In a surprising move, the Philadelphia Flyers placed hard-nosed right winger Wade Allison on waivers Friday.
It would not be shocking if another team claimed the former second-round draft selection.
Allison, who turns 26 on Oct. 14, has not been one of coach John Tortorella’s favorite players.
“He’s always hurt,” Tortorella said, several times, during last season.
Allison went through an injury-plagued career at Western Michigan, where he starred when healthy. He also had multiple injuries with the Flyers, though he did manage to play in 60 games last season.
In 75 career games with the Flyers, the power forward scored 13 goals, displayed a hard shot, and played with physicality. He had nine goals in 60 games last season. The previous year, he had 10 goals in 28 games with the AHL’s Phantoms.
Yes, the potential is there.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Allison played in four preseason games in this year’s camp and netted a goal.
The move means there’s a chance Tyson Foerster and Bobby Brink both remain with the Philadelphia Flyers. Teams have until 5 p.m. Monday to submit their rosters. Brink had three points (goal, two assists) in four preseason games. Foerster also played in four games, and he had two points, both on assists.
Philadelphia, which opens its season next Thursday in Columbus, has 24 healthy players on its roster. Teams usually carry 22 or 23 players.
At Friday’s practice, Brink was on a line with Sean Couturier and Joel Farabee, while Foerster alternated on a unit that was composed of Morgan Frost, Owen Tippett and Cam Atkinson.
Allison alternated on the fourth line, which was extremely consistent during the team’s 3-2-1 preseason. The line has consisted of Ryan Poehling, Nic Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway.
Breakaways
Former Flyer Oskar Lindblom was placed on waivers by San Jose. … Travis Konecny, Poehling, Farabee and Atkinson tied for the Flyers’ lead in the preseason with two goals apiece.,..Cates, Rasmus Ristolainen, Scott Laughton and Travis Sanheim all had plus-3 ratings, top on the team. … Sam Ersson led the goalies with a 1.91 GAA and .892 save percentage.
More must-reads: