Raffl, Konecny may start season at LW on Flyers' first 2 lines
Based on Friday's practice, it appears the Flyers will use Michael Raffl to replace top-line left winger Brayden Schenn while he serves a three-game suspension to start the season.
It's also likely that impressive rookie Travis Konecny will play left wing on the second line when the regular season opens next Friday in Los Angeles.
At practice, Raffl was on a line with center Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds.
That line is expected to be together for Saturday's 5 p.m. preseason finale in Boston. The Flyers are 4-2-1 in the preseason.
The Flyers won't say whether Konency has made the team _ final rosters have to be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday _ but he leads the Flyers with six points in the preseason and he was on the second line at Friday's practice in Voorhees. Center Sean Couturier and right winger Jake Voracek were also on the unit.
Voracek and Konency share the team lead with three preseason goals.
The other practice lines Friday: Jordan Weal centering Schenn and Roman Lyubimov; Pierre-Edouard Bellemare centering Nick Cousins and Dale Weise; and Boyd Gordon centering Matt Read and Chris VandeVelde.
The defensive pairings: Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrew MacDonald; Ivan Provorov and Mark Streit; and Radko Gudas and Mark Streit.
Defenseman Brandon Manning, who is battling an apparent shoulder injury, skated but was not able to take contact. Manning said he will be on the road trip to start the season but doesn't know when he will be able to play.
Mason returns. Goalie Steve Mason returned to the rink after being with his fiance, Brittany, when she delivered their first child, Emma Rae, on Thursday.
Someone asked Mason if his daughter was a future goaltender.
"We'll see," he said, smiling. "I'll have to warn her about all the pressures that come with it."
Mason is expected to start Saturday's exhibition in Boston.
Breakaways. Defenseman Michael Del Zotto missed practice and it may have been a maintenance day. (Waiting for an update from GM Ron Hextall.)....Coach Dave Hakstol on Weal: "He's had a real good last half of camp. It started slowly for him, but I think he was feeling a little bit of pressure early on...I think when he scored the breakaway goal against the Bruins in seemed to loosen him up."
