Flyers Send Four to Lehigh Valley, Trim Camp Roster to 26
The short version
- Flyers loaned Knuble, Luchanko, Bonk and Gaucher to Lehigh Valley on Friday
- Training camp roster now stands at 26 players and must reach 23 by the start of the season
- Knuble was considered the camp standout and scored in Thursday's 2-0 win over Boston
- Philadelphia finishes the preseason Saturday against Washington
Philadelphia loaned Cole Knuble, Jett Luchanko, Oliver Bonk and Jacob Gaucher to the Phantoms ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Philadelphia Flyers continued trimming their roster ahead of the 2026-27 regular season, announcing Friday that four players have been loaned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms camp. The group includes forwards Cole Knuble, Jett Luchanko and Jacob Gaucher along with defenseman Oliver Bonk. The moves bring the Flyers' training camp roster down to 26 players.
Three of the players sent down — Knuble, Bonk and Luchanko — appeared in Philadelphia's 2-0 shutout win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Knuble found the scoresheet again in that game, capping what the outlet described as the strongest training camp of anyone in the group.
Knuble's assignment came as the most surprising of the four, since he had been the standout of camp and could have been in contention for an opening-night spot, particularly if forward Denver Barkey were forced to miss time. The decision to loan him out instead suggests positive news on Barkey's injury situation, according to the report.
Luchanko was viewed as the least likely of the trio to crack the NHL roster. Although he was putting together his best camp to date, the report noted that a full season in one place is considered the better path for his development, and building on his preseason in Lehigh Valley offers that opportunity.
Bonk also impressed during camp, with the report saying his performance could have justified a roster spot. Still, a regular role with the Phantoms was judged more valuable than extended stretches in the press box as a healthy scratch in Philadelphia.
Gaucher's loan was described as expected. He had a solid camp but was never considered a genuine contender for a spot on the NHL roster, making the move a routine one.
More cuts are coming, as Philadelphia must reduce its roster from 26 players to 23 before the regular season begins. The team closes its preseason schedule Saturday with a 5:00 PM ET matchup against the Washington Capitals at Xfinity Mobile Arena, airing on ESPN+, MNMT and NBC Sports Philadelphia.
