It’s the dead thick of Summer, and hockey will be back shortly. Before you know it, sticks will be pounding the ice, to include hearing the skates of those skating on the ice. The new hockey season is vastly approaching, and there is only a little over a month before training camp begins (September 22 for those that do not know). Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher will not be terminated at least until December, that is if the Flyers are free falling at that point. December is a good measuring stick to see exactly where this team is at, and that was the month that former Flyers’ General Manager Ron Hextall was terminated.
Fletcher is on the hot seat, and if the Flyers aren’t winning games, a change will come from the top. The Flyers are gambling on some unhealthy players from last season returning obviously 100% this season, and being able to provide a spark that is necessary to win games in this league.
injuries have been a detriment to this team for the past few seasons, and the Flyers top brass believe they still have a roster that can get the job done. With a new coaching staff, some new parts were also added to the developmental staff, now it’s on Fletcher for this team to succeed. There are no more excuses, he passed up a few opportunities to acquire top end talent this past offseason. We will see by December if that gamble pays off for Fletcher or not.
The Flyers will not know about Ryan Ellis’s status until training camp at some point. September 21st are physicals and testing, so they will have a better understanding if he will be healthy or not for this upcoming season. In the event that Ellis is not going to be ready for opening night, the Flyers could very well place him on LTIR (Long-Term-Injury-Reserve) like you mention. Unfortunately, most successful backup goaltenders would be taken at that point.
It is my belief that they want Felix Sandström to grab this spot by the bullhorns eventually, even if the season begins with Troy Grosenick as Carter Hart’s back up. The writing is on the wall for the youth to win a spot, or eventually take over that role.
Cutter Gauthier not get cut from The World Junior Team for Team USA. He elected not to play in it, or even try out for it. From everything I’m hearing, it’s very likely Gauthier will participate in the WJC Tournament in December.
As it stands right now, Troy Grosenick and Felix Sandström will battle for the backup spot to Carter Hart. Both Grosenick and Sandström have some NHL experience, but I think the Flyers will go with the more veteran type netminder in Grosenick.
We could all use a sense of humor right now, that’s why I appreciate this question.
Who knows what will transpire this season, all everyone knows is the Flyers are 0-0-0 on the 2022-23 season. Maybe John Tortorella gets this team to play over their heads, who knows.
Elliot Desnoyers will most likely end up with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to start the season. I will be very surprised if he wins the job out of camp, but you never know. He was one of the final cuts last training camp, so anything can happen, but I think ultimately he starts with the Phantoms.
After watching the WJC tournament it looks like he’s just starting to get back in the swing of things, as he was relegated to the fourth line for a well stocked Team Canada team.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Twitter page @flyersknitty using #Flyersmail, or @JameyBaskow. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag.
