Flyers Notes: Flyers demote Raffl and Lauridsen

WASHINGTON - The Flyers got closer to the 23-player limit by sending left winger Michael Raffl and defenseman Oliver Lauridsen to the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms on Friday.

The moves left the team with 25 players in training camp.

Raffl's demotion was a bit surprising because the Austrian had impressed the Flyers' brass during the preseason. The 24-year-old forward was trying to make a gargantuan leap from a lower-level Sweden league to the NHL.

In four preseason games, Raffl was scoreless but was one of the Flyers' most active forwards.

"I thought he did something good in each of those games," general manager Paul Holmgren said before Friday's exhibition against the Washington Capitals, "but we want to give him a little more experience on the smaller ice down there, where he can play a lot more minutes and learn the North American game."

Lauridsen, 24, who was impressive in a call-up with the Flyers late last season, will be insurance in case there is an injury.

To celebrate the start of the season, the Flyers are offering free skating to fans who dress in orange and black at any of their four area Skate Zone rinks on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.