Flyers evaluate plenty of bubble players in preseason loss to Capitals

Flyers evaluate plenty of bubble players in preseason loss to Capitals originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Flyers’ roster evaluation picked up Thursday night as the team suffered a 5-1 preseason loss to the Capitals at Giant Center, the home of Washington’s AHL affiliate.

Jacob Gaucher provided the Flyers’ lone goal, which whittled the Capitals’ lead to 3-1 in the second period.

But Washington countered with a goal just 1:07 minutes into the third period and added one more for good measure.

Rick Tocchet’s club is 1-2-0 in the preseason with four games to go.

• Rodrigo Abols knows that stringing together consistent performances will be his ticket to staying with the Flyers.

Tocchet decided to make Abols the only skater to play in all three preseason games so far. The head coach definitely wanted to see if the big forward could sustain his effectiveness from a strong opener.

“There’s some good stuff there,” Tocchet said. “I think there are things to work with him going forward.”

The 29-year-old continued to make his case for the season-opening roster. In the second period, Abols and Nicolas Deslauriers had a hard-working shift pay off on Gaucher’s goal.

Rodrigo Abols

• The Flyers dressed Alex Bump, Nikita Grebenkin and Jett Luchanko, three of their top young roster hopefuls.

Bump saw a showcase with Travis Konecny and Noah Cates. He nearly made the Capitals pay for a turnover in the first period when he rung iron on a blast.

But the 21-year-old winger was unable to crack the scoresheet. Grebenkin and Luchanko couldn’t get much going offensively on the Flyers’ second line.

• Dan Vladar, the club’s goaltending addition this offseason, saw his first preseason action with the Flyers.

The 28-year-old played the first period and converted eight saves on nine shots. He did a nice job tracking pucks through traffic.

The goal he allowed was on a Washington power play after Noah Juulsen, who’s trying to win a job on defense, was whistled for kneeing. The shot was a laser from the circle by Andrew Cristall.

Aleksei Kolosov, who has played in all three exhibition games, stopped 16 of 20 shots over the final two periods. The Capitals’ third goal was a leaky one for Kolosov as a loose puck snuck through his legs.

Washington’s fourth marker came at shorthanded. Jack Nesbitt had a turnover near the Flyers’ offensive blue line that led directly to Connor McMichael’s breakaway tally.

The 23-year-old Kolosov entered with 27 saves on 30 shots through his first two preseason outings.

• A lot of bubble defensemen suited up for the Flyers.

Helge Grans was one of them and had a tough moment in rush coverage during the second period. Ivan Miroshnichenko beat Grans to the outside on his way to the net for the Capitals’ 2-0 goal.

Dennis Gilbert had a painful blocked shot in the second period. He has played the part when it comes to a reliable sixth or seventh defenseman.

Adam Ginning committed a first-period penalty but also made a heads-up defensive play not long after to help prevent a goal. He picked up an assist on Gaucher’s goal.

• The Flyers trimmed their roster to 42 players with 10 cuts Thursday afternoon.

Oscar Eklind was placed on waivers for the purpose of reporting to AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley.

Samu Tuomaala, Massimo Rizzo, Tucker Roberston, Cooper Marody, Garrett Wilson, Zayde Wisdom, Sawyer Boulton, Keith Petruzzelli and Yaniv Perets were sent to the Phantoms.

• The Flyers continue training camp Friday at noon ET before getting back into game action Saturday when they host the Bruins at 5 p.m. ET.

Flyers evaluate plenty of bubble players in preseason loss to Capitals

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