Brian Elliott has been loaned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on a conditioning stint

Well, this was pretty expected. Despite rumblings that we may be seeing Brian Elliott back on the ice soon (“week-to-week” was the vague timetable given), it turns out that the ice he’ll be back on is not quite the one at the Wells Fargo Center.

After his last appearance on November 15th against the New Jersey Devils, Elliott has missed every subsequent game due to injury. In the 14 appearances he had this season, he posted a 6-7-0 record with a .911% save percentage. He’ll be with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to continue rehabbing before he’s ready to make another NHL showing.

The “long-term injury” conditioning loan that the Flyers are employing here will allow Elliott to remain on injured reserve. This differs from the traditional conditioning loan, as it will give Elliott either three games or six days to determine his NHL readiness (whichever is longest).

Although it’s safe to say a lot of fans assume that Brian Elliott is not being viewed as a solution in net for the Flyers, it isn’t out of the question that we’ll see him make a return this season. His time in the AHL will determine the time-frame of that.

I like Brian Elliott, personally. Not so much as a goaltender, but as a dude? What a guy. He has a face like he came out of the womb hollering at kids for touching the adjustable thermostat. He’s a patented father. I hope his conditioning goes well, even if I don’t really see him in net for the Flyers long-term.

Godspeed, my good man.