Unless Read is traded, I do see VandeVelde starting the season as a healthy scratch. Barring a terrible camp from either Laughton or Cousins and assuming full health.
Schenn - Giroux - Simmonds
Raffl - Couturier - Voracek
Laughton - Cousins - Weise
Read - Gordon - Bellemare
VandeVelde
I'd really prefer to see Read moved and Leier take his spot on the 4th line. Not only would he do a better job in that role, but he would do it at like 1/3 the price.
Edit: Forgot about Schenn's bogus suspension. Looks like VandeVelde still has a shot but hopefully Leier has a terrific camp and preseason so we can keep that stiff out of the lineup.
Not sure what makes you think this way... Leier would do better job than Read on the 4th line right from the beginning? I doubt it.
Read is not the offensive player he once was, we all know that, he probably never will be... but he is still very effective defensive forward who can do his job just fine, and provides a lot of versatility to the line-up, quite a lot of experience and he is also good for 20+ points / season. It's not about having as much young players as possible on the team, they are not always upgrade. Leier will do better in the LV, on the top line, and could make a smooth transition through the season, if he's really that good in LV and we would need a player for bottom 6 on the Flyers.
I understand the argument for the cap space, but if there is no need for cap space, then it is pointless to dump Read. He probably won't be easy to move since he makes 4M in real $ this season and 3.5M in the next season.