Considering the cap crunch that Ron Hextall and the Flyers currently find themselves in, the solution to keeping impressive rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere around likely wasn’t going to be ideal.
And now we have our answer, as the Flyers have placed forward Sam Gagner on waivers (first reported by Elliotte Friedman). Even if the rest of the league passes on Gagner, who is making $3.2 million in the final year of his contract, the Flyers can create enough space to retain Ghost when Mark Streit is activated off long-term injured reserve:
With the move, the Flyers are now carrying eight defensemen. Gagner, who was acquired from Arizona in the crazy Chris Pronger/Nicklas Grossmann deal over the summer, wasn’t on the ice for the team’s opener in Tampa. When he did crack the lineup, Gagner started off the season with four points in his first five games.
Gagner has continued to have trouble getting on the ice. He hasn’t cracked the Flyers’ lineup since November 23rd, when he suffered a concussion against the Carolina Hurricanes.
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