Mikhail Vorobyev's return was short-lived.
In one way and possibly another way.
Firstly, the 21-year-old rookie center played just 8:01 in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Islanders, even after the Flyers lost forward Corban Knight (upper-body injury) during the opening period. Vorobyev saw nearly an identical ice time (8:04) on Oct. 16, the contest before he was benched for four straight games.
Not only did Vorobyev play so little, but one has to also question when his next minutes will come with the Flyers.
Head coach Dave Hakstol did not sound pleased with Vorobyev when asked postgame about his lack of ice time.
Here's what he said:
We're down in a game and I'm looking for guys that are going to go out and try to help us get back into it and I wasn't confident that he was going to be able to do that. That's nothing against … he's a young guy that has been out of the lineup. It can be hard to come in and be really sharp and make some of the plays that we need to have made. Yet, you can always bring energy, you can always bring intensity and you can always bring effort, and that's what's expected.
NHL
Vorobyev was originally sitting because the Flyers wanted to see him show more of what exactly Hakstol felt was missing Saturday — the energy and effort through all three zones and without the puck.
No one is questioning Vorobyev's ability with the puck.
Clearly, Hakstol didn't see what the Flyers were hoping for when they decided to reinsert him into the lineup Saturday.
Does he stay in? His saving grace may be Knight's injury. If the 28-year-old veteran has to miss any time, the Flyers won't have an extra forward.
But at this point, the Flyers may want to go in another direction. Sitting young players does not jive with the organization's development plan. When Travis Sanheim became a healthy scratch last season, he was eventually sent to AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, where he could play — and play his way back to the Flyers.
With their 4-7-0 record and three straight losses, the Flyers could seek fresh blood and give Vorobyev some more prove-it time in Lehigh Valley.
This is certain: Hakstol had to make his message again and that's not a good sign.
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.