The Philadelphia Flyers just got two huge boosts back to their lineup in time for tonight’s matchup in Dallas against the Stars. Forward Kevin Hayes and defenseman Ryan Ellis are both returning to the lineup for tonight’s contest after missing extensive time with injuries.
Hayes opened the season on long-term injured reserve after undergoing abdominal surgery on September 21st. Ellis returns to the lineup after missing the last nine games with a mystery lower-body injury.
The Flyers assigned defenseman Nick Seeler to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms in a corresponding move to make room for Ellis, and the Flyers waived Nicolas Aubé-Kubel yesterday to clear room for Hayes. Aubé-Kubel was claimed earlier today by the Colorado Avalanche.
For the forward group, getting a player like Hayes back is absolutely monumental. He’s a fantastic two-way forward with plenty of size and speed, and he helps make the players around him better. The Flyers have sorely missed Hayes and plugging him into the lineup will hopefully help jump start an offense that’s gone quiet over the last couple of weeks.
Ellis’ return to the Philadelphia blueline is huge, as the temporary top pairing of Ivan Provorov and Justin Braun has been dynamic in their time together, and the second pairing of Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen have found their footing as well. The third pair of Keith Yandle and Seeler struggled mightily, however.
Whether Ellis slates into his usual spot alongside Provorov or if he takes line rushes with Yandle on the third pair remains to be seen, but either way he will help elevate the defense’s game against a Stars team with plenty of offensive weapons.
Hayes will be making his season debut tonight, while Ellis has recorded 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points in just 3 games so far this season for the Flyers.
