Flyers RW Downie suffers mild strain of MCL

Oct 3, 2008 - 12:24 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren wanted no part of the guessing game as it relates to the availability of second-year right wing Steve Downie.

Downie suffered a mild strain of his MCL in Wednesday's 2-1 preseason victory over the Washington Capitals, but Holmgren was uncertain if the 21-year-old would be on the ice for the team's regular-season opener against the New York Rangers on October 11.

"It's a mild strain, but for now, we're just going to have to play it by ear," Holmgren said of Downie's availability.

Downie was injured in the second period after he fell to the ice following a fight with Jay Beagle.

A first-round pick in 2005, Downie was suspended 20 games by the NHL in October 2007 for delivering a hit to the head of Ottawa Senators left wing Dean McAmmond in a preseason game. He registered six goals and 12 points in 32 games for the Flyers last season.

Also on Thursday, the Flyers sent right wing Claude Giroux to the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Philadelphia.

The 22nd overall pick of the 2006 draft, Giroux did not notch a point in two games with the Flyers last season.

The team also assigned defensemen Sean Curry and Nate Guenin, center Jared Ross and left wing Boyd Kane and Jon Kalinski to the Phantoms.