VOORHEES, N.J. — Less than an hour into Friday’s practice, Wade Allison saw his future with the Flyers up in the air.
In a surprising move, the Flyers placed the winger on waivers. Over the next 24 hours, each team will have the opportunity to acquire Alisson. If he is not picked up, he will be reported to Lehigh Valley, the Flyers’ AHL affiliate.
Alisson could become an attractive player for other clubs. He was a second-round draft pick in 2016 with top-six skill and bottom-six athleticism. However, Allison was also plagued by injuries during his career, which limited him to 75 career NHL games.
Allison, who turns 26 next Saturday, skated as a fourth-line extra forward in Friday’s practice. With several prospects healthy and in contention for playing time, the Flyers will have to make difficult decisions about his eventual employment.
Towards the end of training camp and the preseason, Allison was battling Tyson Forster and Bobby Brink to be the 12th forward or one of the extras in next week’s season-opening lineup.
The Flyers have 24 healthy players on their roster. Must be trimmed to a maximum of 23 players and submitted by 5pm ET on Monday. The team’s third goaltender, Felix Sandstrom, would ultimately be placed on waivers with the intent of sending him to the Phantoms. At that point, the Flyers could have 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies.
The team opens the regular season next Thursday in Columbus, Ohio against the Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).
(more to come…)
Subscribe wherever you get podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | Youtube Music | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | RSS | Watch on YouTube