Flyers Suddenly Waive 24-Year-Old Defenseman Amid Brutal Start

The Philadelphia Flyers have made a roster move as they continue to struggle during the early stages of the 2026-27 season.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Flyers have placed defenseman Helge Grans on waivers.

Grans could generate some interest from teams on the waiver wire. This is because he is a 6-foot-4, 24-year-old shutdown defenseman who has the potential to become a decent NHL blueliner. Due to this, it would not necessarily be surprising if another team claimed him off waivers to improve their defensive depth.

If Grans ends up passing through waivers unclaimed, the Flyers would then be able to assign him to their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. If this occurs, he would be a prime call-up option for the Flyers when injuries arise during the season.

Grans has appeared in one game this season with the Flyers, where he has posted one block and a minus-1 rating. This is after he spent all of last season with the Phantoms, where he posted three goals, 14 points, and 29 penalty minutes in 61 games.

Grans was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, but he never played an NHL game for them. In seven career NHL games over two seasons with the Flyers, Grans has posted one assist, four hits, and six blocks.

It will be interesting to see if another team takes a chance on Grans with a waiver claim from here.