Photo Credit: Our very own Rob Windfelder
If Flyers fans have been watching closely yesterday. John Tortorella shouldered the blame for how last season ended. He said come to work and look to earn a spot, as the lineup mis never filled out for Torts (At this stage of training camp). Tortorella also indicated that the Flyers would have a young backend. Could that mean that one or two of Adam Ginning, Emil Andrae, Egor Zamula, Hunter McDonald, or Ronnie Attard make the club? Things will get interesting as camp wears on, but here are the standouts for day 2 of Flyers Training Camp.
Flyers day 2 of Training Camp schedule:
TEAM 3: 9 a.m – 9:50 a.m Practice 10:10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m Scrimmage
TEAM 1: 10:10 a.m. – 11:05 a.m Scrimmage 11:20 a.m – 12:15 p.m Scrimmage
TEAM 2: 11:20 a.m. – 12:15 p.m Scrimmage 12:30 p.m – 1:20 p.m Practice
The Flyers had a good day overall today. Believe it or not chemistry was there from each line primarily of the first scrimmage. Here were the lines for the first scrimmage of the day:
Team 3
Desnoyers-Laughton-Brink
Deslauriers-Poehling-Hathaway
York-Sanheim
McDonald-Gill
Sotheran-Attard
Team 1
Foerster-Couturier-Konecny
Zamula-Ristolainen
Team 2
Tippett-Frost-Michkov
Farabee-Luchanko-Cates
Eklind-Abols-Lycksell
Seeler-Drysdale
Andrae-Johnson
Egor Zamula is the new Max Willman. Former Flyer Max Willman scored the first goal of the scrimmage for three consecutive years. Zamula potted the first goal of the scrimmages this year, plus he added another, as did Rasmus Ristolainen. He is a key cog for Matvei Michkov this year, as I firmly believe that Michkov will be a Calder Trophy candidate this coming season. Tyson Foerster was physical today, which is a sign of confidence. Jamie Drysdale was one of the strongest skaters yesterday, and it’s quite obvious that Tortorella will want him to be an integral piece to the team this season, so let’s see how things progress from here on out. Nic Deslauriers also potted a nice goal in his scrimmage, so that’s a good sign to see that all four lines will contribute this season
Emil Andrae made some really nice plays today, as he appears to be confident at camp again this year. Andrae looks to continue his success from the rookie series last weekend. He just makes smart, quick reads, which leads to goals. Andrae is vying for a spot on the opening night roster, so it’s great to see him excelling early at camp. It shall be noted, he skated well yesterday, as well, during the gauntlet skating exercise portion of camp.
The lines may not shuffle from here on out as Tortorella works to find chemistry. The Owen Tippett-Morgan Frost-Matvei Michkov line looked strong today. More than likely this will filter into a pre-season game or two. Fr5ost had a beautiful one-time goal and honestly has come to camp in great shape. Today he was really good, and showed us why he potted 20 goals over a season ago. He stayed within the area primarily during the Summer once again, and it is paying off with his particular training regimen.
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Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
What else can be said of Matvei Michkov. This young 19-year-old is the real deal, and make no mistake about it he could realistically pot 20 plus goals this season. Featured on a line with Owen Tippett, who is fresh off his 28 goals out put last season.
Morgan Frost was really good today. He was assertive, and he made some really nice crisp tape to tape passes. The line of Tippett-Frost-Michkov was good from the start of today. Frost was great in the breakouts drills, as well, which these little details can help him win a job. Oh yea I almost forgot, he won some key faceoffs too.
Physicality Ramps up
Torts camps are a lot different from other coaches camps. There is lots of physicality, as he tries to replicate game action. He also filters in lots of scrimmages to keep the players on their toes.
Nick Seeler finished his checks early in the scrimmage, whereas Garnet Hathaway drilled rookie Cal Sotheran with a clean open ice hit to greet him into his first Flyers camp.
All players are trying to make good lasting impressions on Torts, well that is one way to do it.
We can’t forget the goalies
Samuel Ersson was good today. He was very strong all day long. Ersson blames himself for the fall last season, and hopes to rebound strong in 2024-25. Hopefully, his stellar play continues and he continues to stay confident throughout camp.
