Flyers Practice: Lycksell Waived, Shaw Talks Future, Center Depth “Nicked Up”, & More

Monday was picture day for the Philadelphia Flyers. So instead of hosting practice at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, New Jersey, the team skated at the Wells Fargo Center.

Not much happened at Monday’s practice. They ran a couple of the usual drills and a bit of conditioning. Then they came off the ice. No lines or power play work was done during Monday’s practice.

The team has a practice scheduled for Tuesday, ahead of their travel to New York City. Maybe lines and power play work will be done on Tuesday.

The biggest news of the day came after practice was already over.

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Olle Lycksell Waived

The Philadelphia Flyers have officially waived forward Olle Lycksell. If he is not picked up by any club before 2 p.m. EST on Tuesday, he will be eligible and likely assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL).

This news, of course, came after Monday’s team photo and practice–two activities that Lycskell took part in.

Lycksell has five points this season, all of which were assists that came in the month of March. The move marks the end of his second stint with the Flyers this season. He has just not been able to get his footing in the NHL.

If he clears waivers, Lycksell will likely join the Phantoms as they further their quest for the Calder Cup.

Brad Shaw Addresses the Flyers’ Coaching Vacancy

After Monday’s practice, interim head coach Brad Shaw addressed the elephant in the room: his interest in the Flyers’ head coaching vacancy.

Shaw had not explicitly addressed whether he wanted the interim tag removed until today.

After practice, Shaw reflected on his time in Philadelphia and expressed his interest in being the full-time head coach.

“It’s only been three years, but I’ve loved my time here. It’s a unique city. I love the inherent pressure the fans put on us. I’ve never been booed more in three years in my life. But I think it’s good,” said Shaw.

He would go on to explicitly state his interest in the job.

“I love working here, and I don’t know if I have to really tell Danny that I would like the job. I think it’s probably expected.”

Shaw said getting the little taste of head coaching makes him want the chance to be a head coach even more. He wants the chance to coach a team starting from the very beginning–development camp, training camp, etc.

He would conclude by saying he would remain open to staying in Philadelphia, even if they decide to go a different route with the head coaching vacancy, but recognizes that staff is almost always up to the new coach.

Lastly, and almost most importantly, Shaw said if he becomes the next head coach, the infamous John Tortorella rope test stays in the past.

Read More: Flyers Report Card: Dorwart’s Debut One of the Few Positives from Saturday’s Loss

Flyers’ Center Depth Banged Up?

The Flyers began the practice with nearly full participation. Aside from the “week-to-week” Rasmus Ristolainen, the only other absence was captain Sean Couturier. He took multiple big hits late in the game against Montreal on Saturday, including one that left the center looking like he was in some discomfort.

While it was initially assumed that Couturier was given a maintenance day, Shaw later revealed that the center was “nicked up” and that his status will likely be better known on Wednesday.

Couturier was not the only center who missed practice on Monday. While he started on the ice at practice, Ryan Poehling left fairly early into practice and would not return. Shaw mentioned Poehling in the same breath as Couturier, saying the center is “nicked up” and that we would know more on Wednesday.

Regarding Poehling, it is certainly worth noting that he did not participate in morning skate in Montreal. Maybe it was related to the injury, or maybe it isn’t. Like Shaw said, we’ll know more by Wednesday.

Forshaddowing in the Team Photo?

There may have been some foreshadowing in the Flyers’ team photo on Monday.

In the team photo, the team’s leadership group–captain and alternates–typically sit in the middle of the front row, along with the coach, GM, and other critical hockey operations staff.

The Flyers’ leadership group shrank with Scott Laughton’s trade, and Travis Konecny remains the lone alternate alongside captain Sean Couturier. That left an open seat in the front row of the team picture.

Travis Sanheim sat up front with the leadership group for the team photo. Maybe it was a bit of foreshadowing as to who the next Flyer to get the A will be. It very well could have been a Flyers tenure thing as well, but Sanheim just makes sense as the next Flyer to join the leadership group.

Read More: Flyers Ready to Play Spoiler in Final Six Games

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