VOORHEES, N.J. – These Flyers’ early summer development camps usually have a slightly open competition feel about them.
But then the team went out, ended a five-year playoff drought and actually won a round in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a mild upset of Pittsburgh.
That changed everything.
Now there’s a different vibe among all the young hopefuls. Making the big team someday might just have gotten a little tougher.
On Monday, some 41 prospects convened at the Flyers Training Center and the energy level was high.
Jack Nesbitt, a first-round No. 12 overall pick in the Flyers’ 2025 draft, said he’s noticed the difference.
Does it feel like the job competition might be a little tougher?
“Definitely a little bit,” he said. “But with a young group they’re always going to get better. All you need to do is come in and work your hardest, do your best. It’s a great organization, a lot of great coaches here.”
Nesbitt has been showing steady progress the past two seasons, posting 25 goals in each of them for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League junior hockey circuit.
Now he’s headed off to the University of Michigan to test his skills against a tougher level of foes.
The left-shooting center, who goes 6-foot-4, 186 pounds after adding about 10 pounds over the past year, believes he improved his organizational standing this past season.
“I think personally I developed a lot of things,” he said. “My skating coach showed me a lot there. Michigan is the best fit for me. I went there to visit, (they have) great facilities.”
Watching Porter Martone enjoy success at Michigan State proved inspirational as well.
“I saw Porter play a couple games there,” Nesbitt said. “It seems a little faster than junior hockey in the OHL. That’s the way I want it. I’m glad I get that opportunity now and I’ll take it.”
What’s he working on as his career progresses?
“Just keep working on my skating, putting more weight on,” Nesbitt said. “I feel like I got stronger with my skating. I got some compliments so I’m glad I could do that.”
Having watched NHL rookies Martone, Alex Bump and Denver Barkey get their feet in the door certainly helped Nesbitt’s outlook.
“It’s awesome to have those types of guys here,” Nesbitt said. “I get to spend some time with them a couple days early, went down and watched the (NHL) draft, stuff like that.
“So it’s good they’re here to teach the young guys what it’s like and stuff like that.”
Development coach Riley Armstrong said Nesbitt’s decision to play college hockey should be a positive move.
“He’s getting better and better throughout the course of the year,” Armstrong said. “I think going to Michigan is going to help him. It might be one year there, it might be two.”
As for added weight, that can’t hurt. He’s just becoming a more effective player.
“I think it’s confidence,” Armstrong said. “Playing inside the (faceoff) dots. He went on that little heater throughout the playoffs. A lot of goals around the net, understanding how strong he is. How to use his size to his advantage. Sometimes it takes guys a little time to realize that. ‘I can stand here and no one’s going to push me around in the scoring area.’
“I think he kind of figured at out at the end of the year. Now I think going into Michigan and playing against some bigger defensemen, I hope he continues to keep that confidence around those scoring areas.”
>Martone staying on track
Martone, who lit it up the NHL down the stretch and into the playoffs just a few short months ago, said it was important to be involved in this camp.
“For me, I’m still a young guy (19) here,” he said. “I believe I can use my stretch with the Flyers to help everyone here. I still might be younger than some guys but I think that’s valuable to come back here and be a leader. Kind of show them what it’s like being a Philadelphia Flyer.”
GM Daniel Briere asked Martone, Barkey and Bump if they wanted to take part in the camp and they all said yes in unison.
Martone has high expectations for himself this upcoming season.
“I got a jumpstart last year when I came in at the end of the season,” he said. “But still have a team to make. That’s my goal this summer, to earn a job on this team. Just be an important part of this team next year.
“A full season to help this team in any little way. First, just taking it day by day. Getting better throughout the summer. Come into (training) camp and earn a job with this team.”
Martone had a chance to play with superstars such as Sidney Crosby on Canada’s World Championship tournament team. Canada didn’t win but it was a valuable experience.
“It was awesome,” he said. “Obviously fell short, didn’t get a medal but a chance to play with Crosby and see what they’re thinking. You can’t pay for that experience. I’m lucky enough to be in those experiences.”
What did Martone learn from his time with the Flyers last season?
“I learned a lot,” he said. “The NHL, it’s tough. You play every other night. Back-to-backs. Just being able to prepare your body, how to take care of it. Just being ready every single night and bring an effort.”
>Qualifying offers
Flyers have made salary qualifying offers to potential free agents Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, Nikita Grebenkin and Hunter McDonald. They will retain their negotiating rights. They did not extend offers to Artem Guryev, Christian Kyrou, Karsen Dorwart, Brett Harrison, Tucker Robertson and Philip Tomasino.
Be the first to comment