Flyers defenseman Grans sidelined by lower-body injury in preseason tilt
Philadelphia blueliner Helge Grans left Thursday's preseason game against Boston with a lower-body injury after logging just two shifts and 1:29 of ice time. He had picked up an assist on Matvei Michkov's goal earlier in the first period. Grans, who hasn't played in the NHL since the 2024-25 season, is competing for a roster spot with the Flyers.
Grans, a 24-year-old Swedish defenseman, was originally selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the 2020 draft. He arrived in Philadelphia via a three-team trade involving Ivan Provorov in June 2023. Over five North American seasons, he has been an AHL regular, amassing 78 points in 298 games. His current two-year contract, signed in May 2025, carries a modest $837,500 cap hit and converts to a one-way deal for the upcoming season.
The injury interrupts his bid to return to the NHL, where he last appeared during the 2024-25 campaign in six games. He had already played in the preseason opener, a 5-2 loss to Washington, before Thursday's brief outing. The Flyers face the Capitals again on Saturday to close the preseason, then open the regular season against Pittsburgh on Sept. 30.
This injury could reshape the Flyers' defensive depth chart as they finalize their opening-night roster, potentially forcing a younger or less experienced player into a larger role. For Grans, the setback may delay his bid to re-establish himself as an NHL regular, affecting his career trajectory. Fans may see a ripple effect in the team's early-season performance, though the long-term impact remains uncertain.