Flyers Claim D Johnny Oduya Off Waivers
It is trade deadline day, but the Flyers aren't expected to be overly active in the trade department. They did make an addition to the roster.
The Flyers claimed defenseman Johnny Oduya off waivers from the Ottawa Senators, GM Ron Hextall announced. The team also lost defenseman Mark Alt to the Colorado Avalanche through waivers.
Oduya, 36, is expected to serve as the team’s seventh defenseman. He has four goals and four assists for eight points in 51 games this season.
Oduya has spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks, spending parts of five seasons with the team. He also played for the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils and defunct Atlanta Thrashers in his 12-year career.
The move gives the Flyers a veteran defenseman for the lower end of the depth chart at no cost of draft picks or prospects, certainly two things Hextall wants to keep around.
Alt played in eight games with the Flyers this season, recording no points but filling in admirably for various defensive injuries for the Flyers. The 26-year-old was also a mainstay of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in recent years.
In addition, the Flyers signed goalie John Muse to a two-way deal after he cleared waivers on Monday. Muse was already with the organization on an AHL one-way contract.
The trade deadline hits at 3 p.m. and the Flyers aren't expected to do much more before then. They take on the Montreal Canadiens at 7:30 p.m. tonight.