Phase 4: Flyers Schedule
On Tuesday, the National Hockey League officially announced each team's designated exhibition game, as well as the starting times for round-robin and conference quarterfinal qualification round games through Aug. 5. Below is the Flyers' schedule in Toronto:
Exhibition Game
Jul 28 vs. PIT: 4:00 p.m.
Round Robin
Aug 2 vs. BOS: 3:00 p.m. ET
Aug 6 vs. WSH: Time TBD
Aug 9 vs TB: Time TBD
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Flyers Training Camp: Day 2 Wrapup, Day 3 Preview
Day 2 of the Flyers training camp at the Skate Zone in Voorhees saw the tempo pick up significantly and the execution continue to improve relative to the opening of camp of Monday. There were tired legs by the end of the 42-minute split-group sessions.
The groups and line combinations were the same on Tuesday as on Monday, but the ice times were reversed with Group B going on the ice first. In between session, head coach Alain Vigneault indicated that the same lines would also hold for Day 3, but then there would be some changes for Friday. There will be an off-day on Thursday. Come Friday, there will be four forward lines in one session, two in the other.
* The biggest highlight of Group A's session came on a sequence where Ivan Provorov knocked Claude Giroux to the ice and then scored a goal at the other end.
* Earlier, during the Group B practice, Joel Farabee scored a pretty goal off the rush, going upstairs to bury the shot. During the same session, rookie goalie Kirill Ustimenko made a 10-bell save off a rebound on a 2-on-1 rush.
* ICYMI: On the Flyers official website, we have a feature on
Travis Konecny's process for getting back up speed during training camp and preparing for Phase 4.
* Veteran goaltender Brian Elliott raised a good point during his interview session. He noted that while the media often focuses on the personal sacrifices the players are making in order to participate in the Secure Zone "bubble" for weeks on end during Phase 4 of the return-to-play plan, no one makes mention of the sacrifices the players' families are making in order for the players to pursue the Stanley Cup. Elliott then publicly thanked his wife. Full transcripts of Tuesday's interviews with Vigneault and four players (Elliott, Derek Grant, Jakub Voracek and Carter Hart), courtesy of the Flyers' Brian Smith, follow in the bottom section of today's blog.
* Wednesday's interview subjects: Vigneault, James van Riemsdyk, Justin Braun, Kevin Hayes and Michael Raffl.
GROUP B LINES
Joel Farabee - Kevin Hayes - Travis Konecny
Michael Raffl - Derek Grant - Tyler Pitlick
Connor Bunnaman - Nate Thompson - Carsen Twarynski
Travis Sanheim - Phil Myers
Shayne Gostisbehere - Mark Friedman
Egor Zamula - Andy Welinski
Brian Elliott
Kirill Ustimenko
GROUP A LINES
Claude Giroux - Sean Couturier - Jakub Voracek
James van Riemsdyk - Scott Laughton -Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Andy Andreoff - Morgan Frost - German Rubtsov
Ivan Provorov - Matt Niskanen
Robert Hägg - Justin Braun
Tyler Wotherspoon - Nate Prosser
Carter Hart
Alex Lyon
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FLYERS ALUMNI NEWS
* Congratulations go out to two-stint Flyers Alum right winger Rick Tocchet, who has been selected for induction in the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. The induction will take place remotely on Nov. 5.
* On Wednesday, there will be a special announcement involving Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger. The nature of the announcement has been a well-kept secret.
* Reminder: The Flyers Alumni's "Night Out at Home" event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on July 29. It will be a virtual wine-tasting event on Zoom, co-hosted in conjunction with Snider Hockey and WTSO (WinesTilSoldOut.com). Longtime fan favorite left winger Scott Hartnell has been added to the participant list, which already included the likes of Danny Briere, Bill Clement Brad Marsh, Steve Coates and emcee Lou Nolan.
Professional sommelier Jimmy Qualie will choose the wines, which will be enjoyed by Flyers fans and Flyers Alumni alike from the comfort and safety of their homes. Hartsy, Danny, Marshy, Duke and Coatesy will provide the conversation and funny anecdotes.
In order to select a wine-tasting package and register for the event,
click here to jump directly to WTSO's event sign-up page. Proceeds benefit the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.
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ALAIN VIGNEAULT DAY 2 INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
On whether both goalies will get playing time during the round robin.
Yeah, for sure. I don’t think that all the players that are here are going to get a chance to play, because obviously it’s four games to get your team ready, your execution ready, your timing where it needs to be. But our expectations are to have a long playoff run and a big prize which starts by winning the first round. You’re going to need some depth. Because you need some depth, we have to during those four games – the one exhibition and the three seeding games – we’re going to have to play some people, and that’s what we’re going to do.
On discussing the difference in the playoff atmosphere, particularly with Carter Hart.
Right now our focus with our whole group, not just with Carter but our whole group, is this phase in Philly where we’re trying to get our team as far as conditioning and execution and timing, to the level or close to the level that we were before we left. We’re going to keep that part not just with Carter, but we’ve got a lot of players who it’s going to be their first kick at the can here as far as playoff hockey. We’re going to discuss that once we get into the bubble in Toronto. We’re going to have discussions about enjoying this great opportunity. You don’t get this chance every year, a chance to play for the Cup. You want your players to have fun while they’re doing it, and that’s definitely going to be part of the Toronto phase.
On continuation of existing line combos and defense pairs in the camp.
These first three days they’re going to stay exactly the same. What I wanted was three lines in each group and six D in each group. I would say to you that come past Thursday or Friday, there will be some changes – two groups, but one with four lines and the other with two… and then both groups are going to meet so we get to the bulk of our practice where we have a 1-3 ratio… basically six groups of five players. We did this planning for the first three days so our guys would get more reps. We talked about the intensity that would be needed. Yesterday we went around 55 minutes, today we went about 42 minutes but at a higher pace. So we sort of laid out what we want to do. They’re getting more touches, smaller groups smaller numbers, and then we’re going to phase in to the other aspects of what we need to get into starting Friday. Long answer, but don’t read too much into the lines or the D-pairs.
On the challenge of leaving families and loved ones.
We had a great meeting with Jimmy when we came in where Jimmy explained the whole NHL protocol and what the guys have to do to stay safe and what we have to do as far as management and coaches to stay safe. Obviously being away from the people that are close to you is a challenge, but that being said, for the period of time, it could be a month, it could be three months if we make it to the end, this will be a time that people are going to remember for the rest of their lives. I don’t feel that anyone in our situation right now has any right to complain about anything, really.
Obviously, we’re going to miss the people who are close to us, but we’re getting an opportunity here to compete for the Stanley Cup. We’ve got the best facilities and the best people taking care of us, and if you look at what’s going on in the world right now where people are losing their jobs, losing their businesses, going from paycheck to paycheck, we’re one of the lucky ones.
We’re playing a sport we all love. You don’t get a chance to compete for the Cup every year, and we do have that opportunity. You’ve got to stay safe during this phase here in Philly to get to the bubble. I don’t expect to hear really a lot of complaining. Obviously it’s a little bit challenging being away from the ones that we love. But we are one of the fortunate groups in today’s society where we get to work and to do what we like as far as work.
On the veteran influence of the group in an unfamiliar situation for everyone.
I’m expecting that, the Girouxs and the Matt Niskanens of the world to bring our group together, to help everyone understand the preparation and the will that’s needed to be successful in these playoff times. Focusing on series one, race to four, first team to win four games, we want to be that team to win the first four games. You have to take it a series at a time, a game at a time. But every coach in the league will be leaning on the veteran leadership to guide us to where we need to be on the ice as far as execution and preparation.
Where have you seen Carter Hart grow that most that makes you think he can be a number one in the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
I’ve really watched Carter as far as certain players have a way of pushing themselves and really working at their game to become the best they can be, and you can see that in Carter. He really works at his game. He’s got a great relationship with Kim. They talk about game situations, technique, technical aspects, and you can see him wanting to get better every day. He doesn’t have a lot of experience at this level but he’s played some big games at other levels and has come up big. I’m confident with him and with support from Brian, it’s a great tandem. Right now Carter is preparing himself, we’re going to have those four games once we get to Toronto. I’ve really seen Carter grow, and I think this is the right time for him.
Are you concerned that Carter has never played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Without a doubt, experience is experience, it’s important, but the fact that he has played before, he has played big games, I think he’s going to come into this with the right mindset. I really like the progression that he’s had throughout the year. He had some real good moments, he had some challenging moments, and he faced them head on. I think he’s excited and looking forward to this opportunity, and I’m really confident that he’s going to do a really good job.
On his past coaching success in early playoff rounds.
My focus here is not just to win the first round. But it’s the first step, obviously. It’s like anything else. When you’re in the playoffs you’ve got to focus on that game, stay in that moment, so I think that’s what we’re going to do as a staff is make sure the guys don’t look too far ahead, stay in the moment, do what we need to do in the first game, then move on to the second game.
It’s about players preparing, coaches preparing the team for specific adjustments you need from one game to the other. I’ve got a great staff, I’ve had great staffs everywhere I’ve been, and we’re really looking forward to the opportunity that’s in front of us and I’m sure our group’s going to be ready.
On Shayne Gostisbehere’s place in the lineup.
Those are the decisions we’re going to make here as we move forward. Unfortunately towards the end of the season we were capable of playing, he got hurt, got the first operation, and then got a second one. He’s trying to get back to where he was when he was playing on a regular basis, and was playing well. Time will tell how he continues to progress. I’m happy that he was there from Day 1.
We had talked with Shayne about how those first couple days won’t be like the first day of a training camp. We’re going to work everybody in, we’re not exactly sure where everybody’s been, what everybody’s done during that covid period, that four months. I’m happy to see him on the ice, I’m very happy with what I’ve seen from him so far, and after today we’ve got 28 more days to make those decisions before that first game on August 11.
JAKUB VORACEK DAY 2 INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Have you guys talked about what it will be like to play with no fans? When was the last time you played with no fans? How are you going to keep yourself motivated without noise?
Last time I played with no fans? Probably never. There were always at least some people in the stands, at least family, when I was a kid. It’s obviously going to be different, it’s going to be weird, it’s going to suck. On the other hand, you get an opportunity to win a Stanley Cup and be part of history. That’s what we’ve got to focus on. It’s the same for every team. It’s going to be weird, but it’s a good thing we have some games to play before the playoffs start, to kind of get used to it and see how it feels.
You had a chance to see Carter Hart grow this season. What was the biggest thing that grew in his game this season?
He’s still the same kid off the ice, young innocent kid that everyone’s making fun of, so that’s a good sign. If you’re getting made fun of, that means people like you. It’s a good thing. Obviously he was one of the best goalies in the league at this early stage of his career. We’re real lucky to have him on our team and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.
AV and Chuck Fletcher and a few other players said that while the round robin is good for seeding but most are focusing on the Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Is that where your thought process is, too>
Yes. You don’t know what kind of team is going to be in the best shape game-wise. You could end up playing Montreal, but because they have a lot of young players that it’s easy for them to get into it, they may be more dangerous than Boston. It’s kind of weird after how the regular season was played, but it is what it is.
Down the road, the best prepared team is going to win. You’ve got to get a little lucky, our goalie’s got to be on top of his game. It’s something that nobody’s experienced before. Like I said, I really don’t know what to expect, how fast it’s going to be, what it’s going to look like. It’s good we have four games before the actual playoffs start. It could be an advantage for us.
How active were you able to be these last few months back home?
I got lucky because everything got pretty opened up back home in mid-April, end of April. We were skating with a lot of NHL players, a lot of ex-players. We were scrimmaging a lot every Tuesday and Thursday in Prague. I’ve never skated this much in the summer. I think it’s going to be an advantage for me because I had that opportunity to skate.
It’s going to be weird to see because every country had a different protection for their people, and different measurements. It was pretty good. I got a few workouts In, a lot of skating. It’s a little weird to jump on the ice in the middle of July, but it is what it is. We’re here, nobody optioned out, so that’s good. We’ll see when we get there how it’s going to be, and how it’s going to be in a bubble.
Given these unprecedented circumstances, could that make a Cup run even more special for you guys and the city?
I don’t think that’s the way we look at it, to be honest. We just go into the playoffs and try to win. When you’re at the rink or when you’re going to be in the bubble, you don’t really think about the outside noise too much. That’s good. You can kind of [get] away when you’re on the ice or the locker room.
It’s a crazy time, like you said – the COVID, the protests - it’s a really different ballgame right now from March or February to now. Just going to be careful and appreciate every day that we can live a normal life.
How do you get back to the team you were before the pause?
I don’t think any team knows how they’re going to react after a four-month layoff. It’s the preparation, how the coaches set up the practices, how much they push us, how much of a rest they give us, it all depends on so many factors that are going to be a big part of our success.
I would love for us to be back at the same shape before the stoppage, but like I said, it’s going to be weird and if we’re going to be at the same level, I’ll be really happy about that. It’s going to be a long way and a lot of hard work to get there, because after four months you lose a lot of momentum. But on the other hand, this is different for every other team [too]. We had a practice, Coots and G, we finished the season together in March and we were really comfortable out there. After four months, it’s good to be back with them.
Does the work the team did to adapt to a new coaching staff and new systems give you more confidence that you will be more prepared for this than any other team in the league?
Good question. You can do the same amount of skating or drills or preparation as you do in September. You have the three weeks, then you have 82 games to get your game to the level that you [want]. You don’t have the time here. So even if you’re going to be prepared, there’s going to be some obstacles that happen on the way. You don’t have much time. You could lose one or two games unluckily when you are the better team and all of a sudden you’re in a big hole.
For us, that didn’t happen in the regular season. But it gives us confidence that the same team that is basically here right now was one of the top three or four teams in the league for about three or four months before the stoppage. So everybody’s excited about that. We’ll see in the bubble, we’ll see in the playoffs. We have a good team here and a good shot to make a run.
How concerned you are about safety and being in the bubble? Have you and your teammates talked about it?
Well, I think the safest place is going to be in the bubble. It’s going to suck that you don’t see your family or kids for a long time, but I mean, if it’s the price we have to pay, yeah we’re going to do that. There’s people outside who don’t have insurance, can’t get the medical support they need, and they’re struggling with this. So I think we have it pretty good.
We’re getting tested every day, I think for us it’s the safest place to go for this time duration. I’m not worried about it. It’s something that we’ve never experienced, but it is what it is. There’s nothing you can do about it, nobody can. You’ve just got to be careful.
CARTER HART DAY 2 INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Have you thought about what it’s going to be like to be to play in the playoffs? You will be the youngest goalie that played more than 20 games this year.
I don’t think. Just trying to prepare. We’re all in the stage where we are just coming back into things, gradually ramping things up here. Some guys had more access to ice than others. Some guys were skating all of break. Some guys didn’t really have much access. I think we are all just here trying to prepare for that opening day when it comes.
Are you nervous at all about the Stanley Cup playoffs? Or do you take it in stride like it’s just another game?
To be honest, whenever I play, I am always nervous before games. That’s just because I care. That’s not at the point where I let it affect me or affect my game. I am sure there will be nerves that come when that first playoff game comes about here. That’s just part of the game of hockey. As a younger player, that’s just part of the steps in your career that you have to take. I think it’s one step that I have been waiting for my whole life. It’s going to be very exciting. Our group here is ready to get things going.
How weird is it going to play your first playoff game ever with no fans?
Definitely a different situation here. A weird situation that we are in. The world’s in a tough place right now. That’s just things out of our reach and out of our control. I know it’s going to be weird for everybody at first. We’re in a good spot here where we’ve got three games to kind of prepare ourselves. We’re in fourth place in the conference standings. We can only go up from here. I think those three games will really set the tone for what things will be like. We’ll all have to adjust to playing with no fans.
Did you do any work with John Stevenson during the pause? You are always preaching control the controllable.
I didn’t really talk with him during the break. I’ve been actually talking to our guy here, Jarred Spencer. He’s been really good for us. He’s been up in Bethlehem. During the season, he comes in about once a week. Me and Jarred have had a good dialogue during the break. We just talked about a few things here. At the time we weren’t really sure what was going to happen.
As things started to gradually ramp up and you started to see set dates to play here, I definitely got a little more excited. Started to realize the possibility of coming back to play. I think that’s something going forward for me is the dialogue between guys like John and Jarred, my sports psych guys.
How much of a resource can Brian Elliott be, especially asking questions before the first playoff game?
Moose has been great to me since I got here. He’s a great mentor. Obviously he’s a great goalie. He has been around the league a long time. He’s been in the playoffs and played in the playoffs many times, conference finals. He definitely knows what it’s about. He’s somebody that I’m going to lean on for help and support. He’s been all there long. He’s been great for us. He’s been a great teammate.
You’ve played in big games, whether it was World Juniors or in the Western League. Can you pull from those experiences to help you?
Yeah, I’ve gone through different experiences in my hockey career. World Juniors, Western Hockey Finals, World Junior gold medal games, outdoor games. It’s nothing to the magnitude of me going into my first Stanley Cup playoffs. That’s something that every kid dreams about playing for. I think those experiences I’ve had in the past, World Juniors and stuff, are definitely things that are going to help me going into the playoffs here.
It’s a different situation for everybody in the sense that it’s going to be like any other playoffs, playing with no fans, playing in the same location and away from family and friends. It’s something that is going to be different for us and take a little time to adjust to. As professional athletes, that’s our job. We have to overcome those challenges and adapt.
This is going to be a shorter training camp than usual. Are you the type of goalie that finds themselves getting sharp quickly after a layoff or are you going to have to make some changes to ramp up quicker than usual?
I don’t know. Back home during the break, I didn’t really have a lot of access to ice. That’s why I came here a little bit early. I’ve been here about a month now. I was able to get on the ice four times a week with our goalie coach here, Kim. Just kind of focus on the foundation principles of my game. Just kind of bring those back and slowly get back into a rhythm.
I’m lucky I was able to come down a little bit early and get some good work in. Now we’re at the training camp phase. It’s nice to have all the guys back and get into that flow. Get practice in and being around all the boys. I think it’s going to take a little bit of time to adjust. We’re professionals like I said. We’ll just have to find a way to get ourselves ready at the end of July here.
It seems like you guys enjoy being around each other. How much can that help you while in the bubble scenario where you guys are going to be around each other a lot more than typically in a normal playoffs?
Like you said, we have a good quality group here. We love to have fun. Sometimes we have a little bit too much fun. At the same time, we’ve got guys here that know when to focus and when to have fun. It’ll be a different situation where we will be on the road for hopefully the full two months. I’m sure there will be a lot of card games involved at the hotel. It’ll be good. It’ll be tough for some guys being away from their families and friends, so that’s going to be an adjustment. For now, this is our family. This is our hockey family we have. That’s the way we have to look at it.
Jake said earlier that he still sees the young guy that they can make fun of and have some fun with. Do you feel like the guys trust you and put a lot of faith in you?
You know what, since Day 1, since I came up last year, I felt that right from the beginning. We have a really good leadership group here with Jake, Coots, G, Brauner, Nisky, and the list goes on. We have a really good group of guys here. We all gel really well together. We’re the kind of group where outside the rink we are always doing things together and having fun.
I think that’s really important. For me as a younger guy, you feel like you are a part of the team right from the beginning. That’s special. When I came up there, my first two weeks, obviously I was very nervous. I didn’t want to step on anybody’s toes. Right from Day 1 since I got here, they’ve all made me feel like part of the group.
BRIAN ELLIOTT DAY 2 INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
How much you were able to skate during the season pause? And now you are two days in, how are you feeling?
During the pause, we waited until we could see the light at the end of the tunnel and then started to make the decision to get on the ice a little bit more. I was in Madison, Wisconsin, skating at Capital Ice there in Ryan Suter’s rink. So he’s out there with Pavelski and a couple of guys from college. We just tried to make the most out of it. You never know what’s going to happen, but you want to be prepared if it does start up again.
We went about two times a week to start, then got up to three. Had some personal goalie coaching as well out there and tried to get back to the fundamentals that sometimes elude you when you are off for a while. Just little things like that. Feel pretty good. I think I prepared myself pretty good coming into camp. The first couple days are always hard no matter what. What happens when you get back to that pace and a constant NHL shot on you. But I feel good, the boys look good. I think we are just gaining confidence day by day here.
AV yesterday kind of hinted he wants to play a lot of players in the round robin. Have you talked to him about how you will be used and need at least one game in the round robin to get ready for playoffs?
We haven’t discussed anything like that. It’s just been hi and bye in the hallway. I’m sure we will have those discussions. I think we’re just trying to focus on the task at hand and getting up to that point right now. We’ll deal with that later. Whatever comes my way comes my way. This is an unprecedented time, so you just have to be ready for what’s handed to you, and I’ll be ready.
Is it a little bit of a load off your mind to have the opportunity to have an exhibition and the round robin games instead of jumping straight into playoffs?
We’ve talked about that in the locker room a little bit. It’s nice knowing that you’re in the playoffs, you’re guaranteed that spot. We’re talking about is it an advantage to have your backs up against the wall in that first series best of five as some teams are or wade in and see where you end up? We can’t come up with an answer, so we’re just going to take it as it comes. Whatever happens, happens. I think it will be good to have that first exhibition.
I think it will be still a battle. I think we’re going to go all out. Those seeding games will kind of be the same way. I think people are expecting not as big competition or as much competition as those best of five, but I think it’s still going to be a battle. Everybody wants to win. Everybody wants to have that last change, home ice advantage I guess you could call it. We’ll see. It’s going to be interesting. I think you got to get off to a good start and that’s what we’re hoping to do.
You are obviously one of the veterans on the team. Are you guys taking the lead with everything going on or because this is new for everyone, are you dealing with it as group?
We’re definitely looked to as far as how we’re going to handle things inside and outside the locker room. I think our group, that internal drive is pretty big. You can see with G, Coots, Jake and the guys on the back as well. They wouldn’t be the leaders if they didn’t have that drive and I think the young guys look up to that and say, ‘we better bring it every day here.’ You don’t get too many kicks at this can. This is a unique situation where you had a big break and you can start up and go after it for a couple months. If you don’t take advantage of that now, you’re going to be kicking yourself down the road.
You have a lot of playoff experience and you have a goalie partner in Carter Hart, who doesn’t. What kind of conversations have you had with Carter to help him get ready for the playoffs?
It’s funny we haven’t really had an opportunity to be around each other yet this first week here because we’ve been on opposite schedules. Once we get in the mix here and practicing full as a team, I’m sure we’ll talk more. It’s going to be different though. Playoffs is all about the fans, the atmosphere and trying to calm yourself down.
This one, there’s no fans and you might have to jack yourself up. It could be the opposite. It’s definitely a unique experience and we’re all going to have to handle it our own way. We’ll take it as we come. If I can help him, great. If he can help me, great too.
How do you feel about what you are about to walk into as far as the bubble in Toronto?
That’s a loaded question. It’s different. I’ve got a lot of family up there. You’re going to be looking out your window and basically seeing their houses and you can’t even go see them. That’s going to be hard. Being away from family is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, you know say goodbye. I was just on a FaceTime call and the first question you get asked is, ‘are you coming home dad.’ They just don’t understand it. That’s been really hard for me personally. That’s kind of the sacrifices you’ve got to make right now to be part of something special.
Looking forward to it, we know it’s not going to last forever. So you’ve got to battle through a little bit. You have to appreciate what your family’s doing at home and what sacrifices they’re making. I don’t think that gets brought up in the media as well. If I can say it publicly, thank you to my wife for sure for taking care of the little ones while we’re gone.
Speaking of no fans, just how unique is that if not for every player, but specifically a goalie?
You know, it’s funny. Most of us are probably trying to block out the noise and just focus. It’s going to be different. It’s going to be really weird. I really have no expectations. It might be like your exhibition games in inter-squad. You are just trying to jack yourself up and make sure you’re on your best A-Game. Sometimes when the playoffs roll around, you have no choice to get that amped-up level just because of that atmosphere. You’ve got to calm yourself down.
This way it might be the opposite. It’s trying to find that balance between. Just get that peak performance state ready. As goalies, I think we’ve been trying to do that for so long. Talking to mental coaches, trying to get to that point. I think Carter’s in a good spot too. I think he’s dealt with that a lot as well. We’ll take it as they come.
DEREK GRANT DAY 2 INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
How much skating were you able to get in before Phase 3 started? And where are you at physically right now?
Everything was pretty shut down early. I was able to get 8 to 10 sessions in out in California before I flew out here. Then I got here a couple weeks before we started Phase 3, so 15 skates or so probably. It’s different. I think until you get into the games, it’s probably going to be a little bit different, but they’re doing a good job getting us going slowly to avoid any injuries or anything. Make sure the body is feeling good come that first game.
You had just joined the team when everything got shut down. Did the guys make you feel a part of the group during the pause?
I think it was weird for all of us, especially for me and Nate just joining a little later in the season. We had a group chat going and had a couple zoom calls with most of the guys, or FaceTimes. Just checking in and sharing some laughs with the guys. I think the good thing about nowadays we have the technology to stay in touch over times like these.
Fortunately enough, we have a pretty close group here. I thought for the most part we stayed in touch whether it was once a week or a couple times a week. It’s always different when you go from being around the same guys every day to not seeing each other for a while. We were able to do a little bit over FaceTime or Zoom.
You had a career regular season. With the year that you had, how anxious are you to be able to finish it off with you becoming a UFA in the offseason?
I think anytime that you’re traded from a non-playoff team to a playoff team right at the deadline, it’s kind of like a second season starts for you. That’s kind of the way I looked at it. I tried to keep momentum going from what I had been doing and how I had been playing and bring it here. Obviously, the break came at a terrible time for all of us. I think it’s good, you get the body rested and kind of start fresh and feel good. Try to pick up where we left off. Joining this team and getting to play with some pretty great linemates helped out a lot.
I know you only played seven games. How beneficial was it to get those seven games in and develop some chemistry?
Absolutely. Anytime you join a new team it takes a little while to get going. For me and Nate, it was fortunate that we were able to get a good chunk of games in, seven it was. Just start feeling good and feeling a part of it. Obviously it was a long break, and you stay involved. I came back a little bit early to be around the guys and hang out off the ice and skate with them on the ice as well. We have a few weeks to get back together and to get things going again.
You are a pending UFA at the end of the season. The Flyers traded for you for obviously the stretch run and maybe to see if you fit long term. Is it harder to get a read on whether it could be a long term for considering how strange these last few months have been?
I think so. Right now for me, I think everyone in that room regardless of your contract status, our focus right now is getting ready for the playoffs. You don’t get these chances too often and this year we weren’t sure if we were going to get it with the pandemic. We’re all lucky to be here right now and have this chance.
For us, we just want to take advantage of that and worry about next year, whenever that time comes. It’s obviously a little different than most years. Usually by now you’d know where you were headed next year or what’s going on. I think for us, the way it is, it’s kind of extended last season. For me that’s kind of been my focus, just getting ready for the playoffs and coming in and helping the team win the Cup.
Brian Elliott said that the toughest part of being in the bubble might be missing your family and friends. What are your thoughts on that?
It’s a little different for me from some of the guys who have young children. I can’t imagine how tough that is. Absolutely. It’s a different experience and it’s going to be a whole different concept. Without traveling and stuff like that, it’s going to give guys a lot of chance for resting up in the playoffs compared to a normal playoff schedule. I think you have to look for those advantages when you can. Obviously, not being around your family for so long is going to take a toll mentally. You can’t say enough about everyone’s families back home and the sacrifices they’re having to make for us to be here and chase our dream and to after the Cup.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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