Flyers place winger Oskar Lindblom on waivers to buy out contract

The Philadelphia Flyers are parting ways with Oskar Lindblom after five seasons. On Tuesday, the team announced it's placing the 25-year-old winger on waivers for the purposes of buying out the final year of his contract.

"This was a very difficult decision to make and one that we spent a lot of time examining," Flyers general manager and president Chuck Fletcher said in a statement. "No one can question the desire, will and strength to overcome all that Oskar has been through off the ice in order to return to the game he loves. Further, Oskar's commitment to his teammates and impact in our room has been immeasurable. He is truly an inspiration to us all and he will always remain a special part of the Philadelphia Flyers family. We wish him all the best as he continues his NHL career."

Lindblom, who turns 26 in August, made his NHL debut in the latter half of the 2017-18 season and recorded 33 points during his second year in the 2018-19 season. The strong start to his career with the Flyers was halted when Lindblom was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in December 2019.

In July 2020, Lindblom completed his chemotherapy treatments and soon after signed a three-year, $9 million contract extension. In September 2020, he returned to the ice to play in the final two games of a playoff series against the New York Islanders. A season later, Lindblom received the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy, which recognizes "perserverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."

In the two years since his return from cancer, Lindblom hasn't quite replicated his 2018-19 form. In the 2021-22 season, Lindblom recorded 26 points in 79 games and the Flyers finished at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division standings.