Brian Elliott injury update: Flyers goalie out 4-6 weeks

Flyers lose starting goalie Brian Elliott for their playoff push after surgery on a core muscle injury.

The Philadelphia Flyers currently occupy the last playoff spot in the Metropolitan division. The New Jersey Devils are close behind. With just over 20 games left in the season, the loss of Brian Elliott could be devastating. The Flyers announced today that Elliott will miss the next four to six weeks with a core muscle injury.

Michal Neuvirth is the other goalie on their roster. Neuvirth has had a decent year, winning seven games while posting a respectable .917 save percentage and a 2.50 goal against average. Alex Lyon was called up from their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Neuvirth has a history in the league as a starter in Washington and Buffalo, but the Flyers won’t feel comfortable relying on him down the stretch and into the playoffs if Elliott suffers any setback.

This injury forces general manager Ron Hextall to explore the trade market and see what is available. Teams selling goalies at the deadline include the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings. The Buffalo Sabres are selling both of their goalies. Robin Lehner is an upcoming restricted free agent that the Sabres do not feel comfortable committing to long-term. Chad Johnson is a veteran who has bounced around the league and is a low-price rental. In Detroit, Petr Mrazek is a trade option for the Flyers. The large contract Jimmy Howard is on makes him difficult to move, and the Red Wings do not want to pay a lot of money to both goalies.

Next: NHL teams that are buyers at the deadline

Any injury during the last few months of the season is difficult for a team in the playoff hunt. When that injury is to your starting goalie, it is even more problematic. Once Elliott returns to the lineup the Flyers will work with a three-goalie rotation. This rotation may cause problems and create a difficult decision for head coach Dave Hakstol.