With the preseason concluded after a victory over the AHL-heavy New Jersey Devils, the Philadelphia Flyers have made additional cuts to their training camp roster. While the full list of names is still forthcoming, the players placed on waivers were announced at 2:00 p.m., and a couple of Flyers were included.
On Friday, the Flyers put forwards Olle Lycksell and Anthony Richard on waivers with the intention of sending them down to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Both players are expected to report for Phantoms training camp and kick off their season there. Lycksell’s demotion comes as a bit of a surprise, especially considering the Flyers are embarking on a challenging road trip to Western Canada to start the season. Typically, teams prefer to carry extra players to avoid the hassle of flying someone out in case of injury. As it stands, the roster includes 13 forwards, including Nic Deslauriers as the extra skater. So, the Flyers will officially head to Vancouver with 13 forwards—though this might not tell the whole story.
As for Richard, he had a standout camp, showcasing his speed, forechecking prowess, and entertaining style. However, he’s likely to see NHL action only if injuries strike. He’s a strong AHL player and is expected to make a significant impact for Lehigh Valley, likely fitting into their top six.
Now, let’s address the standout player of the camp: Jett Luchanko. The freshly minted 18-year-old center remains at training camp, and based on comments from head coach John Tortorella and his practice placement on the third line alongside Joel Farabee and Bobby Brink, it seems he’s on the verge of making the team. While it would typically make sense to return him to the OHL’s Guelph Storm at this stage, that hasn’t happened.
As the excitement builds, it looks like the Flyers will feature an 18-year-old in their lineup when they face the Vancouver Canucks on October 11.