Some Flyers veterans take to the practice ice

Even though the Flyers' veteran camp doesn't start until Sept. 19, several of the players have already started skating and working out at the Skate Zone in Voorhees.

"I got here yesterday and thought I'd be one of the first ones here," defenseman Andrew MacDonald said after skating Tuesday, "and it turns out I was one of the last ones. The boys are eager to get going."

The Flyers' rookie camp starts Friday in Voorhees, and Scott Laughton is among the numerous prospects who have also been skating at the team's practice facility in Voorhees.

Laughton, along with Darroll Powe and Chris VandeVelde, is one of several candidates who could fill the fourth-line center role. Michael Raffl and Vinny Lecavalier saw some time in that spot last season, but are expected to be on higher lines when the season starts Oct. 8 in Boston.

General Manager Ron Hextall said Ryan White, who played with Montreal last season and was signed as a free-agent this summer, will not be ready for camp because of recent surgery on his left pectoralis muscle. White would have been a candidate for the fourth-line center spot.

- Sam Carchidi