Word from several sources on Monday afternoon that Flyers defenseman Matt Walker, who was loaned to the Adirondack Phantoms on a conditioning stint following hip surgery, has hurt his hip again and will be out of action.
Walker has yet to play a game with Philadelphia, and though his presence on the blue line was merely for depth, it is a disappointing setback after his original injury and surgery put him out for 10-to-12 weeks.
General manager Paul Holmgren was, as usual, cagey when pressed for details on how the new injury occurred. It's always some kind of an angle with this group, disguised as cloak-and-dagger seriousness...
This latest wrinkle comes on the heels of playofff-hero Michael Leighton apparently being ready to return from his own rehab stint in the American Hockey League.
Walker could go on injured reserve...which means that if Leighton is activated, someone -- most likely Ian Laperriere according to several sources -- could be placed on long-term injured reserve in order to save cap space.
One player who will not be coming back, for a short while anyway, is Jody Shelley, who has been suspended two games for a questionable hit on Bruins' player Adam McQuaid during Saturday night's 2-1 overtime win. McQuaid was pushed from behind by Shelley and crashed into the boards. He returned to the game after a brief convalescence but Shelley was given a major for boarding and a game misconduct for his efforts.
The 34-year-old is set to forfeit $11,827.96 in salary, per the NHL, and will not be eligible to return until this coming Saturday's matinee against the New York Rangers.
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