Will Nolan Patrick Return To Flyers For 2020 Playoffs?

When the Philadelphia Flyers entered training camp, many expected them to have the best center group in the NHL. Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes, & Nolan Patrick looked like a three-headed monster that would be hard to defend against on a nightly basis. But, on the first day of training camp, that would all change.



On that day, GM Chuck Fletcher announced that Nolan Patrick was “week to week” with an upper-body injury.  Fletcher said the Flyers knew about the injury “for a while” & noted that a possible return before the start of the season was “tough to say”.

Two weeks later, Fletcher would announce that Nolan Patrick would be out indefinitely with migraine disorder. “After consultation with the Flyers’ medical staff and with specialist Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher from the University of Michigan, forward Nolan Patrick has been diagnosed with migraine disorder.”

With no return date set, Patrick’s diagnosis has kept him out for the entire season.  However, throughout the season, signs of a return have surfaced.

In an update on January 14th, Chuck Fletcher put those return rumors into motion… “He is making progress; I do expect him to play this year. That’s just my guess.”




Fletcher’s comment put the wheels in motion to speculation of when could Patrick return. Those wheels got even faster when Patrick practiced with the Flyers on February 5th.

From February 5th to the NHL being halted due to Covid-19, Patrick was a mainstay at Flyers practice’s when the team was home. Which many believed that Patrick was nearing a return to the Flyers for the playoffs.

However, will Patrick return for the 2020 playoffs?

According to Asst GM Brent Flahr, it is possible. But, Patrick isn’t just going to be given a spot in the lineup.

“Obviously he’d be a huge benefit but at same time have to make sure he is healthy & long-term a quality player. However you cant miss that much hockey to step right in & figure you are gonna play, it doesn’t work like that. We will see as it goes along.”

Nolan Patrick’s return should be based on what is best for his long-term potential. Not for one playoff run. Which, according to Brent Flahr, seems to be the Flyers consensus.

So, don’t get too excited for a Nolan Patrick return for the playoffs. An extra 5 months of rest for Patrick until the start of next season won’t hurt.