The Flyers are going to need some reinforcements for the final seven games of the season.
Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks came at a cost. Following the game, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall announced that forward Wayne Simmonds and defenseman Andrew MacDonald will each miss the remainder of the season. A source confirmed to CSNPhilly.com Flyers Insider Tim Panaccio that Simmonds has a fractured left leg and MacDonald has a fractured right hand.
Simmonds, who scored his 28th goal of the season and his 100th as a Flyer against Chicago, was hit in his left leg by a Mark Streit shot on a power play in the third period. He glided off the ice without putting pressure on his foot and spent the rest of the game on the end of the bench.
The 26-year-old appeared in all 75 games for the Flyers in 2014-15, tallying 50 points. He’ll finish the campaign just one goal shy of his career high (29).
MacDonald, who appeared to be struck by a shot on his right hand in the Flyers’ defensive zone in the third, has appeared in 58 games this season, tallying two goals and 10 assists. He missed time earlier this year with a broken foot and also served a handful of games as a healthy scratch.
The injuries leave two roster spots open. Vinny Lecavalier is currently the only healthy extra player at the Flyers’ disposal. Defenseman Luke Schenn has missed the last two games with an lower-body injury and forward R.J. Umberger had season-ending surgery last week on his hip and abdomen.
The team could recall Brandon Manning, who was just returned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last week after a short stint with the Flyers, to take MacDonald’s place. Forwards Jason Akeson, Scott Laughton and Petr Straka could be called up as an extra option on offense.