2023 Flyers Development Camp: Day Four

Yesterday, the prospects were off-ice. It was the Fourth of July in Philadelphia, PA.

Today was the third on the ice, the fourth day of the 2023 Philadelphia Flyers Development Camp.

On the ice, a few defensive prospects received a glowing review. Not everything went to plan at the Flyers Training Center, however. Here’s everything to catch you up on the recent happenings at the 2023 Flyers Development Camp:

Victor Mete (+)

Mete agreed to a 1yr/$775k deal with the Flyers.

Briere never shut the door on signing free agents. He is being picky about who he does sign; the skaters need to compete with the current prospects to motivate and push for a roster spot in training camp. Walking a fine line between starting the youth or allowing free agents to earn a role, Mete will compete against teammates like Nick Seeler, Sean Walker, Marc Staal, and Yegor Zamula. It seems like a lifetime ago, but Mete contributed to the Montreal Canadiens battling the Flyers in the 2020 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

“There’s a few guys that are right there. A lot of [the] time, as an organization, you get eager, [and] you go out and sign some guys, and it blocks your young guys. We’re trying to be understanding of that, and make sure before we move too far in that direction that we know what we have now.”
Daniel Briere; 7/1/2023

The Toronto Maple Leafs did not tender a qualifying offer to Mete. Mete missed the remainder of his season due to injury for the second time in his career. On February 26th, 2020, the Montreal Canadiens ruled Mete out for the season due to a foot injury. Then, on December 6th, 2022, Mete suffered a lower-body injury before the Maple Leafs let him test free agency. A low-risk signing, Mete could be a puck-moving blueliner on the powerplay, but he has to prove he can remain healthy.

He totaled four points (2G, 2A) in 11GP with a +3 rating. His first season in Philadelphia represents his eighth in the NHL.

Ronnie Attard (+)

Attard agreed to a 2yr/$1.7mil contract extension. He was the first of the tendered Flyers to agree to new terms.

Daniel Briere made five qualifying offers. Morgan Frost, Cam York, and Olle Lycksell have not agreed to a new extension. Noah Cates will go to arbitration.

Last season, Attard appeared in two NHL games but did represent the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the AHL All-Star Weekend, replacing York.

Hunter McDonald (+)

McDonald continues to display a physical brand of hockey in the 2023 Flyers Development Camp. He sized up against Alexis Gendron during a one-on-one drill in the defensive zone.

On Monday, McDonald showed his skating ability. He moved fluidly. McDonald is advancing his defensive game. When speaking to the media on Monday, McDonald seemed confident in his development:

“I just try to stick to my game; be physical, but I can definitely make plays. [I’m] a bigger guy, but [I] can still skate and move.”
Hunter McDonald; 7/3/2023

He will return to Northeastern University in 2023-2024.

Elliot Desnoyers (-)

There was a cause for concern. Emil Andrae and Elliot Desnoyers were contesting hard in a puck battle. Andrae proved more physical, but it came at a cost. Desnoyers went into the boards, face first. It was the last of Desnoyers, who had help getting off the ice, favoring his right leg.

No one likes an injury, especially between teammates. If there is a silver lining, we know Andrae can play a physical brand of hockey.

Devin Kaplan

Kaplan found it critical to become a more versatile player. On the first day of the 2023 Flyers Development Camp, he worked on angling toward the puck carrier, slowing speed. In addition, Kaplan is working on giving himself more time and space in the offensive zone.

He credited playing throughout the lineup at Boston University for making him a more versatile skater. His line became more of a shutdown line defensively, with the ability to score.

In his freshman season at Boston University, Kaplan totaled 23 points (10G, 13A) in 40GP with a +15 rating.

Samu Tuomaala

Tuomaala expects to begin 2023-2024 with the Phantoms. He worked hard on improving his communication, taking on the brunt of questions from the media without much help from Sami Kapanen. A project with high potential, Tuomaala also expressed how his skating improved.

“Off [of the] ice, at workouts, he’s [Tuomaala] been working on explosiveness a little bit more, making sure there is more jump on the stop-and-start game.”
Sami Kapanen; 7/5/2023

On Sunday, Riley Armstrong commented on Tuomaala. He praised his skating highly:

“A young kid, I think he [Tuomaala] has a really nice future in front of him as well. He can skate like the wind, he can fire a puck. He’s got legs on him like Sidney Crosby.”
Riley Armstrong; 7/2/2023

He spent most of 2022-2023 with Kettera, totaling 46 points (26G, 20A) in 29GP with a +27 rating.

Zayde Wisdom

Wisdom did experience a demotion from the AHL to the ECHL last season. He underperformed with the Phantoms but began to catch on with the Reading Royals. Laperriere sent a message to Wisdom on his conditioning:

“I think my biggest strides were took in my conditioning this summer. I know it’s been like that for the last couple of years, but Lappy made sure to put it in my head that it was a priority. He wants me to take steps forward in that. That’s what I tried to improve on the most this summer.”
Zayde Wisdom; 7/5/2023

He needs a new slate, which a new season offers. Wisdom has an uphill climb to achieve the same confidence he had during his first stint with the Phantoms.

With the Phantoms in 2022-2023, Wisdom tallied 10 points (3G, 7A) in 45GP with a +2 rating.

Adam Ginning

Ginning did more than pass the eye test with the Phantoms. Frankly, he could crack the opening night roster with the Flyers.

Unphased by a rebuild, Ginning understands the chance he has to make an immediate impression. His communication with the Phantoms coaching staff helped with his development. A physical defensive defenseman, Ginning is the prototypical defender the Flyers lack in their lineup.

During his first AHL season, Ginning tallied 19 points (3G, 16A) in 68GP with a +24 rating.