Ersson Sent Back, Good news on Hart Injury?

Maybe.

But maybe not.

The Phantoms are fighting for a playoff spot and they do play tonight against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the move could simply be just to get Ersson a meaningful game in a playoff-like atmosphere. Although with the Flyers having a back-to-back this weekend - their final one of the year - it is a curious move if that is indeed the case.It's not like he's not going to play in the next 72-96 hours(depending on whichever game he were to start), so why send him down to play if he will be playing within the next two to three days anyway unless the move is because Hart is ready.

Or as pointed out above simply because it's a playoff-like atmosphere, which the Flyers aren't playing in.

It's also worth noting that the Phantoms re-assigned goaltender Pat Nagle to the ECHL's Reading royals upon Ersson's return.

If this move were just for one game, why send a goalie down? There is no cap or roster count in the AHL like there is in the NHL, so they didn't have to re-assign Nagle to fit Ersson. It just seems counter productive if this is a "pitstop and come back" type of move.

On the other hand, it's a lower-body injury for Hart, and Scott Hartnell who did the pre-game, intermission and post-game Live show with Ashlyn on Thursday night for NBCSPhilly seemed to suggest that it's groin related during the first intermission. He did attempt to quickly walk back what he said by saying "Or whatever it is that is ailing Hart", and I'm not sure how many truly picked up on it, or even payed it any mind, but if it is a groin injury, this demotion could very well just be a game strategy to get him extra playing time before he suits up and takes the ice again for the Flyers this weekend.

No official update has been given on Hart, so we'll have to wait and see if one is released, or if Ersson is just re-called later tonight or tomorrow sometime to find out the answer.