Barring some injury during training camp, we can imagine what the Flyers' opening night roster could look like. Most likely, the combination of forwards could look something like this:
Matvei Michkov - Noah Cates - Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett - Sean Couturier - Joel Farabee
Tyson Foerster - Scott Laughton - Morgan Frost
Garnet Hathaway - Ryan Poehling - Nicolas Deslauriers
This leaves six starting defenders and the two goaltenders. You would have three guys on a bench, typically one or two forwards and one defender, If we suggest that the Flyers go with two bench forwards, Bobby Brink has the inside track on that first spot. That last spot is up for grabs. If so, it's up to Olle Lycksell to take that spot.
Is Olle Lycksell running out of time with the Flyers?
Lycksell has had his chances. Due to injuries, he's been called up a few times over the last two seasons. During those opportunities, he's scored just one goal in 26 games.
We know the kid can play. While playing for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, he's scored 14 goals in his first season in Allentown and 19 in his second season. Those are good numbers when you consider he's had to split time while playing for the Flyers.
However, when you are talking about sports, there are only so many chances you can get before a team will move on from you while waiting for you to capture your spot. He may be looking at his final chance to crack the Flyers roster.
It won't be long before guys like Elliot Desnoyers, Denver Barkey, Massimo Rizzo, or Jett Luchanko get their chances. Older veterans who can't perform and younger guys who can't cut it at the NHL level will have to move out of the way. This could be the case for Lycksell.
Further complicating things, Lycksell has been benched at times for not playing well and not hustling, especially when coming back from injury. You don't want to get on John Tortorella's bad side.
If Lycksell wants to remain in the Flyers organization, this is his time to step it up. Time is running out.