Flyers’ Scott Hartnell out 4-8 weeks

Hartnell Down, a catch phrase that led to the formation of a charity last year with contributions made each time Scott Hartnell went to the ice, has suddenly taken on a more ominous tone for the Flyers.

Prior to Thursday night’s game against the Rangers, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren announced his top right wing and leading goal-scorer from a year ago, would be sidelined the next 4-8 weeks with a broken big toe in his left foot. The injury occurred in the third period of Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to the Devils, when the 30-year-old Hartnell was struck by Kimmo Timonen’s shot from the point.

Not exactly the best medicine for an ailing team.

“Right now we’re trying to decide what to do,’’ said Holmgren in terms of determining the extent of the injury and whether it will require surgery. “To have him out for any length of time is difficult. Losing him 1-2 months is a tough pill to swallow.”

Holmgren indicated the Flyers are “looking around” and trying to bolster the roster, either through a trade or free agency. The cost trade-wise would likely be prohibitive. However, being a few million under the cap the Flyers do have some room to maneuver.

But with Hartnell down for the foreseeable future, it’s bound to make it even tougher than it was already for the Flyers to get back up.