Flyers GM hopeful Patrick will return to lineup next week

The Philadelphia Flyers could get a significant boost to their lineup as early as next week.

Nolan Patrick - who has not played since Oct. 24 due to an upper-body injury - has been skating and general manager Ron Hextall is hopeful the rookie will return to the lineup as early as next Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, according to Sam Carchidi of Philly.com.

Patrick has had a shaky start to his NHL career since being taken second overall in the draft in June. The 19-year-old has a goal and two assists in nine games.

The Flyers have dropped three of their last four games and find themselves just two points out of the final wild-card spot.