Flyers send Scott Laughton, Roman Lyubimov to Phantoms

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The Flyers on Wednesday sent forwards Scott Laughton and Roman Lyubimov to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, a sign that defenseman Andrew MacDonald is nearing a return.

Laughton suffered a knee injury in preseason and has been on long term injured reserve ever since. He had a brief two-game conditioning stint with the Phantoms last weekend, and returned to practice with the Flyers on Monday. Now he heads back to the AHL.

Factor in the injury he suffered in the playoffs against Washington, Laughton's career trajectory over the past 6½ months has been hampered by injuries, something that has been tough mentally for the 22-year-old.

“Big part of the game is mental,” Laughton said Monday. “It’s definitely tough. To end [last] season going off on a stretcher, it’s definitely not fun. And then coming back, getting hurt and being out for 4½ weeks. Yeah, it’s definitely tough mentally, but you just push through it and your better for it after.”

Lyubimov, on the other hand, comes as somewhat of a surprise. The 24-year-old rookie has played well in his fourth-line role despite scoring just one goal in 11 games. On Wednesday, Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol hinted Nick Cousins would be back in the Flyers' lineup Friday night in Toronto, but didn't say who would be coming out as a healthy scratch. His decision seems to have been made.

With Laughton and Lyubimov going to the AHL, the Flyers now have no extra forwards on their roster. It appears the Flyers' plan is to carry eight defensemen when MacDonald returns from his lower-body injury unless general manager Ron Hextall has something else planned. Both Laughton and Lyubimov are waiver exempt, which would explain the demotion if this is a salary cap move, but that's speculation.

Stay tuned.

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