The Flyers had some options such as a trade or placing someone else on waivers, but the team decided it was best to place forward Sam Gagner on waivers. The Flyers could have sent forward Scott Laughton down to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and he would not
have had to clear waivers. The Flyers could have made a trade or even put one of the other veterans on waivers like RJ Umberger or Nick Schultz.
If Gagner clears waivers, the Flyers will gain about $950,000 more in cap space, but $2.25 million of his $3.2 million will still count towards the salary cap for the Flyers. The Flyers needed to clear cap space in order for Streit to return and to keep Gostisbehere without being over the cap. Once Gagner clears waivers he could be sent to the AHL and join defenseman Andrew MacDonald to play on the Phantoms.
Gagner had two goals, three assists and five total points in just 18 games this season. He was a healthy scratch at times, and missed the last 14 games due to a concussion. The Flyers could have waived him in the offseason, but decided against it because the thought was that he could help the second power play unit. He has one power play goal and only 23 shots on goal. He has only won 20 of the 44 face-offs that he took, which gives him a 31.2 face-off winning percentage on the season.
Gagner was demoted to the fourth line and only see the ice for 11:51 per game. The last
time he scored a goal was on October 21 against the Boston Bruins. The last time he
registered a point was on October 30 against the Buffalo Sabres. Gagner is a former
first round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, and he has declined in all aspects of his
game from producing points to winning face-offs. Gagner is set to become an unrestricted
free agent at the end of the season.
The Flyers will keep eight defensemen on the roster for now. Michael Del Zotto was injured
in a game against the St. Louis Blues before the break, and is considered day-to-day.
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