As we move closer to opening night on October 15th against the Vancouver Canucks, the Philadelphia Flyers have made a ton of roster cuts.
These roster cuts have reduced the amount of players by 19. Some cuts we knew were coming, others have caught fans off guard. Here are the players that were assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and their respective junior clubs.
To the Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Morgan Frost: Perhaps the most surprising cut, Morgan Frost was assigned to the Phantoms to start another season in Lehigh Valley. Frost played exceptionally well in rookie camp, but couldn’t seem to translate his dominance to the preseason. Frost was a part of three preseason games and did not register a single point. Alain Vigneault even included him for the game against Washington which he mentioned was the “most likely” opening night roster. Frost seems slightly tentative and will hopefully benefit from an all-situations role with the Phantoms.
Tyson Foerster: Tyson Foerster is another player who showed promise during the rookie camp, but couldn’t seem to settle in during the preseason. Foerster played in three preseason games, but didn’t seem fully comfortable yet. It’s understandable when you remember he’s only 19 years old. Foerster has a wicked shot and a ton of promise, this is not the last we will see of him.
Linus Sandin: After coming from Sweden to the Phantoms last season and putting up 10 points (6G, 4A) in 26 games, Linus Sandin is headed back to the Lehigh Valley to start the season. Sandin registered three shots on goal in his two appearances during the preseason.
Isaac Ratcliffe: Everyone’s favorite 6’6″ redwood tree is also headed back to the Phantoms to start this year. Isaac Ratcliffe is a towering presence on the ice and will certainly be welcomed back to the Lehigh Valley by his teammates. Ratcliffe was held off the scoresheet in two preseason games, but did manage three shots on goal in those games.
Linus Hogberg: “The other Linus” only found himself in one preseason game, but he picked the right one in a 2-1 OTW versus the Bruins. Linus Hogberg logged 18:22 TOI and that’s really it.
Connor Bunnaman (Waivers): Bunny played in two preseason games and was expected to be the 13F, it was slightly surprising to see him waived. He has been a serviceable 4th line forward for AV in the past, so he may be called up or even stay with the team if he clears waivers. Waivers could have just been a flexibility move.
Adam Clendening (Waivers): Adam Clendening skated in two preseason games and logged an average of ~17 minutes of ice time. Clendening was looking to add the Flyers to his long list of NHL teams, they would’ve been his 8th team had he survived the cuts.
Gerry Mayhew (Waivers): Gerry Mayhew only suited up for one preseason game when the Flyers fell to the Bruins 4-2. Mayhew logged 14:01 in ice time and registered two shots on net.
German Rubtsov (Waivers): “The Germ” only found himself in one preseason game with a measly 11:13 of ice time. The 2016 first-round pick has only played four NHL games in his career and it doesn’t seem like he’ll play many, if any at all, this season.
Samuel Ersson: Ersson played 20:22 in the first preseason game against the Islanders, conceding two goals on 11 shots. One of those goals was the overtime winner for the Isles. The AHL will be good for Ersson who has potential, but just needs time to develop.
Maksim Sushko: Maksim Sushko found the back of the net in the Flyers’ first game against the Isles, but did not see any more preseason action after that.
Wyatte Wylie: Wyatte Wylie found himself in two preseason games, both against Boston. Wylie blocked three shots in each game and had an average of roughly 15 minutes of ice time.
Max Willman: Max Willman participated in only two preseason games with an average of roughly 11 minutes of ice time. Willman only had one shot in both games.
Samu Tuomaala: Samu Tuomaala didn’t appear in any preseason games. However, it’s interesting that he was sent to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms rather than his junior club right away. The Flyers may want to see how he does with the AHL preseason before they make their final decision.
Logan Day: No preseason games played.
Mason Millman: No preseason games played.
Matthew Strome: No preseason games played.
To their Junior Clubs
Elliot Desnoyers: Elliot “The Destroyer” Desnoyers certainly made an impression in his lone preseason game at home against the Bruins. In an attempt to prove himself to his teammates, coaches and the fans, Desnoyers dropped the mitts in a spirited tilly versus Boston defenseman John Moore. Ultimately, this wasn’t enough to secure a roster spot, so “The Destroyer” has been sent back to Halifax for another season. For a 5th round pick, Desnoyers certainly is an exciting prospect for Flyers fans.
Alain Vigneault mentioned that the lineup against Washington on October 2nd was “most likely” the opening night roster, or at least close to it. It will be interesting to see how everything shakes out with only one preseason game remaining. Cam York, Jackson Cates, and Garrett Wilson (who does not have an NHL contract) are the only three question marks left to be answered. Sit tight folks, Flyers hockey is almost back.
