With one exhibition game remaining, the Philadelphia Flyers’ roster is taking shape.
But there are still some decisions to be made.
Thursday’s home preseason game against the New York Islanders will play a huge role in determining whether bubble players such as Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, Adam Ginning, Ronnie Attard and Emil Andrae make the team.
All are rookies.
The Flyers are expected to keep 23 players — they currently have 29 — for the Oct. 12 opener in Columbus. Teams must submit their rosters by 5 p.m. Monday.
On Tuesday, the Flyers placed goaltender Cal Petersen and center Tanner Laczynski on waivers. If they clear, as expected, they will be sent to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
The Flyers have three goalies left in training camp. Carter Hart is the No. 1 netminder, while Sam Ersson and Felix Sandstrom are battling for the backup spot.
At the moment, Ersson seems to have the edge. That said, Sandstrom would have to clear waivers to be sent to the Phantoms. Ersson is waiver exempt.
Which young RW Stays?
One of the most interesting battles is between right wingers Brink and Foerster. Brink has had a more eye-opening camp, but a final decision will probably be made after Thursday’s preseason game against the Isles.
Coach John Tortorella is enjoying the Brink-Foerster competition.
“To me, it’s a positive when you are kind of scratching your head, thinking, ‘What way are we going to go? Who’s going to be where? Does this guy need to play left wing, too?’ ” Tortorella said.
The Philadelphia Flyers coach said it shows “the progression of the team” that two young, talented players are battling for a forward spot. “We’re going to keep thinking and see what the lineup is … and keep evaluating.”
There is also intense competition on defense. If the Flyers carry eight defensemen, they will probably send two to the Phantoms. Four players — Andrae, Attard, Ginning, and Egor Zamula — appear to be in the running for the final two spots. Zamula would need to clear waivers, and the Flyers probably don’t want to risk losing him. That makes it likely he will be with the big-league team.
That would mean Attard, Ginning and Andrae are battling for the final spot if the team carries eight defensemen.
Breakaways
The Flyers, who opened camp with 57 players, will practice in Voorhees Wednesday at 11 a.m. Practice sessions are free and open to the public. … Philly has outshot its last four preseason opponents, 121-82. … Tickets to all games are available at PhiladelphiaFlyers.com. … In their preseason opener Tuesday, the Phantoms lost to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 4-0.
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