The Philadelphia Flyers loaned forward Alex Bump to their American Hockey League affiliate on Wednesday, clearing a roster spot one day after adding veteran Michael Bunting.
The move sends the 22-year-old winger to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms as Philadelphia searches for answers after an uneven opening week. Bump had been in the lineup for the first three games before sitting out Monday’s contest.
Philadelphia sits at 0-2-2 through four games, one of just a handful of clubs still seeking its first win. The Flyers have scored only five goals in that span and have been outscored 17-5.
Opponents have also controlled the shot clock. Philadelphia has been outshot 158-77, and only three of the team’s five goals have come from forwards.
General manager Daniel Briere signed Bunting to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million on Tuesday. The 31-year-old is expected to dress Thursday when the Flyers visit the Ottawa Senators.
Bunting spent last season with Nashville and Dallas, finishing with 14 goals and 33 points in 74 games. He brings a physical edge after recording 109 goals and 252 points across 418 career NHL contests.
Denver Barkey’s return from a lower-body injury further crowded the forward group. With Barkey available and Bunting arriving, Bump became the player moved rather than held as a healthy scratch.
Bump recorded no points and four shots on goal in his three appearances. He averaged 12:08 of ice time and delivered seven hits while going scoreless.
He was limited to 8:18 in one of those games and then sat out the 4-1 loss at Tampa Bay. Coach Rick Tocchet opted for Barkey in that lineup.
Last season Bump produced five goals and nine points in 17 games with the Flyers after a March recall. He also scored twice in six playoff appearances.
Before that call-up he posted 11 goals and 26 points in 36 games for Lehigh Valley. Those totals ranked him among the Phantoms’ more productive forwards.
Philadelphia selected Bump in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, 133rd overall. He played two seasons at Western Michigan, where he helped the Broncos win an NCHC tournament title.
The organization views the assignment as a chance for regular minutes rather than press-box time. Bump does not require waivers to return, so a recall remains possible if his play warrants it.
Philadelphia’s next game is Thursday in Ottawa. Bunting is projected to be available, while Bump begins the process of rebuilding his form in Allentown.
