Jones clears waivers; Flyers trim more

Defenseman Randy Jones cleared waivers today at noon but the Flyers have not yet made up their mind on what to do with the 28-year-old defenseman. Jones can now be sent to the Phantoms or remain with the team as a $2.75 million cap hit.

"Well, [sending Jones to the Phantoms] is a possibility," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "But we haven't decided that yet.

"He could still be on our roster, too. We have a number of options putting him on waivers. Now that he is cleared gives us a different option."

Jones was placed on waivers Saturday, likely to free salary cap room so that James van Riemsdyk, Mika Pyorala, Danny Syvret and Blair Betts - who all still remain in training camp - can fit under the $56.8 million hard cap.

The Flyers did trim their roster by four on Monday, sending forwards Lukas Kaspar, Jason Ward, Patrick Maroon, and David Laliberte to Adirondack after practice.

As it stands, the Flyers have 25 players remaining in camp, including Jones and goalie Johan Backlund, who was just recalled from the Phantoms on Sunday to replace injured Brian Boucher.

The Flyers officially need to have their roster at 23 by Wednesday at 3 p.m. Holmgren said that he would speak to Blair Betts' agent late Monday night to continue negotiations on a contract. Betts is still riding the tryout contract he signed before training camp.

To find out who has the inside track to the Flyers' sixth defensive spot and who Mika Pyorala might be playing with on Tuesday night, pick up a copy of Tuesday's Daily News.