Ristolainen has yet to appear in 2023-24 for the Flyers and will now be out indefinitely after he suffered a setback due to an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old is in the second year of a five-year, $25.5 million contract ($5,100,000 AAV) and had three goals, 17 assists, 86 SOG, 32 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 74 games played in 2022-23.
Vladar will make his second start of the season on Sunday after surrendering three goals on 27 shots in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Sabres. It's a somewhat surprise start for Vladar, given that starter Jacob Markstrom enjoyed his best start of the season on Friday in a losing effort against the Blue Jackets. It appears there could be an opportunity for Vladar to earn some extra starts this season, but he'll need to improve on his consistency from a year ago if that's going to be the case. The 26-year-old netminder finished the 2022-23 season with an .894 SV% and a 2.87 GAA in 27 appearances with the Flames.
The 54th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Andrae will make his second start of the season and his career on Thursday against the Oilers. He was quiet in his debut, registering just one blocked shot and one hit in 16 minutes of ice time in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Senators.
Juulsen had appeared in the Canucks first three games of the season prior to being scratched on Thursday. Ice-time will likely be harder to come by for Juulsen moving forward following Tuesday's addition of fellow blue-liner Mark Friedman from the Penguins. Juulsen has one assist on the season while playing less than 13 minutes a game.
Drysdale is day-to-day after missing the Ducks' morning skate due to a lower-body injury and will not play Thursday vs. Dallas. The 21-year-old was off to a great start through two games this season, with two assists, three SOG and a +3 plus/minus. Drysdale will hope this is only a minor injury after missing 74 games in 2022-23 due to a torn labrum.
Tomasino has an assist, two SOG, two PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through four games to start 2023-24 but will be a healthy scratch Thursday vs. the New York Rangers. Michael McCarron will replace Tomasino on the Predators' fourth line alongside Yakov Trenin and Colton Sissons.
Vladar will make his first start of the season Thursday at Buffalo after going 14-6-5 with a .895 SV% and 2.91 GAA in 2022-23. He will be looking to get Calgary back in the win column after their dropped their previous two matchups to Pittsburgh and Washington. He faces the Buffalo Sabres on the road Thursday, who won their last game vs. Tampa Bay 3-2 in overtime and are 25th in the NHL in goals for (2.0).
Andrea was a healthy scratch for the Flyers' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Edmonton. The 21-year-old defensemen has only played in one game so far in 2023-24, playing 23 shifts for 16:27 TOI and a -1 plus/minus. He replaces Egor Zamula in the Flyers' third defensive unit.
Andrea made his NHL debut in the Flyers' previous contest vs. Ottawa and was a -1 plus/minus through 23 shifts and 16:27 TOI but will be a healthy scratch Tuesday as Philadelphia hosts Vancouver. The 21-year-old defensemen will be replaced by Egor Zamula in the Flyers' lineup.
Couturier missed the Flyers' practice Monday as he is banged up with an undisclosed injury but will return Tuesday as Philadelphia hosts Vancouver after being a game-time decision originally. The 30-year-old centre missed the entire 2022-23 season with a back injury but has been off to a solid start so far in 2023-24 with an assist, three SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus while averaging 20:19 TOI in two games. If he does play Tuesday, expect him to be atop both Philadelphia's top line and power play unit.
Couturier missed the Flyers' practice Monday as he is banged up with an undisclosed injury but is showing positive signs of returning Tuesday as Philadelphia hosts Vancouver. The 30-year-old centre missed the entire 2022-23 season with a back injury but has been off to a solid start so far in 2023-24 with an assist, three SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus while averaging 20:19 TOI in two games. If he does play Tuesday, expect him to be atop both Philadelphia's top line and power play unit.
Jiricek probably would have made the team out of training camp if he wasn't waiver exempt but because he was it was an easy decision to send him back to the AHL. With Zach Werenski out for at least one week, Jiricek was recalled and Eric Robinson was waived to make room for him. The 2022 No.6 overall pick had 38 points (6G / 32A) in 55 AHL games last season.
Andrae was a healthy scratch in the Flyers' season opener but will replace Egor Zamula on the blueline on Saturday. After coming over from Sweden in 2022-23, Andrae posted six points (2G / 4A) in 10 games with Lehigh Valley (AHL).
Foerster was a healthy scratch in the Flyers' season opener but will replace Bobby Brink in the lineup on Saturday. Foerster figures to replace Brink on the Flyers' top line next to Sean Couturier. He made a strong impression a season ago, posting seven points (3G / 4A) in eight games with the Flyers.
Jiricek was recalled by the Blue Jackets after their star defenseman Zach Weresnki was placed on injured reserve earlier this morning. The talented young Czech defenseman had 38 points (6G / 32A) in 55 games with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL. Jiricek was the sixth overall pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and could be an interesting piece on the back end if Werenski is forced to miss significant time.
After originally being listed as a game-time decision, Ristolainen has officially been ruled out for the Flyers' season opener. In 74 games last season, Ristolainen tallied 20 points (3G / 17A) and 162 hits. Egor Zamula is expected to slot onto the third defensive pairing in his absence.
