The injuries keep piling up for the Flyers but at least the latest one comes with a bit of a silver lining.
On Friday, the team announced forward Joel Farabee will be sidelined a month with an upper-body injury. Farabee appeared to suffer pain after a hit in Tuesday’s game against the Islanders but did play in Thursday night’s game against Columbus, and may have aggravated a pre-existing condition in that encounter. At one point in the New York game, he left the ice holding his left shoulder.
Because Farabee and center Kevin Hayes (adductor) are both going on injured reserve, the Flyers brought up from the Phantoms right wing Wade Allison, who will make his season debut in Buffalo on Saturday.
Allison, who impressed coaches in a stint last season with the Flyers, was expected to make the team out of training camp but was sidelined by ankle and elbow injuries. He has been finding his shooting eye of late with the Phantoms, with three goals in seven games.
Interim head coach Mike Yeo can only shake his head at the growing list of injuries along with players affected by COVID protocols. His team will try to snap its second 10-game (0-8-2) winless streak of the season in the matinee contest against the Sabres.
Allison is a feisty player who should supply some energy to the festivities. He’s physical, competitive and could add some life to a bench which can be awfully quiet at times.
“This will be our first chance to see Wade,’’ Yeo said via a media Zoom call from the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, N.J. “We’re excited to see what he can bring. He has the ability to put the puck in the net. He brings a little life, a little enthusiasm.’’
Yeo can only shake his head at the number of players who have been sidelined this season.
“It’s a good thing I don’t have any hair,’’ said the hair-challenged Yeo with a chuckle, “or I wouldn’t have any hair left. I’ve been coaching for awhile and I’ve never seen anything like this. I’m still very grateful to be here and to be able to work with these guys. I’m still excited about trying to find solutions and find a way to get in the win column.’’
With Farabee out of the lineup, Yeo mentioned either Oskar Lindblom or James van Riemsdyk are top candidates to replace Farabee on the top line with Claude Giroux and Cam Atkinson.
The Flyers also plan to have Jackson Cates in the lineup. Connor Bunnaman was returned to the Phantoms. “I know we’re dealing with a ton of adversity,’’ Yeo said. “The injuries, the losses. I think as a coach you have to embrace that. We all love to win, that’s why you do it. But it’s times like these when the players need you the most as a coach. I’m excited about that.’’
