Travis Sanheim Suffers Upper-body Injury Against Islanders

The Flyers are already down a veteran defenseman and now, a key young blueliner is banged up.

Travis Sanheim on Sunday afternoon exited the Flyers' 3-0 loss to the New York Islanders during the second period after being boarded by Matt Martin. The official designation is an "upper-body" injury and the team will provide an update Monday.

Sanheim was slow to get up as a scrum gathered around Martin. He left the ice favoring his left shoulder and slammed his helmet in frustration. He did not return.

With Andrew MacDonald sidelined with a "lower-body" injury, the Flyers had sixth healthy defensemen in training camp with one spot open, giving way for Philippe Myers to play his way onto the opening-night roster.

Myers has to earn the spot, but if Sanheim is out long-term, Myers' path to the NHL this season becomes easier. He would have to prove a little bit less than he would if Sanheim remained healthy.

Sanheim, 22, is expected to have a bigger role in his second NHL season. Before MacDonald's injury, his roster spot seemed secure. Once MacDonald went down, he became virtually a lock.

But the injury bug has now hit Sanheim. We will know more Monday, but losing Sanheim long term would be a pretty big loss for the Flyers' defensive corps.

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