The Flyers announced Monday, that injured defenseman Randy Jones has been cleared by team doctors to play as soon as Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche at the Wachovia Center. Jones, 27, suffered a torn labrum in his hip joint at the tail end of preseason and has yet to play a game this season.
In 2007-08, Jones was third on the team in plus/minus with a plus-8. He was also third in defenseman in points, with 31 in 71 games played.
The return of Jones causes a logjam at the defense position for the Flyers. It is likely the Flyers will dress seven defenseman on Tuesday, allowing Jones to ease back into game shape. But eventually the Flyers will need to scratch a defenseman and it could very-well be 18-year old rookie Luca Sbisa. General Manager Paul Holmgren stated before the season that having Sbisa watch some games from the press box wouldn’t be bad for his young career. It is well documented, that rookies and players coming out of college are not used to the long grinding NHL season, and show wear-and-tear down the stretch.
Phila.Bright 