In a somewhat surprising move, the Philadelphia Flyers made the decision on Friday afternoon to place 24-year-old winger Wade Allison on waivers, giving all 31 NHL teams the opportunity to claim him for free.
In a league where logical asset management is highly valued, it seemed unusual to let go of a young forward with significant potential, especially one who was drafted in the second round not too long ago. Allison was once considered a promising prospect, and yet, at the earliest opportunity, the Flyers placed him on waivers.
But what motivated this decision?
The Emergence of Bobby Brink and Tyson Foerster
Immediately, two names come to mind in light of this transaction: Bobby Brink and Tyson Foerster. These two winger prospects were expected to compete against each other throughout Flyers’ training camp and preseason. Both possess skill with the puck but are not known for their exceptional skating abilities. They share enough similarities in their playing styles that it makes sense for the more impressive one to secure a spot on the team.
Now, with Allison’s spot in the lineup open, as well as the lone available position, both players have a better chance of making it to the NHL, though there hasn’t been official confirmation of their selection yet. However, it’s presumed that with Allison either heading to another NHL team or the AHL, the possibility of both Brink and Foerster making the team has transitioned from being unlikely to nearly certain.
Injury-Prone History
Allison’s career has been plagued by injuries. Last season marked the first time he managed to play more than 40 games since his USHL days in 2016, totaling 60 games and 15 points for the Flyers.
The fact that he was able to play consistently for an extended period was a positive development for his supporters.
Unfortunately, not everyone shared this perspective. Head coach John Tortorella expressed frustration during a March 16 press conference when Allison returned from a short-term injury, emphasizing the challenge of consistency due to his frequent injuries.
“It’s hard to be consistent when you’re always hurt,” Tortorella remarked. “That’s my struggle. You see him coming, you see him coming, now he’s out again.”
While it cannot be definitively stated that Allison’s injury-prone history was a key factor in his waiver placement, these comments from Tortorella suggest that the Flyers may not view him as a player they can consistently rely on, making it challenging to build a team around him.
A Different Role
Within the current roster, Allison’s ceiling appears limited to being a bottom-six player. The team already boasts numerous top-six forwards, even when in contention for a high draft pick.
This situation does not provide Allison with the right opportunity to showcase his potential. While there remains room for his development, he might evolve into a dependable middle-six winger capable of occasionally scoring 20 goals, but those opportunities are unlikely to arise in Philadelphia.
Ultimately, the decision to place Allison on waivers may have been an attempt to provide him with greater opportunities, whether with another NHL team or back in the AHL.
If he excels in the AHL and clears waivers, there’s a chance he could garner trade interest or secure a more substantial contract next year. This hypothetical scenario might occur if the Flyers let him become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 25.
In any case, there were reasons behind the Flyers’ decision, and the assessment of whether those reasons were sound can be made later on.
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