After sending Kevin Connauton and Troy Grosenick down over the weekend the Flyers, have placed two more players on waivers. Forwards, Zack MacEwen and Cooper Marody were the latest training cap cut casualties as the Flyers continue to trim their roster down before Thursday night’s season opening game. Jackson Cates was also sent down to the AHL, but he doesn’t require waivers.
MacEwen was picked up last year on waivers, just like Connauton. He immediately made his presence known on the team. He played 75 games, scored a career high nine points, and led the team in fights (12) and was second on the team in hits (159). He brought a physical presence to the Flyers. With a team of young players that were filling in the ranks left behind by our injured stars, the protection that MacEwen offered was important.
However, MacEwen’s days looked numbered this offseason. While he did re-sign with the team, the Flyers added another big physical guy in Nic Desalauriers. Deslauriers is a bigger version of MacEwen. As Coach Tortorella explained when he took over the team, he wanted to make the Flyers a tough team. Several of the acquisitions made during this offseason were made with that in mind.
MacEwen had a good run with the Flyers last season. If there are injuries, COVID, or suspensions on the bottom two lines, it is reasonable to believe that MacEwen could be one of the first call ups; barring him getting picked up on waivers by another team that is looking for a physical player.
Cates, coming off a scary collision into the boards back in March, had a strong camp but ultimately will need some more time to get back to full strength. He made his debut at the end of the 2020-21 after signing with the Flyers out of college. He scored his first goal the following season, his second point in the NHL.
Another player who has seemingly taken MacEwen and/or Cates’ spot on the roster is Hayden Hodgson. Hodgson is another physical guy who costs the Flyers about $125,000 less. For a team on the ropes with the salary cap, that could be a factor. Hodgson played in six games last year, scoring a goal and two assists.
Marody signed with the Flyers this offseason. He’s appeared in seven games in his NHL career, all with Edmonton between the 2018-19 season and last year. He was originally drafted by Philadelphia in 2015.
The Flyers now have 29 players on their roster. They have to trim it to 23 by 5 p.m. this evening. If they have to place players on long term injured reserve, today would be the day to do it.