Sometimes injury timelines prove to be more than just educated guesses. The Philadelphia Flyers have announced the return of veteran forward Matt Read to the lineup, after they called for an early January return following the original injury. It doesn’t get an earlier than January 1st, as the Flyers welcome back their long-time right wing.
Read suffered an oblique strain early in December, five games into Philadelphia’s eventual ten-game winning streak to start the month. However, the Flyers’ fortunes have reversed of late, as they have lost five of their last six. Although Read has been skating for a couple of weeks now, he is only now in game condition and the timing is perfect for a Philly team that needs an injection of energy and grit.
While Read has never been able to replicate his success from his breakout rookie season in 2011-12, in which he scored 47 points, he has been able to play a key role for Philadelphia ever since. Facing criticism after a down year in 2015-16 – just 26 points and an eventual loss of ice time and special teams responsibilities – Read was heading towards a better season prior to his injury. He had six goals (only 8 and 11 in the two seasons prior) and ten points in 27 games. However, after missing a month of games, Read will have to get his legs under him quickly to return to form and prove he still has an offensive touch. If Read wants to avoid being exposed in the upcoming NHL Expansion Draft, he needs a strong second half. Otherwise, he would be a likely selection by Las Vegas as a key role player.
In a corresponding move, the Flyers sent forward Taylor Leier back down to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Leier has just two points in ten games with Philadelphia this season, and has been shuffled back and forth from the minors several times.