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. Scrimmages began and it was a thing of beauty today. Not only did Alain Vigneault and his coaching staff keep the players focused for the scrimmage, but the Flyers also worked on special teams, as well, as Vigneault indicated would transpire following Sunday’s practice, “This is closing in, the next couple of days,” Vigneault said Sunday, “Tomorrow’s a day off for the players. The coaches are getting together. There’s a phase of camp here we’ve got laid out that we haven’t penciled in exactly where we want and that’s one of them. I would suspect starting Tuesday we’re going to start seeing some specialty teams work. We’re purposely going to add more 5-on-5 drills, more 5-on-5 scrimmages as we are moving along here to help prepare the group. They’ll also develop that chemistry and cohesiveness within the pairings and linemates as well. That’s a big part of why we’re playing as much 5-on-5 as we are and what we’ll continue to ramp up as things are going along.” 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, and who needs more time in the classroom.
So far in camp the defense (According to Yeo) has played good hockey, and Joel Farabee has played very well as well, “I think what AV is saying is that we are going to use this time as much as we can to evaluate everyone and to make those decisions,” Yeo said, “He’s obviously a very strong candidate to be there and that’s why he started there on Day 1. All along, the plan was to make sure we don’t get stuck with trying the one thing and not giving other guys the opportunity. All along the plan has been to give someone like himself a couple days, a couple sessions up there.”
Gasping For Air
Gasping for air after Hart goes down. The “Hart” of the franchise went down the tunnel with three equipment staff personnel, and I guarantee you that left everyone in Philadelphia and abroad were left breathless. Fortunately, according to Kevin Hayes he does not believe it’s anything serious, and neither does Couturier.
Claude Giroux had a great day Sunday, and Jakub Voracek was on the ice once again, as well with his pals Giroux and Sean Couturier. This will be the first scrimmage of the Summer for Voracek, as he missed Saturday’s scrimmage with what was an inconclusive Covid Test. Well, Giroux tallied two goals, and potted the game winner in overtime. He was also stopped on a penalty shot, but tallied the 6th goal shortly thereafter.Giroux is more than ready folks. Voracek potted a goal in his first scrimmage, as he gets down low, and is hard to move off the puck.
During the scrimmages I expected the Farabee to have a big day regardless of who he played with, and that’s exactly what transpired. Farabee has excelled throughout his entire career in 5-on-5 scrimmages, and this line accumulated two goals for the black team. The line of Farabee, Grant, Pitlick were good today, and the scoring was as follows:
Black Team- Hayes (3), TK, NAK, Provorov
Orange Team- Coots, Farabee, Voracek, Pitlick, Twarynski, Giroux (2)
What more can you say about Farabee, he pushed the play today, was in the right spots, and it appears he has taken his class time off the ice seriously. Farabee is just too darn talented, and too good not to be in the top 6 when the playoffs begin. There hasn’t been one player who has come into camp in better Camp shape than Joel.
Most Flyers fans could have expected Couturier to have a big today, one day after being named a finalist for the Selke Trophy. Kudos to him for a well deserved honor, and it appeared to give him some extra pep in his step. Coots killed it today, and he was by far one of the best players on the ice. He potted a goal, and Voracek made a dandy goal.
Morgan Frost usually stands out in 5-on-5 scrimmages, and I’m happy to report he rebounded from not a good scrimmage this past Saturday. His line with Bunny, and NAK were a thing of beauty today, and NAK potted a goal to boot. German Rubtsov played well defensively, and I’m sure that catches the eye of Vigneault and Yeo.
Lappy Presser:
Lappy with big praise for Coots:
“That’s why he’s the player he is today and why he’s nominated for a Selke. I hate to use that word, perfect player, but he’s the closest thing you’ll find. There’s no cheat in his game, you know what’s great about Coots, he’s a great example for the young guys like Frost and Farabee, just to look at him, see what he does on and off the ice. He’s one of our leaders for a reason.”
Kevin Hayes:
“I think it’s nothing too serious,” in regards to Carter Hart
Hayes on camp:
“You could be a 10 year vet or a rookie and with AV you’re treated the same. To have a training camp at the end of the season, we kind of know our role there, we kind of know our team. The hardest part about September training camp is finding our identity.”
“That guy’s amazing. I remember at the beginning of the season, someone asked me how he wasn’t in the Top 20 Centers in the league I think. Whoever made those choices needs to figure it out. This guy’s unbelievable.”- Hayes on Coots
“I wanted to take my bucket off and throw it on the ice. I know Yeosie wanted to do something. I don’t think the guys watching realized I had a hat trick.”
Sean Couturier:
“Obviously, he’s a big part of our team. He’s a good young goalie. Let’s not forget we have Moose here. A great veteran. Has a lot of experience. He’s been great for us all year. Whoever’s in net, I think this year we showed that we’re a good team and we don’t see anything different here,” Coots on Carter Hart
Cooots on Farabee:
“He’s looking good. He’s a young player that can have a big impact for us down the road. He’s been through some up and downs this year as any young player goes through their first few years. I think since the start of the camp, he’s looked real good.”
Morgan Frost:
Frost on the Selke finalist Coooooots:
“It almost seems like he just doesn’t make any mistakes on the ice. He’s always in the right position. He’s so good with his stick and protecting the puck. Honestly, it’s really enjoyable for me to get to play against him, and even get to watch him play up close. He’s one of the best centers in the league. Like I said, does all the little things right. He’s definitely someone I want to keep learning from, try to expand my game and try to play a little like him.”
Frost on NAK:
“I think honestly through the whole organization, he’s probably been the most improved player. He works really hard and he does everything. He’s fast and he’s strong. He gets to loose pucks quick and he wins puck battles. I think this year he really learned how to play the pro game and play it the right way. He’s going to be a really good player. He’s already is. It’s nice being on his line.”
Frost on his camp:
“I think it’s good so far. Kind of just tough to come in and get the condition. The first couple days of camp were pretty tough, feeling a bit sore. Now that time’s gone on, I am starting to feel better. Even conditioning wise in the scrimmage today.”
Yegor Zamula:
Zamula (Had Interpreter):
“It was a really quick rehabilitation. He was back in Russia, feeling really good. Cannot wait until he was able to return to the United States to start practicing and getting ready for the season.”
Zamula (Had Interpreter):
“It’s a great opportunity to be on the ice with the high level players. He’s really enjoying and feels like he is growing every single time he’s on the ice with the players. He’s getting something new and better every day. Egor says he can skate, do workouts in the gym and lift weights. There’s a lot better compared to what he was limited to before the operation.”
Shayne Gostisbehere:
Ghost on how he’s feeling:
“Oh yeah, like ten times better. Just having a clear mind going into any sort of play. Not thinking is this movement going to hurt or is this going to hurt. Just having a clear mind and focusing straight on hockey. “Making those plays, making those reads and trusting myself. It’s definitely nice. It’s definitely a nice change. Obviously, I’ve been dealing with it for a while. I think for myself, it’s been a tough road. I think getting better every day is my goal.”
