With the Philadelphia Flyers just completing their second day of training camp, fans can think back to the days of Thin Lizzie’s biggest hit, “The Boys are Back in Town.” It was a happy family atmosphere at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ today.
The pride of the orange and black came out in full force for two action packed group practices. Some veterans looked great, and a lot of young prospects did as well. Without further delay here are my three takeaways from day two of training camp.
Top Prospect Standouts
Taylor Leier is well known to Flyers fans as being on the cusp of making the big club. He was flat out good today. Leier had two nice early goals on goaltender Leland Irving. One goal was roofed top shelf where momma hides the cookies and the second goal was through the five hole. Leier is doing all he can to make the big club in the fall.
Cole Bardreau was another stand out today. He was physical, fast, and accurate with his shot. Bardreau is making it difficult for the top brass not to believe in him. The most important thing I saw today from him was his strength along the boards. Bardreau is a good puck battler.
Jordan Weal
What more can be said about this young stud? Weal is a free skating machine. He never gives up on a play and just looks confident with Wayne Simmonds and Nolan Patrick as his linemates.
Weal looked really solid today. He battled a few times today with Philippe Myers. Moreover, Weal finally beat Myers in the middle of the second session for a short breakaway goal. Believe it or not in the two days of camp, Weal is the first player to finally beat Myers during the one on one drills.
Brian Elliott and Leland Irving
Both goaltenders looked great. This is the first Flyers training camp for both of these netminders. The expectations for Elliott to succeed is through the roof. Elliott made a few nice kick saves, and also made a nice glove save on Oskar Lindblom.
Irving was signed by the Flyers to an AHL contract on August 31, 2017. He replaces the injured goaltender for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Anthony Stolarz. Irving made four saves with his head. No he wasn’t a Roman Cechmanek, but his mask was a vital part of his equipment today. Even with his head being pounded by pucks, it didn’t deter him to gobble up the rebounds. Irving made some nice sprawling saves, as well. He solidifies the goaltending depth within the Flyers system. Will he be here long-term with the Phantoms who knows, but he is proving every cent of his AHL contract thus far. It will be interesting to see if this kind of production continues with live action.
Flyers fans, one cannot forget that all of you packed the house today. It was an impressive feat on day two, as the Flyers changed the first groups practice time from 945 to 915 in the morning.
Can't say much more bout these great fans at 915 am on a saturday pic.twitter.com/N07NZK6Lok
— Jamey Baskow (@JameyBaskow) September 16, 2017
Stay with us for the most in-depth Flyers Training Camp coverage. Moreover, for those that are interested the Flyers face-off in their first pre-season game tomorrow against the New York Islanders at 1pm.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
