Finally, finally, finally the day Philadelphia Flyers fans have been craving for the past four 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.
The youth infusion that the orange and black will undergo this season has inspired so many people throughout the region. Gone are the days of overspending, as we don a new era of Flyers hockey. Some of these young great prospects in the farm system will make the team in the fall. Will all of them work out? Maybe not, but some will. This has Flyers fans pumped for the most anticipated season in recent memory. Without further delay here are six takeaways from the first day of camp.
Top Line Unit Groups 1 and 2
With injury to Sean Couturier. There was a lot of speculation on how Head Coach Dave Hakstol would utilize Claude Giroux: Keep him on the Wing or place him back to Center? Well, it looks like we may have an answer as the Top Unit for day one was…
Group 1: Morning session
Giroux, Couturier, Weal with Simmonds interchanging at times
Group 2: Morning session
Laughton, Vorobyev, and Konecny
Both lines were very cohesive as units, and it looked like they all played with each other for years. Simmonds who more than likely would have been featured on Line 2 due to the injury to Couturier, is still rehabbing his off-season surgeries. He was a full participant in skating and shooting on the ice with light contact.
Group 1: Afternoon Session
JVR, Patrick, Voracek
Group 2: Afternoon Session
Martel, Vecchione, Strome
Some Notable Defensive Pairings
Morning:
1. Ivan Provorov-Christian Folin
2. Myers-Brennan
3. Drake, Wilcox
Afternoon:
1. Hagg, Ghost
2. Sanheim, Gudas
3. Friedman, De Haas
The majority of the Defense has a year of seasoning together, as most played together at some point throughout the season last year. Provorov is a warrior, and his offensive skills were nothing short of phenomenal today. My geez does he have a rocket of a shot. The pairing of Provorov and Ghost should not be broken up to start the season, as the two work well with each other. Sanheim and Hagg (Fresh off a new contract) looked poised and ready to go. Myers has a wicked jump to his skates. He’s like Usain Bolt on skates. My gosh he’s fast and tough to beat one on one.
GET FREE SHIPPING ON OFFICIAL FLYERS MERCH HERE
Phillipe Myers
“Obviously, it’s an opportunity. There’s a spot open, but that doesn’t mean anything, by all means,” Myers said after Monday’s Rookie Camp. “I still have to work my butt off and try to earn that spot…for now that’s my goal.”
This kid Myers has an edge like I have never seen him have before. The jump in his skates is lightning fast, and he is just so tough to beat one-on-one. He is going to be tough to beat out for a spot on the opening night roster, barring injury of course. Myers is the real deal, and the Flyers top brass are licking their chops to give this kid a taste of NHL action. He is well on his way in securing a spot on the opening night roster, as Myers played well during the rookie game on Wednesday.
Here’s a clip of Myers in black:
Myers https://t.co/aCINgP6dTN
— Jamey Baskow (@JameyBaskow) September 14, 2018
Sean Couturier
The moment we have all been waiting for the one and only “Couuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuts.” Couts chants are starting to ring out here in Training Camp, as he takes the ice with stride. Couturier looked good, and got a little rough in the corner 30 minutes into the session believe it or not. His knee brace didn’t appear to give him a problem today, as he blasted one timer after one timer.
Battle for Third and Fourth Line Center
This is the key battle there. It’s like the Battle of Gettysburg, but at the Skatezone. Mikhail Vorobyev, Mike Vecchione, Jordan Weal, Scott Laughton, and Jori Lehtera will do battle for these key positions. Vorobyev looked great not only in the rookie game, but rookie camp in general. He seems poised to give it a go for the big show. What does Vecchione give the Flyers? Key question, and as training camp progresses we shall see. Today he looked ok. He has the will, but can Vecchione put it all together is the question.
Weal and Laughton looked really good on opening day. Both of these two know what’s at stake, as Laughton has been at the Skatezone for over a week now working out.
Sam Morin Pre Skate
Morin’s timeline is still February, but its great to see him on the ice this soon.
Sam Morin Skating Wow https://t.co/3RKhg2tmwT
— Jamey Baskow (@JameyBaskow) September 14, 2018
What a great first day of camp it was. Fortunately, the party is just getting started. If you do attend camp this weekend don’t forget that there are awesome giveaways, and a photo booth provided by Dunkin Donuts and Dietz and Watson. Stay with us for the most in-depth Flyers camp coverage.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
