Continuing what has been form the first month of the season, the Flyers once again sent Steve Downie and Jared Ross back to the Phantoms.

Considering there are still some uncertainties with injuries (more on that in a bit) this could be purely a financial decision to save them a couple bucks during this stretch of days with out games.

It could also mean that one or two of the inured players are ready, and it's back to the minors for these guys.

I'm really starting to get the feeling the Flyers have lost complete faith in Downie, and would just as soon include him in a trade deadline deal as they would try ad keep him on the roster.

He has been given several chances to improve, and yet continues to fall victim to the same mistakes that have plagued his young career - lazy and untimely penalties and turning the puck over in the most inopportune places at the most inopportune times.

I'm sure he'll be back up at some point, but don't expect an impact player, as he's hard pressed to get significant minutes from John Stevens, who may be the one guy most frustrated with Downie's lack of development.

In other news......

Simon Gagne was named the third star of the week by the NHL. Gagne, along with Jeff Carter and Mike Knuble have been red hot for the Flyers lately, and any of the three could have easily been honored.

Gagne had four goals and five assists for nine points in three games for the Flyers.

“It is always flattering and fun being recognized especially with me coming back from a tough injury last year and being able to play again," Gagne said. "I am having some personal success early on this season and maybe last week was a good one with the trip with our dads to Atlanta. We played a good game there in Atlanta and after that we kind of kept rolling. It is always fun when you get those honors.”

Gagne referred to coming back from the concussion that forced him to miss 57 games in the regular season and then all of the playofs a year ago. He later addressed how he feels now after 11 games back from that layoff.

"I don’t know, the more I play the more I will get comfortable and be able to be more of myself," Gagne said. "But right now I have to say I am feeling pretty good. I am very happy the way things are going. I am getting better and better and more comfortable the more I play. But, I am getting close. I want to say that there is still room for improvement. Last week I really started to get that feeling I used to have when I was playing at my best.”

Finally on the injury front.....

There are now two players with mysterious injuries as the NHL is allowing their teams to not disclose injuries to the media (imagine this in a real sports league like the NFL where injuries play a large part in the billion dollar gambling industry... it's absurd).

Andreas Nodl is still day to day with a lower body injury. Now, Ossi Vaananen is day-to-day with an upper body injury.

Wheter either of them will be available by Thursday is a mystery. Don't try and guees though, because thinking too hard can give you an upper body injury.

Speaking of brain problems, Darrol Powe is still recovering from a mild concussion. Whether he's available or not also remains to be seen.

There is no new news on any of the long-term injury guys - Danny Briere (abdomen), Randy Jones (hip), Ryan Parent (shoulder), Derian Hatcher (knee).