Flyers still working on getting their lines perfected

Travis Konecny

      As is the case often in the early parts of seasons, the Flyers are still working on getting the timing down and positions set among line combinations.

      At Monday’s practice in Edmonton, that was one of the topics of conversation.

      “It’s going to take a little time,” coach John Tortorella remarked. “I wanted to play ‘Mich’ (Matvei Michkov) on left wing (he played much of the preseason on the right side). I don’t think he feels that comfortable there. Those are all the things I have to figure out as we go through here.”

      Playing on the right side of that line was Travis Konecny. He’s beginning his ninth year with the Flyers and he’s been on too many line combinations to begin to recall.

      “It takes time,” Konecny said. “I mean we played with different lines every day in camp. It just takes a little bit of time. I think it’s just getting our five- on-five back to where it needs to be as far as moving our feet, playing fast.”

      The timing of the Konecny-Michkov-Sean Couturier unit just seemed a little off in the Calgary game. That should start to come around as the trio plays more together.

      “It’s just a matter of executing,” Konecny said. “A lot of it goes through me. We’re thinking the same thing, I’m just not executing at the level I want to.”

      >Foerster on penalty kill

      Tyson Foerster is known mostly for his offensive abilities but the Flyers are thinking about getting him involved with the penalty kill.

      “He understands that part of the game,” Tortorella said. “I’d like to get him and ‘Tipp’ (Owen Tippett) in it. I think Tyson is a little bit more ready for it. We tried them both at it in preseason. Right now we’re going to focus on him a little bit and try to get him involved.”

      In the loss at Calgary, Foerster came to the rescue of teammate Jamie Drysdale after the young defenseman got flattened by a questionable hit.

      Foerster wound up getting 17 penalty minutes, a span which certainly didn’t help the Flyers keep line continuity.

      Tortorella was asked if he thought the Flames were targeting Drysdale.

      “No,” said the coach. “I think Jamie put them in those spots. If Jamie doesn’t want people fighting for him, then don’t put yourself in those spots.

      “And if you do, then maybe you have to do your own business, so no one else has to jump in. When Jamie comes across the middle – and this is a huge problem with me – I don’t think players in this league think they’re going to get hit. If you come across the middle, you should be prepared to get hit. Because it doesn’t happen that often, guys aren’t ready to do that.”

      >Luchanko returning after night off

      The Flyers decided to give 18-year-old Jett Luchanko a breather on Saturday night at Calgary due to a back-to-back situation. That didn’t come without its drawbacks.

      Luchanko figures to be back in the lineup when the Flyers face the Oilers on Tuesday night.

      “I think we missed Jett the other night on the second power play,” Tortorella said. “I think he brings a certain dynamic to our second power play as far as patience and making plays.”

      >Short shots

      Joel Farabee did not participate in Monday’s practice. “He’s just a little banged up, maintenance,” Tortorella said. “But I thought he played well (vs. the Flames). . .After playing the Oilers, the Flyers complete their four-game trip with a stop at Seattle on Thursday night. . .On his night off, Luchanko had a chance to watch the game from the Saddledome rafters. “Wherever I am, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can,” Luchanko said.

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About Wayne Fish 2587 Articles
Wayne Fish has been covering the Flyers since 1976, a stint which includes 18 Stanley Cup Finals, four Winter Olympics and numerous other international events.