Quick Hits: Sept. 15, 2021
1) The European regular seasons are underway. Here's a quick look-in how Flyers prospects are faring so far.
KHL: 19-year-old goaltender Alexei Kolosov has started three games to date for Dinamo Minsk, winning two. He stopped 32 of 35 shots in a 4-3 win over Lokomotiv on Sept. 7, suffered a hard-luck 2-1 loss at home on Sept. 10 against Avtomobilist despite making 31 saves on 33 shots, and then turned back 26 of 28 shots in a 5-2 home win over Ak Bars Kazan this past Sunday.
KHL: Drafted by the Flyers in the seventh round back in 2015, Ivan Fedotov attended the team's Development Camp back in 2016 but has never been signed to play in North America. Due to the ongoing lack of a formal NHL/Russian Hockey Federation transfer agreement, the Flyers still hold his rights six years later. The 6-foot-7 Fedotov, who has never played for the Russian national team in a major tournament, has nonetheless come into his own as a late-bloomer in the KHL. Now with CSKA Moscow, Fedotov leads the league so far this season with a GAA of 0.98 and save percentage of .969 through three starts. He will turn 25 on Nov. 28.
SHL: Signed by the Flyers to an entry-level contract this offseason to avoid losing his NHL rights, 22-year-old Olle Lycksell assisted on the game-tying goal with 1:39 remaining in the third period of the Växjö Lakers 4-3 road shootout loss in their regular season opener on Saturday against Lycksell's former team, Färjestad BK. In the same game, FBK defenseman Adam Ginning finished at minus-two in 17:58 of ice time. For game highlights,
click here.
Allsvenskan: The regular season in Sweden's highest minor league will not get underway until Sept. 24. The Flyers have two prospects playing in HockeyAllsvenskan this season: 2020 second-round pick defenseman Emil Andrae (HV71) and 2018 seventh-round pick center Marcus Westfält (Västervik). The 19-year-old Andrae, who appeared in the World Junior Championships last season for Team Sweden and a virtual lock to make it again (in a larger role), has appeared in six games so far this season for the Swedish national under-20 team and the offensive-minded defenseman has posted four assists.
2) Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher and assistant GM Brent Flahr held a Zoom press conference on Tuesday to discuss the team's upcoming Rookie Camp and NHL training camp. A transcript follows at the end of today's blog.
3) Today in Flyers History: Sept. 18, 1980
During the legendary Keith Allen's tenure as general manager, he often re-signed aging players who had served the team well over the years to a small raise with an understanding that the new contract was a "thank you" of sorts before trading the player to a team of his choosing (if that could be arranged).
On July 31 1980, the Flyers signed 31-year-old defenseman Andre "Moose" Dupont to a one-year contract extension. On Sept. 18, the Flyers traded Dupont to the Quebec Nordiques for a 1981 seventh-round pick (Vladimir Svitov) and an undisclosed amount of cash.
In his 549-game Flyers career, Dupont stands third in franchise history and highest among defensemen with 1,505 PIM. He was sixth all-time (third among defensemen) with a cumulative plus-270 rating. Dupont posted 42 goals and 177 points as a Flyer in the regular season.
In 108 playoff games, which included two Stanley Cup championships, four trips to the Stanley Cup Finals and seven runs that reached at least the Cup Semifinals, Dupont posted 13 goals, 28 points, 306 PIM and a cumulative +33 rating (third among defensemen in franchise history).
A participant in the 1976 NHL All-Star Game played at the Spectrum, Dupont ranks 28th in games played in franchise history; three fewer than Dave Brown and four more than Kjell Samuelsson. Dupont didn't score many goals in his career but they were memorable when he did. Dupont was famous for a knee-pumping, arms-raised "dance" (more running on ice than an actual dance) dubbed "the Moose Shuffle" to celebrate when he scored a goal. The most famous Shuffle came after he scored a playoff overtime goal to clinch a series win against Toronto in 1975.
Dupont was although the creator of one of the most colorful quotes in hockey history to describe the joy of victory after a game in Vancouver: "That was a lot of fun. We don't go to jail, we beat up their chicken forwards, we score ten goals, and we win. And now the Moose drinks beer."
Bob Dailey was nicknamed "Moose" during his time with the Canucks but after being acquired by the Flyers, he was informed by Dupont that there was only one Moose allowed in Philadelphia. Dailey acquired a new nickname, "the Count". This was partially in homage to the Sesame Street character (the Flyers already had a Big Bird, a Grouch and an Ernie in the mid070s) and partially because the way the 6-foot-5 Dailey looked like he was wearing a cape with his long dark overcoat slung over his shoulder.
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Fletcher and Flair Transcript
Courtesy of the Flyers' Brian Smith and Allie Samuelsson, the following is a transcript of the pre-Camp media availability of Chuck Fletcher and Brent Flahr on Tuesday.
You just released that fans will be allowed in during the veteran camp. Will there be any restrictions as far as will fans need to show vaccine cards or anything like that? Will they have to wear masks? Can you just clear that up a little bit?
CF: We're working through those health and safety protocols right now. Hard to say. My expectation is we’ll probably ask for fans to wear a mask. Otherwise, people will be allowed into watch practices like they normally did.
What are the goals of this rookie camp? How important are these rookie games for some of these guys to shine in? Will it help them to possibly make the team?
CF: I think rookie camp serves many purposes. Clearly, there's an evaluation process involved. We're helping players put their best foot forward and show us what they can do. Obviously, our entire staff: our NHL coaches, our scouts, our front office, our American League personnel, and our development coaches, will be here watching. The expectation is that you better be ready to come and put your best foot forward.
Having said all that, it's also a great opportunity for Ian Laperriere and his coaching staff to get to know this group and for this group of players to get to know the coach. It's an opportunity to start to put in some systems and start to build towards the season. It's also an opportunity for the players to get their feet wet, maybe get rid of some of the nerves before the main camp starts. There's a lot of different things involved. I think it's just a great opportunity for the players to have the limelight shining on them for a few days and have the full attention of everybody in the organization.
One of the unique aspects of the way this rookie camp plays out is that usually when you guys have development camp, it happens much earlier in the summer. Obviously, development camp just ended and now you're having rookie camp right after. What are the benefits and drawbacks to having rookie camp so soon after development camp rather than there being that big gap between the two?
BF: Well, first of all, we know where they're at physically and where they came in. A lot of times they come in not knowing or not feeling comfortable, but just being here. Recently, I think they're just in general a bigger comfort level with the staff and with the players. Hopefully can work on some of the things that they're presented during development camp and we utilize them to take their game to another level here at rookie camp.
The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that their players and coaches are 100% vaccinated. Are you able to share to what degree your group is vaccinated and if you guys will be fully vaccinated at the start of the camps?
CF: We’ll be fully vaccinated for the start of the season, for sure. I believe we are basically there right now. We’ve had a great response from staff and players. We’re looking forward to having a hopefully much more normal season than last year. The response has been great from everybody.
Just [requesting] some health updates. I know Allison and Laczynski, guys were really cautious with them as far as their activity during development camp. Same with Zayde Wisdom. Wondering where he is health-wise from the shoulder injuries. Will those guys be fully ready to go for either rookie camp and or training camp?
BF: First of all, Wisdom is here. He’s present and will take part in the meetings and continue his rehab. Realistically, he'll be out until December. As far as Laczynski, he'll be here taking part and he'll meet with the doctors I believe on the 17th to be fully cleared for contact and potentially play in the games against Rangers. Allison's been fine since the day after development camp. That was just a minor tweak that we're just being careful with. Desnoyers is meeting with the doctors on the 17th as well. We'll get a determination of where he's at physically as well, but he will be taking part in some of the on-ice drills. We'll be cautious with some of the physical involvement. Sushko will be out for rookie camp. He'll meet with the doctors later in the week and hopefully be ready for main camp.
You mentioned throughout the year, that you thought one of the problems last year was the offseason the guys had last year where they couldn't train. The players in Canada were unable to train. Do you get the sense whether it's rookies or the veterans that things have improved this summer and that you feel like you have a better feel that the guys are more in shape and ready to go as soon as the season starts?
CF: With the veteran players, they're trickling back in. A few of them like Konecny has been around for a while and they all are great, to be honest with you. Oskar Lindblom looks great. Konecny looks great and Sanheim. Everybody has put a lot of time in from what I've seen. Obviously, once we get into the testing next week and see them on the ice starting next Thursday, the 23rd, we’ll have a better feel. I think everyone had an opportunity to get back to normal, to get to their routine.
Certainly, coming off the season we did last year, I think players were focused. There was a lot of motivation to be prepared as much as possible and to have the big start this year. As Brent just articulated, we have a few players that have been battling some injuries, and they're working hard to get back. In development camp, it looked like players were in great shape. Things have changed since I was 17, 18, 19. They have such a greater awareness of what they need to do. Such a greater awareness of nutrition and how to train and take care of themselves.
It just seems like these young guys come in every year, they're better, stronger and faster. It's impressive. Thursday when we get on the ice, you guys can be the judge of that yourselves, but it's remarkable how mature these young players already at a young age. Again, 20, 30 years ago, it's a big difference.
Do you get a sense one way or the other for teams like yourself or even you know, the Stanley Cup champs that the shorter offseason will play a role early in the season?
CF: Seems like we've had a long offseason. We haven't played hockey in a while. I can't speak for those teams. Again, we didn't make the playoffs this year unfortunately. We have no excuses. Our NHL players were relatively healthy at the end of the year. They've had a full off-season to train. To my eyes, they look like they've taken advantage of that longer window. Our young guys with a few exceptions, obviously with guys that had off-season surgery or unfortunately a young man like Zayde Wisdom who got banged up this summer. With a few exceptions, everybody looks 100% ready to go.
Chuck, this is for you. In 2019-20, you guys had the best home team in hockey before the pause. Obviously, that was with full capacity crowds. How refreshing will it be to see a full house again? How important can the fans be to your success?
CF: I can't wait to see the fans here on the 23rd. Just even having some energy in our building, in our practice rink, it's huge. We're only in this game because of the fans. They support us. They foot the bill, so to speak, and we all make a living off it. Last year was a tough year. I've said it several times. Once we allowed some fans back in the building, there was some energy. There's no question having fans in there adds a whole different element.
Like many of you folks, I've been watching the college football and the NFL over the last couple weekends and seeing those scenes from Virginia Tech from the opening game. Seeing Michigan and the folks there a few nights ago. It’s just crazy what a different atmosphere it can be when you have a full house and people in their pulling for you. I know our players are extremely excited about getting back and hopefully having a mostly normal season. It appears it's going to be mostly normal. We're all excited to get back to that.
Chuck, what did the conversations look like regarding the vaccines and encouraging players? What kind of conversations did you have during the offseason with them remotely as you kind of work to get to that 100% vaccination status?
CF: It's been a joint effort with the NHL, the NHLPA, the medical consultants, and the doctors that work with both the NHL and the NHLPA. This goes back to last season once we got into the spring, April, May, and June in particular when the vaccines became readily available to hockey players and to our staff. The response at that time was great.
The league and the union put out information, had medical experts available to speak with players that maybe had questions they wanted answered. Again, I think the response from our organization, from our staff, certainly our players, has been great. I can just tell you we're going to be ready to go. It's been a collaborative effort. We've had great resources provided to us by both the NHL and the NHLPA.
A couple of years ago, Egor Zamula came to camp as a free agent invite; a tryout guy and earned an NHL entry-level job. A few years before that, Phil Myers did the same. There are a few invites this year. Do you feel any of those guys have a realistic chance to kind of follow that path?
BF: Well, possibly. Development camp is one thing. We throw a lot of things at these kids and probably try to take them out of their comfort zone in certain situations. A lot of the situations aren't game situations. They're skill situations, and we're trying to improve little facets of their game. Getting into the camp here, the intensity level is going to go up in practices and battle drills. We're going to be able to evaluate players in games here. There are a couple kids here that have shown well for themselves and coming in in tremendous shape. We'll see how they do.
In what ways do you like the roster that you put together better than last year heading into the veteran camp?
CF: I think we have more veteran leadership than back to last off-season. This falls on me, as I mentioned before. Matt Niskanen retired. We let Nate Thompson go, or we didn't re-sign Nate Thompson or Tyler Pitlick. We lost some players that are kind of low-maintenance, high-character veteran players and we replaced them with some younger players. Last year, when things started to go awry and we lost our way a little bit, we didn't have what I thought was maybe enough veteran leadership, enough players that could maybe help the younger players get through that situation. You throw the pandemic on top of it and the protocols. It was just a lot of situations none of us had been through.
I thought we were maybe a little bit too young to get through it. This year, when you look at our group, I think we're more of a veteran team than what we were last year. I think we have players that have had a lot of different experiences in this league. I think we're a deeper team. I think our defense in particular has been upgraded. Time will tell. Summer is great and the offseason is great. You make your moves, and you try to improve yourself on paper. Now, camp starts before we get into the games, but the games will start soon enough. We'll find out if we made the appropriate moves.
One of the themes this offseason, it seemed like was getting quality veteran guy on relatively reasonable contracts to fill out at the bottom of the lineup. Essentially at least on paper, you're filling spots that maybe had they not been acquired, would be given to prospects or young players. There's obviously going to be a lot of competition at this camp. For the young guys to essentially beat out those types of guys for spots, are they going to have to play dramatically better than the older guys because the older guys are established?
CF: Yes, definitely. That's where you want to get to as an organization. You want to make it so that young players have to earn their spot. You want the competition level to be high. That's how you get better. That's how young players get better. As we get deeper and as our group matures, we want this to be a difficult team to make. That will certainly ensure that we have a high-end team here. A second part of that as well is just this is a very difficult schedule, not just our clubs but for every club.
As I mentioned before, we have stretches of the season that are very difficult. I believe we're going to need a lot of bodies to get through the year. If you're dipping into your younger players just at the start of the season, then when injuries hit, you're really digging deep into your farm system to just even ice a roster in the NHL.
Besides making the competition level higher and make it more difficult for young players to make the team, what we hope we're doing is simply improving the depth of our team, so when injuries hit, we're recalling high quality players that are ready to play, step in and make a difference.
Were there any young players that came into development camp that were flying under the radar but really elevated their status within the organization as the camp progressed?
BF: I think everybody, even the recently drafted players, were as advertised. I think Brian Zanetti, a young Swiss defenseman. He's going to Peterborough in the OHL this year. For a kid that came over, I don't know how many times he's even been to North America, to come in get acclimated to play, to fit in, and just keeps getting better every day. He's a really interesting guy. All of our kids from this past year have come in here and shown well for themselves.
We'll get into the games here and see how they fare against older players. Yeah, so far, so good.
A kid that's been hurt, but he's been around here all summer is Elliott Desnoyers. Just a real impressive kid who's one of those kids you talk to and he’ll sit and talk hockey all day long. He's down there talking to the veteran guys. He's learning every day. His work ethic and determination are off the charts. I think when he’s 100%, when he leaves here, he's going to have a tremendous season. Hopefully he gets to take part in some games or at least playing against the veterans and real hockey here as well.
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