As Mark Streit gets set to return to the lineup, the Flyers on Tuesday placed Sam Gagner and his $3.2 million cap hit on waivers.
Neither R.J. Umberger nor Nick Schultz was demoted, as speculated. Assuming no other teams pick Gagner up off the waiver wire, he will be sent to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Gagner has never played in the American League at all in his career.
Gagner, 26, has two goals and five points in 18 games this season. He has not played since Nov. 23, due to a concussion and a subsequent stint as a healthy scratch.
Streit is set to return to the lineup Wednesday in San Jose, and the strong play of Shayne Gostisbehere more than solidified his spot back in the lineup. The Flyers had to move roughly $240,000 in cap space in order to keep both players.
The waiving of a forward, however, poses another unique dilemma for Ron Hextall and Dave Hakstol. Once Michael Del Zotto returns from his day-to-day upper-body injury (which is possible for Wednesday, but not likely), the Orange and Black will have a crowded, eight-man blueline. Further moves will be made.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
