It’sssssssssssssssssss almost here. Almost here. Great news Flyers fans Training Camp opens in exactly 14 days. Some passionate fans were counting down to Training Camp the moment the Flyers season ended in Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins this past April.
This Training Camp will be unlike many others we have seen in the past. For instance, positional battles can range throughout all sides of the puck: bottom 6 lines (Vorobyev, Frost, Lehtera, Weal, Vecchione, Laughton), Goaltending battles (Hart, Neuvirth, Lyon, Stolarz, invitee Liam Hughes), Defense (Myers?). It’s going to be a fun-filled camp with many story lines throughout the duration of camp. The good thing is we got you covered. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
Simmonds contract talks heating up bud. I don't want to see him go. Are you thinking they can come to an agreement to keep him put? I know it's all term based. Also read that there is way more advertisement adds around the rinks this year. Better not be the same for jerseys!
— Tommy (@TheGreen_3) August 29, 2018
This will be a tough pill to swallow either way. Unfortunately, I don’t foresee Wayne Simmonds with the future plans of the team. Simmonds is focusing on getting healthy, and being 100% by the time the season rolls around, as he should. However, both sides have had preliminary negotiations, but it sounds like they are far off, from what I gather according to Simmonds anyways. Here’s a tidbit from writer Dave McCarthy of nhl.com:
“I’m working toward becoming 100 percent. That’s the goal here. I want to be at my best by the time the season starts. I’ve already had all my surgeries, all my stuff. I’m healed up and ready to go. It’s just working on getting my legs back on the ice and things of that nature.”
Simmonds further states, “I just want to be healthy and contribute to the team. I’m going to come in and work hard and you’re going to see what you usually see from me which was obviously not last year. I don’t think I had my best year.” But I’m going to get better, I’m going to be healthy and things are going to be good.” Moreover, in regards to his contract situation,“I don’t think it’s going to change much for me.”“I’m going to be the same player I always am so it’s not going to have much bearing.”
For these reasons, I would be surprised if Simmonds resigns with the Flyers at some point. Moreover, he would like years for stability purposes, and money. I really can’t fault him for all he has done for the organization. It’s a tough pill to swallow, and it will be hard to envision him with another team. But, it’s the nature of the business.
The rinks will have additional advertising, but NHL jerseys will not. They will remain the same.
Tommy thanks so much for your continued support. Your knowledge of Flyers hockey is through the roof. I’m glad you’re on my side in terms of support.
If we see one more year of the 28 and 93 show producing very little, not so much in terms of stats, but in terms of a solid playoff run- will we see Hextall shop both in order to change the face of this franchise!
— Jay Shellem (@jay_shellem) August 29, 2018
It doesn’t sound like Ron Hextall is breaking up any of his core players just yet, with the exception for possibly Wayne Simmonds (Only do to expiring contract at year’s end). Hextall appears to have complete faith in their core. The earliest I could realistically see the Flyers moving on from one of their core players is the 2020 Expansion Draft. Jakub Voracek I think gets left exposed, and Seattle could very well take him off the Flyers hands. Of course, if a team comes knocking for one of the Flyers core players via trade, Hextall I’m sure will listen to their pitch.
Giroux and Voracek will produce again this season, barring injuries of course. On paper this team is better than last year. I really can’t envision either of them taking a step back this year, this also includes the playoffs. The top 2 lines look like this:
G, Couts, Konecny
JVR, Patrick, Voracek
Both lines are explosive, and for these reasons I can see them winning a first round playoff series. However, if this doesn’t happen who knows right, although I don’t foresee that happening.
Jay I can’t say thank you enough for all you have done for this site. Your continued support is amazing, and mark my words Nolan Patrick will be a beast this season. The future is bright in Flyer land. God bless you and your family.
https://twitter.com/DarbyBoy69/status/1034924837188378624?s=19
Trade talks for Erik Karlsson are heating up. I could really see him getting traded before the pre-season begins. Some teams like the Colorado Avalanche or the Las Vegas Golden Knights would love his services, and boy would he look good for them. I don’t know how he would look in a penguin’s uniform, so for that matter if that did happen that is the day I smash my computer to pieces. I love your humor in this question.
Darby thank you so much for your support. This site wouldn’t be here today without you. God bless you and your family.
Jamey, the top two lines are pretty much set in stone and camp hasn’t even started. But, if you had to guess, what does line 3 and 4 look like? #FlyersMail
— Meat and Potatoes: A Flyers Podcast (@mpflyerspod) August 30, 2018
It’s the hottest thing going on right now. Does Vorobyev make it? Vecchione? Or just Laughton and Lehtera? I want to get some thoughts on the matter.
— Meat and Potatoes: A Flyers Podcast (@mpflyerspod) August 30, 2018
Line 3: Lindblom, Weal, Simmonds
Line 4: Raffl, Laughton, NAK
Jori Lehtera will be placed with the Phantoms to start the season (Like Matt Read last season). Moreover, Hextall has mentioned Jordan Weal as a possibility for third line Center many times this Summer, so I will go with that. I believe it’s a battle between Jordan Weal and Scott Laughton for third line Center. Even though, Laughton starts the season on the fourth line. He will see a bigger role this season, while being a regular on the PK.
Unless, Morgan Frost knocks the walls off training camp. He will be sent back to Juniors, as that can’t hurt anyway. Frost looked unimpressive at the WJSS, so another year of seasoning really can’t hurt. Moreover, Mikhail Vorobyev has come to camp early, which is great as he’s looking for a spot as a fourth-line center. Unfortunately, he will get sent back to the Phantoms, and be an emergency call-up over Mike Vecchione. Vecchione is on the outside looking in for the organization, as the Flyers appear to be higher on Vorobyev.
Broad Street Bully your new website is amazing. I can’t thank you enough for your support, and all Flyers fans these guys do a great job. Give them a follow for all Flyers updates @TheBSBPodcast.
#Flyersmail What are some key early games you see on the schedule that can show us what kind of team we really have? With Coots out who will benefit most from the changed line up? With Manning gone who besides Simmons will actually be able to stick up for teammates & fight?
— Barry (@TheRealCrowhuck) August 30, 2018
The first three games of the season stick out to me as being the most important early on. These games include the Las Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and the San Jose Sharks. All three are very tough teams in the West. Somehow the Flyers have to come away with some points for confidence purposes. If they steal two games it could really set the tone for the entire season. The Flyers can ill afford being placed in an early hole with a young team on the outside looking in, if they lose let’s say all three of those games in regulation.
Hextall mentions Jordan Weal, Jori Lehtera, Scott Laughton, and some young prospects as possible replacements in the event Couturier misses time. Honestly, this injury could give some extra jump to these young prospects that are looking to make an impression with the Flyers top brass. With that being the case, I give Jordan Weal the nod of benefitting the most from this unfortunate injury, as he gets an extra look at the Center position. Moreover, another possibility for the Flyers to explore is giving Morgan Frost a 9 game tryout before sending him back to Juniors.
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In terms of young prospects I think this benefits Mike Vecchione, and Mikhail Vorobyev. If I’m a betting man in this case, I think the nod goes to Vorobyev. Vorobyev is my choice to benefit the most from this unfortunate injury.
In terms of toughest aside from Wayne Simmods. I have NAK making the opening night roster for the Flyers. As you know he is more than capable sticking up for his teammates, and being a force when he is called upon to do so. NAK has grit, and toughness to go along a good pair of hands, as well. He will be that guy this year for the orange and black.
Barry this site wouldn’t be here without your support. I hope you get a few days off during the holiday, and may God continue to bless you and your family.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Facebook page or on Twitter using #Flyersmail. This mailbag will continue throughout the off-season. Just because the season is over, we don’t stop here at this site. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers. Without your support we wouldn’t be here today.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
