Flyers Place Jori Lehtera on Waivers

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers made another roster decision, placing forward Jori Lehtera on waivers. GM Chuck Fletcher announced the move on Wednesday morning.

It was a move that grew increasingly likely throughout the season. Lehtera is in the final year of a contact that carries a $4.7 million cap hit. He was also a suspect and later charged with a drug offense in his home country of Finland. In addition, Lehtera had played just three games for the Flyers since Dec. 15.

Lehtera had one goal and two assists this season in 27 games.

Lehtera joined the Flyers during the offseason before the 2017-18 season. Lehtera was part of the trade that sent Brayden Schenn to St. Louis, acquired by the Flyers with two first-round draft picks. The Flyers used the picks to select Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. In his first season with the Flyers in 2017-18, Lehtera had three goals and five assists for eight points in 62 games played.

The Flyers did not announce a corresponding move, but do not have to send Lehtera to the minors should he clear. They can hold him on the NHL roster for up to 10 games or 30 days without having to place him back on waivers to make a move. The team does have forward Corban Knight working to return from injury, as well as netminder Brian Elliott and defenseman Sam Morin.

The Flyers are back in action on Thursday on home ice, going for their ninth straight win against the Los Angeles Kings at 7 p.m.