The Philadelphia Flyers announced Sunday morning that they’ve loaned forward Olle Lycksell back to American Hockey League’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Lycksell played his first game with the Flyers this season in their thrilling 5-4 overtime win against Columbus Saturday night in Philadelphia, replacing Sean Couturier who was out for personal reasons.
Transaction: We have loaned forward Olle Lycksell back to the @LVPhantoms (AHL).
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 22, 2024
Lycksell’s season debut had one highlight: A moment he thought he scored in the second period. However the goal was later challenged by the Blue Jackets for offsides and the officials agreed, negating Lycksell’s tally. The forward finished the game with three shots on goal in just under 11 minutes of ice time.
The 25-year-old, who made a case for staying with the club with a strong training camp, seemed to establish some chemistry with Michkov in the exhibition season. But with the emergence of Jett Luchanko and with very few roster spots up front up for grabs, Lycksell was sent down to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He’s been almost averaging a point a game with 24 points (nine goals, 15 helpers) in 25 games. He’s also played fewer games than the Phantoms second and third leading scorers, Samu Tuomaala and Jacob Gaucher (recently signed to an entry-level deal). Over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons Lycksell has played 91 regular season games for Lehigh Valley and amassed 84 points. He also added eight points over nine playoff games the Phantoms played those two respective seasons.
The one-game stint most likely means what personal reasons Couturier had to miss the Columbus game has passed. He should be ready to take on the Penguins Monday night in Pittsburgh, the first time the two teams have played this season. The Penguins are one point ahead of the Flyers but the Flyers have a game in hand over their state rivals.
According to The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz, though, Lycksell is expected to be promptly recalled for the post-holiday road trip out west, since he seems to be the first recall the Flyers make at the forward position and there is no way they are going across the continent without a 13th forward.
