Hayden Hodgson to make NHL debut vs. Blues; Flyers trade for Brennan Menell

Hayden Hodgson, a 26-year-old winger, will make his NHL debut Thursday night for the Flyers (20-32-11) as the team visits the Blues (35-18-9).

Let's get into the essentials for the game:

When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Enterprise Center
Live stream/broadcast: ESPN+, Hulu

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• Hodgson, who had been playing for AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley this season, was signed Tuesday by the Flyers to a one-year, $750,000 deal.

The 6-foot-2, 207-pound forward was tied for the Phantoms' team lead in goals with 18 and had 29 points through 44 games.

Last season, he played for two different teams in the ECHL.

Hodgson will wear No. 42. The last Flyer to wear No. 42 was Jason Akeson.

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• The Flyers on Wednesday acquired defenseman Brennan Menell from Toronto in exchange for future considerations.

Menell, who has been assigned to the Phantoms, is a smaller, offensive-minded blueliner. He had been playing for the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate the Marlies.

The 24-year-old played five games for the Wild in 2019-20. That same season, he put up 47 points (five goals, 42 assists) in 57 games for Minnesota's AHL affiliate Iowa.

• Here is the Flyers' projected lineup tonight, via the Philadelphia Inquirer's Olivia Reiner and Giana Han and The Athletic's Charlie O'Connor.

For a second straight game, the team will have to roll with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Martin Jones starts in goal tonight vs. Blues. Oskar Lindblom is a bit banged up and will not be in the lineup.
— Olivia Reiner (@ReinerOlivia) March 24, 2022

Why did they call up Hayden Hodgson?
“He absolutely deserves it,” Yeo said. He has an impressive story, and Lappy said he’s been doing well.
Hodgson will come in for Oskar Lindblom, who’s “banged up.”
— Giana Han (@giana_jade) March 24, 2022

Lindblom will sit tonight. Yeo said he's banged up. Could have potentially played tonight, but not at the risk of doing more damage. So they're playing it safe with him.
— Charlie O'Connor (@charlieo_conn) March 24, 2022