Adam Ginning Clears Waivers, Remains with Phantoms as Flyers Reshape Blue Line
It’s been a quiet stretch for Adam Ginning at the NHL level, and now it’s official-he’ll be staying in the AHL for the foreseeable future. The 25-year-old defenseman cleared waivers after the Flyers made the call to send him back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, wrapping up a two-week conditioning stint that was as much about roster management as it was about getting Ginning some game action.
This wasn’t a performance-based move as much as it was a numbers game. With the Flyers nearing a full-strength blue line, something had to give.
And with Rasmus Ristolainen closing in on a return, the team needed to make room. That left Ginning, who’s been on the bubble, as the odd man out.
The Flyers could’ve brought him back to the NHL roster after his conditioning stint expired, but doing so would’ve required keeping him on the active roster or risking a waiver claim later. Instead, they took the gamble now-placing Ginning on waivers and hoping he’d clear. He did, and now he’ll stay with the Phantoms.
For Ginning, it’s another chapter in a pro career that’s largely played out in Lehigh Valley. Drafted 50th overall back in 2018, the 6-foot-3 left-shot defenseman has logged just 16 NHL games over four seasons, notching a single goal in that span. But he’s been a steady presence in the AHL and had a strong training camp this fall-good enough to earn a spot on the Flyers’ opening night roster.
At the time, it looked like this might finally be his year to stick in the NHL. But then Emil Andrae made his move, locking down a spot on the Flyers’ blue line and pushing Ginning back to the edge of the depth chart.
Now, with Ginning cleared through waivers, the Flyers have some flexibility. They can either keep the roster spot open for Ristolainen’s return or use it on a call-up from the Phantoms. Either way, the logjam on defense is beginning to sort itself out.
For Ginning, this isn’t the end of the road-it’s a detour. He’s still in the system, still playing meaningful minutes, and still very much a part of the organizational depth chart. But for now, his NHL opportunity will have to wait.