Wings shake up lineup

By- Kevin M. Neibauer

Philadelphia, PA.- The Philadelphia Wings have made major changes to their roster in the past week and some of the moves have fans wondering what happens next.

The Wings have severed ties with veteran defensemen Kyle Sweeney and Taylor Wray. Shawn Nadelen was a healthy scratch for the game against the Calgary Roughnecks. After a listless and uninspired defeat to the Roughnecks, the Philadelphia club found itself with an extremely uphill battle. Forced to win all of its remaining games to have a shot at a playoff spot. The Wings now have seven defeats and are the outside looking in.

Rumors swirled after the Calgary game. Front Office Personnel and the Coaching staff were in a closed door meeting and no comments were being made. Rumor had it that several of the players confronted Head Coach John Tucker and aired several grievances. If that is true, then apparently Tucker won the battle. Team Captain Taylor Wray was released as well as Assistant Captain Kyle Sweeney. Sweeney has signed with Edmonton. A press release was issued stating that Sweeney was released with "no intention" of bringing him back.

Sources indicated that the Wray move was a paper only move, due to his unavailabilty for the teams game due to coaching commitments. Also the addition of Matt Zash mandated an open roster spot. It is thought that Wray will be brought back to the club, although, no announcements have been made. (Note: Wray was re-signed by the Wings on March 17).

The oddity is that Wray was "released" to make room for Zash even though the club is currently carrying three goaltenders on the active roster. (Brandon Miller, Ray Hodgkinson and Brodie McDonald). Common logic is that one of the goaltenders could have been put on the Practice Squad.

How will the shake-up affect the team? Philadelphia is in the second week of their two week bye and time will tell.