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NHL Daily: Flyers’ Net Gain; High-Scoring Vrana on Waivers; Giroux Sizzles
The Philadelphia Flyers will soon make a decision on their crowded goaltender situation. Do they keep three goalies? Demote Sam Ersson to the Phantoms, even though he starred on the three-game California trip? Keep Ersson as Carter Hart’s backup and try to sneak Felix Sandstrom through waivers to send him to Lehigh Valley?
Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Detroit made a surprising decision Tuesday. The Red Wings placed 26-year-old left winger Jakub Vrana on waivers. Two-plus months ago, he entered the NHL/NHLPA’s Assistance Program. He recently returned to the Red Wings and was on an AHL conditioning stint.
An NHL team figures to take a chance on Vrana, who had 22 goals and 10 assists in just 39 games with Detroit, spread over parts of three seasons.
Vrana, a Czech Republic native who was drafted 13th overall by Washington in 2014, has an annual $5.25 million cap hit for this season and the 2023-24 campaign.
Meanwhile, Claude Giroux is quietly having an outstanding season for Ottawa, which whipped Columbus on Tuesday, 4-0, as the former Flyers captain had two assists.
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Around the NHL and National Hockey Now
Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers have a dilemma. A good dilemma. They have Carter Hart and two promising goalies. What do they do with Sam Ersson and Felix Sandstrom? Philadelphia Flyers.
Philly Hockey Now: Good news on the injury front. Flyers prospect Bobby Brink, a right winger who had hip surgery in the summer, was activated and sent to the Phantoms. Philadelphia Flyers.
Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings placed high-scoring Jakub Vrana on waivers to make room for Robby Fabbri’s return. Vrana hasn’t played since Oct. 15. Will some team take a shot on him? Detroit Red Wings.
Ottawa Senators: Former Flyers captain Claude Giroux, who turns 35 next week, had two assists as the Senators defeated Columbus. 4-0. Giroux has seven points over the last four games. For the season, he has 36 points (15-21) in 38 games. Ottawa Senators.
New York Islanders Hockey Now: The Isles are looking for a winger. Will they take a chance on Vrana? New York Islanders.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Tristan Jarry was injured in the Winter Classic, so the Penguins recalled former Phantoms goalie Dustin Tokarski from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Pens are also without defenseman Kris Letang, who is in Montreal after his father’s death. Pittsburgh Penguins.
Colorado Hockey Now: The Avs are getting healthy. Three injured players returned to practice Tuesday. Colorado Avalanche.
Montreal Hockey Now: The Habs are gaining ground in the draft-lottery odds. Montreal Canadiens.
Boston Hockey Now: Nick Foligno, 34, “cherishes” his first Winter Classic experience, the Bruins’ thrilling 2-1 win over Pittsburgh. Boston Bruins.
Grab ,Jakub needs to be a flyer….we need scoring bad.
NO!!!!!! No more picking up rejects; projects; and over the hill has beens in the Delusional hope that they’re going to help the Flyer Organization. The ONLY thing thats going to help this Hockey Organization dig itself out of the Grand Canyon sized hole its dug for itself is to make Great Draft Picks and schrewd trades. And ; oh yeah. Get rid of Fletcher.
He is only 26. Take a chance on him.