Philadelphia Flyers place Nolan Patrick, Shayne Gostisbehere on injured reserve

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that second overall pick Nolan Patrick and top defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere have been placed on injured reserve, dealing a big blow to the Flyers offense.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they will be without 2017 second overall pick Nolan Patrick and star defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. Both were placed on injured reserve today with what was categorized as “upper-body injuries.”

Despite being categorized the same, the two injuries are very different. Patrick suffered his injury during the Flyers’ 6-2 loss to Anaheim last Tuesday. Patrick took a hit from Ducks forward Chris Wagner, causing his head to whiplash into the boards, and he played since.

As for Gostisbehere, he suffered the injury in the Flyers’ 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. He took a hit from Leafs forward Leo Komarov on the boards, finished the play and then left the game thereafter.

It is unclear on what exactly Gostisbehere is ailing from. There is also no definite timeline for either Patrick or Gostisbehere to return.

As is obvious, this is a big blow for the Flyers, who currently sit at 6-5-1, good for fifth in the Metropolitan Division.

Patrick has one goal and two assists so far in his rookie campaign. While he isn’t the top point producer on the Flyers, he has shown the hype leading up to this season was well-founded.

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As for Gostisbehere, he is having a “bounce back” year of sorts, recording one goal and 12 assists in 11 games so far this season. Not only is losing him a blow to the offense, but also to an already weakened defensive corps who is without Andrew MacDonald.

The injury to Gostisbehere has resulted in Philadelphia recalling Will O’Neill from their AHL-affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. O’Neill has one goal and two assists in nine games on the season with the Phantoms.