Flyers Recall Lycksell, Place Cates on IR
Philadelphia Flyers writer Dylan H. Robillard of Olde City Sports Network is reporting that the Flyers have recalled forward Olle Lycksell from their AHL affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and placed forward Noah Cates on the Injured Reserve. Cates was already ruled out of action a week ago after suffering a lower-body injury and was placed on the IR as a corresponding move to allow the Flyers to bring Lycksell up to the NHL.
Lycksell had an eight-game audition with the Flyers last season, tallying one assist while going -3. His underlying numbers in the NHL were particularly bad but he was solid in 53 AHL games posting 14 goals and 31 assists.
The 24-year-old was on the bubble to make the team this year coming out of training camp after a strong rookie camp, but ultimately fell short and was assigned to Lehigh Valley. Since the assignment to the AHL, the former sixth-round pick has been nearly a point-a-game player this season with 12 goals and seven assists in 21 games.
Lycksell likely won’t offer the same two-way skillset as Cates but could have an opportunity to show if he belongs in the NHL. Cates struggled offensively to start the season with just a goal and three assists in 21 games.
The Flyers are coming off a home-and-away sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins and have surprised just about everyone with their start to the season. They currently sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 13-10-2.
Philadelphia Flyers Sign Olle Lycksell
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed restricted free agent forward Olle Lycksell to a two-year, two-way contract, per a team announcement. The deal is worth $1.575MM and carries an average annual value of $787.5K.
A 2017 sixth-round pick, Lycksell is quickly climbing up the organizational depth chart after a pair of very impressive seasons in other leagues. The 23-year-old Swede posted 45 points in 53 games for the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season, finishing second on the team in scoring during his first campaign in North America while playing heavy minutes.
It was the season before that where he saw a real breakout, though, finishing off his Swedish pro career (for the time being) with 34 points in 47 games for SHL side Vaxjo Lakers HC while on loan from the Flyers. Now, Lycksell has some financial security for the next two seasons, during which time he’ll attempt to break through into the Flyers’ lineup full-time.
He did make his NHL debut last season, not looking entirely out of place and registering an assist in eight appearances. With some free agent additions (and a healthy Cam Atkinson and Sean Couturier) in the fold, however, the chances of him being on the Flyers’ opening night roster are slim.
That being said, he’s set to reprise a top-line role with the Phantoms and continue working toward rounding out his game. With another year of pro hockey under his belt, look for Lycksell to provide some solid value for the Flyers in the second year of this deal.
When his contract expires in 2025, he’ll be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
Philadelphia Flyers Announce Qualifying Offers
Weeks in advance of the June 30 deadline, the Philadelphia Flyers have become the first team to announce which of their pending restricted free agents are receiving qualifying offers. Forwards Noah Cates, Morgan Frost, and Olle Lycksell, as well as defensemen Ronnie Attard and Cam York, all received qualifying offers from the team and their rights have been retained. Forwards Evan Barratt and Kieffer Bellows and defenseman Wyatte Wylie were left unqualified, and they’ll hit unrestricted free agency on July 1 if left unsigned.
The Flyers also confirmed that goalie prospect Ivan Fedotov, who missed the entire 2022-23 campaign due to military obligations in Russia after intending to leave for the United States, has had his contract tolled over to the 2023-24 season. It’s unclear what his status is and if he’s expected to join the team, but he will be under contract.
Philadelphia acquired Barratt, 24, in an October 2022 minor trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 2017 third-round pick spent nearly the entire season in the ECHL with the Flyers’ affiliate, the Reading Royals, where he did well with 50 points in 46 games. After managing to stick in the AHL full-time with Chicago the past two seasons, however, it was a disappointing development that he couldn’t hold the same role in the Flyers organization. He’ll spend next season overseas, where he’s already signed a contract with the DEL’s Nurnberg Ice Tigers.
Bellows was the 19th overall selection in the 2016 draft but ended up on waivers this season after the New York Islanders decided he couldn’t stick in the NHL. Philadelphia claimed him, but the 25-year-old scored just three goals in 27 NHL games and never got anything above a fourth-line role. His power-forward style has yet to truly translate to any sustained success at the NHL level, and he remains unsigned for 2023-24.
Wylie is the youngest of the Flyers to go unqualified, still just 23 years old. After a fifth-round selection in 2018, though, he’s failed to become an every-night AHL player and appeared in 45 games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season. After a strong pair of seasons to finish out his junior career with the Everett Silvertips in 2019 and 2020, though, he should be able to find at least an AHL contract on the open market if the Flyers don’t retain him by the end of the month.
Minor Transactions: 03/02/23
With all of the excitement of trade deadline week, the shuffling of players between the NHL and minor leagues often gets overlooked. Luckily, we’ll keep track of all that movement right here!
- The Ottawa Senators have reassigned Jacob Larsson to the minor leagues, as Jakob Chychrun met them on the road in New York. Larsson has played in seven games with the Senators this season, failing to record a point.
- Darren Raddysh is up with the Tampa Bay Lightning, giving them another defenseman for their road trip after tonight’s game against Pittsburgh. Raddysh hasn’t played in the NHL yet this season but has been incredible in the minor leagues, scoring 50 points in 50 games for the Syracuse Crunch.
- With several changes made to the Pittsburgh Penguins roster, Drake Caggiula has been recalled for now. The 28-year-old has 37 points in 47 games in the AHL this season, the first time he has played in the minor leagues.
- Arnaud Durandeau has been returned to the minor leagues by the New York Islanders, as Pierre Engvall jumps into the lineup. The 24-year-old Durandeau failed to register a point in his four NHL games.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have returned Elliot Desnoyers and Olle Lycksell to the minor leagues, after explaining that it was important for their development to join the Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ playoff chase. Desnoyers, in particular, seems to have made an impact on the Flyers coaching staff, despite playing just two NHL games so far.
- Lukas Reichel has been recalled from the Rockford IceHogs, now that Patrick Kane and company have left the building. A top prospect for the Chicago Blackhawks, Reichel scored three points in four games during an earlier call-up.
- Mason Appleton has been moved to injured reserve by the Winnipeg Jets, meaning Axel Jonsson Fjallby is returning to the NHL.
- With so many Detroit Red Wings players on their way out, Adam Erne is on his way up. The veteran forward has been recalled today.
- Curtis Lazar has been activated from injured reserve by the Vancouver Canucks, meaning he can return after two weeks on the sidelines. The depth forward has five points in 45 games this season.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Philadelphia Flyers Recall Olle Lycksell
The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled forward Olle Lycksell from the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Giana Han of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Saturday.
Lycksell, 23, comes to Philadelphia to replace the roster spot vacated by Kieffer Bellows after he either clears or gets claimed on waivers today. The one-for-one roster swap still leaves the Flyers with 12 healthy forwards on the active roster, as the team has not moved Zack MacEwen to injured reserve as he recovers from a jaw injury.
Drafted 168th overall in 2017, Lycksell is having an exceptional first season in North America. It’s already earned him some short call-ups, but he’s still searching for his first NHL point after three appearances earlier this season. In Lehigh Valley, he’s among the team’s leading scorers with nine goals, 25 assists, and 34 points in 34 games.
In contrast, Bellows has just one goal in 15 games with Philadelphia since being claimed on waivers earlier this season. He has nine points in 11 games with Lehigh Valley, where he’ll return if he clears waivers.
Lycksell will have to fight for increased minutes in the Flyers’ lineup. Youngsters like Owen Tippett, Noah Cates, and Wade Allison have had impressive campaigns and locked down spots in Philadelphia’s top three lines. Lycksell will likely replace Bellows’ spot on the fourth line alongside Nicolas Deslauriers and Patrick Brown, which is not an ideal spot for offensive production. The two have combined for just 12 points this season.
Philadelphia Flyers Activate, Loan Bobby Brink
One of the many disappointing moments for the Philadelphia Flyers this season was the early injury of Bobby Brink, who underwent hip surgery in July. Now, months later, the young forward is ready to return to action.
Brink has been activated from injured reserve and loaned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, along with Olle Lycksell, who is on his way back after a recent call-up.
Selected 34th overall in 2019, Brink turned into a superstar at the University of Denver, scoring 57 points in his junior season to lead the nation and taking home an NCAA championship. In his ten-game stint with the Flyers at the end of last season, he flashed top-end skill and recorded four assists.
Still looking for his first NHL goal, Brink might have to wait a little while. Coming off major surgery and joining an organization that is struggling to stay competitive, it might be better off for him to spend the rest of this season in the minor leagues.
Even if he proves too good for that level, the Flyers would be giving him the opportunity to play big minutes and touch the puck a ton, something that he may struggle with in the NHL given the team’s inconsistent play.
No matter where he plays, Flyers fans should be excited about Brink’s future. The idea of him lining up alongside Cutter Gauthier, for instance, is an interesting one, given their respective strengths. Given his long layoff, it may take him some time to get back up to speed. But for Philadelphia fans searching for something to cheer about, this is it.
Carter Hart Placed On Injured Reserve; Max Willman Placed On Waivers
After saying that Carter Hart was good to go less than 24 hours ago, the Philadelphia Flyers have now placed their starting goaltender on injured reserve, according to Olivia Reiner of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The team has also recalled Olle Lycksell from the AHL, and will place Max Willman on waivers later today.
Despite the IR placement, Hart was a full participant in practice today for the Flyers according to Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic. Even if the team has made the placement retroactive to his last appearance, it means Hart will not be able to play in tomorrow’s game against the San Jose Sharks. He could potentially return in time for Saturday’s match against the Los Angeles Kings, if deemed healthy. Head coach John Tortorella explained that Hart is still in concussion protocol but is expected to play this weekend.
It’s an odd situation but protecting their young starter is critical if the Flyers want to have any success in the second half of the season. The 24-year-old leads the league in appearances from a goaltender with 27, and has posted a 10-11-6 record with a .911 save percentage so far. Given that the team has won just a single game without Hart’s help, he is arguably the most important player on the roster at the moment.
Willman, meanwhile, has played in nine games so far this year and doesn’t have a single point. The 27-year-old last played on December 13, and will likely clear waivers without issue.
Philadelphia Flyers Re-Assign Kieffer Bellows, Olle Lycksell To AHL
Late last night, after their game against the New York Rangers concluded, the Philadelphia Flyers announced a pair of roster moves. The team has re-assigned forwards Kieffer Bellows and Olle Lycksell to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, their AHL affiliate. Bellows, who had only been recalled earlier in the day yesterday, had already cleared waivers back on December 2nd and thus, didn’t have to clear them again. Lycksell is currently signed to his ELC and is not currently waiver eligible.
Bellows, 24, appears to have fallen off quite a bit since seeming to turn a corner in his development last season. Once one of the New York Islanders’ top prospects, Bellows struggled to put it together in the professional ranks, but his 19 points in 45 games in the NHL last season gave some sign of hope that the forward could finally put it together. This season however, Bellows has failed to record a point in 13 games, 12 with the Flyers and one with the Islanders, while averaging 11:30 per game. His time in the AHL, albeit brief, has been another story. There, the winger has seven points through his first five games, a promising sign in what seems to be a lost season already at the NHL level.
The 23-year-old Lycksell, a sixth-round pick of the Flyers back in 2017 is enjoying a solid start to his North American career with 16 points in his first 16 AHL games, as well as the opportunity to play in his first three NHL games. The forward spent the previous five seasons in the SHL, jumping between teams, but showing he can be a point-producer in a top league. Lycksell had a career-year in 2021-22 as a member of Vaxjo, putting up 34 points in 47 games in his only season with the team. Though being sent back to the AHL isn’t necessarily the best news for the player, Lycksell should have an opportunity to continue being an impact player for Lehigh Valley, which should help with his overall development as an NHLer.
Tony DeAngelo Away Due To Personal Reasons; Flyers Recall Olle Lycksell
The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that Tony DeAngelo has been given a non-roster designation due to personal reasons, meaning he won’t be available to the team for now. The team has recalled Olle Lycksell from the AHL to take his roster spot.
DeAngelo, 27, last played for the Flyers on December 7, and then was held out of the lineup when Cam York was recalled. The team made it clear at that point that DeAngelo was a healthy scratch, though a couple of days later, it was revealed that he flew home to deal with a family matter. With the non-roster designation, the team can recall an extra player to fill out the roster.
Lycksell, 23, made his NHL debut at the start of the season after an impressive training camp but was quickly sent down to polish his game further in the minor leagues. The young forward is in his first year in North America but that hasn’t slowed him down. In 16 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Lycksell has five goals and 16 points, continuing his breakout performance from the Swedish ranks.
A sixth-round pick in 2017, there’s no limit to the energy that Lycksell brings to every shift. While there are still many questions about whether he’ll be able to produce offensively at the NHL level, he’s done everything he could to show he deserves a chance.
Flyers Place Owen Tippett On IR, Recall Olle Lycksell
Flyers winger Owen Tippett left Thursday’s season-opening victory against New Jersey after just four shifts and it appears he’ll be out for a little while at least as the team announced (Twitter link) that they’ve placed him on injured reserve which means he’ll be out for a minimum of a week. In a corresponding move, Philadelphia has recalled forward Olle Lycksell from Lehigh Valley of the AHL.
Tippett was a key part of the return that the Flyers received in the swap that sent Claude Giroux to Florida back at the trade deadline. He made a good first impression with Philadelphia down the stretch, picking up seven points in 21 games to push his full-season totals to 10 goals and 11 assists in 63 contests. The 23-year-old signed a two-year bridge deal in late July that carries a $1.5MM cap hit, a contract that allows the team to get a better sense of his upside but that will have to wait a bit until he’s able to return now.
As for Lycksell, the Flyers signed him back in May 2021 but he spent all of last season with Vaxjo of the SHL where he collected 14 goals and 20 assists in 47 games while averaging over a point per game in Champions League play. He had four points during their rookie camp and saw action in four games in the preseason, primarily in a top-six role and appears to have made a positive impression on the coaching staff to get this early recall.