Philadelphia Flyers recall Cameron York

The Philadelphia Flyers, last in the Metropolitan Division and winners of just three games in their last ten, have recalled top prospect Cam York from the minor leagues. York last played in the NHL more than a month ago, going back to the AHL on February 2. He’s played 13 games since then for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, recording three points.

The interesting part about a York recall, other than the obvious excitement that comes with a top prospect, is the situation that Philadelphia finds themselves in when it comes to the trade deadline. Five of the seven other defensemen on the Philadelphia roster are pending unrestricted free agents. Rasmus Ristolainen, Justin Braun, Keith Yandle, Kevin Connauton, and Nick Seeler are all on expiring contracts, suggesting they could be moved at some point if not in the team’s future plans.

Philadelphia has six games left before the March 21 trade deadline, meaning decisions on those players will have to come soon. York’s return to the NHL squad could simply be a chance for him to get another opportunity, or it could be the team preparing for life after some incoming moves. Either way, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to recall him if he’s not going to play–the Phantoms have a three-in-three this weekend that he could have taken part in–so expect York to enter the lineup in one way or another.