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Philadelphia Flyers: Top 5 Players to Watch in Training Camp

By Patrick Lawson

Apr 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers shake hands after game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. The Capitals won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers shake hands after game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. The Capitals won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matt Read (24) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matt Read (24) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Matt Read-Winger  79 GP 11G-15A-26P

Matt Read? Matt Read! Yes Matt Read made this list and no it is not because he may surprise the Philadelphia Flyers coaching staff. This is Read’s last chance to prove himself to coach Dave Hakstol. He is now 30 years old and has been on a steady decline since the 2013-2014 season.

Matt Read does have the tools to be a very capable bottom six forward and a decent option for secondary scoring. The Philadelphia Flyers need secondary scoring badly and if he can have a really good camp and a really good start to the season, Read will still be on the roster.

However with the acquisition of Dale Weise, Read could see his playing time dip even more than it would have already based off of last year’s play. Weise is a bottom six forward that features on the penalty kill, an area where Read was featured last year.

Read was nonexistent during the Philadelphia Flyers’ first round playoff bout with the Washington Capitals. If he was noticed, it was not for the good things he was doing on the ice. He looked very sluggish and his shot did not have any zip to it. He looked tired the whole series.

Read has suffered through some injuries in prior years which more than likely has taken a toll on his body. He has looked slow at times last year and has seemed to have lost his scoring touch. He looks very much like a 30 year old that has lost his ability to play at the NHL level consistently.

The bottom line is this for Matt Read, get that quick first step and that nice scoring touch back to his hard-working game and he is on the roster. If not, there are younger and more agile players chomping at the bit to take his spot. If he can figure it out, the Philadelphia Flyers are already in a better position than last year.

It is Read’s spot to lose.

Next: No. 4

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