Flyers lose Porter in waivers

The Flyers lost a little bit of organizational depth Thursday afternoon when one of the two players they put on waivers yesterday failed to clear.

Chris Porter, who scored two goals in three preseason games, was claimed off of waivers by the Minnesota Wild. Colin McDonald, who the Flyers also waived yesterday, cleared.

Porter, 31, was signed this offseason by the Flyers to a two-way deal. The former University of North Dakota forward came into camp and impressed the Flyers' brass and nearly earned a job.

The Flyers were hopeful Porter would add to their organizational depth at the forward spot. He would have served value at the AHL level being around the organization's younger talent, as well as providing a serviceable call-up to the NHL level as a player with plenty of professional experience.

"I think whenever you lose a guy to waivers, you don't expect it but it happens," general manager Ron Hextall said. "It's the rules. Good for Chris."

"He's kind of what we thought he would be. He did a good job and had a good preseason."

Instead, he'll do that in Minnesota, where he joins back up with former North Dakota teammate, Zach Parise. Porter and Parise were in each other's weddings.

The Flyers still have one cut left to make. Coach Dave Hakstol said Thursday that cut could possibly come after Friday's preseason finale in New Jersey.

Slap shots
The Flyers opted not to have an on-ice workout Thursday, instead doing off-ice work. Both Hakstol and general manager Ron Hextall noted the lack of energy and intensity in Wednesday's loss to New Jersey. They'll have the day off Sunday so Hakstol said the next two days were crucial work days... Both Michael Raffl and Sean Couturier skated. Each is day-to-day recovering from upper-body injuries. Couturier said he could possibly play tomorrow but Raffl said he's likely out. Both are expected to be available for next Thursday's season-opener in Tampa Bay.