The Flyers have been hampered by the absence of Michael Raffl, who has spent the better part of the last three weeks overcoming a bout with pneumonia.
Raffl will finally make his return to the lineup on Sunday in Buffalo after missing the last seven games. Raffl last played in the Flyers 3-2 overtime win over the Penguins on Jan. 20.
To make room for Raffl in the lineup, the Flyers sent Scott Laughton back to the AHL and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Laughton has been a regular part of the Flyers lineup since his call-up – missing eight games with a concussion in between – but has struggled to have the same scoring impact he had with the Phantoms.
Laughton has just two goals and four assists in 31 games. Raffl has 12 goals and three assists on the season.
The move will keep Ryan White in the lineup. While White has just one assist in his seven games with the Flyers, he serves as more of a role player on the Flyers lower lines. That really isn't a place for Laughton at this point, who isn't getting many chances to pad his point total.
Laughton has six goals and five assists in 13 games with the Phantoms this season.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
