from Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly,

General manager Ron Hextall plans to activate defenseman Mark Streit from long-term injured reserve, possibly as early as Sunday’s game in Anaheim.

The Flyers will have to clear about $860,000 in cap space if they intend to keep "Ghost" around once Streit returns.

While most Flyers fans would think it's inconceivable the 22-year-old would return to the Phantoms, Hextall would not commit to a decision when recently asked, which is troubling.

Gostisbehere is the most exciting player to have joined the Flyers since Claude Giroux became a regular in 2008. He is literally worth the price of admission.

Given the state of the franchise — having missed the playoffs two of the past three years yet currently in a playoff chase — this could have long-term financial consequences for the club if Gostisbehere goes back, the team tanks and an angry fan base rebels.

While the Flyers sell the majority of their seasons out in advance, there were a noticeable number of empty seats this past fall that are now filled. You’d have to think it has something to do with Ghost’s arrival in mid-November, which has sparked a revival in the team....

As for creating salary cap space, the Flyers have a number of players they can move or waive to create cap space. The easiest maneuver would be to send Scott Laughton, whose ice time and role has diminished, down because he doesn’t require waivers. There are a handful of others who can be moved.

Yet Hextall has stressed this isn’t about money — this is about player development. He has a plan he wants every prospect in the organization to follow, including Ghost.

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