Flyers' rookie Nolan Patrick skates again, may be getting closer

Nolan Patrick skated through intense non-contact drills Saturday morning at Skatezone in Voorhees, the fourth time in the last five days he has exercised aside from the team.

"I'm tired now, but feeling good so…'' the injured rookie said after running through about 45 minutes of drills with Matt Read and assistant coach Ian Laperriere after the Flyers held their morning skate.

Injured when his head slammed against the glass in a game here against Anaheim on Oct. 24, Patrick will miss his eighth straight game when the Flyers host the Minnesota Wild tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. After tonight's game, the Flyers embark on a two-game road trip to Minnesota and Winnipeg, Patrick's home town.

It is the Flyers' only trip to Winnipeg this season. The Flyers hope Patrick can practice with the team and play in one or both of those games. He is expected to make the trip regardless.

"Every game is just as important,'' he said. "But it would be pretty cool to play in my hometown. I have a lot of family and friends there. So hopefully I'll be ready for that.''

The suspected concussion – the Flyers have termed it an "upper body injury" is the latest injury the No. 2 pick in last June's draft has incurred. Tears in his abdominal muscles and two surgeries have slowed him, and he has suffered shoulder injuries earlier in his career.

"You guys probably know I've had my fair share of injuries over the last few years,'' said the 19-year-old center. "I really don't get frustrated about it anymore. It's part of the game. Getting frustrated isn't going to help you heal any faster… You've got to listen to your body.''

Notes:

Brian Elliott, first off the ice during yesterday's morning skate, is expected to start in goal tonight.