VOORHEES, N.J. – It promises to be a busy offseason for a 25-win Flyers team which might need sunglasses and a couple aspirin to review the horror show digital recordings of the recently completed seven-month disaster.
Here are updates and some capsule comments from players who spoke at Saturday’s getaway day press briefings at the Flyers Training Center.
>Noah Cates, LW: Found chemistry on a “Kid Line” with Morgan Frost and Owen Tippett. Says he needs to get “bigger, faster, quicker’’ this summer.
>Ronnie Attard, D: Got some playing time on a top pairing with Ivan Provorov right after coming out of college. “I started to feel better and continued to learn every game.’’
>Cam York, D: Foot injury at Washington (blocked Alex Ovechkin shot) ended his season but is feeling better, getting ready for offseason training. “It feels better now; get back at it at start of June.’’
>Owen Tippett, RW: Acquired in the Claude Giroux trade. Got much more playing time than in Florida. “With experience comes confidence. . .being in the action consistently goes a long way.’’
>Morgan Frost, C: Bounced back from missing 2021 due to shoulder surgery. Back and forth to Phantoms early this season, finally stuck after Giroux trade. Got more playing time. “I think it’s a good building block toward next season.’’
>Patrick Brown, C: One more year left on contract. Back injury ended season early. As for competing for a job here next year: “I’m excited for the challenge and the competition.’’
>Travis Konecny, RW: Came on strong at end of season to lead team in points. “For me, it was just working to become a more complete player, watching a lot of film and learning the penalty kill. We weren’t in playoff position but it was an opportunity to grow your game.’’
>Zack MacEwen, RW: Fit in as a physical, energy player on fourth line. Might have a future here. Fan favorite. “I couldn’t be more appreciative to the fans here.’’
>Kevin Connauton, D: Handy utility guy. Suffered season-ending knee injury but should be fine for offseason workouts. “It was kind of a tough year sitting out for extended periods of time but I’ve been through that before.’’
>Nick Seeler, D: Like Connauton, a handy spare, especially after Ryan Ellis went down. Plays a MacEwen in-your-face style. Has connections with GM Chuck Fletcher. “I would love to be back here. This organization is first class and it felt like home.’’
>Joel Farabee, LW: Bothered by shoulder injury down the stretch but OK now. Was tried at center after Giroux trade but says it’s probably not a long-term thing. “I’m pretty confident in my ability at wing and feel pretty comfortable there.’’
>Travis Sanheim, D: Won the Barry Ashbee (best defenseman) and Pelle Lindbergh (most improved) trophies. Team’s top plus-minus player. “I think it (the trophy wins) means my game took another step and is improving.’’
>Oskar Lindblom, LW: Continues to recover from courageous 2019-20 battle with cancer. Scoring improved after Mike Yeo took over bench “I feel like I have a lot more to give. . .this summer I’m going to work on my quickness and get stronger.’’
>Martin Jones, G: Did some strong backup work for Carter Hart. “It was a tough year. I thought I had a decent year. I feel good about my game.’’
>Ivan Provorov, D: Strong finish after what amounted to an average season. Loss of Ryan Ellis hurt. “We definitely went through a lot. Hopefully, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’’
>Sean Couturier, C: Pretty much recovered from season-ending back surgery. Has been skating. “It felt good just to be out there playing hockey. It was tough to watch at times. I feel pretty good about myself going into summer.’’
>Cam Atkinson, RW: Shot block on foot at Washington ended his season. He won Bobby Clarke Trophy for MVP so personally the year was a success, but “the whole year was unbelievable (bad). I’ve never been a part of something like that from start to finish.’’
>Kevin Hayes, C: Three operations and an infection set him back but he finished season with a flourish. Say he’s about 90 percent now. “It was a tough year for the fans. We have the right core pieces, bear with us. It should be better next year.’’
>Scott Laughton, C: Suffered a late-season concussion and wasn’t quite the same when he came back. Should be OK for offseason work. “I wasn’t at the level I was before the injury but I feel fine now.’’
>Nate Thompson, C: Hurried back from shoulder surgery to finish the season. No plans to retire. “I’m still chasing that shiny mug, so there’s that. I still love the game, love coming to the rink.’’
>Carter Hart, G: Lower-body injury ended his season early but had a bounce-back year, keeping his GAA around 3 when his team was close to a collective minus-90. “Definitely felt better this year mentally. I still need to be a lot better.’’
>Rasmus Ristolainen, D: Upper-body injury cost him the last few weeks of season. Says he’s almost 100 percent now. “Thought I was bulletproof, but I guess not.’’
>James van Riemsdyk, LW: Led the team in goals with 24. Finished strong for season. “I felt a bit snakebitten at beginning of season. Ultimately, I’m here to produce and I didn’t produce enough at a high level.’’
>Ryan Ellis, D: Played in only four games all season after suffering a pelvic-area injury in training camp. No surgery planned. Treatment seems to be successful, hopes to be skating in a month. “It’s honestly been the hardest year of my life.’’
