Flyers’ Carter Hart Put on IR, But Slated to Play 2 Games in Cali.

Carter Hart was put on the IR list Wednesday, sounding alarms that the Philadelphia Flyers’ goalie was seriously injured.

He’s not.

According to coach John Tortorella, Hart will play in the final two games of the upcoming road trip — against Los Angeles and Anaheim. That is, provided he clears concussion protocol, Tortorella said.

IR stints must last at least a week, but the Flyers will backdate it. That would make him available to play Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.

Sam Ersson will get the call Thursday in San Jose. The Flyers will take three goalies on the trip: Hart, Ersson, and Felix Sandstrom.

“I was going to play Ersson in San Jose, anyway, to give Carter time (to recover),” Tortorella said after Wednesday’s practice in Voorhees. “I wanted Ersson to get another start after his (strong) third period in Carolina.”

Hart was injured Friday in a helmet-to-helmet collision with Carolina’s Seth Jarvis, but was able to practice Tuesday, the Philadelphia Flyers’ first day back from their holiday break.

Theory debunked

On Wednesday, Hart took part in practice, shortly after the Flyers placed him on IR. That debunked the theory that the Flyers were being cautious with Hart’s condition.

Carter Hart makes a save at practice Wednesday—after going on IR. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/w91ycarAEN

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) December 28, 2022

“Carter continues to work, and we’ll see how it all goes as far as the protocol,” Tortorella said.

Hart, 24, was injured with 2:08 left in the second period of Friday’s 6-5 loss in Carolina. Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen inadvertently pushed Jarvis into Hart as the Hurricanes scored and made it 6-2.

“He was pretty confident after the game that it was something minor,” left winger Kevin Hayes said after Tuesday’s practice.

With Hart, the Flyers (11-17-7) have been competitive in most games. Without him, they could be a contender in the Connor Bedard Sweepstakes.

After being pulled from the game and then returning after Hart’s injury, Ersson stopped all eight third-period shots he faced against the Hurricanes.

“I think it shows me a little bit about his character,” Tortorella said. “I think he has a good feel about himself; I think it’s the right type of swagger for a goalie to have.”

Breakaways

The Flyers put forward Max Willman on waivers and recalled Olle Lycksell from the Phantoms. Lyscksell, recalled for the third time this season, had 18 points (5-13) in 19 games with Lehigh Valley. … Tortorella plans to put Cam York with Ivan Provorov on the first pairing Thursday. York has been much more assertive than in training camp, said Tortorella, who believes his stint with the Phantoms was helpful. He said York could develop into a Dan Boyle-type defenseman. He coached Boyle in Tampa Bay. … Because he was on IR, Hart was not allowed to address the media.