Flyers have three more cuts to make

After making a handful of moves Wednesday, the Flyers have 26 players left in camp. Twenty-three will survive.

The last two exhibition games - Thursday against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and Saturday in Boston - figure to determine which three players don't make the team.

"We still have 16 forwards in camp and 8 D, so these are real important games for individuals," coach Dave Hakstol said Wednesday after practice in Voorhees. ". . . And they start to become pretty important games for our team as well, as far as team play."

The Flyers (3-2-1 in the preseason) sent mammoth defenseman Sam Morin and speedy left winger Taylor Leier to the AHL's Phantoms on Wednesday as they got closer to their opening-night roster.

In addition, veteran right winger Colin McDonald cleared waivers and was also sent to Lehigh Valley. "I like what he brings to the table, day in and day out," Hakstol said.

Hakstol liked how Morin showed maturity by playing well Monday after his turnover led to a Rangers goal. "He was a confident player all through camp and he's shown he's taken a big step toward this level and is very close," Hakstol said.

The second-year coach said he was impressed with Leier's "hockey sense and his detail. He makes extremely good decisions and reads on the ice."

If players were injured, Hakstol said he would feel comfortable with Morin and Leier if they were recalled from Lehigh Valley.

Winger Travis Konecny and defenseman Ivan Provorov are the only rookies left in camp. Both are 19 and have displayed poise beyond their years.

Provorov looks as if he will make the team, and Konecny's chances are improving each day. Both have been outstanding in preseason games.

Here are the players left in camp:

If the Flyers keep 13 forwards, three will be cut.

Konecny, Laughton, Lyubimov, Read, VandeVelde, and Weal appear to be on the bubble. Laughton was injured in practice Wednesday and was being evaluated.

There is a chance the team keeps 14 forwards because Schenn is suspended for the first three games.

"That obviously creates a bit of a challenge," Hakstol said of Schenn's absence.

On defense, Provorov and MacDonald have had strong camps. That has the Flyers contemplating an opening-night roster that includes eight defensemen.

If the Flyers keep just 13 forwards, none of their eight defensemen would be cut. If that happened, Manning, who is battling an injury, and Schultz might be scratches in the season opener.

"Every scenario is still on the table," Hakstol said, referring to the number of forwards and defensemen the Flyers will keep.