Quick Hits: August 23, 2022
1) Speaking to NHL.com's Adam Kimelman, new Flyers head coach John Tortorella said that he does not expect veteran defenseman Ryan Ellis to be ready for the start of the 2022-23 regular season.
If you’re asking me right now, I doubt it,” Tortorella said.
The coach added that the player has had an "up and down process” this summer in attempting to fully rehab what's been termed a multi-layered issue in his pelvic area -- with related lower abdominal, groin, and hip symptoms -- and is doing everything possible to be ready for training camp. However, Tortorella said that he's doubtful that Ellis will be ready. The 31-year-old would have to pass a physical and obtain medical clearance to return to the ice, and he not at that stage.
Ellis' dressed in only four games -- the first three games of the 2021-22 schedule and then a one-game return in November -- last season. The issue was intially deemed day-to-day but lingered to the point where day-to-day became week-to-week and then month-to-month before the player was shut down for the season.
Ellis had a variety of previous injuries during his years with the Nashville Predators but none were related to the current issue, according to the player.
2) Rasmus Ristolainen is switching his jersey number from No. 70 to No. 55 (his old number with Buffalo) for the 2022-23 season. New players Tony DeAngelo (No. 77), Nick Deslauriers (No. 44) and Troy Grosenick (No. 29) have also selected their numbers.
3) What is the holdup with the Flyers re-signing restricted free agent winger Wade Allison? From what I have been told, it's simply a matter of term (one-year or two-year) and format (such as a two-way/one-way arrangement), and should be hammered out in plenty of time for training camp.
Allison, who will turn 25 on Oct. 14, has dealt with injury issues during his collegiate career and Western Michigan and in each of his first two pro seasons with the Flyers and the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He's coming off a two-year entry-level contract that had a $925,000 cap hit at the NHL level ($832,500 base salary plus two annual $92,500 signing bonus installments and $425,000 in performance bonuses in year two). The performance bonuses were not reached last season as Allison was limited to a single game at the NHL level. At the AHL level, he earned $70,000 prorated over his two seasons with year two being spent almost entirely in the AHL once Allison was cleared from a high ankle sprain during Rookie Camp.
Allison's agent does not have much current leverage on behalf of his client. This isn't a case of a player seeking an NHL bump. However, there is wiggle room in terms of how the contract would be structured in a way that's fair to both sides.
Due to all the time Allison has missed in his two pro seasons to date, the player remains waiver exempt if he is not on the opening night NHL roster and is sent to the Phantoms. Tanner Laczynski, who signed a two-year extension (two-way deal in year one, one-way in year two) earlier this offseason and had surgeries on both hips last year, is likewise waiver exempt. Fourth-year pro Isaac Ratcliffe is subject to waivers now, although he, too, lost most of his 2020-21 season to a combination of injury (broken ribs, collapsed lung) and the pandemic.
4) Congratulations go out to Team River Rock Academy for winning the championship at the 2022 Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp. River Rock defeated previously unbeaten Team Toyota in the final game, 8-3. The three-day camp is always a blast, and this year was no exception.
A day-by-day camp journal, with a rundown of all on-ice and off-ice activities, game reports and profiles of various attendees, is available on the
Flyers Alumni official website.
We will post full registration information on the 2023 camp -- the 9th annual event -- when it becomes available. If you are thinking of going, be aware that the 64 available player registrations fill up rapidly. All eight years to date have sold out. However, there is always room for new players and they are not only welcome but strongly encouraged to join in the fun.
5) During the first period of the championship game at Fantasy Camp, Team River Rock Academy forward Olivier Pelletier had to be stretchered off the ice after suffering a neck injury on a play along the half boards. He was alert and talking while being tended to on the ice. Hospitalized briefly for precautionary reasons, he was released later in the day on Monday and reports that he feels fine although sore. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and return to the ice for Olivier.
6) Registration is open for Flyers Charities' 2022 Gritty 5k event on Oct. 22. Participants can walk or run ("if they must") in person or can do the event virtually. Live participation is a $50 registration fee, virtual participation is $45. All proceeds benefit Flyers Charities. For more information,
click here.
7) Today in Flyers History: August 23rd is a date in Flyers history most identified with some of the more notable tough guys in the post-Broad Street Bullies era.
On Aug. 23, 1994, the Flyers re-signed rugged defenseman/winger Dan Kordic to a contract extension. on Aug. 23, 2002, the Flyers officially announced a four-year contract extension for enforcer Donald Brashear for the 2002-03 through 2005-06 seasons although the deal itself had been agreed to weeks earlier. On Aug 23, 2005, the Flyers signed 23-year-old left winger Riley Cote to an NHL contract after the undrafted forward had previously been signed to an AHL contract and was a member of the Calder Cup winning 2004-05 Philadelphia Phantoms.
8) Aug. 23 Flyers Alumni birthday: Dave Gardner (1952).
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