The Flyers training camp is rolling along. The team has played well, despite two losses in the three games they’ve played as the young guys are trying to prove they belong in Philly. Coach John Tortorella has been watching from above while his assistant coaches have been guiding the team through these preseason games.
However, not everyone can make the roster. On Friday, the team announced its first major round of cuts. Twenty players were let go as the team trimmed its roster down
The following players were cut:
Forwards: Zayde Wisdom, Garrett Wilson, Jordy Bellerive, Jacob Gaucher, Alex Kile, Tye McSorley, and Jonathan Lemieux.
Defenders: Linus Högberg, Wyatte Wylie, Mason Millman, Cooper Zech, Charlie Gerard, Colin Felix, and Will MacKinnon.
Goalies: Nolan Maier and Tyler Wall
With Maier and Wall being sent down, it would appear that Felix Sandström has locked up the backup goalie position. Samuel Ersson does remain, though. This is good news, especially now that Carter Hart is participating in practice again.
With the roster cuts, there were some important players that were reassigned to the Phantoms.
Once highly touted prospect Elliot Desnoyers was sent down to Lehigh Valley. The former fifth round pick, who has been lighting it up in the junior leagues will play his first full season at the AHL level. If he does well there after some seasoning, it could be that he fills in for an injured player if and when it comes.
Isaac Ratcliffe, a former second rounder in 2017, was assigned to Lehigh Valley. However, the 6’6″ forward who played 10 games last year for Philly, has to go through waivers first. It is very possible that someone could take a chance on the 23 year old winger.
In the same boat as Ratcliffe is Swedish winger Linus Sandin. Sandin has played a few games for the Phantoms the last two seasons and was called up for a game last year. The 26 year old who played four years in the Swedish leagues also has to clear waivers.
Cal O’Reilly is another player on a PTO who was cut by the Flyers. He was assigned to Lehigh Valley with the rest of the cut players, but doesn’t have to go through the waiver process.
With the cuts, the Flyers are down to 45 players. That includes injured players such as Ryan Ellis and Sean Couturier. The team also has three preseason games left to go before training camp ends. The regular season will begin on October 13 as the Orange and Black will host their Metropolitan Division rivals, the New Jersey Devils.