Flyers send Sbisa back to juniors

19 year-old Flyers defenseman Luca Sbisa made the team out of training camp because the Flyers was decimated by injuries. He stayed with the club because he proved he belonged. Unfortunately, as the injured players got healthy and returned to the ice, Sbisa saw his playing time dwindle until he found himself a healthy scratch on a regular basis.

Determing that the young defenseman is better of getting lots of ice team than rotting away on the bench, the Flyers sent Sbisa back to his junior club, the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League, a move that ends his NHL season. Sbisa's final stats don't look all that impressive as he notched 7 points, all assists, in 39 games and had a plus/minus of -6. The mere fact that he was in the NHL at all this season is the real story with Sbisa. He was drafted 19th overall by the Flyers in the 2008 draft and seized an opportunity to make the NHL after injuries to defensemen Randy Jones and Ryan Parent left a roster spot open.

Sbisa still has plenty to work on before he can be considered a top 4 defenseman. He is excellent with the puck and can make solid passes but he needs to work on being stronger both with and without the puck. There were many instances where Sbisa simply got pushed aside but luckily he's only a kid and the strength should come in due time.

The Flyers made the right choice in sending Sbisa down and letting him get some much needed ice time. He will truly be a man among boys in the juniors so at the very least he will gain a ton of confidence heading into the 2009 Flyers training camp where he will be a lock to make the team.

Good luck in the WHL, Sbisa, we can't wait to see you back with the big club.