The Philadelphia Flyers could receive a significant boost following the return of top scorers Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett to practice, according to a report published October 30.
Konecny, who has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since Oct. 8, and Tippett, who has been out with an upper-body ailment since Oct. 15, both participated in team practice on Friday.
Flyers coach Rick Tocchet stated that both players are considered day-to-day and are possibilities for Sunday's home game against Utah. Tocchet noted that the players are getting closer to returning and expressed hope that they will complete several good days of practice before a final decision is made by the coaching staff or medical professionals.
Konecny, who led the team last season with 68 points and has been a top scorer for six of the past seven seasons, participated in the full practice session. Although he wore a yellow non-contact jersey initially, he was observed testing his right leg during skating drills and was not visibly limited during full-team drills, where he took hits and played physically.
Owen Tippett, who has been on injured reserve since Oct. 19, participated in the practice wearing a regular black jersey. This comes as the Flyers look to find momentum after a three-game skid following a three-game winning streak.
While Konecny has recorded three assists in five games this season, Tippett has recorded one goal and one assist in nine games. The return of these veterans provides a boost to a roster that has recently struggled with competitive consistency, a sentiment echoed by captain Sean Couturier following a loss in Washington.
The return of the two wingers follows shifts in the Flyers' lineup during recent absences. Center Jacob Gaucher was returned to Lehigh Valley on Thursday, which officials suggested could indicate upcoming roster availability for Konecny or Tippett.
During recent absences, the team has utilized players such as Noel Acciari, Cole Knuble, Trevor Zegras, and Christian Dvorak to fill various roles. Konecny's return is seen by Tocchet as particularly valuable for the locker room, helping to provide veteran leadership for the team's younger players.
