Flyers defenseman Cameron York will seemingly make his return to the lineup on Saturday towards the Blackhawks, indicating he’ll be activated from injured reserve, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic studies.
York, 23, has been on IR with an upper-body harm for practically a month. He’s been a full participant in follow for various days now, although, and is effectively previous the preliminary two-week timeline for his return that was assessed on Oct. 26.
The Flyers have been evidently cautious with dashing the younger defender again, however “all indicators level to” him enjoying this weekend after sitting out the final 13 video games, Kurz mentioned. The lefty, whom the Flyers chosen 14th total within the 2019 draft, had skated at the very least 20 minutes in every of his first seven appearances of the season and had scored twice with one help and a -2 score.
Philadelphia head coach John Tortorella didn’t use constant pairings at Friday’s follow, so it’s unclear the place York would possibly slot again into the lineup if he’s able to go. He spent practically all of his time stapled to Travis Sanheim on the staff’s prime pairing whereas enjoying his off-side, although, and that may be his seemingly spot.
He won’t be the one Flyers blue-liner returning, both, with Emil Andrae additionally taking line rushes and power-play drills Friday, per Charlie O’Connor of PHLY Sports. The 22-year-old had three assists in 10 video games this season after a call-up from AHL Lehigh Valley earlier than sustaining a mid-body harm towards the Sabres final week. He’s missed the final two video games however by no means landed on IR.
The Flyers have a full lively roster and might want to open a spot to activate York. That might be achieved by retroactively transferring Andrae to IR if he’s not able to play, or they may decide to return rookie defender Helge Grans to the minors after the 22-year-old recorded an help and averaged 16:02 of ice time throughout a pair of appearances this week. Inserting Andrae on IR wouldn’t impression his potential to return for Monday’s sport towards the Golden Knights, however they would wish to make one other corresponding transaction to activate him at the moment.
York is within the second season of a two-year, $3.2M contract and might be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights subsequent summer time. He’s coming off a career-best 10-goal, 30-point marketing campaign in 2023-24.