The Flyers have been pounding the ice during training camp since Monday July 13, 2020. After their last scrimmage yesterday, Alain Vigneault brought the team together once again off-ice for a skill/recovery day. 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 saw a real good Brian Elliott in the first period, made some real big saves” Vigneault said following yesterday’s practice, “He was the difference, I thought in that period. Five-on-five and our power play had some real good looks. Brian was in top form today, so that’s good to see. We’ve only worked on our power play yesterday a little bit and today. It’s one of the areas that we feel we’ve got with those four games we’re going to have a good amount of time to get it back to where it was before, just like the penalty killing. It’s a start. We have other areas that we felt were important for us to touch and feel that our guys have been progressing at a good, steady pace. We’ve got one more official practice. Tomorrow’s more of a skill day, an active recovery day. We’ve got one more official practice and then we leave for Toronto. It will be start of out opportunity to go and try to win the Stanley Cup.”
This young Flyers team will be forced to trim their roster as they have 18 forwards on the moment, to include 12 defencemen, and 4 Goaltenders. They have to trim their roster to 31, as 31 players total will be traveling to the hub city. Yes, teams have unlimited Goaltenders, and they might have to cross that barrier when the case arises. The Flyers believe Oskar Lindblom will join the team in Toronto at some point, so that means the Flyers will travel with 30 players on Sunday to the Hub City, as Lindblom is currently in Sweden visiting his friends, and family, “Everybody’s happy for him,” Defenseman and best friend of Lindblom Robert Hagg said yesterday, “I talked to him yesterday, happy of course. As you guys heard, he’s back home in Sweden right now, seeing his family and all his friends. He’s really happy, that’s all I can say. I’m happy for him too.”
The Flyers need a day like today in terms of observation to figure out the proper lines against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s not just about succeeding on ice, it’s work off the ice that matters, as well. Vigneault wants to assess who is learning and grasping the system, and who needs more time. The end of training camp is nearing, so this was an important day to hone in on class skills and what not for the grind of the playoffs that lie ahead.
Joel Farabee, Brian Elliott, Claude Giroux, and Travis Konecny have had really strong camps, and top the entire defensive corps has been steady, as well. Quite an honor, but a well deserved one for Farabee to be moved within the top two lines, he has been flying, and really came to camp in great shape. Joel has hit the net accurately, and the puck has been exploding off his stick. Make no mistake about it he WILL be in the opening lineup when the playoffs begin.
Mike Yeo praised the entire D corps last Friday, and Vigneault has been impressed with them, as well. Vigneault just wants to make sure that whomever the black aces are that they remain ready for whatever lies ahead, “Those players have to stay ready,” Vigneault said, “Anytime a team goes for a long playoff run, obviously one of the things that usually happens is things have to fall into place and you have to stay healthy. But at some point there are injuries. The other injury that is not really an injury but it’s the virus factor. Some guys for whatever reason might get it. We’re going to be in a very safe environment as far as I’m concerned. We’re going to do all the right things, but just in case something happens, you need players to be ready. We’re going to make sure we’re going to do our part and they’re going to have to do their part to stay ready and to stay focused. If they’re not playing, they are going to use this time to become better players. That’s part of becoming a pro. Some of the guys that we’re bringing there are younger players that were going to be really on top of to make sure they are doing the right things.”
JVR Presser:
“Everyone in my family and close to me knows how important this is to me and how important winning a Stanley Cup is. These are sacrifices that families have make in the world of professional sports. Obviously, we are very fortunate to get to do what we do. They are excited to support me. Kind of chasing down a dream.”
“We’re thrilled for him first and foremost. Just getting a clean slate here and getting a clean sheet of health to go from there. I couldn’t be happier for him in that respect. Obviously to have him to join our group is awesome.”
JVR on Nolan Patrick:
“There’s always different factors that come into play. As far as for Patty, coming in at 18 is something that not many guys are able to do. That already speaks a role of him as a player. He was taking steps forward. He’s only going to continue to get better. Right now, taking care of his health is his biggest priority. From there, I think he will really be able to spread his wings. He’s got that confidence now of having a few seasons under his belt. Dealing with this adversity, he’s going to come out on the other side just ready to hit the ground running. I have confidence in him for when he is able to get back and get in the mix here, he’s going to do special things in his career.”
