Tough to get an accurate read on Thursdays optional morning skate as the Flyers prep for tonights game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Jaromir Jagr confirmed that he will be out of the lineup tonight. Eric Wellwood was recalled and will play in Jagrs place.
Jagr admitted this week he has been bothered by a flu that isnt going away.
General manager Paul Holmgren said Jagr was home and resting.
Also missing from the optional skate were defensemen Marc-Andre Bourdon and Andrej Meszaros. It appears both those players exercised their option to skip the skate as neither was listed as injured.
As usual, coach Peter Laviolette would not comment, but directed inquiries to Holmgren.
Jakub Voracek took the skate in regular attire and appears to be playing tonight. He was all smiles when he addressed the media after leaving the icebut wouldnt say whether hed be in the lineup. Well see by 5 oclock, he said, grinning.
NHL
Voracek missed Sundays game in Detroit because of an upper-body injury he incurred in Saturdays loss to the Rangers at the Wells Fargo Center. He declined to specify what exactly the injury was, though he said he was fine passing and shooting, and was able to move around fine.
Im not used to missing games, he said. Hopefully Ill go tonight. If its not going to be tonight, itll be Saturday. Well see.
Wellwoods back
Wellwood said he thought he played well with 11:22 ice time in Detroit as a replacement for Voracek.
This will be Wellwoods third game this season.
I think it helps to have a little bit of experience, Wellwood said. Its not much but it is something that I and draw from and plays a big role in my confidence and being comfortable with the guys.
Wellwood missed 13 games with the Phantoms between Nov. 24 and Dec. 28 because of a separated shoulder, but says hes completely recovered.
I feel really great, he said. That was just a little bump in the road. Things are starting to work out as I want them to.
The Windsor, Ont., native thought the Red Wings game Sunday was a bit tough to get thrown into, but not because of what you might expect.
A lot of things were hard with it, he said. No. 1, I grew up watching that team play. The Joe Louis Arena was 20 minutes from my house. Theyre one of the best teams in the league and they were going for the record consecutive home wins, as well.
It felt like a playoff to me. It was a hard game to get into, but those kind of games are the ones you want to be in because you just have to step up and theres no other reasons not to play well.
Laviolette said Wellwood has not disappointed whenever called up.
Hes a smart hockey player and plays a certain role for us, Laviolette said. Hes a versatile guy who jumps around and plays different positions for us.
Sarah Baicker contributed to this report.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net