The Flyers came out onto the ice in Voorhees, NJ today ready to go. You could hear the edge cuts from skating, the sudden stops with the ice flying in the air a bit, yelling, laughing. Conditioning was on today’s agenda, and it was a thing of beauty. Alain Vigneault said yesterday he expected some different combos to the lines for the scrimmage, and that’s what transpired today, while Jakub Voracek returned to practice, “ The object is to learn the system (For systematic purposes), forechecking, and being in the right spots on the ice. In addition, it’s a chance to get some of the rookies a chance to showcase against themselves pros to see what they got, mainly gaining valuable experience just in case. Vigneault is purposely doing this to see who’s ready, “I intend on using more than 20 guys for those (round-robin) games. I’m going to look at different players in different situations,” Vigneault said following practice on day 2 of camp.
Jake returned one day after his test came up inconclusive. Fortunately, today his test came back negative, hence why he returned to the ice, “Holy f..k you guys worry too much,” Voracek said after practice.
So far in camp the defense has played good hockey, and Joel Farabee has played amazingly, as well. Michael Raffl changing lines is not a demotion, AV has to give everyone a shot to have the best team available when the real games begin. For today’s practice, I expected the Joel Farabee, Kevin Hayes, and Travis Konecny to stay intact, however, AV switched them up. Farabee has excelled throughout his entire career in 5-on-5 scrimmages, and that line was broken up today to give JVR a look on the second line. Again do not make a big deal of this move, as injuries might occur. The objective right now is to see what works and what doesn’t in the event an injury arises, as well as, who’s ready and who needs more work. Today’s practice was very intense, difficult, and grueling. It was filled with a lot of conditioning, and high tempo.
What more can you say about Coots, he pushed the play today, was in the right spots, and it appears he has taken his class time off the ice seriously. Coots is just too darn talented, and too good not to be a finalist for the Selke Trophy tomorrow. There hasn’t been many players who has come into camp in better camp shape than Coots and Farabee.
Morgan Frost had a rebound day today from a not so good day yesterday during the scrimmage. Connor Bunnaman looks good, and the defense appears that it will be the pairings it has been throughout all of camp.
Provy, Hagg
Sanheim, Myers
Hagg, Braun
The defense struggled a bit with one player in particular, and it’s because he is elite. Claude Giroux dipsy dooed around Philippe Myers and Travis Sanheim, but couldn’t finish. He is just an amazing talent, and Flyers fans get a real treat when he is on the ice more often than not.
From start to finish this was by far the toughest practice. There was a lot of up-tempo, a lot of skating, and a lot more players hunched over gasping for air. The Flyers will be one of the best conditioned teams when the playoffs begin, and that is what Vigneault has been striving for since camp began.
Jakub Voracek Presser:
“Feel good. You guys panic so much it’s not even funny. You guys making it sound like I’m dying or something. Everything’s fine.”
Voracek: “We’re here to play hockey. It’s your decision if you want share it with the world or no. I know we are in a different situation than normal people, but on the other hand, it’s our health. If we decide to share it with someone then that’s up to you. If you don’t want to share it, you don’t have to. It’s like I said, I know you have to write about it and talk about it, but on the other hand, we are people too. We deserve to have some privacy as well, especially in times like that.I’m completely up with that. I think it’s the right decision. If you want to share it, you can. I’m the kind of guy if you ask me, I’ll probably tell you. There’s not a lot of people that want to talk about being sick or healthy.”
Philippe Myers Presser:
“It’s a challenge I’m embracing. I love playing against the best players.”
Carsen Twarynski Presser:
“I’m trying to make sure I’m on that plane to Toronto. Just have to keep working hard, takes a lot of work to stay in the NHL.”
Alain Vigneault Presser:
Vigneault on Voracek’s return to practice: “He looked good out there. I like the energy and the enthusiasm he’s brought to the group.”
“We’re bringing probably 30 players to Toronto. There’s a couple guys here right now that aren’t going to make it to the bubble in Toronto. There’s other guys that if you intend on having a long playoff run, you need depth.”
