Report: JVR set to return?

Philadelphia Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol wouldn’t officially declare injured forward James van Riemsdyk a go for tonight’s contest versus the New Jersey Devils, but based on where JVR slotted into the team’s practice yesterday, it seems all but certain that he’ll make his long awaited return this evening.

According to Flyers insider Sam Carchidi JVR practiced yesterday on the Flyers’ third line and first power-play unit.

The 29 year old power forward has missed the team’s past 16 games with a knee injury, having played just two games after signing a big ticket contract with the Flyers in the offseason.

"Obviously, when you're out this long, you get that extra sense of excitement,” he said after the practice in Voorhees. "When I get a chance to get back in there, I'll be ready to go."

Hakstol said van Riemsdyk "looked good today … both on specialty teams and on the line. For the first time, he's been able to have a full practice on a full line."

Here’s crossing our fingers that JVR is back in tonight.