Flyers release Berard, Dowd

With their regular season opener less than a week away, the Flyers further whittled their roster down by releasing two veterans today. Center Jim Dowd and defenseman Bryan Berard, who were both invited to Flyers camp on a tryout basis, were let go by the club.

Berard, despite his impressive camp showing, lost out in a numbers game both for a spot on defense and for a contract. The Flyers simply can't afford to sign another player and make it work under the salary cap. Berard did do enough to prove he belongs in the NHL so look for another team to pick him up in the coming days.

Dowd's NHL career may be over. Dowd is 39 and has played professional hockey since 1991. He spent last season with the Flyers as the 4th line center but was never in the plans for the 2008/09 season.

The Flyers still have a few more days before their final roster decisions. Here is who I think will make the final roster of 22 players (teams can have up to 23 players on the roster):

Forwards (13): Arron Asham, Danny Briere, Jeff Carter, Riley Cote, Steve Downie, Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell, Mike Knuble, Joffrey Lupul, Glen Metropolit, Darroll Powe, Mike Richards, Scottie Upshall

Defensemen (7): Braydon Coburn, Steve Eminger, Randy Jones, Lasse Kukkonen, Ryan Parent, Kimmo Timonen, Ossi Vannanen

Goalies (2): J.S. Aubin, Marty Biron

Luca Sbisa and Danny Syvret have a chance to make the club if Parent is still injured. If the Flyers do choose to keep 23 players, Syvret will be on the club as the 8th defenseman. He would never play so it's better if they let him get some ice time down with the Phantoms. Darroll Powe is the 13th forward and won't play very often. Andreas Nodl could also make the club instead of Powe. Derian Hatcher will be on the injured list for a while.