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QUICK HITS: JUNE 29, 2018
1) While there is little doubt that the Flyers, who are in their best salary cap shape since the summer of 2007, are actively pursuing the free agents atop their summer shopping list before July 1, there are no guarantees of landing the players. General manager Ron Hextall has said that he isn't looking to go long-term on any UFA contracts (which presumably means longer than 2 years or 3 years at the maximum). That means the lure will have to be outbidding other teams on yearly salary with a chance to cash in again as a UFA in a couple years in lieu of the security of a long-term contract.
In the case of James van Riemsdyk, for example, there are reportedly a dozen teams that have pursued the 29-year-old ex-Flyers left wing. Realistically, the Flyers would have to go long-term along with high cap hit to be in the game to sign him.
In the case of center Paul Stastny, the player will turn 33 in December. There are also multiple teams with reported interest in him but an inflated cap hit/shorter term contract from Philly might be closer to the other offers that are out there for him. Even there, however, it gets to a point where there are limits to how much salary to offer an aging player with an injury history before this past season, whose recent production norms have been roughly in the 45-point range.
2) The reason why forward prospect David Kase did not travel to attend Flyers development camp this year is that he is dealing with an undisclosed injury and would not have been able to take the ice. He is, however, signed to an entry-level contract as is slated to begin his North American pro career (likely in the AHL with the Phantoms).
3) Flyers power forward prospect Wade Allison recently started skating on his own but is not yet ready to participate in Development Camp on-ice activities. The player, who underwent surgery on his right knee after suffering a suspected torn ACL in January, should be ready to start his junior year at Western Michigan on time.
4) Another prospect who is slated to join the Phantoms this upcoming season, now-former Kitchener Rangers center/left wing Connor Bunnaman, was on crutches in the group photo taken at the start of Development Camp. He had minor surgery on both feet and is still a few weeks from resuming skating.
5) Yet another player missing from on-ice drills at camp is Ohio State forward Tanner Laczynski, who is also dealing with an injury.
6) Flyers 2016 first-round pick German Rubtsov has spent the last season and a half in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, playing in Chicoutimi and then in Bathurst. Flyers development coach Kjell Samuelsson said that the center/winger has not made much progress in learning to speak English, whereas fellow Russian prospect, Phantoms center Mikhail "Misha" Vorobyev, made major progress in his English communication skills over the past year.
"That’s part of becoming pro, if you come from Europe. I experienced it. Sooner he realizes that it’s going to be easier for him. He can establish a life outside hockey too. It’s not the normal life. It’s not the 8-5 work day but he still has to establish as much normal life outside hockey he can do. Just communicate with teammates, too. He has to pick up the language," Samuelsson said.
"He’s trying. He’s trying hard. It’s the same thing as everything else. It takes longer for some guys."
7) The new edition of the "Real Deal with Bundy and Bill" podcast on the Flyers Alumni's Talkshoe channel is now available. Chris Therien and I wrap up the 2018 Draft (how could there be a Flyers Draft class with zero Canadians chosen among eight picks?), look at the start of UFA season relative to the Flyers, discuss the keys to the Flyers improving their penalty kill, talk about the inspiration brought by Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki's guest appearance at yesterday's 2018 Flyers Alumni Golf Invitational, and preview Chris' team (Bundy's Chariot of Flyers) at the 2018 Toyota Flyers Charity Classic on July 15. You can listen below to the episode or download it here.
8) Ryan Straschnitzki and his family will be the special guests of the Flyers at Friday's development camp session at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. They will meet with Flyers' management, the players in camp and then Ryan will speak to the media.
9) Brad Marsh's Ides of Marsh team at the inaugural Toyota Flyers Charity Classic was the largest team and biggest fundraiser, and aims to exceed that feat this year. However, all of the Alumni-related teams -- the Flyers Alumni Team (featuring Bob Clarke, Bernie Parent, Danny Briere, Paul Holmgren, Ian Laperriere, Bill Clement, Joe Watson, Bob Kelly, Riley Cote, Ryan Parent and over a dozen more Alumni), Brian Propp's Team Guffaw, Bundy's Chariot of Flyers, and Marshy's team -- are working together to raise money for Snider Hockey.
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