The Flyers began pounding the ice for training camp since Monday July 13, 2020. After an off ice day yesterday, Alain Vigneault brought the team together eventually on one ice for the time at camp thus far, as expected (AV indicated as such earlier in the week). 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.
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.
Practice today was uptempo and intense, just as Alain Vigneault said it would as camp wore on. The lines were pretty much the same, but you can tell how the roster will most likely take shape come playoff time. This Flyers team is so well constructed from top to bottom. The Raffl, Grant, Pitlick line is one heck of a fourth line.
Today, Justin Braun shined, and Michael Raffl was quick with his skates, as well. Robert Hagg was involved offensively, as one of his stretch passes lead to a goal. One key to Vigneault’s system are clean zone exits, and this will lead to offense. Hagg’s stretch pass was a thing of beauty, and it will be shown below.
Group B was just straight fireee. Joel Farabee is really being showcased here with the top two lines, and top two Defensive pairings. Quite an honor, but a well deserved one for Farabee, who has been flying, and really come back 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 today, specifically: Friedman, Hagg, Ghost, Provy, Nisky, Sanheim, Myers, Zamula, and Braun. Pretty impressive by the Assistant Coach. After his interview I think the pairings will be:
Provy, Nisky
Sanheim, Myers
Hagg, Braun
Ext. Ghost, Friedman, Zamula
It was great to see the young 21-year-old netminder in Carter Hart have a rebound day. On Wednesday, which was the last day the Flyers were on ice, Hart did not have the best of day. Those days will happen, and the young man will continue to improve as it gets closer to the playoffs. No one will be perfect every day, and Hart was just dialed in today.
Joel Farabee Presser:
On goal celebrations: “Hopefully we’ll have some good cellys. I probably won’t be doing too much of the scoring. TK, Hayesy and those guys have some good ones.”
“Just talking with Oz and Dan and even Nyree, eating and stuff like that. I think I’ve got it figured out how to keep my energy going through a full season. Through playoffs here I’m better prepared and even into next year,” 1/2
Nate Thompson Presser:
“Older guys helped me when I was going through it the first time and I can do the same.”
“It kind of felt like we’ve been here the whole year, that’s a testament to the guys.”- Nate Thompson on being welcommed into the Flyers family
“It’s the same thing. It never changes for me. It’s never changed for every team I’ve ever been on. I’m always fighting for playing time. That’s just how it goes. That’s what it’s been my whole career. That’s what it’s been every year, every camp I’ve gone to. A similar thing happened to me when I was in Montreal, I was fighting for a spot. To be honest that’s kind of what’s kept me in the league for so long. I think having to know that you can’t get comfortable, it pushes me. I think it’s a good thing. You want competition, you want guys playing for spots. It makes the team better.”- on fighting for a spot
Sean Couturier Presser:
“I think every player coming into the league is put in different situations, whether you’re a first round pick or fifth, sixth, seventh round pick, you’ve been invited. You go through some up and downs as a young player, I think it’s a part of learning, part of adapting to the NHL. Most players when you come out of junior and you’re drafted you’re a dominant offensive player and then you come to the NHL, it’s the best of the best. You have to adapt and find your game, but it’s no different for any player. Some guys it takes a little longer than others. I think it’s important to be strong mentally and know yourself. Trust your skills. You know what you can do. I think Nolan still has a really bright future. He’s a really skilled player. We can’t wait to have him back with us.”
Mike Yeo Presser:
Yeo says that Zamula is outstanding. It’s really comforting to know how the coaches and top brass feel about Zamula. Fletcher said he was one of the Flyers top prospects on Monday.
Mike Yeo on Zamula: “There’s a lot to like about him. If you like really big defenseman who are smart, can skate and can move the puck, then you are probably going to enjoy watching him play. His habits are outstanding. His practice habits are outstanding and that shows me that’s he’s a very coachable kid. With that, he’s got natural ability. His skating for a big man, he makes it look easy. Probably more than anything, what has really impressed me is his poise with the puck.”
An interesting note should be made about Shayne Gostisbehere. Yeo personally went to Ghost following practice, and told him that the Flyers are recognizing s the work he is putting in.
Great communication by this coaching staff, really has this young Flyers team Riding high. another day’s in the books, and another day will begin tomorrow, as always Flyers fans thanks for reading another practice report.
Flyers Notes:
The Flyers have loaned a prospect Forward from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Maksim Sushko to the Dynamo-Minsk of the KHL. Sushko has one of the best wrist shots in the system, and he will be back. Without information from the Flyers, the only thing I could think of is that this is for playing time. There is uncertainty surrounding the AHL, and when that league will return. Sushko is still seen as a bottom 6 player for the Flyers that possesses a wicked wrist shot
