Joni Pitkanen has been out since December 5 with a sports hernia. He has been cleared for full practice and is probable for the game Thursday against Boston. If his return is successful it would mean the Flyers would currently have 2 extra defensemen. Call-ups Freddy Meyer and Randy Jones along with Dennis Seidenberg and Chris Therien would be fighting for those two positions. Therien and Seidenberg would have to pass thru waivers before being sent down to the Phantoms.

Robert Esche has been out since December 15 with a groin injury. He has been cleared for full practice. His return date is really up to him. Esche has stated he will not return until he is 100%. Even when he does return, he will be sharing starts with Antero Niittymaki.

Keith Primeau has been out since October 30 with a concussion. He is still having post concussion symptoms. He skates for 45 minutes and rides a stationary bike for 30 minutes every day. But he still is experiencing head spins with bright lights, when doing some hand eye coordination drills or when he make quick head movements. There is no date set for his return. He has missed 36 games. There has been some talk about keeping Primeau on injury reserve and trading for another forward. Rumors on who that could be include Doug Weight from the Blues or former Flyer Mark Recchi from Pittsburgh.

Eric Desjardins has been out since December 7 with a right shoulder subluxation. He is slated to return sometime in February.

Turner Stevenson returned last game against Colorado from having continuing hip issues after his surgery earlier in the season. He has missed 34 games.

Mike Knuble, Michal Handzus and Mike Rathje are the only Flyers to play in every game this season.