Fresh Ice: Injuries, Goaltending, and Lappy

Let's talk about the latest in Flyers nation. I've got stuff on Michael Leighton, Andreas Nodl, Sergei Bobrovsky, Matt Walker, and Ian Laperriere.

-Leighton-
September, when Leighton re-injured his back this pre-season and had to go undergo surgery, the thought was he'd miss around a month or so. The one month mark has past and Leights has made some good progress. This past week Leighton skated in Carolina with the Flyers in practice.
I recently asked the Philly Inquirer's Sam Carchidi about the status of Michael Leighton. He responded: "Leighton has been on ice everyday since returning last week. Says he's feeling good."
The timetable starts, with Leighton now practicing consistantly. Enter talk about him fighting for his job.

-Nodl-
Andreas Nodl left the Flyers last game and did not return after taking a shot off his foot. Holmgren said today that all x-rays and an MRI was negative and that Nodl is day-to-day.
Nodl has been on a tear and becoming a point-per-game player, with 4 straight games with a point and atleast 1 point in 6 of the last seven (BroadStHockey).
If any time is missed, James Van Riemsdyk will fill Nodl's spot aside Richards and Zherdev. JvR skated with that line today in practice.

-Bobrovsky-
After making every start for the Flyers since October 26th, the thought is that Bobs is set to take a seat for a game. The Flyers will play 2 games in 2 nights coming up against Ottawa on Monday and Montreal on Tuesday. Boucher will start one, i think.
Boucher will, most likely, start on Monday at home, with Bobrovsky starting Tuesday in Montreal. Bobrovsky is tied for 2nd in the NHL with 10 wins and is 5th in save percentage at .932.

-Walker-
After undergoing surgery on his right hip, the Flyers 6'3" defenseman is skating. Today Walker skated in practice with a bright "no-contact" jersey on. He is well behind Leighton in terms of returning, but with a tough schedule coming up Walker will be needed.
Walker has not played a game this season, he went on the IR October 7th.

-Laperierre-
Maybe the most grizzled of all the Flyers players was spotted in Adirondack this weekend. The Phantoms played 3 games in 3 nights under their new head coach John Paddock. Reports are the Lappy was doing some scouting. The Phantoms have plenty of hustle guys in their lineup: Kalinski, Wellwood, and the fighter Zac Rinaldo.
Lappy is likely out for the rest of the season with Post Concussive Syndrome. He has one year, after this year, left on his contract.

My Top Tweeter's
Tim McManus - Phantoms Beat Writer
Sam Carchidi - Philly Inquirer's Flyers Writer
Flyers Faithful - Flyers Blogger
Broad Street Hockey - Flyers Blogger