Photo Credit: Our very own Conor Doherty
Finally, finally, finally the day Flyers fans have been craving for the past four or so months has arrived. The sounds of pucks hitting the ice, pucks hitting the post, and sticks banging on the ice is back in full force, Flyers training camp has officially opened for business, with the great fans of Philadelphia back
The change of culture that the orange and black underwent this season has inspired so many people throughout the region. Gone are the days of the lack of leadership, as we don a new era of Flyers hockey. Some young great prospects in the farm system will make the team, while some others will remain on the bubble. Will all of them work out? Maybe not, but some will. This has Flyers fans pumped for the most anticipated playoff season in recent memory. Without further delay here are some takeaways from the first day of camp.
Group C: No shot at making the team outright
Giroux-Coots-Konecny
JvR-Frost-Farabee
Morgan Frost and Claude Giroux
“He looks bigger, he looks stronger, and even playing in his battles out there, he did (Morgan Frost does). And all credit to him, he went back home and put the work in and it’s paying off right now. I told him already, I want him to make the Flyers. I hope he does. I hope I don’t see him. I’ll be honest, I hope I don’t see any of those kids, I hope they make the NHL.”– Ian Laperrière
Now Frost can make good on Laperrière’s vote of confidence as Kevin Hayes will miss 6-8 weeks as he recovers from abdominal surgery that he had yesterday, but what it does is open a spot possibly for the highly touted Flyers prospect in Frost.
Morgan Frost had some great moments for the Flyers, but he had some unfortunate luck last season as a shoulder injury sidelined him after playing in just two games for the Flyers. Frost really improved tremendously on the defensive side of the puck as he got more chances with the big club in 2019-20. The Flyers top brass took notice and Frost was able to make the team out of training camp in 2020-21, and he weighs around 190 pounds now, “I feel really good,” Frost said at developmental camp. “I kind of got through the rehab part of my shoulder and then it was more just about strengthening it a little bit. I think I’m very close. I feel ready. I’m confident.”
Both Frost and Claude Giroux will battle for the second line center position, and both were really good today. It’s sort of expected for “The Captain”, but Frost has to dominate this year’s training camp. The Flyers would like to keep Giroux on the wing, so they might be banking on Frost to grab that 2C position, until Hayes returns from injury. Giroux was on a line with Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson today, so they may indeed try to keep him on the wing as long as possible. However, it really comes down to the pre-season games, to which Frost really has to produce.
The young 22-year-old in Frost skated in between players today, and had some nice goals. He is super talented, so he should have a lot of highlight reel goals in the future. One thing to keep in kind Flyers fans is that Frost really excels at camps, so hopefully this filters into pre-season games.
Oskar Lindblom
Lindblom looks bigger and stronger. It appears he had a great summer, and good for him to get back into shape. Lindblom means a lot to this team, and he can board battle with the best of them.
Truthfully, Lindblom is a beast along the boards, and that cannot be taken lightly. Lindblom is an excellent two-way player that just has a knack for the net through a tenacious forecheck. He was phenomenal today and even potted a goal in the scrimmage.
TOP LINE UNIT GROUPS A
With this being Alain Vigneault’s technically second normal camp with the Flyers. There was a lot of speculation on how Vigneault would utilize these groups through the first day of camp. Well, it looks like we may have an answer as the Top Unit for day one was…
- Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
- Lindblom-Brassard-Atkinson
Both lines were very cohesive as units, and it looked like they all played with each other for years. Both lines were smoking fast, and my word flat-out good. Giroux didn’t miss a beat from the off-season and was blazing fast. Coots was speedy, and not shying away from contact as usual, and TK was a perfect compliment to Giroux and Coots. The trio are all familiar with one another, while the new addition in Atkinson had a great day of camp. He was fast and assertive, as Lindblom looked bigger and stronger from last season. He finally has regained his muscle mass it appears.
Provorov and Ellis will be the top pairing of the Flyers barring injury. Ellis is a leader, whom Provorov could get some good tutelage from as he did with Matt Niskanen. Ellis should help the Flyers power play unit, as well.
Keith Yandle broke up a lot of plays and did not look rusty at all in his first camp with the orange and black. Yandle gave a stick tap to Carter Hart, as Hart made a nice glove save I believe on Cam Atkinson.
Carter Hart was awesome today. He made multiple unbelievable saves, especially with his glove. He looks like he is ready to bounce back from a tough season last season, even though he did allow a few goals.
Group B:
JvR-Frost-Farabee
Thompson-Laughton-NAK
Bunnaman-Rubtsov-Sandin
Wilson-Cates-Willman
The moment we have all been waiting for Morgan Frost. Frost was exquisite today. He made crisp passes to JvR and Farabee was a beneficiary of those crisp passes, as well. This line has a chance to wreak havoc on opponents night after night. Frost usually shines in camps, and today was no different. He was fast and assertive with his decision making, and it appeared he did not shy away from contact along the boards either.
Max Willman had a good day today. He is on the bubble to contend for the 3RW position, now currently vacant due to the injury to Wade Allison. The one thing about Willman that is underrated is his skating. He’s an excellent skater, and has a highly accurate shot.
Scott Laughton was his usual self, as he enjoyed his time back at the rink today. Laughton is a versatile player, and can be used anywhere within the Flyers lineup.
Another moment people were waiting for was Rasmus Ristolainen to make his presence known and camp, and he did not disappoint the fans in attendance. He’s very tall, and can clear the porch with the best of them.
Carter Hart Presser:
Carter Hart took up Tennis and Golf over the Summer. In somewhat to forget about last season. Sounds like he is ready to bounce back.
Carter Hart says he is excited to work alongside Martin Jones.
Claude Giroux Presser:
Giroux did say that him and Chuck Fletcher have had some good conversations, and they would revisit things at the end of the season. To me it sounded like G didn’t want it to be distraction this season
