Flyers made first round of roster cuts, send 14 players out

After a week of training camp and two preseason games, the Philadelphia Flyers have made their first round of cuts.

There aren't any surprises amongst this group as the first cut typically tends to be players who didn't have much chance at making the team. It is the players returning to juniors for another year or so. And there are also players destined for the Phantoms, including those on AHL-only deals.

The only slight surprise could be that Jett Luchanko was not among the cuts this round. He has impressed the coaching staff enough to stick around a little bit longer. There has been plenty of talk on what will be best for his development.

Most agree that another year where he can dominate juniors is important. There are other things he needs to work on besides his shooting that are easier down at a lower level. He could force the Flyers' hands, but it would be unlikely to see him play in the NHL for the entirety of the season. Luchanko is too young for the AHL so he would have to be returned to juniors.

Flyers cut 14 players from training camp roster

Starting with the players being returned to their junior clubs, five of them were in this group. Out of this group, Carson Bjarnason and Spencer Gill appeared in the preseason win over the Capitals. Bjarnason stopped all shots in faced in relief, while Gill blocked two shots in just over 19 minutes of ice time. Bjarnason, Hillebrandt, and Gill also appeared in the Rookie Series.

Bjarnason played in both games, stopping 14 shots in the latter game. Hillebrandt stopped 22 of 24 shots in relief to help the Flyers take the second game of the series. Gill earned an assist on a deflection goal from Alexis Gendron and also made a huge defensive stop to help send the first game to overtime.

*G - Sam Hillebrandt (OHL - Barrie)

G - Carson Bjarnason  (WHL - Brandon)

D - Spencer Gill (QMJHL - Rimouski)

D - Carter Sotheran (WHL - Portland)

*F - Josh Zakreski  (WHL - Portland)

*Released from Amateur Try-Out Contract

The remaining nine players were assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Out of this group, only Sawyer Boulton appeared in a preseason game. He skated just over six and a half minutes, taking an interference penalty in the game against Washington.

As mentioned above, Gendron scored in the opening game of the Rookie Series. Matteo Mann scored the first goal in the second game, while Boulton potted a goal as well.

D - Matteo Mann

D - Emile Chouinard

D - Ethan Samson

D - Sam Sedley

F - Sawyer Boulton

F - Nick Capone

F - Alexis Gendron

F - Matthew Miller

F - Zayde Wisdom

The Flyers training camp roster is now down to 44 players. They skated earlier today and will play their first home preseason game against the New York Islanders on Thursday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.