The Flyers lost more than just a second point in the standings in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Devils. They lost a workhorse defenseman as well.
Michael Del Zotto is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, GM Ron Hextall announced following the loss. Defenseman Andrew MacDonald has been recalled from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
"It’s been an ongoing thing. At this point it looks like he’s going to be out long term," Hextall said. "I don't know yet. Probably weeks for sure. We don’t know for sure yet so we will get back to you when we have something more definitive."
Del Zotto has been a key member to the Flyers defense this season, logging high ice-time totals and playing into the offense as well. Del Zotto has four goals and nine assists this season.
MacDonald is currently on a nine-game points streak in the AHL, scoring five goals and adding 31 assists on the season. His 31 assists lead all AHL defenseman and his 36 points are third among AHL defenseman. MacDonald played one game with the Flyers this season on Dec. 8, recording 19:29 of ice time and no points in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Islanders.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
