Shayne Gostisbehere will finally return to lineup tonight vs. Islanders

Shayne Gostisbehere is free. The Flyers defenseman will check back into the lineup tonight after three games off. We’re not quite sure who will come out of the lineup, but we’ll happily place a bet on Nick Schultz being the one to hit the press box.

On Tuesday at a town hall meeting with season-ticket holders, coach Dave Hakstol defended his decision to keep the team’s most electrifying defender off the ice for three games.

“Everybody just looks at just coming out of the lineup for a game or two,” Hakstol said when asked about Ghost’s absence by a fan. “To be honest with you, he’s been out of the lineup now and has had an opportunity for four or five days to have some great work days. I don’t know if you’ve ever thought of it that way.”

“For a young player to have practice time in this league, for which there is none -- it’s really tough for veteran players to hold their confidence, to keep their sharpness, to be where they need to be day-in and day-out without practice time. It’s really difficult for a young player to be able to do that when you’re out of the lineup for maybe one game, you don’t make a ton of progress. That’s more of a wake-up call. But right now I can tell you this, Ghost has had three or four great work days. He’ll be back in our lineup soon.”

That “soon” has apparently come. We’ll see what kind of game Ghost has tonight as he tries to get back up to speed.