The Philadelphia Flyers will be without Tanner Laczynski once again, as the young forward is expected to undergo hip surgery according to head coach Alain Vigneault. At this point, Laczynski is expected to miss the entire season.
As Vigneault explained, he simply hasn’t been able to see much of Laczynski to this point because of the series of injuries the young forward has dealt with. After signing out of Ohio State University in 2020, the sixth-round pick has had high expectations and barely any game action. Laczynski has played in just 19 games with the organization, 14 of those at the AHL level. In his five games with the Flyers, he has failed to register a point.
Now with another lost season, it’s hard to know what lies ahead for the 24-year-old. He will not reach Group VI unrestricted free agency because he doesn’t have the required professional seasons, meaning he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer. The Flyers could extend him a qualifying offer or work out a different deal, but it’s not clear at all where he would sit on the depth chart after missing the entire 2021-22 campaign. A late-round pick that made his name in a four-year college career, this is an extremely disappointing result for Laczynski’s early time as a pro.
Wade Allison meanwhile, who was ruled out earlier this month with a high ankle sprain, is also consulting with doctors on whether he needs surgery. Just a few days ago it was reported that the sprain was believed to be quite serious and could keep the young forward out several months, likely the result if it is determined surgery is indeed required. The 23-year-old Allison was expected to push for a full-time role with the Flyers this year, but could now be one of four players–including Laczynski, Zayde Wisdom, and Kevin Hayes–who have required surgery in the preseason.
They will definitely resign him, too much potential to give up on so quickly.