Skip to content

NHL Buzz: Van Riemsdyk returns for Flyers against Capitals

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. The 2022-23 regular season is underway, and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.

Philadelphia Flyers

James van Riemsdyk returned for the Flyers against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

The forward had been out since Oct. 23 because of a broken left index finger. He had surgery Oct. 28 and was expected to need six weeks to recover.

Van Riemsdyk has five points (two goals, three assists) in six games. The Flyers are 5-10-5 without him.

“I’m getting closer and closer, taking it day by day at this point,” he said Tuesday. “Just trying to go from there. We’ll see. I’ve been able to skate the whole time so [conditioning] is as good as it can be. Playing in games, you can’t really mimic that type of hockey shape, but you try to do your best as far as skating, staying in shape in other ways. I’ve just got to jump in the water at some point and go from there.

“When you’re watching, it’s always tough, you think you can be out there and contribute and make a difference in some of the games. I feel like the team has been playing pretty well lately, so I just want to hop in and have a seamless transition and contribute in whatever way I can.”

Forward Max Willman came out of the lineup for van Riemsdyk. He has no points in eight games this season.

The Flyers placed forward Tanner Laczynski on injured reserve Tuesday because of a lower-body injury sustained during the third period of a 5-3 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday. He is considered week to week. Laczynski has four points (two goals, two assists) in 19 games. — Adam Kimelman

Vegas Golden Knights

Jack Eichel will miss his second straight game for the Golden Knights when they host the New York Rangers (10 pm ET; TNT, TVAS, MSGN, SN NOW).

The center is day to day with a lower-body injury.

“He didn’t skate today. I talked to him, he’s feeling better. That’s a positive, but not ready to go.”

Eichel leads Vegas in goals (13) and points (29) and is third in assists (16).

St. Louis Blues

Forward Pavel Buchnevich (lower body) and defenseman Torey Krug (upper body) did not play against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Tuesday.

St. Louis coach Craig Berube said each needs further evaluation by team doctors before knowing the severity.

Buchnevich is third on the Blues with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 20 games; Krug has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 24 games.

St. Louis hosts the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews did not play because of an illness for the Blackhawks in a 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday and is day to day.

Toews, a forward and the Blackhawks captain, did not participate in the morning skate after feeling sick this morning. Forward Lukas Reichel was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League and played 13:58. He was sent back to the AHL on Wednesday.

Toews is third on the Blackhawks with 14 points (eight goals, six assists) and leads the NHL with a 64.2 face-off winning percentage (287-for-447; minimum 150 face-offs) in 24 games this season.

The Blackhawks next play the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.

Chicago placed goalie Petr Mrazek (groin) on injured reserve Tuesday, retroactive to Dec. 3. — Mike G. Morreale

.