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Quick Hits: Worlds, Coach Search, 10.2 (c) Free Agents, TIFH

May 22, 2022, 9:50 AM ET [182 Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Quick Hits: May 22, 2022

1) Through five preliminary round games at the 2022 IIHF World Championships in Finland, Team Switzerland (Group A) is the only undefeated team in either pool. Team Canada is 4-1-0 after sustaining a 6-3 loss to the Swiss on Saturday. Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim was minus-one across 22 shifts and 18:10 of ice time. For the tourney to date, Sanheim has posted two points (1g, 1a), seven shots on goal, zero penalty minutes and averaged 17:20 TOI.

Team Canada is idle on Sunday. They will return to action on Monday against Denmark.

2) On the most recent edition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek reported that, in addition to the Flyers and Winnipeg Jets, the Vegas Golden Knights and Detroit Red Wings also have interest in Barry Trotz to fill their respective head coach vacancies. According to Marek, the Flyers will interview Trotz this coming week. He added, however, that the Flyers will operate on their own timeline to make a hiring decision and they are willing to wait even if it means that a potential short-list candidate ends up getting hired elsewhere before Philly comes to a final decision.

Additionally, Friedman said that he believes Rick Tocchet may be the top candidate to fill the Dallas Stars' head coach vacancy while Marek said Marc Savard may also be of interest to Dallas.

3) While Don Sweeney is going to remain in Boston as general manager, Bruins team president Cam Neely stopped far short of saying that Bruce Cassidy would stay on as the team's head coach. Speaking to the media, Neely said that he feels the team needs to make some changes and punted on a question about Cassidy's immediate future. Neely praised Cassidy's coaching abilities and overall track record in Boston but said that a decision on Cassidy would not be made until after the team president and Sweeney sit down to discuss the coaching plan.

If Cassidy is dismissed in Boston, he would likely be another top candidate of interest to the Flyers.

4) According to Capfriendly, the Flyers have three players who will fall into the 10.2 (c) category of restricted free agents this offseason: Morgan Frost, Jackson Cates and goalie prospect Kirill Ustimenko. A 10.2 (c) free agent is one who has not accumulated enough games on an active roster to be credited with sufficient seasons to qualify for typical first-time restricted free agency. In addition to being ineligible for salary arbitration, a 10.2 (c) free agent is ineligible to receive an offer sheet from any other NHL club.

Frost falls in this category because he missed virtually the entire 2020-21 season due to a shoulder injury. He was lost for the season in Game 4 after playing only four-plus periods and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve. Ustimenko lost the entire 2020-21 season to preseason hip surgery. Jackson Cates joined the Flyers late in the 2020-21 season after foregoing his remaining NCAA eligibility and subsequently missed the 2021-22 stretch drive due to an injury suffered in a game with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Back in 2020, Nolan Patrick was a 10.2 (c) free agent after missing the entire 2019-20 season due to neurological issues. He signed a one-year extension with the Flyers for $874,125.

4) May 22 Flyers Alum birthday: Janne Niinimaa (1975)

5) Today in Flyers History: May 22, 2022

Riding waiver-wire pickup goaltender Michael Leighton's third shutout performance in the 2010 Eastern Conference Final, the Flyers built a three games to one lead over the Montreal Canadiens with a 3-0 road win in Game Four. After a scoreless first period, Claude Giroux and Ville Leino notched second period goals to build a 2-0 lead. Leighton, who saw just 17 shots for the game and few of significant danger, nailed down the shutout in the final stanza. Giroux added an empty netter for his second goal of the game and eighth of the 2010 playoffs.

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