Date Published: 10-26-2022
Photo Credit: Rebecca McCormick
The Flyers are off to a solid start on the season with a solid record of 4-2, believe it or not you’re Philadelphia Flyers are in the thick of things in the Metropolitan Division early in the season. A season of unexpected, a season of which the Flyers were going to be more competitive. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
There is a sense of concern surrounding Cam Atkinson, not just with Flyers fans. His injury is still a mystery, and he’s still listed as day to day. Yesterday, John Tortorella said his status was “Status Quo”. It’s okay to think of this as the Ryan Ellis situation 2.0, I mean there has been no information given in terms of his injury, nor an actual timeline.
When Atkinson, Sean Couturier, Patrick Brown, and Rasmus Ristolainen return it most likely will flush multiple young prospects back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Unfortunately, they would be casualties, as one wouldn’t want a younger player sitting on the bench as an extra forward.
It’s going to be hard to send Egor Zamula back to Lehigh, especially with how well Tortorella spoke of him yesterday following practice, but one option he could have is carry seven defensemen (Nick Seeler 7th Dman). Some other prospects that could be sent to Lehigh include one of Wade Allison or Tanner Laczynski to pave the way for Atkinson and Brown to return. Again these are all hypotheticals, as Laczynski has played quite well in a John Tortorella system.
Your Philadelphia Flyers are a competitive bunch, they give effort and try every shift. I wrote yesterday that John Tortorella can save Chuck Fletcher’s job, and I firmly believe that.
The better the Flyers do, it becomes less likely that Fletcher would be terminated. Tortorella is really getting the most from a roster that seemed decimated with injuries before the season begin, and one that appeared to be not as talented to compete against superstars. This is the Torts and Carter Hart effect
Atkinson’s actual injury remains a mystery. All we know is that he listed as day-to-day with an Upper Body Injury, and Tortorella said he remains “Status Quo” in terms of his status to play. Tortorella does not believe this is another Ryan Ellis 2.0 situation, but I do understand why some think that. Again is history for me to mystery, sort of the same thing like last season with Ryan Ellis. Ellis went from day to day, to week to week for a larger part of the season, until they eventually they ruled him out by February or something like that if I recall.
Injuries remain a mystery in the NHL to protect the player(s). Tortorello is hopeful that he will return here sooner rather than later, so let’s hope he does.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Twitter page @flyersknitty using #Flyersmail, or @JameyBaskow. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag.
