Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler will return to the lineup tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Flyers defensemen have been injured and overworked because of it. Seeler has missed the last 11 games.
"I'm excited to get back. It feels like a long four weeks," Seeler said this morning. "The guys have been playing really well and [I'm] excited to get back in the mix."
Despite rumors of a trade, the Flyers opted to sign him to an extension.
Former Flyers defenseman Sean Walker was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. Tonight will be the first game Seeler plays without his former D partner. During the morning skate, Seeler was paired with veteran Erik Johnson.
"I think he's a shutdown defenseman. We haven't gotten a game together, but I'm looking forward to playing with him. I think our games will feed off each other well, and hopefully, we have a good connection tonight," Seeler said of Johnson. "I think we have a great deep core, but yeah, I think it's definitely beneficial to play with the veteran like him, who's been through a lot in his career. I'm excited."
Seeler's offensive numbers don't jump off the page, but the Flyers missed his defensive game dearly. In 63 games this season, he is +15, the best on the team.
Seeler was dealing with a lower-body injury, specifically his ankle, and said he added extra protection to the area.
"I got an extra shot blocker on there and then I got a pad that goes over that," he explained. "If I do get hit there again, it just buffers that a little bit."
Seeler has averaged 16:58 of ice time this season and given the state of the blue line, he could play closer to 19-20 minutes the rest of the season.
