Photo courtesy of Kate Frese
The Orange and Black were dealt with a pretty substantial injury blow over the weekend, as it was announced that Mark Streit will be on injured reserve for six weeks. Streit will miss time with a pubic plate detachment — an injury that's about as grisly as it sounds.
Streit was one of the better players on the Flyers' much-maligned defensive unit — undoubtedly, the weakest part of their game — and is a steady offensive presence. Entering Saturday's game against Carolina, Streit held the team's second-highest point total, with three goals and six assists. Only Claude Giroux had more, with 10 points.
Since joining the Flyers in 2013-14, the 37-year-old Streit has missed only one game. Over the course of his 11-season career, Streit has only missed significant time in two seasons — his rookie year in 2005-06, where he suited up in 48 games for Montreal, and 2010-11, where he was sidelined for the entire season after an errant check from then-teammate Matt Moulson in the preseason.
Dependability was one of the traits the Flyers admired when they signed Streit to a four-year, $21 million deal in 2013, after sending Shane Harper and a fourth-round draft pick to the New York Islanders for his negotiating rights. They also admired his leadership traits, as he served as Islanders captain for two seasons. This leadership was reflected in naming him as an alternate captain, beginning last season.
So with Streit missing significant time for the first time as a Flyer, how critical will his loss be? While he's far from a Norris Trophy candidate, he was still a decent defenseman on an awful unit.
One bright spot from this injury is that it allows Flyers fans to take an extended look at Shayne Gostisbehere, who was recalled from Lehigh Valley in the wake of the injury. Ron Hextall wasn't exactly enthused with the choice to bring Gostisbehere up — his patient approach is well-known — but his hands were essentially tied.
Gostisbehere wasted no time in his season debut on Saturday, as he earned his first-career point with the primary assist on a Wayne Simmonds goal with 3:09 to play. But with Evgeny Medvedev slated to return to the ice soon, the Flyers' blue line remains crowded. Obviously, 'Ghost' is much more valuable on the ice than wasting away in the press box, and if it were between those two as to who sits, Medvedev is the clear choice.
Streit's leadership void will also be filled, as Hextall announced that an alternate captain will be named in his absence. No word yet on who it will be, but that's speculation that will be settled quite shortly.
Mark Streit's absence will be his first extended absence from the lineup since he signed with the Flyers, and certainly not one the team expected — even despite his age. Injuries are a factor entirely out of a team's control, and the Orange and Black will have no choice but to move on and focus on life without him.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
