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Flyers put Jordan Weal on waivers; Gudas hearing set

    by Sam Carchidi
    Published 

In a mildly surprising move, the Flyers placed speedy forward Jordan Weal on waivers Sunday.

Weal, 24, scored two goals in the preseason and had a solid camp. The Flyers don't have an abundance of gifted young forwards in their organization.

If no one claims Weal by noon Monday, he will likely be sent to the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He was acquired in January, along with a third-round draft pick, in the deal that sent Vinny Lecavalier and Luke Schenn to Los Angeles.

Weal has not scored any goals in 14 NHL games (10 with Los Angeles, four with the Flyers), but he has starred in the AHL and is still blossoming. While in the Kings' system and playing for Manchester, he finished third in the AHL with 69 points in 2014-15 and was the Calder Cup MVP with 10 goals and 12 assists in the playoffs.

From here, Chris VandeVelde would have been a better choice to try to send down. Matt Read was another candidate, but he brings more to the table than VandeVelde because he can be used on the power play and penalty kill.

The Flyers, who will open the season Friday in Los Angeles, might make another move or two, depending on whether defenseman Radko Gudas is suspended.

Michael Del Zotto is expected to be placed on the long-term injured list.

Gudas hearing. Gudas will have a phone hearing Monday with the NHL Player Safety Department for his head hit Saturday on Boston's Austin Czarnik.

Gudas is expected to join Brayden Schenn on the suspension list to start the season, and the Flyers would only have 21 players (instead of 23) available.