The Philadelphia Flyers and Helge Grans
The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves in a fortunate position after defenseman Helge Grans cleared waivers on Tuesday, raising questions about his future with the team. At just 23 years old, Grans is still bound by a two-year contract extension worth $1.58 million, signed this offseason, which provides him with some job security despite recent setbacks.
Roster Decisions and Competitive Dynamics
Originally viewed as a potential fit on the Flyers’ roster—especially following Rasmus Ristolainen’s injury—Grans was surprisingly released in favor of players like Noah Juulsen and Emil Andrae, despite having made his NHL debut in six games last season. Intriguingly, Adam Ginning, who had a disappointing training camp last year and played only once in the NHL, has outperformed Grans this time around. Such decisions highlight the competitive dynamics at play, especially with head coach Rick Tocchet advocating for balanced defense pairings of left and right shots.
Future Prospects in the AHL
Grans, standing at 6-foot-3, was once highly touted for his exceptional size and skating prowess, but his preseason performances left much to be desired as he was often outpaced defensively. Now, he is set to start the season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL, where he has a chance to rebuild his confidence and demonstrate his capabilities to the Flyers’ management, who might afford him another shot at the NHL level soon.
Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
Meanwhile, fellow prospect Oliver Bonk, currently sidelined due to injury, is missing a key opportunity in what has become an intense competition for defense positions within the Flyers organization. With questions lingering around Ristolainen’s durability throughout the grueling regular season, openings could arise for Grans to return to NHL play if he shows improvement during his time in the AHL.
Conclusion
The Flyers wisely opted to part ways with Grans before the regular season begins, ensuring they steer clear of a waiver claim scenario, especially given the lackluster nature of the defense roster competition. It’s clear that if Grans couldn’t secure a place on the Flyers, other teams might doubt his ability to contribute effectively. Regardless of these challenges, the Flyers are in no hurry, and for Grans, this serves as a pivotal learning experience to enhance his gameplay and return stronger in the future.
