Exactly one week away. One week away to Training Camp, where the Flyers will begin their season of redemption. Redemption to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.
The Flyers will be faced with many questions following the completion of Training Camp and pre-season. Who will be the 3rd and 4th line Centers, who will be the backup goalie to Brian Elliott, and finally who will be the standout rookie that gets his shot with the big club. Woooooo Flyers fans hockey is almost back, now lettttttts go Flyersssss. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
What are your thoughts on Wayne Simmons, contract talks and his health for this season? #FlyersMail
— maria mb18 ⚾️?? (@mariamb18) September 5, 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.
For the season, Simmonds will remain healthier than he was last season, and pot 30-35 goals, while chipping in 20 assists. I mean he placed 24 biscuits in the basket, while being mostly hurt last year. Based off these predictions I think Simmonds will be the most improved player for the Flyers this season.
Maria thanks so much for your support. This site doesn’t exist without your support. God bless you and your family.
https://twitter.com/kgil29/status/1037472900981374976?s=19
I cannot foresee a team trading for Goaltender Michal Neuvirth before the season begins. The only team that at one time may have been a possible destination for Neuvirth was the Calgary Flames. However, it’s becoming clear that the Flames are content on using Jon Gillies, or David Rittich as a backup to Mike Smith. To me all signs are pointing to an Elliott/Lyon tandem for the Flyers at least to start the season, unless Neuvirth beats out Lyon in Training Camp. Which is possible. I just think the Flyers are over Neuvirth’s injuries, especially after Hextall’s comments a few weeks ago in an interview with David Isaac, in regards to his injuries last season.
Another scenario that the Flyers could exercise is waiving Neuvirth. This seems more likely than a team knocking on the door for his services. I could honestly foresee the Flyers waiving him. Carter Hart in my opinion will be the first call-up if there’s an injury. I think he will kick butt for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and could see him with the big club halfway through the season.
The plan for Felix Sandstrom is to have him with the Phantom’s for the 2019-20 season. I could see him as a backup to Carter Hart for the 2020-21 season. Samuel Ersson is in an interesting spot. Ersson has a ton of potential, but it’s hard to gauge where stands with the goaltending prospects. To me Kirill Ustimenko is ahead of him in the prospect pool, although I can’t wait to see Ustimenko play in the VHL. One other tidbit is the Flyers own indefinite rights to Ivan Fedotov, and Ustimenko. Trust me the goalie pipeline is stacked, and the Goaltending issues will be a thing of the past. Here’s how I rank the Goaltending prospects:
1. Hart
2. Lyon
3. Stolarz
4. Sandstrom
5. Ustimenko
6. Ersson
7. Fedotov
8. Tomek
Kevin you’re the man. God bless you and your family. Thanks so much for your support.
LV Phantoms signed Branden Komm to an AHL contract. With log jam at goal (Lyon, Hart, Stollie) what’s the deal with this? Is he able to play for Royals on an AHL contract? Is Stollie on way out? Will he play? #FlyersMail
— Benjamin Melusky (@BenjaminMelusky) September 6, 2018
Branden Komm was signed to gather experience during Training Camp. However, I wonder if he was signed as a just in case to see how Anthony Stolarz does in Training Camp and pre-season. If Komm has a good camp he can be loaned to the Reading Royals, as Goaltenders do not have to have 260 games played to be considered a “Vet” in the ECHL. To me this was a just in case deal. Komm is a solid netminder, so this is a win-win to me, to see what he has on the big stage sort of speak.
Benjamin thanks very much for your support. Without you this site doesn’t exist. God bless you and your family.
https://twitter.com/Skinmatt28/status/1037750223903313920?s=19
I believe Michal Neuvirth’s days are numbered in a Flyers sweater. When healthy he is a very good netminder. The problem is he can’t stay healthy, and for that reason I think the Flyers could waive him. However, Brian Elliott can absolutely regain the trust of the fans. I mean he can’t play in 17-20 straight games during the regular season, but he will be solid once again between the pipes. He’s a veteran who was pretty good between the pipes last year when he was healthy. This year should be no different, let’s just hope he stays healthy.
Matt thank you very much for your support. Without you this site doesn’t exist. God bless you and your family.
https://twitter.com/archangels1111/status/1037762322247217152?s=19
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.
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.
For the season, Simmonds will remain healthier than he was last season, and pot 30-35 goals, while chipping in 20 assists. I mean he placed 24 biscuits in the basket, while being mostly hurt last year. Based off these predictions I think Simmonds will be the most improved player for the Flyers this season.
Jody Boyer- Anthony Stolarz, Alex Lyon – Someone will be the odd man out, Both would have to clear waivers to be sent down after opening rosters are finalized. What will the Flyers do with Hart being groomed this season with the Phantoms?
I cannot foresee a team trading for Goaltender Michal Neuvirth before the season begins. The only team that at one time may have been a possible destination for Neuvirth was the Calgary Flames. However, it’s becoming clear that the Flames are content on using Jon Gillies, or David Rittich as a backup to Mike Smith. To me all signs are pointing to an Elliott/Lyon tandem for the Flyers at least to start the season, unless Neuvirth beats out Lyon in Training Camp. Which is possible. I just think the Flyers are over Neuvirth’s injuries, and they would like stability at that position going into the season.
Another scenario that the Flyers could exercise is waiving Neuvirth. This seems more likely than a team knocking on the door for his services. I could honestly foresee the Flyers waiving him. Carter Hart in my opinion will be the first call-up if there’s an injury. I think he will kick butt for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and could see him with the big club halfway through the season. Hart is the real deal, and if he’s playing well then why can’t he be the first call-up if there’s an injury.
Jody thanks so much for your support. Without you this site doesn’t exist. God bless you and your family. God bless our friends in Canada.
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
