Owen Tippet left Thursday nights game against the Devils with an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old 2017 first-round pick was only able to play 4:20 before heading to the Flyers' dressing room to end his night. Tippett produced seven points (4G/3A) in 21 games after being dealt to the Flyers as part of the Claude Giroux mega deal in 2021-22.
The 26-year-old defenceman signs a $50 million extension with the Philadelphia Flyers after collecting 116 points (29G/87A) in 335 games while averaging over 20 min TOI (20:18) throughout his career. He starts his sixth season with the Flyers Thursday as they take on the New Jersey Devils at home.
Ristolainen left Wednesday's practice early and did not participate in Thursday's morning skate. Ristolainen is considered day-to-day and will not play in the season opener. Justin Braun will move up to the top-4 and Nick Seeler will suit up with Ristolainen unavailable.
Dvorak was not on the ice for Friday's practice and is considered day-to-day. Until the Canadiens provide more details, consider Dvorak questionable for their season opener vs. the Maple Leafs next Wednesday.
Zegras left the game after he was crunched at centre ice by Coyotes' forward Jan Jenik. Zegras was slow to get up and did not return to the game. Expect the Ducks to provide an update on his status in the coming days, but with the start of the Ducks' season just 13 days away, he could be in danger of missing the start of the campaign.
Brink underwent hip surgery in July after being injured in off-season workouts. Brink turned pro following his Junior season, where he had 57 points (14G / 43A) in 41 games with the University of Denver. Brink had four assists in 10 games with the Flyers.
Shortly after Couturier said that he was good-to-go for training camp after back surgery in February, the Flyers announced that he's week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The Flyers are hopeful that Couturier will be able to return in 6-to-8 weeks, but if it doesn't, surgery would be required.
Couturier underwent season-ended back surgery on February 11th but is set to open training camp with the Flyers this week. 2022 was the worst point-per-game (0.59) season for Couturier since 2017. Couturier will serve as the Flyers' No.1 centre, but without a quality complement of wingers, a return to 60 points may be a little more difficult than it was for him from 2018-to-2020.
Juulsen was traded to the Canucks in October 2021 and spent most of the season in the AHL. He scored three goals with 13 assists (16 points) in 50 games with Abbotsford (AHL). He had two assists in eight games with the Canucks, giving him 10 points (2G / 8A) in 56 career NHL games.
Simmonds took a couple of bad penalties in Game 2, both of which led to Lightning power-play goals. Simmonds will be replaced by Jason Spezza.
