After making 10 cuts on Wednesday, the Philadelphia Flyers, who are set to open their season in six days, have announced that they have placed defenseman Kevin Connauton and goaltender Troy Grosenick on waivers for the intention to play for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. This time of year is usually the perfect time to place players on waivers as every other team is also doing the same as they try to finalize their 23-man rosters.
I don’t think either move comes as a surprise as Connauton represents – at best – the 8th or 9th defenseman on the depth chart, and Grosenick, who has been a career AHLer, did not impress in the slightest, especially when compared to Samuel Ersson. Grosenick made four appearances similarly to Ersson, but posted a 4.14 GAA and a paltry .857 SV%, while Connauton appeared in 3 games and recorded 0 points.
In his final preseason game on Monday, Grosenick took over halfway through the game after Ersson stopped all 15 shots he faced, and the former finished the game with the loss after allowing four goals on 18 shots.
As for the remaining goalies in camp, there’s obviously Carter Hart alongside Felix Sandström and the aforementioned Ersson. Sandström was dealing with a lower-body injury so he missed the final few games, but posted a 1.34 GAA and .941 SV% in the three games he played. The Flyers were pleasantly surprised with how their goaltenders fared and as they near closer and closer to the season opener, it’s honestly a toss-up for that backup position. Nevertheless it’s healthy competition between two goaltenders who are very close friends and the Flyers are finally getting younger and seeing their prospects develop.
Head coach John Tortorella admitted that placing Connauton on waivers was a tough move to make, but then continued by stating that the 5th and 6th defensemen slots are up in the air and due for battle. With that being said, and going along the lines that no one roster spot is given as Tortorella reminded us with the Cam York demotion, Justin Braun, Nick Seeler, Egor Zamula, and Ronnie Attard figure to be in the mix.
It seemed like Braun was going to be a lock and that Zamula and Attard were going to get sent down to start the season, but the Flyers are still mum on the plan. Tortorella said that if Attard and/or Zamula do make the roster, it is to actually play and to not just be in the press box watching.
In terms of the forwards, the Flyers got great news that Joel Farabee has been cleared for contact. Farabee, who visited a doctor yesterday to determine whether or not he could gain clearance, announced today that he feels great, he’s at 100%, and is hoping to get into the starting lineup for the season opener. Tortorella was impressed with Farabee – as well as the rest of the team – after yesterday’s practice as it was a lot more demanding and bruising. In an offseason with not a lot of positives, the preemptive return of one of their better goal-scorers is a sight for sore eyes.
Farabee made mention that he spoke to Jack Eichel about the road post-surgery and that taking contact for the first time is truly the biggest mental hurdle. Now that his mind is more at ease and that he has taken some much needed contact during practice, it’s getting more and more likely we see the 22-year-old suit up on Thursday.
One of the Flyers’ PTOs in forward Artem Anisimov might make the team as well as Tortorella hinted that he “may end up being a pretty important guy”, but currently the veteran is day-to-day with an injury. As The Athletic’s Charlie O’Connor tweeted, it sounds like Tortorella doesn’t want to give up on Anisimov just yet and that a contract is likely with the Flyers prioritizing veteran depth once again – health permitting.
Music City Hockey Trip
Take a three day vacation to Nashville with Philly Sports Trips this October! The package includes direct flights, a three night stay at the Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown, an all-inclusive tailgate, and tickets to the Flyers Predators game. $100 cash for anyone who shows proof they went to the Flyers game on the trip.
