PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Wayne Simmonds #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates his third period power-play goal against the Vegas Golden Knights with Shayne Gostisbehere #53, Claude Giroux #28, and Sean Couturier #14 on March 12, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
Following a thrilling game against Detroit on Friday, the Flyers entered their holiday break and executed two transactions on Saturday morning. They officially announced the assignment of goaltender Cal Petersen and forward Rhett Gardner to AHL Lehigh Valley. This move was permissible since both players were recalled after December 11, allowing them to be sent down during the roster freeze.
Cal Petersen had experienced recent roster movements due to Carter Hart’s brief absence, but with Hart’s return to action, Petersen’s presence on the roster became surplus. Acquired as a salary cap maneuver from the Kings during the offseason, Petersen, a 29-year-old goaltender, cleared waivers for the second consecutive year. He spent most of the season with the Phantoms, where he posted a 3.20 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage in 11 games. Petersen made two starts with the Flyers in November, stopping 60 of 67 shots.
On the other hand, Rhett Gardner, recalled on Tuesday, did not see any game action with Philadelphia. The 27-year-old forward is in the first season of a two-year, two-way deal but has faced challenges with the Phantoms. Despite recording 40 points in 70 games with AHL Texas last year, he has contributed only three goals and one assist in 21 contests with Lehigh Valley this season.
With the Flyers not scheduled to play until Thursday, there is flexibility for potential roster recalls, including Gardner or another forward, allowing the team to make decisions closer to the next game.
