Betts returned to Flyers after failed physical

Noted penalty-killer Blair Betts was sent packing last Wednesday, when the Montreal Canadiens claimed him a day after the Flyers placed him on the waiver wire. But his stint in Canada didnt last long.

Instead, Betts has been returned to the Flyers because he failed his physical examination. The failure negates the waiver claim, thus, Betts wont be wearing red and blue anytime soon.

After the waiver claim, Montreal exercised their right to a physical examination of Blair," general manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement. "Apparently, they found something that concerned them and had asked the league to void the waiver claim. Blair is back on our roster as of today.

A report in the Montreal Gazette suggests Betts has a lower-body injury, and the shoulder that he injured in 2010 that bothered him throughout last season was not to blame for failing the exam.

The news makes the Flyers already complicated contract situation even trickier. Rookie Sean Couturier hasnt yet played in his 11th game, so his contract can still slidemeaning it doesnt currently count against the league maximum contract count of 50.

But with Betts back in the fold, the Flyers would have 50 contracts, not including 18-year-old Couturier. Should they wish to keep Couturier on the roster for more than 11 games, they will be forced to make some kind of a move.

The Flyers moved Ian Lapperriere to LTIR to accommodate Betts on the roster and keep it at 23 players.