Streit not quite ready to return to Flyers
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Defenseman Mark Streit, sidelined the last six weeks with a groin injury that required surgery, said he will not be able to return to the lineup until at least Wednesday.
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Defenseman Mark Streit, sidelined the last six weeks with a groin injury that required surgery, said he will not be able to return to the lineup until at least Wednesday.
That gives the Flyers a few more days before deciding how to clear salary-cap space so Streit can return.
Streit had surgery to repair a pubic plate detachment. He had been targeting the game Sunday in Anaheim for his return, but his three days off the ice for the holiday break have pushed his return back a few days. The Flyers play in San Jose on Wednesday, when Streit likely will be in the lineup.
"Before the break, I felt really well and in good shape," he said Saturday after practice at the Honda Center. "But I think it would be good to have a few more practices with the team, and it looks pretty good I should be back in the lineup [Wednesday]."
Streit said the layoff made him a bit rusty.
"I didn't play for six weeks, and then you have three days off with no practice," he said. "I think it's more beneficial for me to have a few extra days."
Coach Dave Hakstol said Streit probably will be on the second power-play unit when he returns, allowing him to get his timing back. Dynamic rookie Shayne Gostisbehere took Streit's spot on the top unit and has developed a chemistry with Claude Giroux.
"That group is going pretty good right now," Hakstol said. ". . . I wouldn't see a reason to change that group."
When the Flyers make a roster move, Gostisbehere, whom Hakstol said has been an "impact player for us," should remain with the team and someone else figures to be sent down to the Phantoms.
In recent years, the Flyers have struggled when returning from a long layoff. They haven't played since a 4-3 win over St. Louis on Monday.
"I think we have to make sure our minds are sharp," winger Wayne Simmonds said. "You're not going to do everything perfectly, obviously, coming off a five-day break. But I think being on the road, it'll be a little bit easier. We don't have to wow anybody. Just keep it simple, play a strong first 20 [minutes], and go from there."
Simmonds, who spent time with family and friends in the Toronto area during the Christmas break, said the Flyers "have to make sure we get our minds back from vacation."
"You don't want to come out and try to be fancy after a layover," Hakstol said. "Play with energy. I think we had good energy today at practice. I thought we looked refreshed."
Goalie Steve Mason figures to make his fourth straight start Sunday, facing an underachieving Anaheim team that has gotten just one goal - an empty-netter - from captain Ryan Getzlaf.
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