Flyers get Briere injury boost + sign defenseman Carle

The Flyers received some good news on the injury front today as it was announced that Danny Briere has returned to full fitness ahead of schedule.

The star centre had been sidelined for the past six games after suffering a lower body injury in the shootout loss to the Sharks last month and, after having surgery on October 25th, was expected to miss at least three weeks action.

But just two weeks on, Briere is set to be back in the lineup for tonight's game against the Lightning, with Flyers coach John Stevens maintaining he is 100% ready to go.

Briere was one of the few bright points during Philly's winless first six games, with three goals and four assists, but you have to wonder whether his return has been brought forward by the Flyers current two game losing streak.

Whether he's ready or not, Briere will slot straight back in one of the best lines in the NHL, between Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble.

The Flyers may also see the return of Andreas Nodl tonight, after the Austrian winger missed the last two games through injury.

Tonight's game against Tampa Bay will not just see the return of old faces but also the debut of an unfamiliar one.

The Flyers today signed defenseman Matt Carle from the Lightning just in time for him to face his former team, in an attempt to solidify what has at times been a porous Philadelphia defense.

The 24 year-old had only signed for Tampa Bay in July, but in 12 games so far this year he was 2nd on the team in blocked shots and third in average ice time, with one goal and one assist.

Carle started his professional career with the San Jose Sharks, notching 16 goals, 47 assists and only 70 penalty minutes in 151 games over three seasons, before moving to Tampa.

The trade saw the Flyers acquire Carle and a third round draft pick from the Sharks, in exchange for two fringe players; defenseman Steve Eminger and winger Steve Downie, as well as Tampa Bay's fourth round draft pick in 2009.

Carle becomes one of the youngest players in a defensive group full of experience, but with all the defensive struggles Philly have had in the first 12 games, Stevens will hope his Alaskan signing will bring some youthful exhuberence to the team and have an instant impact.

He will immediately get the chance to show his former employers what they have given up as the Flyers and Lightning get it on in a few minutes time.