Matt Read clears waivers as Flyers' roster is set … for now

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Updated: 3:12 p.m.

Maybe Matt Read hasn't seen his last days in a Flyers uniform.
 
The 31-year-old winger cleared waivers and was loaned to AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, as the Flyers are set with their 23-man roster ahead of Wednesday night's season opener in San Jose, California, against the Sharks.
 
The Flyers' waiving of Read on Monday was to open a spot for 23-year-old Taylor Leier, a 2012 fourth-round pick who impressed in the preseason with three points (two goals, one assist) in four games. Read, a veteran of six seasons — all with the Flyers — has not been able to rediscover his early success and is on the final year of a four-year, $14.5 million deal. With Read headed to the AHL, NBC Sports Philadelphia's Greg Paone has more on what it means monetarily for the Flyers right here.
 
But Read may be back soon. While the Flyers' roster is at the NHL-mandated 23, things could change once defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere's health is assured. Gostisbehere suffered an upper-body injury in last Sunday's preseason finale, forcing the Flyers to carry rookie defensemen Robert Hagg, Sam Morin and Travis Sanheim all to the West Coast, with eight overall blueliners on the roster. Gostisbehere took part in Tuesday's practice and said he's good to go for Wednesday.
 
General manager Ron Hextall will not keep his young prospects just to be extras. When the Flyers are completely confident in Gostisbehere's health, either Morin or Sanheim (the latter more likely) will be sent to the AHL, while a forward (very possibly Read) will be recalled.
 
Gostisbehere has not been placed on injured reserve, another sign that his issue is not overly serious and all three rookie defensemen are on board for safety measures.
 
Nonetheless, the roster is ready for now, as are the Flyers, who open the 2017-18 season with a four-game road trip.
 
Here's a look at the 23 players for opening night Wednesday and our best projection of the Game 1 lineup:
 
Forwards (13)
 
Sean Couturier
Valtteri Filppula
Claude Giroux
Travis Konecny
Scott Laughton
Jori Lehtera
Taylor Leier
Nolan Patrick
Michael Raffl
Wayne Simmonds
Jakub Voracek
Jordan Weal
Dale Weise
 
Defensemen (8)

Shayne Gostisbehere
Radko Gudas
Robert Hagg
Andrew MacDonald
Brandon Manning
Sam Morin
Ivan Provorov
Travis Sanheim
 
Goalies (2)
 
Brian Elliott
Michal Neuvirth
 
Projected lineup
 
Forwards
Claude Giroux-Sean Couturier-Jakub Voracek
 
Jordan Weal-Nolan Patrick-Wayne Simmonds
 
Travis Konecny-Valtteri Filppula-Dale Weise
 
Michael Raffl-Scott Laughton-Taylor Leier
 
Defensemen
Ivan Provorov-Andrew MacDonald
 
Shayne Gostisbehere-Robert Hagg
 
Brandon Manning-Radko Gudas
 
Goalies
Michal Neuvirth
 
Brian Elliott
 
Scratches: Forward Jori Lehtera, and defensemen Sam Morin and Travis Sanheim.

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