Tough break for Allison, Ellis ‘making progress' and more on Flyers' injuries

Share

VOORHEES, N.J. — Back in September, Ian Laperriere noted how Wade Allison "only knows one way to play."

At the time, the power forward had just suffered an injury in the Flyers' second rookie game.

Allison was playing hard.

After working his way back from the high ankle sprain that cost him all of the preseason and the opening two-plus months of the regular season, Allison has suffered another injury. The 24-year-old hurt his elbow last Friday night in AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley's 3-1 win over Hartford.

"He's being seen by a specialist here and we'll have more news on him as it becomes available," Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said Monday.

Allison was playing in his third game for the Phantoms. Given the Flyers had three forwards in the NHL's COVID protocol Monday, Allison would have been on the big club's doorstep. Tony Androckitis of InsideAHLHockey.com had more on Allison's liveliness down at Lehigh Valley right here.

The 2016 second-round pick has had a rough go in his career from a health standpoint. Allison has battled two ankle injuries in 2021 and overcame a torn ACL in college at Western Michigan.

In other health matters, Ryan Ellis has been able to take the ice in his recovery from a lower-body injury. The top-pair defenseman's status still looks like a return around early January.

"Making progress," Fletcher said. "It's still week to week, doing better. He's been skating a little bit, so that's progress. He's feeling better."

The NHL-mandated three-day holiday break is Friday through Sunday. The Flyers have four more games left in December: Tuesday, Thursday, next Wednesday and next Thursday (Dec. 29-30).

Update: Flyers have games vs. Capitals, at Penguins postponed

"Once we come out of the break, we're hopeful that he'll be closer to playing," Fletcher said, "but it's still a week-to-week situation."

Derick Brassard is "getting closer," Fletcher said. The veteran center has missed 11 of the last 12 games because of a hip issue but could be back soon after Tuesday's home game against the Capitals (7 p.m. ET/ESPN+, Hulu).

"He's day to day I would say," Fletcher said. "I don't think he's a player for tomorrow, but he's making good progress, feeling better. Hopefully after tomorrow's game, whether it's Thursday or the first game after the break, he'll be a player."

Sean Couturier missed Monday's practice for a maintenance day.

"Sean's been battling with various upper- and lower-body issues all year," Fletcher said. "Give him credit, he's a warrior, he keeps playing hard. A day like today, it's an opportunity for him to rest up and be at his best when it matters in a game situation."

Subscribe to and rate Flyers Talk

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | YouTube

Contact Us