The Flyers training camp has ended and all slide eligible players with the exceptions of
Couturier and
Schenn have been sent down to the AHL for more seasoning, this included
Michael Raffl who will likely rejoin the big club in the event that the
Adam Hall trade goes through. After a week or so of play Podein will have a conversation with Terry Murray, his former coach in Philadelphia and the current coach of the Phantoms, to see which players he intends to use regularly and which can be sent down to the ECHL.
Still with seven roster spots over the 23 man limit the job of general manager finally started playing at Shjon. First off the block was goalie
Yann Danis, an easy cut that is unlikely to be picked up. Next were centers
Kris Newbury and
Ben Holmstrom who will provide the Phantoms with good leadership, but will not be missed if picked up by another team.
Bruno Gervais is 28 and unlikely to get better, if another team picks him up it will be a blessing. Down to the final three cuts Podein found himself with a log jam at defense with
Kimmo Timonen, Nik Grossmann, Hal Gill, and
Oliver Lauridsen sitting at the bottom. Lauridsen is easily the least NHL ready, but is the only one who has the ability to grow anymore. Hal Gill could be the best shutdown defender on the team, but his old legs can’t carry his 6’7 body like they used to. Grossmann has constantly been tagged as the worst Flyer’s defensemen, but the fact that he keeps his name out there speaks to his abilities as an NHL defenseman. Lastly, to waive Kimmo Timonen would be an unceremonialist move and probably have Podein run out of town without second thought. At the end of the day Hal Gill and Oli Lauridsen were the ones asked to pack their bags, and they might be smart to keep them pack for a full 24 hours to see if anything comes from their waivers.
It is with a heavy heart that
Zac Rinaldo was sent down to the AHL. Perhaps the time with lesser competition will help him grow his abilities into becoming the high quality player we hope he can be. If he does not clear waivers we hope he harbors no ill will against management and wish him the best of luck in his new home.
