Yeo indicates club will be more careful next time with injured Brassard

Mike Yeo’s instinct before starting Derick Brassard for the first time in nearly a month Thursday was that the veteran forward first could have used a full practice.

Turns out, that hunch was correct.

With the Flyers extremely shorthanded due to health protocols and injuries, Yeo started the 34-year-old against the Penguins. Yet while logging more than 16 minutes in a four-goal loss, Brassard was slowed by the hip injury that had limited him to one game since Nov. 23.

By Saturday, he was unable to play against the visiting San Jose Sharks. Yeo did not sound like another Brassard

return is imminent.

“It sounded like he had a good appointment Friday, and sort of got a better read on what’s going on,” the coach said. “I am hopeful and optimistic that going forward, we can put a good plan in place for when he plays again. But it sounds like we have a good returnto-play plan for him.”

Brassard supplied some early energy, but quickly appeared to tire.

“He got a little more sore,” Yeo said. “We didn’t know about that until afterward. But I thought early in the game, he added something to us. He’s got the ability to make plays, to play on the power-play and the ability to play wing and center. He’d be a really useful player to have in our lineup.”

The Flyers signed the veteran Brassard to a one-year contract last offseason, expecting to benefit from his experience. But the hip issue has limited him to 19 games, four goals and seven assists.

“I talked to him,” Yeo said, “and I am very much going to make sure that he has a practice before he gets back in there.”

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Yeo started Martin Jones in goal Saturday, aware that his contract was bought out by the Sharks at the end of last season.

“It’s always exciting to play against your former team, and for a guy like Jonsey, he obviously played a lot of good hockey for that organization,” Yeo said. “These things happen in this business. We all know that. But at the same time, there is a sense of pride going up against your former team. So he is excited for the opportunity, and we’re excited to give him the opportunity.”

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After a one-game audition, 21-year-old defenseman Egor Zamula was returned to the taxi squad, along with forward Connor Bunnaman.

The Flyers maintain high hopes for the 6-3, 185-pound Zamula, who played two games for them last season.

“I thought he moved the puck well and played with good poise,” Yeo said. “He needs to get bigger and stronger and learn to play heavier at the NHL level. But he is making good progress. We were very encouraged.”