Erik Gustafsson is likely going to remember his plus-6 outing against the Columbus Blue Jackets for years to come for something other than just having a career performance in the game just 12 days ago.
The 22-year-old defenseman injured his wrist that game, then missed three games trying to rehab, and finally had surgery Thursday morning.
He will miss six weeks, according to general manager Paul Holmgren. Up until now, the Flyers had been mum on his status.
At the time Gustafsson was playing, Chris Pronger was recovering from his right eye injury. Gustafsson was working Prongers spot alongside his partner, Matt Carle.
Were it not for the wrist injury, its very likely that when Pronger returned to the lineup last week in Tampa Bay, Gustafsson would have remained in the top six mix and knocked out Andeas Lilja.
None of the Flyers are certain whether Gustafsson took a slash on his wrist or jammed it against the boards, etc.
He was playing well, said Carle, who worked five games with the Swede. It was kind of one of those things. A weird play. Its hockey. Wed like to see him back soon.
NHL
His injury weakens the Flyers because they are very shallow with NHL-ready defensive depth in their system. A number of prospects simply arent ready.
Yes, they have veteran Matt Walker on the Phantoms, but the Flyers' salary cap situation is at absolute zero. That is, they have no room to call up another defenseman without placing Gustafsson on LTIRlong term injuryor sending a player down.
A club source said, for now, the club wont place Gustafsson on LTIR.
Certainly, we will miss him, said coach Peter Laviolette. Anytime you lose pieces from your lineup, it takes important positional players out from what they can do and contribute. Its tough timing for him because he was playing so well for us before the injury.
The Flyers havent had him for the past three games.
Weve managed and will continue to manage without him, Laviolette said. Its no different than when Prongs was outIts part of the business. Well miss Gus because he was playing well. But hell heal up and be available to us at some point.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net