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Flyers' rookie Samuel Morin: 'I'm sure I can play in this league'

Despite an outstanding training camp that included a goal and an assist in five preseason games, Flyers defenseman Samuel Morin is expected to be sent to the AHL's Phantoms, perhaps as early as Wednesday.

Flyers rookie defenseman Samuel Morin in action during a preseason hockey game against the Bruins.
Flyers rookie defenseman Samuel Morin in action during a preseason hockey game against the Bruins.Read moreMATT SLOCUM / AP

NASHVILLE _ Rookie Samuel Morin didn't mask his disappointment.

The 6-foot-7, 225-pound defenseman had an excellent training camp and made the season-opening four-game road trip with the Flyers.

But he sat out each game, the victim of a numbers crunch.

"This is the first time in my career I'm a healthy scratch; it's pretty hard," Morin said Tuesday after the morning skate at the Bridgestone Arena, where the Flyers faced Nashville later in the night.

Morin said he was "pretty upset," but that "I just need to keep working hard and see what's going to happen. There's not much I can do now, honestly. It's out of my control."

The good-natured Quebec native, beaten out for the final spot by his good friend and roommate, Travis Sanheim, is expected to be sent to the AHL's Phantoms, perhaps as early as Wednesday.

"I try to stay positive, but it's hard," he said. "As a player, you always want to be out there. It's nothing that's not normal. If I would be happy with the situation right now, I think it would be not normal."

Morin, 22, was a first-round selection (11th overall) in the 2013 draft.

"I just want to play hockey; it's my passion," he said. "I try to stay positive and learn from those guys out there. The guys have been great with me."

He talked about he has used his time in the press box to observe other defensemen, including San Jose's Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

"I try to learn from those guys and see what they are doing on the ice," he said, "so I try to get the most out of that experience."

Morin, who had a goal, an assist and a minus-1 rating over five preseason games, said he would "wait for his chance," but that he was confident in his ability.

"I'm sure I can play in this league," he added. "If I go back to the AHL, I'm going to just work my ass off like I do all the time. I just want to play in the NHL, honestly."

Breakaways. Goalie Brian Elliott made his third start in the first four games……Before the game, Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said he was impressed by the Flyers. "They're a quick team and they've played well to start the year," he said. "Their youth has come in and done a good job, especially on the back end."…Entering the night, Sean Couturier led the Flyers with a plus-5 rating, and Wayne Simmonds had half of the team's eight goals…..The Flyers' home opener is Saturday night against Washington.