Middleton was set to start the season in the AHL but an injury to Dalton Prout has opened up a roster spot for Middleton to be recalled. He had one assist in three NHL games last season and added 19 points (5G / 14A) in 57 AHL contests.
Backlund has been dealing with a lower-body injury since the late stages of the preseason but is ready to go in Colorado. Backlund, who will centre the second line with familiar linemates (Tkachuk and Frolik) had 21 goals and 26 assists (47 points) last season.
Farabee, who was a first-round pick (No.14 overall) in 2018 nearly made the Flyers opening night roster but the last second return of Tyler Pitlick has pushed him to the AHL to begin the year. The 19-year-old had 17 goals and 19 assists (36 points) in 37 games at Boston University last season.
Backlund was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice but remains a question mark heading into the first game of the year. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate and expect Sam Bennett to replace him on the second line if he doesn’t play.
Frost seemed like a front-runner to at start the season with the Flyers, but this injury all but guarantees that he will end up in the AHL next week. While this is bad news for Frost, it opens the door for fellow rookies German Rubtsov and Joel Farabee to make the opening night roster.
Pachal was an undrafted free agent who had 15 goals with 36 assists (51 points) in 66 games with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) in 2019. He’ll report for a fifth WHL season with the Raiders in 2020.
Hunt split his 2019 season between the NHL and AHL, posting 44 points (23G / 21A) in 51 games with Springfield (AHL) and 10 points (3G / 7A) in 31 games with Florida (NHL). Despite moderate NHL success, Hunt will likely start 2020 in the AHL.
Englund, 23, was a second-round pick in 2014 and has played sparingly in the NHL since, including three games this season. During his time in the AHL, the 6-foot-3, 189 lbs. defenseman scored three goals with 11 assists (14 points) in 68 games.
Hanley spent most of the season in the AHL, where he had eight goals and 20 assists (28 points) in 60 games. Hanley played 16 games with Dallas and has just six assists in 38 career NHL games—tonight will be his first career NHL playoff game.
Backlund was rested on Monday but is expected to replace Sean Monahan in the lineup on Wednesday.
Englund will get a late-season look with the Senators after scoring three goals and 11 assists (14 points) in 65 AHL games this season. The 2014 second-round pick has great size (6-foot-4, 205 lbs.) and has not recorded a pick in six career NHL games.
With Justin Braun heading to IR, Middleton could make his NHL debut on Saturday. The former seventh-round pick has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 26 games with the Barracuda this season.
Hanley cleared waivers on Tuesday but will also draw into the lineup on the same day. Hanley was a healthy scratch on Saturday but will replace Julius Honka tonight.
Backlund has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury but could play on the Flames’ three-game road-trip, which starts Saturday afternoon in Minnesota. Monitor his status as the Flames hit the ice for warmups at 1:00 pm on Saturday.
