red hot Rangers, winners of their past nine. Rookie forward Matt Rempe has been the talk of the league this past week. The 6’7″ 21 year old has more penalty minutes than ice time through his first 3 games. Rempe matched up with Nick Deslauriers early in the contest for one of the best fights of the year. In the end the Rangers ended up winning 2-1. The next day the Flyers were in Pittsburgh to face the Penguins. With Cal Petersen in net the Flyers lost 7-6. Tyson Foerster scored two goals and missed some time after blocking a shot. While Jamie Drysdale left the game early after taking a hit from Jansen Harkins. Drysdale missed most of last season with a shoulder injury.
Coming into this season no one expected the Flyers to be in their current situation two weeks before the trade deadline. Through 59 games the Flyers have 67 and are third in the Metropolitan Division. 5 points a head of the next team that can catch them, the Devils. It has been clear from the start that GM Danny Briere and President Keith Jones have a long term goal in mind for this organization. To rebuild the Flyers into a champion caliber team. With the short term success of the current team it begs the question of what upper management will be willing to do at the deadline. There have been rumors that teams are interested in Laughton, Konecny, Seeler, Walker, and Ristolainen to name a few. It is believed that either Seeler or Walker will be traded, it is unlikely that both would be moved. While Ristolainen’s name was in the mix either this season, but his current injury has deflated this trade value. Laughton and Konecny have been chosen as leaders of the team by being named alternate captains last week. It is once again unlikely that both of them will be moved. And if one of them are traded it would be from a healthy offer. Briere and Jones will be analyzing the long term future of the club at the approaching deadline.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports