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Quick Hits: March 18, 2020
1) On today's edition of Jason Myrtetus' "Flyers Daily" podcast on the Flyers' Broadcast Network, Jason had me on to discuss our views of the two rumored recent proposals for how the NHL might proceed with its regular season and/or playoffs if and wheh they are able to resume at some point this spring: a 24-team playoff or a player-proposed regular season completion and playoffs that run deep into the summer. Additionally, on a lighter note, Jason and I discussed the legacy of legendary Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart.
2) While we discussing Gene Hart during the podcast, Jason mentioned that the Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster along with longtime color analyst Bobby Taylor were the announcers on the 1983 Pepsi Shootout finals when Jason was a goalie for Westtown Quakers. Not only did Gene pronounce the name "Myrtetus" correctly every time (after talking to Jason beforehand, as broadcasters do in their preparations for NHL games), he also dubbed him "Mr. Zero" for not allowing a goal in the competition against Toms River. This morning, Jason posted the vintage video.
3) Although several NHL teams have recently signed collegiate prospects, including the New York Rangers inking 2018 first-round pick K'Andre Miller to an entry-level day, the Flyers apparently do not have any signings imminent. I was told that the organization has been in contact with the agents/family advisors of the collegiate players whom they are interested in sigining, but that there is no rush (since there is no hockey at any level right now) on either side.
Wade Allison (Western Michigan) and Tanner Laczynski (Ohio State) were seniors this season, and could become free agents on Aug. 15 unless the signing period is extended. Others of immediate interest could include Wisconsin junior defenseman Wyatt Kalynyk and versatile Minnesota-Duluth forward Noah Cates.
4) Flyers 2019 draftees Bobby Brink (F, Denver) and Ronnie Attard (D, Western Michigan) were both selected to the 2019-20 NCHC All-Rookie team.
5) Kudos to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the PPL Center for making the best of a bad situation during the coronavirus-related suspension of play in the American Hockey League and the postponement and cancelation of a slew of events. In order to benefit those most in need in the Lehigh Valley area, the PPL Center’s Food Services & Hospitality team donated three pallets of food to the Salvation Army’s Allentown locations and Second Harvest Food Bank to help provide for the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
Head Chef Andrew Wissa delivered a van full of fresh fruits and vegetables to both of the Salvation Army locations in Allentown, including their food bank and shelter for women and children. Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley also picked up a large delivery weighing 1,840 pounds on Wednesday for distribution to people in need through area non-profits.
6) In the next day or two, new content will begin to appear again on the Flyers' official website. The first topic up will be an "Inside the Numbers" look at at the Flyers 18-6-1 surge from January 8 until the schedule "pause" instituted by the NHL on March 12. For example, during that stretch, the Flyers outscored opponents by a 91-60 margin overall. They were the NHL's highest-scoring team during that stretch (3.64 goals per game), and the fourth-hardest to score against (2.40 GAA).
We will look inside the Flyers' dominance of 2nd and 3rd periods, the balanced scoring they enjoyed, the stellar penalty kill, the high degree of shot quality differential (the Flyers owned 54.4 percent of the high-danger chances; 4th best in the NHL), the excellence of Carter Hart in goal, and much more.
7) Philadelphia Inquirer Flyers beat writer Sam Carchidi spoke to center Kevin Hayes about his first season with the team, about the new Yards "Big Hayes-y 13" beer named in his honor, and about the boredom and restlessness -- while understanding the reasoning and necessity -- associated with the halting of the NHL season: .
8) Today in Flyers History: March 18
On this date in 1976, Hockey Hall of Fame left winger Bill Barber became the third Flyers player to record 100 points in a season, joining teammates Bobby Clarke (1972-73, 1974-75, 1975-76) and Rick MacLeish (1972-73).
In a 3-2 home win over the Vancouver Canucks, the Flyers trailed 2-0 in the second period. Barber assisted on second period goals by Jack McIlhargey and Reggie Leach (54th goal of the season) before Dave "the Hammer" Schultz's 12th goal of the season put the Flyers ahead to stay.
The victory extended the Flyers' unbeaten streak to 23 straight games (17-0-6); a franchise record at the time that was subsequently shattered by the team's 35-game unbeaten run (25-0-10) in 1979-80.
9) March 18 Flyers Alumni birthdays: Kimmo Timonen (1975), Brantt Myhres (1974).
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