NHL Buzz: Konecny healthy scratch for Flyers against Islanders

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2020-21 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

Philadelphia Flyers

Travis Konecny is a healthy scratch for the Flyers against the New York Islanders at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, NBCSP, MSG+, NHL.TV).
"I believe that [Konecny] is one of our top three forwards," coach Alain Vigneault said. "Tremendous potential, is doing some things right, like going to the net and stopping, and obviously scoring a couple of big goals for us. But I also believe that right now our 5-on-5 play is not where it needs to be. And I've been talking to the players about it for some time, areas that I believe that we need to be better at, areas that we have been good at in the past, and [Konecny] is the one tonight that is not going to play. His 5-on-5 game needs to be better in the areas that he's aware of. I had a good conversation with him this morning, and I expect him the next time he's back in the lineup to play the right way."
With Konecny out, forward Samuel Morin made his season debut.
Konecny, who led the Flyers with 24 goals last season, is tied with forward James van Riemsdyk for their lead with five goals in eight games this season. -- Adam Kimelman

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks canceled their practice scheduled for Saturday.
The decision was made "out of an abundance of caution due to potential exposure of COVID-19."
Forward Ryan Carpenter and defenseman Nicolas Beaudin were placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol Saturday; forwards Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Wallmark, and defenseman Adam Boqvist previously had been placed in protocol.
The Blackhawks are scheduled to play the Columbus Blue Jackets at United Center on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, FS-O, NHL.TV). They lost to the Blue Jackets 2-1 on Friday.

Colorado Avalanche

Devon Toews could be out long term after the defenseman blocked a shot with his foot during the third period of a 3-0 win against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Saturday.
"He's not able to go. It could be a long-term absence," Bednar said. "I don't have all the details to that yet. He's still back in Denver getting evaluated. We're just not sure. We'll know more in a couple days.
"Obviously, you lose a guy like Toews it's going to shake things up in your back end. We know the minutes that guys like Cale [Makar] and [Samuel] Girard play, and [Bowen] Byram has been playing a lot of minutes. Everyone's going to get elevated and they're going to move around a little bit."
The Avalanche will also be without forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, who sustained a lower-body injury Thursday, when they play at the Minnesota Wild on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; FS-N, FS-WI, ALT, NHL.TV).