Matt Read is back with the Philadelphia Flyers after his short stint in the minor leagues, as the team recalled him from Lehigh Valley today. Read had cleared waivers just before the start of the season, after finding himself on the outside looking in on a roster that decided to go young this year.
Since debuting in 2011, Read has played 418 games for the Flyers but has generally been met with ire from the fanbase. The 31-year old forward has 186 points during that time, but never was really able to fulfill the potential he showed in a 24-goal rookie campaign. Despite ample powerplay time, Read’s numbers slowly decreased to where he only scored 19 points last season in 63 games. His four-year, $14.5MM extension signed in the fall of 2013 comes to an end this season.
Hopefully for Flyers fans, the fact that he’s in a contract year will provide Read with a little more tenacity as he looks to secure his NHL future. In five games in the minor leagues he scored just one point, but he’ll look to improve on that if given the chance with the Flyers. The team is currently carrying 14 forwards.