Photo Credit: Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Tanner Laczynski is an NHL’er who was fighting to stay in the lineup every game, but it appears that ship has sailed, at least to start 2023-24 season. Laczynski was waived yesterday, paving the way for Ryan Poehling to be the fourth line Center on ppening night on October 12, 2023.
Before training camp began, Laczynski knew he was on the bubble, or outside looking in when he was not on the fourth line to open the pre-season. Rather, it was Poehling who was Centering Nic Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway. It appeared that the coaching staff viewed Poehling a bit higher than Laczynski. Poehling was trying to make a statement on his one-year prove it deal with the orange and black, and by golly he did.
It’s unfortunate for Laczynski as he was just not consistent enough to stay in the lineup last season, and it happened to filter into training camp and the pre-season games. One game Laczynski appeared to be engaged, the next game not so much for whatever reason. One game he would make his presence known by playing a solid two-way game, the next game a person rarely heard his name.
Poehling, obviously has won the fourth line Center spot for opening night. He adds grit and a balance to the fourth line, ”He has a chance to move up or down the lineup, depending on how he plays,” Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere said after the signing. “I think the type of person he is, he’s a character guy, obviously he showed it by betting on himself. It shows the type of character, he didn’t take the longer, secure deal. He wants to earn it. I think he’ll have that chance with John Tortorella. Torts is fair and Poehling is a guy who’s not afraid to work.”
At 24-years-old, Poehling netted seven goals and registered seven assists last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He can be a good utility Center on a team like the Flyers that need depth at the Center position. Poehling likes the idea of a rebuild because it gives him a chance to fit in, “I’ve always throughout my life just wanted to be a part of something special, being a big part of something that starts from the ground up,” Poehling said during a Zoom press conference at Developmental Camp. “I think this is an opportunity to do just that.”
“I just want to prove myself. I think that’s the biggest thing, you can never bet on yourself too much. I’m excited for the challenge.” – Ryan Poehling
This philosophy above could help push the young players with fighting for jobs at camp. Competition is healthy and it can be a good thing in terms of production, but it’s great for young player like Poehling to prove his worth in the NHL, “I heard he’s hard and he’s fair,” Poehling said of Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella. “That’s all you ask for out of a coach. At the end of the day, it’s a sport and we get paid to do our jobs and you have to do your job and compete. Going through all of those things makes winning so much sweeter, so I’m looking forward to that part of it.”
In addition to Laczynski, Cal Petersen was also placed on waivers yesterday. Could he be claimed? Realistically yes, however, I don’t think so, not with that cap hit of $5 million. Teams will most likely look for cheaper, much viable options, as opposed to taking on Petersen’s contract. It is clear, much like Laczynski, that the backup goaltending position is now between Felix Sandström and Samuel Ersson. One thing that stands in the way of this decision is Ersson is waivers exempt, whereas, Sandström has to be waived in order for him to be sent back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
What will happen next is anyone’s guess, however tomorrow night’s lineup will look like the opening night lineup in the Flyers pre-season finale.
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