Cates will make his return from a 22-game absence due to a foot injury, playing his first game since November 25th. Before his injury, Cates had four-points (1G / 3A) in 21 games, averaging 14:25 time-on-ice.
Brink will be a healthy scratch on Friday, exiting the lineup for the first time in over a month, allowing Nicolas Deslauries to draw back into the lineup. Brink has been held off the scoresheet in five straight games and has seen his ice-time dip to 12:07 after averaging 14:44 and scoring seven points (3G / 4A) in his previous 10.
Deslauries was a scratch in the last game after playing in three straight games for the Flyers but will return to the lineup on Friday. In his last outing, he played 7:43 time-on-ice, recorded three hits, and two shots on goal while playing on a line with Garnet Hathaway and Ryan Poehling.
Deslauries played in each of the last three games for the Flyers but will be a healthy scratch on Monday. In his last outing, he played 7:43 time-on-ice, recorded three hits, and two shots on goal while playing on a line with Garnet Hathaway and Ryan Poehling.
After a very busy December for Ersson, due in part to Carter Hart being out of the lineup because of an illness, Ersson will make only his second January start on Wednesday. Despite being winless in his last two starts, Ersson has been terrific lately for the Flyers, boasting a stellar .926 SV% in 12 games (8-2-2) since mid-November. The Flyers, who have lost five of their last six (1-3-2), have a favourable matchup as -175 home favourites against a Montreal Canadiens club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).
Dysdale was traded for Cutter Gauthier is a surprise deal Monday and is expected to make his Flyers' debut Wednesday vs. Montreal as he partners with Travis Sanheim. The 21-year-old offensive defensemen heads to Philly after collecting five points (1G/4A) in 10 games after missing most of the early season due to a tornn labrum injury.
It's a shocking move considering Anaheim selected Drysdale sixth overall just three and a half years ago in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Drysdale had played ten games with the Ducks this season, scoring one goal and adding four assists and was recently promoted to the team's top power-play unit. In exchange, the Ducks acquire the fifth-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Cutter Gauthier.
Pelletier has been reassigned to the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL as he continues his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. Last season he made his NHL debut, recording seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games for the Flames.
Gardner made his Flyers debut on Thursday, registering one hit while playing 7:28 time-on-ice. He will return to being a healthy scratch on Saturday as the Flyers will welcome Cam Atkinson and Morgan Frost back into the lineup.
Johansen was not present at practice on Wednesday as he battles an illness and was a game-time decision against the Dallas Stars on Thursday. In Tuesday's 5-4 victory over the New York Islanders, Johansen was held off the scoresheet and recorded a -1 plus/minus rating in 14:11 time-on-ice. He has three points (1G / 2A) in his last three games.
It's the fifth time this season the Canucks have made Kuzmenko a healthy scratch, who has fallen a long way from his 39-goal season a year ago. He has eight goals and 11 assists in 32 games this season.
Deslauriers was a healthy scratch for the Flyers' previous contest but will draw back into the lineup Thursday on the fourth line. The 32-year-old grinding left-winger has yet to score in 2023-24, but has three assists, 34 SOG, 39 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in 36 games played.
Gardner last appeared in the NHL in 2021-22 with the Dallas Stars and has two points (1G/1A) in 40 career NHL games but will make his Flyers' debut Thursday vs. Columbus. The 27-year-old draws into the lineup as Morgan Frost and Cam Atkinson are surprisingly scratched Thursday.
The Flyers' goaltending carousel continues Thursday as Samuel Ersson will take the crease for the second time in three games after backing up Carter Hart in a Flyers loss last game. The 24-year-old Swedish netminder has performed well in his second career season, with his 9-5-2 record, 2.54 GAA, .902 SV% and two shutouts so far in 2023-24. He hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday, who have lost five of their last six games and are 16th in the NHL in goals per game (3.08).
