Bill,

I apologize if I missed it in the blog, but has there been anything official released from the Flyers regarding Ghost? Is it COVID related? Thanks!

Some people love the setup for this season. It feels gimmicky (even though I know they had to do what they had to do). Some teams have a cake-walk, while this division is a gauntlet.

No fans for some teams, other teams get fans.

It just doesn’t feel like a level playing field across the board if that makes sense.

I also still don’t love their offseason, but am thrilled Patty and Oskar are healthy.
- Flyers1218

With COVID and all the poop that has gone on this year, I'm just happy there is a season at all. I don't love the fact that they only play within their division, but I'm still pumped for hockey.

Flyers Gameday:

Ahhhhhhhh! How I missed just that headline.

Bill,

I apologize if I missed it in the blog, but has there been anything official released from the Flyers regarding Ghost? Is it COVID related? Thanks!
- aantny88

They declined yesterday to be more specific than "unfit to play." If it is related to a positive COVID test, his name would show up in the report the NHL will start releasing now that the season is underway (numbers of players overall, per team, and which ones).

But since Gostisbehere is on the 23-man roster and not IR, it's likely that it's not anything that will keep him out an extended time. If he's back for practice tomorrow, he'd probably play Friday. If he doesn't practice tomorrow, I doubt he'll play Friday.

They declined yesterday to be more specific than "unfit to play." If it is related to a positive COVID test, his name would show up in the report the NHL will start releasing now that the season is underway (numbers of players overall, per team, and which ones).

But since Gostisbehere is on the 23-man roster and not IR, it's likely that it's not anything that will keep him out an extended time. If he's back for practice tomorrow, he'd probably play Friday. If he doesn't practice tomorrow, I doubt he'll play Friday.
- bmeltzer

It just seems so mysterious. I guess its just the world we live in now.

Some people love the setup for this season. It feels gimmicky (even though I know they had to do what they had to do). Some teams have a cake-walk, while this division is a gauntlet.

No fans for some teams, other teams get fans.

It just doesn’t feel like a level playing field across the board if that makes sense.

I also still don’t love their offseason, but am thrilled Patty and Oskar are healthy.
- Flyers1218

It certainly is a gauntlet for every team in this division. Add to that the fact that basically every game in a "4 point game".

Any kind of losing streak could be a death blow.

They declined yesterday to be more specific than "unfit to play." If it is related to a positive COVID test, his name would show up in the report the NHL will start releasing now that the season is underway (numbers of players overall, per team, and which ones).

But since Gostisbehere is on the 23-man roster and not IR, it's likely that it's not anything that will keep him out an extended time. If he's back for practice tomorrow, he'd probably play Friday. If he doesn't practice tomorrow, I doubt he'll play Friday.
- bmeltzer

Bill, any speculation that it is related to a potential trade or is this clearly medical?

I suspect he could be quarantining to support/execute a trade that has yet to be completed.

The whole situation is just strange.

Bill, any speculation that it is related to a potential trade or is this clearly medical?

I suspect he could be quarantining to support/execute a trade that has yet to be completed.

The whole situation is just strange.
- JW98FlyerFan

Has nothing to do with a trade. A trade can be made and the player, once through protocol, can report. Delaying a trade only delays the date he can play.

The same thing went on before/after the bubble. Absences for any reason were described simply as "unfit to play". If the player himself chose to explain it -- as Voracek did the day after he got an inconclusive COVID test, was held out of practice as a precaution and then cleared the next day after a retest -- that is fine.

Gostisbehere most likely either has a minor injury or it's something COVID-related, such as an exposure or having a mild case himself. If he were positive, though, teammates such D-partner Provorov would have had to quarantine as well.

The fact that he's on the 23-man roster is a good sign. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless his absences go on longer than the next few days.

I think it’s funny that all the teams that are playing today, were in the playoffs. While all the non-playoff teams have to wait another day, after waiting 10 months.

Excellent pre game blog as usual Mr. Meltzer. I am really stoked for the team this year and hope Covid does not interfere with the best starting roster in awhile imo. I hope Oscar can return to form and Patrick stays migraine free. I think the player that may surprise a lot of people will be Gustafsson. Not know for his defence but possibly because he is amazing on the pp. I watched every Hawk game when he had the big year in Chicago and he was lights out. Big shot, good mobility and just a solid PP dman. Ironically his year was like Gosisbehere when he had his big year. I hope one or both can return to that form. Been a long wait but Let's go Flyers.

I think it’s funny that all the teams that are playing today, were in the playoffs. While all the non-playoff teams have to wait another day, after waiting 10 months.
- SuperSchennBros

So do you think that schedule was intentional? Maybe another day of practice for non playoff teams to bring them up to speed, lol. I don't think it makes any difference either way , they all get 56 less covid.

Has nothing to do with a trade. A trade can be made and the player, once through protocol, can report. Delaying a trade only delays the date he can play.

The same thing went on before/after the bubble. Absences for any reason were described simply as "unfit to play". If the player himself chose to explain it -- as Voracek did the day after he got an inconclusive COVID test, was held out of practice as a precaution and then cleared the next day after a retest -- that is fine.

Gostisbehere most likely either has a minor injury or it's something COVID-related, such as an exposure or having a mild case himself. If he were positive, though, teammates such D-partner Provorov would have had to quarantine as well.

The fact that he's on the 23-man roster is a good sign. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless his absences go on longer than the next few days.
- bmeltzer

As always, thanks Bill. I am really hoping he has a bounce back season. If he has his lateral movement back, it should go a long way for his confidence. I also hope he worked on his ability to get the puck on net. That to me has been his achilles heel these past couple of seasons.

I can't wait to see what Patrick can do. I'll be honest after last season I thought he would never play an NHL game again. And somehow I also started to equate him to a middle tier prospect talent wise. Now that he is back to being healthy its exciting. I'm hoping he shows the skills and talent that landed him as the 2nd overall pick, and could easily have been the 1st. There is still a chance he will be a superstar player.

I only been able to play hockey sporadically this year, so I am really happy about this..
- Hextall271

I haven't played since 3/13/20 and it's really wearing on me

So do you think that schedule was intentional? Maybe another day of practice for non playoff teams to bring them up to speed, lol. I don't think it makes any difference either way , they all get 56 less covid.



- joegreif17

Haha maybe. Was reading something which noted how bad the north div is. Very true in comparison to our div. The realignment certainly didn't do us any favors.

Leafs are prob the best team with maybe the oilers and Flames after.

12-2 philly tonight. Ridiculous prediction for ridiculous fake season

I haven't played since 3/13/20 and it's really wearing on me
- Scoob

Yeah I feel your pain brother. My normal league shut down, but I got into another. In eastern Canada, the amount of cases had been quite low until now. We started up October, I played prob 15 games, shut down for 3 weeks in end November. Back on in mid December...xmas break. 1 game in, shut back down. The starts and stops are killing my old bones.

Let's get a W tonight for G's and Provy's bday AND Nolan's + Oskar's return. Lot to play for boys. So excited we are finally here. I feel very confident in this roster this year.

Bbb

I hope its Taryn...
- Hextall271

Oh jeez, I hope PT doesn’t see your quote about Taryn.

I can't wait to see what Patrick can do. I'll be honest after last season I thought he would never play an NHL game again. And somehow I also started to equate him to a middle tier prospect talent wise. Now that he is back to being healthy its exciting. I'm hoping he shows the skills and talent that landed him as the 2nd overall pick, and could easily have been the 1st. There is still a chance he will be a superstar player.
- youarewrong

I'm excited about this too as well as Oscar's return to form. In his last season, Patty had some real glimpses of what he can do (I remember a game vs Montreal). If he puts it all together, he could be a legitimate top line player.

It just seems so mysterious. I guess its just the world we live in now.
- MBFlyerfan

Maybe he’s getting traded. 🤔

LETS GO FLYERS!!!!!!

Has nothing to do with a trade. A trade can be made and the player, once through protocol, can report. Delaying a trade only delays the date he can play.

The same thing went on before/after the bubble. Absences for any reason were described simply as "unfit to play". If the player himself chose to explain it -- as Voracek did the day after he got an inconclusive COVID test, was held out of practice as a precaution and then cleared the next day after a retest -- that is fine.

Gostisbehere most likely either has a minor injury or it's something COVID-related, such as an exposure or having a mild case himself. If he were positive, though, teammates such D-partner Provorov would have had to quarantine as well.

The fact that he's on the 23-man roster is a good sign. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless his absences go on longer than the next few days.
- bmeltzer

Covid tests often give a false negative until 7-8 days post-exposure. Given that if he is cleared prematurely, it would be calamitous, they are probably being cautious.

12-2 philly tonight. Ridiculous prediction for ridiculous fake season
- SMS4016

Why fake season? I dont get the 5.30 start.