Should the Flyers Take Waiver Risks on These Players?

As the training camp approaches, there is growing anticipation that several of their young players are prepared to take the next step toward the NHL. However, they will need to compete fiercely for a spot on the roster, which might be limited due to the presence of several veteran players on the team.

Given this scenario, it is crucial for the team to carefully consider whether they should take the risk of sending players to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for cap relief while being fully aware that other teams might claim them through the waiver process.

Several players stand out as potential candidates who could be claimed off waivers due to their demonstrated value and reasonable cap hits.
One name that comes to mind is Wade Allison. Currently, the team is brimming with right-wingers, and Allison's recent history of injuries over the past year or two has kept him sidelined for extended periods, ranging from weeks to months.

Nevertheless, his on-ice performance remains solid whenever he can play. He could offer substantial value to another team, primarily due to his contract, which carries a bargain price of $785,000 for the remaining year. Taking a chance on him seems like a prudent move.

Tanner Laczynski is another player facing difficulties breaking into the Flyers' lineup. Unfortunately, this situation doesn't contribute positively to his stock value, especially on a team that is actively in the process of rebuilding.

The Flyers have been vocal about their efforts to bolster their fourth-line center position, even introducing Ryan Poeling into the mix. Given the apparent lack of support for Laczynski from head coach John Tortorella, it's plausible that the Flyers might place him on waivers, only for him to go unclaimed, resulting in another year spent with the Phantoms.

Egor Zamula presents an intriguing scenario for the Flyers. As a young prospect signed to a one-year, $775,000 deal, he finds himself in competition for a roster spot with veteran players who have been recently added to the team's defensive lineup, including Marc Staal. In my opinion, it would be unwise for the Flyers to gamble with this player.

Instead, they should consider assigning him the role of the sixth or seventh defenseman, allowing him to develop alongside the team, starting this year. Given that he was a draft pick by the Flyers, there's an inherent expectation to retain such players to maintain depth and manage the salary cap effectively.

Lastly, Nick Seeler, a defenseman in the second year of a two-year contract, deserves attention. His stock rose significantly in tandem with Cam York's, as Tortorella favoured him heavily, recognizing his impressive performance throughout the year.

While it remains possible for the Flyers to assign him to the Lehigh Valley, given his two-way deal, I anticipate that he will continue to be a part of the team. This is especially likely as the Flyers are currently in a rebuilding phase and are interested in assessing his potential and potentially showcasing him as a trade option later in the year.

While most teams assume that players won't be claimed on waivers and consequently lack a contingency plan, it's important to acknowledge that such scenarios can indeed unfold, leaving the team in a difficult situation.