Without JVR, the Acquisition of Derek Grant Just Became That Much More Important
The Flyers’ roll continued Wednesday Night (3/4) in Washington D.C. as they ran through the division-leading Caps, 5-2, on their way to their seventh-straight win.
But there was a cost.
Midway through the first period, Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk took a Joonas Seigenthaler shot off the outside of his hand and did not return.
James van Riemsdyk headed to the locker room after blocking a shot with his hand. pic.twitter.com/zjPw7LVaQt
— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) March 5, 2020
Shortly after the game, the Flyers confirmed that the team’s sixth-leading scorer suffered a broken right hand and that the severity of the break is still to be determined. To counteract the injury to van Riemsdyk, the team will recall Joel Farabee.
Farabee, who was sent down to Lehigh Valley after the trade deadline, has spent much of the season with the Flyers and has performed well for a 19-year-old, totaling 20 points in 49 games. While the 19-year-old rookie will be called up to replace JVR in the starting lineup, it will likely be the newly-acquired Derek Grant who is tasked with filling the hole left by the injury to van Riemsdyk.
Flyers fans saw a glimpse of it Wednesday night against the Capitals as Grant used his 6’3″ frame to take over JVR’s role on the second powerplay as a net-front presence.
From that change, we got this:
THE ELITE 1C DEREK GRANT WITH A BEAUTIFUL KICK PASS TO HAYES ? pic.twitter.com/RxmW3XUJCl
— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) March 5, 2020
While he was not credited with a powerplay assist, it was essentially still a 5-on-4 as Capitals’ defenseman Brendan Dillon was just leaving the penalty box as Hayes slammed home the pass from Grant for the Flyers’ third goal of the night.
With his two assists Wednesday night, Grant has continued to be a perfect addition to the team’s third line, centering JVR and Tyler Pitlick.
In his four games with the team, he’s registered four points (1G – 3A) and has shown why Chuck Fletcher was more than willing to move an AHL player and a fourth-round pick for his services.
While it is still extremely unfortunate to lose JVR for an extended period of time, the Flyers seem to be deep enough to cover up his absence with Farabee waiting in the wings and the acquisition of Grant.
Losing a 19-goal scorer surely hurts, but the Flyers have been winning with depth all season long. Without JVR, their depth will be asked to step up to the task once again.
Featured Image: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
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