Flyers send Hunter McDonald to Lehigh Valley. Did that create space for Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett to return?

The Flyers season has been spooky.

But the team might receive a glow-up on Sunday, as all signs point to veteran wingers Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett returning to the lineup.

The biggest indicator? After the Flyers loaned forward Jacob Gaucher to Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League on Thursday to open one spot, the Flyers sent defenseman Hunter McDonald down on Saturday to open another.

It makes sense McDonald was sent down since he is waiver-exempt, but it’s still a bit of a head-scratcher. The Flyers need physicality and bite, and he brings both.

Since he was recalled and suited up on Oct. 19, the hulking 6-foot-4, 238-pound blueliner ranks tied for seventh in hits (21) in the NHL alongside several players, including former Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway, and tied with Brady Tkachuk and Ridly Greig for the most penalties drawn (seven).

And according to Natural Stat Trick, among the 16 Flyers who played more than 50 minutes at five-on-five in the past five games, the Western New York native is the top defenseman in Corsi For percentage (55.14%), high-danger chances (60%), and second in scoring chance percentage (52%).

Fellow rookie Oliver Bonk is the only defenseman above him in scoring chance percentage, and based on Saturday’s practice, he will now skate on the third pairing with Simon Benoit. Bonk and McDonald played together against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

The positives are that, with two open roster spots, it clears Tippett — who missed the last six games with an upper-body injury — and Konecny — who missed 10 with a lower-body injury — to be activated off injured reserve.

Before their injuries, Konecny had three assists in five games, and Tippett had a goal and an assist in nine. They were each averaging under 17 minutes in ice time.

“It’d be a huge boost. I think they’re on ice play speaks for itself, but it’s just more older guys in the room,” said Porter Martone, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Monday.

“TK has been a huge leader, speaking from my personal [experience], before I was even on this team, someone that I got to meet and kind of look to. And Tipp, just the way he plays, his speed, and he’s always got a good voice in the room too. So if they can both come back, that’d be huge for our group, and we’ve really been missing them.”

Both appeared ready to go after being full participants for a second straight day at practice in Voorhees. Coach Rick Tocchet said Tippett was “trending” toward playing, and he would speak with Konecny in the afternoon; however, both were in regular jerseys after Konecny wore a yellow no-contact jersey on Friday while still welcoming and engaging in contact.

On Saturday, Tippett and Konecny took power-play reps with the second unit. Tippett was also on a line with Denver Barkey and Tyson Foerster while Konecny skated with his old linemates, Christian Dvorak and Trevor Zegras. Last season, they were the top line with over 280 minutes together at five-on-five and an expected goals for of 10.77.

“He brings a lot to the table. Wins a lot of battles,” said Dvorak. “Us three played together a decent amount last year, so I feel like we know where each other is out there, so that helps. Obviously, an amazing player, smart guy. ... Feels good to get him back.”

The locker room felt different too on Saturday, especially with the boisterous Konecny back. On Friday, the Flyers’ leading scorer for six of the past seven seasons was swatting at his teammates before drills, and on Saturday he was even chirping reporters.

The Flyers agreed that they missed Konecny’s voice on the ice, on the bench and in the room. He brings a looseness but also adds another veteran voice back to the lineup.

“Just lots of energy. Obviously, a big voice in our room, and doesn’t shut up,” Konecny’s best buddy Travis Sanheim said with a chuckle. “But, no, we obviously miss him a lot. When you’re out, you’re not around the team a lot. We got to see him here and there, and so it’s nice to have him back. Brings a lot of fun out of our group, and I think it’s good for the young guys.”

Forward Noel Acciari skated in practice but did not skate on a line. Although he did return, he took an awkward hit in the first period against Washington. ... Forward Cole Knuble rotated with Michael Bunting on a line with Sean Couturier and Alex Bump. ... If he sits, which appears to be the case with McDonald sent down, David Jiříček would be a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game.