tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88420875119294154922024-03-12T16:45:54.028-07:00InsightSean O'Brien's exclusive news, sports, and interview features can all be found hereSean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.comBlogger983125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-52313623140736049282024-03-06T17:09:00.000-08:002024-03-06T17:09:18.372-08:00Philadelphia Flyers: Pre-NHL Trade Deadline Deal and a Contract Extension<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInQfspJboEmd2KSP-8TbP7bbL0CY_7FUUScuCC8Ofd1_X_AfRPyvMDSkVRrrLiNjY1iWp8TsHVMj-29aDAmBwjfUCuQCLu4ndkuCYGZd_TjSrXHuKO72ZvxS7u985XputKMstVAWe2NeL9gPgn9vZ4Y6BH_GceZN1uC3zQbGr8qtTv2GzQWcNBJZou1k/s1280/Flyers%20logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInQfspJboEmd2KSP-8TbP7bbL0CY_7FUUScuCC8Ofd1_X_AfRPyvMDSkVRrrLiNjY1iWp8TsHVMj-29aDAmBwjfUCuQCLu4ndkuCYGZd_TjSrXHuKO72ZvxS7u985XputKMstVAWe2NeL9gPgn9vZ4Y6BH_GceZN1uC3zQbGr8qtTv2GzQWcNBJZou1k/w640-h400/Flyers%20logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Philadelphia
Flyers</a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"> General Manager Danny Briere made another shrewd move.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Per
the organization, “</span><span style="color: #141d26; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">We have acquired a
conditional first-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft and center
Ryan Johansen from Colorado in exchange for defenseman <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/w/walkese01.html">Sean
Walker</a> and a fifth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.”</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: #141d26; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Walker
was acquired in a </span><a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/news/flyers-trade-ivan-provorov-three-way-deal-with-blue-jackets-kings" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">three-team
deal</a><span style="color: #141d26; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"> last June that moved Ivan Provorov.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: #141d26; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Two
days before the National Hockey League Trade Deadline, this
transaction exchanged an expiring contract for a Top 10
protected first-round pick in 2025. So, it will likely be a 2026
selection. Taking on Johansen's contract allowed the Flyers to gain
solid assets. (</span><a href="https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/philadelphila-flyers-waive-ryan-johansen-after-trade-with-colorado-avalanche-1.2085609" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Johansen
was subsequently waived</a><span style="color: #141d26; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">.)</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: #141d26; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Along
with the above, resigning Nick Seeler to a </span><a href="https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/no-trade-here-flyers-sign-nick-seeler-4-year-contract-extension/569385/" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">four-year
contract extension at a reasonable number</a><span style="color: #141d26; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"> looks smart.
A heart-and-soul player who is loved in the locker room, Seeler
remains part of the rebuild. His ever-impressive shock-blocking
ability currently has the veteran on the Injured List. But the
message to the room is that a role model's work ethic is deeply
valued and can be rewarded.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: #141d26; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Whether
more deals happen by Friday or not, Briere pushed the
rebuild plan forward. This season feels like a two-fer, with more
progress than expected and the Flyers' return to League
prominence coming in a shorter number of years than expected.</span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-5193711392049053622024-02-24T14:00:00.000-08:002024-02-25T09:32:11.312-08:00Behind the Hockey Scenes: Philadelphia Flyers Versus New York Rangers<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBogrfi9-Qkm30uOxpQYLZ2saJFLxuMiV1lCe8haR5FoGaCi1sptMvvR4pSKJ-Wl69hFn2p81IkuVgN_NQ1svp3VD0qrVki0xZcyxzxrzwjAC9rD58V875hALt-OJZZaHv6GsIngjZ3DIV24QVPkzRAulwvzJnYSfEA0jKyPy9rxoqroEodtu3gZt_0W4/s4032/Flyers%20-%20Rangers%20pregame%20-%20Feb%2024,%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBogrfi9-Qkm30uOxpQYLZ2saJFLxuMiV1lCe8haR5FoGaCi1sptMvvR4pSKJ-Wl69hFn2p81IkuVgN_NQ1svp3VD0qrVki0xZcyxzxrzwjAC9rD58V875hALt-OJZZaHv6GsIngjZ3DIV24QVPkzRAulwvzJnYSfEA0jKyPy9rxoqroEodtu3gZt_0W4/w640-h480/Flyers%20-%20Rangers%20pregame%20-%20Feb%2024,%202024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;">(Pregame warmup photo - Sean O'Brien)</span></div><p></p><p></p><p style="font-style: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Introductions</b></span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Travis
Konecny's upper-body injury made the </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.nhl.com/standings/2024-02-24/division"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Philadelphia
Flyers (30-20-7, 67 points)</span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">
task more challenging heading into the afternoon tilt versus the
Eastern Division-leading </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NYR/2024.html"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">New
York Rangers (38-16-3, 79 points)</span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">,
who enter on a nine-game winning streak. The choice of both goalies
implies that their head coaches want to win, as each team also plays
tomorrow.</span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">Flyers'
head coach, John Tortorella, tapped Sam Ersson to play in the net.
Peter Laviolette, who led Philadelphia to its last Stanley Cup
appearance in 2010, picked one of the top goalies in the League, Igor
Shesterkin.</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">This
was a nationally televised game on ABC. It was originally scheduled
as a streaming-only ESPN+ contest but was elevated to broadcast
level.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">As
a side note – Today's game marks my one-hundredth, with
approximately half of those games coming since the 2010-11 season
when I received my first credential approval. The organization has
always been and remains first-class, which a freelancer like me
appreciates.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>First
period</b></span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">An
early “Let's go Rangers” chant elicited bad memories among the
Flyers' faithful. Two seasons ago, an overwhelming number of Rangers'
fans, more than was ever known to have been present in Philadelphia,
dominated the Wells Fargo atmosphere. That 3-2 overtime Rangers' win
on March 1, 2023, was seen as the bottoming-out of the pre-Danny
Briere-Keith Jones era that began after that 2022-23 season was
buried.</span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">A
classic, 1970's 1970s-style fight took place three minutes into the
period as Nick Deslauriers and Matt Rempe (who had six inches on his
opponent, standing at 6' 7”) fought for an extended period.
Deslauriers eventually knocked Rempe down after his shirt was caught
on his head—five minutes in the box for each.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">A
lot of back-and-forth action. There were some chances, but none that
were successful.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">Shots:
Philadelphia – 18 New York - 9</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Score:
Philadelphia – 0 New York – 0</span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Intermission:
The Mites on Ice entertained, as usual. It's always enjoyable to see
young players on the half-ice.</span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Second
period</b></span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">Garnet
Hathaway received a double minor for high sticking at 8:47. The play
was under review, but the analysis did not change the initial ruling.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">With
1:10 left on the penalty, Artemi Panarin was called for holding. But
Alexis Lafreeniere (17th goal) wristed a shot past Ersson at
11:56. Assists to Vincent Trocheck and K'Andre Miller. Rangers' fans
erupted but were drowned out by the faithful. An ear-estimate and
with a view of various blue jerseys in the stands, which was hardly
scientific, put the boisterous Rangers fans in the mid-single digit
thousands.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">Shots:
Philadelphia – 5 (23) New York – 10 (19)</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Score:
Philadelphia – 0 New York – 1</span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Intermission:
A chess-like game through two periods. This is a good test for
Tortorella's team. Building culture and rebuilding an iconic
franchise is bolstered through winning and learning how to respond to
losses.</span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Third
period</b></span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Tyson
Foerster (11th goal) tied the game because he was positioned in
front of the net and had his stick on the ice at 2:36. The work for
this goal was done by Scott Laughton, who fought his way to supply a
wrap-around assist from behind the net—a secondary assist by Travis
Sanheim.</span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">Ersson
was screened and could not see a wrist shot that was thrown to the
net by Barclay Goodrow (2nd goal). It appeared that Rempe tipped
the puck in as he was stationed in front of the net and was seen
receiving congratulations on the bench from his teammates. Assists
Braden Schneider and Chris Kreider. (It was later switched to Rempe,
who had his first goal in the National Hockey League.)</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">Sanheim
led a breakaway while Sean Couturier was in the penalty box with
slightly over nine minutes to play. Laughton trailed him on the
two-on-none-play. But Sanheim could not tie the game. Arguably, a
forward might have succeeded better or used the trailer to set up a
higher percentage play or rebound attempt.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">Philadelphia
was given a chance to tie the game when Miller took a high-sticking
penalty at 15:57. Tortorella pulled Ersson. At the same time, the
Flyers had approximately 17 seconds left on the power play. After a
stoppage, a timeout was taken at 17:42, with 15 seconds remaining on
the man-advantage.</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">There were a few
scoring chances, including one puck across the goal crease with
seconds remaining, but no dice. The Rangers won a solid game by
playing good defense and getting a savvy performance from
Shesterkin. </span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">Shots:
Philadelphia – 17 (40) New York – 5 (24)</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Score:
Philadelphia – 1 New York – 2</span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">The
game had a playoff feel. The Flyers played a competitive game and
play the Pittsburgh Penguins on the road tomorrow, starting at 3:30
PM.</span></p><br /><p></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-44481696921514486272024-02-15T16:41:00.000-08:002024-02-15T16:54:38.608-08:00Philadelphia Flyers: Potential Scott Laughton Trade Partially Telegraphed Through Two New Letters?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcgAreGH6xPiGgUHsGhoqy0TWpbvKHi8KwIzUSuLSuRoGFpybnga8pIEbbn5zePB3aIM2OghfCAiVEtB-a-OmBHwERYfVr25vAmvCjx6mRsz-uvZjekq_bguM0HD3JM9szIAsXrWebZyYQxdKDodKVE2Tfou5kEUqEs8_5NXh4qPOLsuLgnq9SPog1J8/s1280/Flyers%20logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcgAreGH6xPiGgUHsGhoqy0TWpbvKHi8KwIzUSuLSuRoGFpybnga8pIEbbn5zePB3aIM2OghfCAiVEtB-a-OmBHwERYfVr25vAmvCjx6mRsz-uvZjekq_bguM0HD3JM9szIAsXrWebZyYQxdKDodKVE2Tfou5kEUqEs8_5NXh4qPOLsuLgnq9SPog1J8/w640-h400/Flyers%20logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Naming
Sean Couturier the Philadelphia Flyers' </span></span></span><a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/flyers-name-sean-couturier-20th-captain-in-franchise-history" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><u>twentieth
captain in team history</u></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> makes
sense. The longtime center has proven healthy following his extended
rehabilitation from injury.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">So,
the organization believes he will be on the ice
regularly. That factor played into him being named captain.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Travis
Konecny was named assistant captain, joining Scott Laughton, who wore
the team's lone designated leadership letter. That elevation also
makes sense, as the Flyers forward and recent All-Star has come into his own. </span></span></span><span>But strategy may also be part of the timing of Couturier and Konecny's elevations. </span></span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Laughton's </span></span></span><a href="https://www.capfriendly.com/players/scott-laughton" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><u>current
contract</u></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> runs through the 2025-26 season. </span></span></span><span>The March 8 National Hockey League trade deadline can be counted in days, with this assistant captain widely believed to be a hot topic among various NHL brass. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Ryan
Poehling recently signed a deal that extends him through the 2025-26 season.
Securing the first-year Flyer allows the organization to deal
Laughton for a likely good return without creating an extra hole
on next season's roster.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Add
to the Poehling news, it can only be assumed that President Keith
Jones, General Manager Danny Briere, and Head Coach John Tortorella
did not want to elevate one player (or two) to the official
leadership group due to a trade. While they could have gone without
any assigned letters, the leadership announcements, only weeks before March 8, could imply that the organization
anticipates trading Laughton. </span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jones,
Briere, and Tortorella have routinely shared the same message. The
rebuild is on, and the plan will remain unchanged, even if the team
continues to play toward a playoff berth. Using that logic, trading
Laughton (who turns 30 on May 30) for a solid return would further
the rebuild. </span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like Couturier and Konecny, Laughton has only ever played for the Flyers, doing so since he was 18 in the 2012-13 season. Couturier and Konecny first played when they were 19.</span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because the team now has a new captain and assistant
captain, dealing Laughton would only reduce one A, rather
than leave the Flyers with no lettered sweaters. </span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-88865746105653759672024-02-07T09:00:00.000-08:002024-02-07T09:00:57.569-08:00Philadelphia Flyers: Rebuild and NHL Playoff Push Continues <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykrpadlF3ugD8pVTmehJvirD-atTiN3xtGuxXz7gCcypJyz9634k1crTOUUNN6-09NyQn8nMnzHgRLFKhrwgsE2bAvqoa9eMSTBmP1Z4wgqC63RUTT2eduUu4sZJWPchorDJk-HFQNdn6BVnI7EfuwRfsRmwg8nn2VOnWl4egXWUNiv3llgiHV_Ee5BU/s1280/Flyers%20logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykrpadlF3ugD8pVTmehJvirD-atTiN3xtGuxXz7gCcypJyz9634k1crTOUUNN6-09NyQn8nMnzHgRLFKhrwgsE2bAvqoa9eMSTBmP1Z4wgqC63RUTT2eduUu4sZJWPchorDJk-HFQNdn6BVnI7EfuwRfsRmwg8nn2VOnWl4egXWUNiv3llgiHV_Ee5BU/w640-h400/Flyers%20logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Philadelphia Flyers opened the post-All-Star break with a nice <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PHI/2024_games.html">2-1 regulation road win</a> against the Florida Panthers.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: garamond, "new york", times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></p><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: garamond, "new york", times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Analysis varies. In this instance, <span style="outline: none !important;">a playoff berth would bolster the rebuild</span>. Management continues to say that <span style="outline: none !important;">the team's unexpectedly higher point total does not alter the plan</span>. So, some key players on the NHL roster could be dealt by the trade deadline next month, impacting an ability to win consistently. But maybe not.</span></span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: garamond, "new york", times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: garamond, "new york", times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">The John Tortorella effect has been followed by the dual impact of the types of decisions <a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/team/front-office">Dan Hilferty, Keith Jones, and Danny Briere</a> are making.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: garamond, "new york", times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: garamond, "new york", times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Will the Flyers qualify for the playoffs? It's a toss-up. But betting against a team reestablishing its iconic identity is likely unwise.</span></span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-42222132771212447772024-01-09T18:37:00.000-08:002024-01-11T19:21:24.284-08:00Philadelphia Flyers: Jamie Drysdale Wants to Wear Orange and Black<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">An
optimist reads this <a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/roster">Philadelphia Flyers</a>' headline as the story. But
at the moment, <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/526094/cutter-gauthier">Cutter Gauthier's</a> not wanting to play for the
organization is naturally the second sentence lede. That makes sense,
since the Flyers first-round pick (fifth overall) in the 2022
National Hockey League Draft initially wanted to play for the
rebuilding franchise.</span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOJVoZ9badMmoDG4NQmw7TTTTbM-AakIG7yAnGyZQJijAfMYBW26WSns4xcibFnArwU9mof9wKcyCNYn51gVOfSMj9Hiorezm63vEYlm-zuon8Y-fP8AQI-HSHwKGE4NBtW5ZXW62Z89RnlIJ6EPxFd7e2tezEhKq6KTDw4Fij09FVP5ZvBioVTDrgIU/s2016/NHL%20Entry%20Draft%20-%20Flyers%20Table%20-%20July%208,%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOJVoZ9badMmoDG4NQmw7TTTTbM-AakIG7yAnGyZQJijAfMYBW26WSns4xcibFnArwU9mof9wKcyCNYn51gVOfSMj9Hiorezm63vEYlm-zuon8Y-fP8AQI-HSHwKGE4NBtW5ZXW62Z89RnlIJ6EPxFd7e2tezEhKq6KTDw4Fij09FVP5ZvBioVTDrgIU/w480-h640/NHL%20Entry%20Draft%20-%20Flyers%20Table%20-%20July%208,%202022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Flyers draft table at the top of the photo. Courtesy of Sean O’Brien.)</div><p></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Something
changed since last summer's National Hockey League Entry draft, which
I was fortunate to attend at the Centre Bell in Montreal, Quebec. So,
Gauthier, who is at Boston College and turns 20 on January 19, was
traded to the Anaheim Ducks for <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/d/drysdja01.html">Jamie Drysdale</a> and a 2025 second-round
draft pick.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The
right-handed shot D-man, who will turn 22 in April, is in his fourth
season in the League, though a torn labrum caused him only to play
eight games last season. He has played in 10 contests this season and
is believed to be healthy.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Flyers
President Keith Jones and General Manager Daniel Briere spoke
about their inability to contact Gauthier or his family, which led to
the trade of this forward. That term is used because he's played left
wing and center, and there was debate as to which position was best.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Gauthier's
recent terrific performance for Team USA at the World Junior
Championships caused his value to peak, according to Briere.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">So,
the Flyers could not keep a young scorer, which is one of this
rebuilding team's needs. But Philadelphia was able to obtain a young
defenseman, who is projected to be part of the blue-line core, and
eventually, whoever is selected with the potentially favorable draft
selection, unless that asset becomes part of a future trade.</span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The following information is courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers Communications Staff:</span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/NHLFlyers/status/1744831140723081536">Drysdale</a>, 21 (4/8/02), was selected by the Ducks in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft. He owns five points
(1-4=5) in 10 games with Anaheim this season. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound native of Toronto, Ontario, has 45 points (8-
37=45) in 123 games in four seasons with the Ducks (2020-24). He missed majority of the 2022-23 campaign due to a torn
labrum in his left shoulder. The right-shot blueliner set career highs in goals (4), assists (28) and points (32) in 81 games
during the 2021-22 season. He ranked second among all NHL rookie defensemen in 2021-22 in points, assists, shots (137)
and games while he became one of four rookie defensemen in Ducks history to record 30-or-more points. He tallied two
points (1-1=2) in his NHL debut on March 18, 2021 vs. ARI. He became the third defenseman in NHL history to record
multiple points in his NHL debut at age 18-or-younger while his first NHL goal marked only the fourth time in NHL history an
18-year-old scored a goal in his NHL debut. </span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">Drysdale skated in two seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and collected 87 points (16-
71=87) in 112 career games (2018-20). He was named to the 2018-19 OHL First All-Rookie Team and to the 2019-20 OHL
First Team All-Star. He has represented Canada at the 2020 (gold) and 2021 (silver) World Junior Championship and
became the youngest defenseman since 2001 to appear in a World Junior Championship for Canada in 2020 (Jay
Bouwmeester, 17 years, 3 months). </span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gauthier was selected by the Flyers in the first round, fifth overall, of the 2022 NHL Draft and has yet to make his NHL
debut. He has spent the last two seasons with Boston College (2022-24)</span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-23134504731457326332023-12-30T07:47:00.000-08:002024-01-01T14:45:24.906-08:00Philadelphia Flyers Creating New Year's Hope<p><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUbP30rM5tOleXkhWU9FdV_OywURjkLuSiT82bTGNSQriYPQn9y9oDJAzDUh_CAqBwh6umNNwUgRCjKL6rkXSgrUz0fuYV3y6JcOu_JZlvp7_qfkJvBVCTTFI9uGZ6bLW5zrGD_0p6IYGvWyB7eh5wlVVjsZnZ-CBQJo8vJ0JK3elTKjJ-ZxjF-FW7xQ/s1280/Flyers%20logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUbP30rM5tOleXkhWU9FdV_OywURjkLuSiT82bTGNSQriYPQn9y9oDJAzDUh_CAqBwh6umNNwUgRCjKL6rkXSgrUz0fuYV3y6JcOu_JZlvp7_qfkJvBVCTTFI9uGZ6bLW5zrGD_0p6IYGvWyB7eh5wlVVjsZnZ-CBQJo8vJ0JK3elTKjJ-ZxjF-FW7xQ/s320/Flyers%20logo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></span></span></div><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Few
anticipated the Philadelphia Flyers having the </span></span></span><a href="https://www.nhl.com/standings/2023-12-29/league" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><u>tenth-best
winning percentage (.614)</u></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> in
the National Hockey League. But that mark has caught the attention of
everyone except the Flyers' brass. President Keith Jones,
General Manager Danny Briere, and Head Coach John Tortorella all
spoke about this team's ability to compete this season, and that
has happened.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The
Flyers' </span></span></span><a href="https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/flyers-vs-kraken-john-tortorellas-team-grabs-another-point-but-falls-in-ot/554990/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><u>19-11-5
record is identical</u></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">to
the one the team had during its last playoff season in 2019-20, which
became the 'Bubble Year' due to the virus.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">Defense</b></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;">Philadelphia
has the eighth-best defense in the NHL, which allows
a </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15pt;">+11-goal</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;">differential.
The team's nine short-handed goals are only three short of its power
play production (12).</span></p><p style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Making Changes</b></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;">The
organization subtracted front-office personnel and players last
spring and into the summer. It added players with character and
subjective grit that have been openly evidenced.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;">The
team needed a different offensive approach, so Tortorella implemented
an up-tempo style that pushes quick defensive zone exits during
five-on-five play. The popularized 'Power Kill' reflects that
pressure when the opposing team is on the power play.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;">Jones,
Briere, and Tortorella insist that the team's winning ways won't alter the rebuild plan. That would indicate some key players will
be dealt by the trade deadline in March, and other changes will
happen during the upcoming off-season.</span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pace</b></span></span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;">However, a
one-hundred-point season could result if this team plays at its
current pace. If it plays .500 hockey during the remainder of the
season (47 games, assume 20-20-7), the Flyers will finish with 90
points. While that might not earn a playoff berth, in the highly
competitive Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, the
organization would jump 15 points ahead of last season's finish
31-38-13, 75 points).</span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Rebuild Effect</b></span></span></p><p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;">This
team is enjoyable to watch, is increasing the value of various
players who may be exchanged, is surely realizing gains in NHL roster
development, has different assets below the NHL level, and is
restoring its legacy status.</span></p>
<p style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;">The
rebuild that was publicly announced earlier this year must be lauded.</span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-74862899156732237472023-11-29T15:48:00.000-08:002023-12-23T18:56:21.200-08:00Philadelphia Flyers' Modestly Encouraging Start Is Not Deceiving <p><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/">Philadelphia Flyers</a>' start to this regular season through just past the quarter mark is modestly encouraging. They were in <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/">playoff position</a> by Thanksgiving, which is a predictor more often than not of which teams will make the postseason by the season's end. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However, if I were a betting man, I would not wager or wager much on John Tortorella's team returning to the playoffs this coming spring. While the team's overall play is good, official year 2 of the rebuild reconfirms more subtraction is needed, holes still abound, and various impact players still need to be added to the National Hockey League roster. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The goaltending has been generally good. The defensive group is better than expected and a nice surprise. Offensively, well, that is the issue. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">No team can win regularly with a power play that produces a paltry ten percent efficiency rate. While breakouts from the defensive zone are markedly improved, a lack of finishers is a team weakness. John Tortorella implemented an up-tempo offensive push. That was understandable because he and his coaching staff wanted to squeeze every last opportunity out of a group that was obviously going to have trouble scoring. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Keith Jones and Danny Briere have good heads on their shoulders. They know this team is far from a playoff threat, let alone a Stanley Cup contender. So, some players who are performing well seem bound to be dealt by the trade deadline, which would impact playoff chances this season while strengthening the organization for more realistic future campaigns. </span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-72966741913098622022023-09-24T07:23:00.001-07:002023-09-24T07:24:00.103-07:00 Philadelphia Flyers: Rebuild Year 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia
Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella is starting his second year.
Training camp includes his blend of old-school methods. Those above Torts endorse that approach. </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">President
of Hockey Operations Keith Jones became an ideal fit as the new front-office face of the franchise. The former player and longtime
broadcaster's positive reputation sells well.</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">But
Jonesy is no salesman. His tell-it-like-it-is approach came through
television sets and digital screens. He is cheered because he blends
the truth with light-hearted humor while also recognizing what the
fans, both old and new, want right now.</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Brian
Boucher, another former Flyers player, was hired to take over for
Jones with the organization's broadcast team and nationally with
TNT. It is fair to wonder if Boosh may eventually work in a National
Hockey League's front office if he wants to? He, like Todd Fedoruk,
another former Flyer who is replacing longtime broadcaster Steve
Coates, has fan appeal that will help promote the team.</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia
Flyers General Manager Danny Briere says that the players will
determine the pace of the rebuild. That statement is honest and
accurate. Those in charge put pieces in place, while those who relay
the game to the fans offer their observations.</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">In coming years,</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"> the trio of
Jonesy, Danny B, and Torts seem more likely than not to restore one
of the League's fabled franchises. </span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-18906892754494063362023-07-12T20:13:00.003-07:002023-07-12T20:13:36.920-07:00Philadelphia Phillies: Trade Deadline Looms - Was 2022 a Dream Season?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyX41V27rmhML9L98ETaICghzmX0FUNJ7077vy0CIT-DB3iauXA81p4sxEM1Ijggw5oDOAb7XdApVmOAnjzO3z9QfJRgQZR1nE04T9XhBlPW7wCyUrLJcov95GmDOnYaYEmba_UAh8xZrYnnpV9FLGO798_kXfeWGO3vdXAcd_45tYh79NfXHlXl4Pl8/s1024/Baseball.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1024" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyX41V27rmhML9L98ETaICghzmX0FUNJ7077vy0CIT-DB3iauXA81p4sxEM1Ijggw5oDOAb7XdApVmOAnjzO3z9QfJRgQZR1nE04T9XhBlPW7wCyUrLJcov95GmDOnYaYEmba_UAh8xZrYnnpV9FLGO798_kXfeWGO3vdXAcd_45tYh79NfXHlXl4Pl8/w400-h398/Baseball.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The Philadelphia Phillies thrilled their fans by completely turning last season around after Rob Thompson took over for his longtime boss, Joe Girardi. This team stormed through the playoff into the World Series. But all who followed them closely know that the team's run arguably began after the managerial change not in the fall. </p><p>But each season is its own entity. So, was 2022 just a dream or the start of a connected, multi-year playoff run? </p><p>The sporadic offense and inability to get more than two and sometimes three starters cranking out good work prevent this year's squad from rivaling the Atlanta Braves, who might be a runaway National League East Division Winner. If so, it would be that franchise's sixth consecutive Division pennant. </p><p>The Phillies' defense should improve if Bryce Harper plays first base effectively, Kyle Schwarber becomes mostly a designated hitter, Christian Pache takes over in center field, Brandon Marsh shifts to left field on a more regular basis and All-Star Nick Castellanos continues to maintain his decent right field performance. </p><p>Among many questions: </p><p>But will Harper's recovery allow him to hit home runs at anywhere near his normal pace? </p><p>Will Trey Turner hit more to his career norms from here on out?</p><p>Will J. T. Realmuto remain healthy?</p><p>Could Alec Bohm lead the team in RBIs, in what would become the best offensive season of his career and potentially his breakout year?</p><p>Can the bullpen continue its collectively impressive pace? </p><p>Will All-Star Craig Kimbrel's impressive bounce-back year be sustainable?</p><p>Will Aaron Nola produce effective starts rather than disjointed efforts? </p><p>Will Zack Wheeler revert to his dominant form, that was seen last season?</p><p>Can Tajuan Walker produce near to what he did to date?</p><p>Might Ranger Suarez' steady heartbeat translate into a better body of work by season's end?</p><p>What will Dave Dembroski feel he must do by the August 1 Trade Deadline?</p><p>A lot of questions were asked. Sure, all teams have them. But it is fair to ask if the defending NL Pennant-winners can answer enough of them to first, make the playoffs, and then manage to repeat or even come close to matching last season's stunning run?</p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-47343015026409903142023-06-06T18:27:00.014-07:002023-06-06T18:33:23.357-07:00Philadelphia Flyers: Danny Briere's Statement Trade of Ivan Provorov <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO263T3Pbil_gbZDXjoa8BZDC8Q1-ZGkD9T0mWjnm254zU-dtrNA917AUPvFyOIXo_I5oskbF_ZRv4JCznxKJA-jF9X7q-8gWR0uoqx5V_GQl7W86I-6-hJOzb2OmvZ7i_nt5izOcg7XUrZgTGuySzs2exCRePejcfB8MIm9yCpl-xMdPbWBoVsG6/s2048/Danny%20B%20-%20Podium%20-%20Intro%20as%20GM%20-%20May%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO263T3Pbil_gbZDXjoa8BZDC8Q1-ZGkD9T0mWjnm254zU-dtrNA917AUPvFyOIXo_I5oskbF_ZRv4JCznxKJA-jF9X7q-8gWR0uoqx5V_GQl7W86I-6-hJOzb2OmvZ7i_nt5izOcg7XUrZgTGuySzs2exCRePejcfB8MIm9yCpl-xMdPbWBoVsG6/w640-h360/Danny%20B%20-%20Podium%20-%20Intro%20as%20GM%20-%20May%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Flyers.)</div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Danny Briere made a statement with his first trade. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>He was not shy in making this major transaction during the Stanley Cup Final, albeit on an off day. The three-team deal he exacted delivered on the promise that he and others in the reconfigured front office have been making. </span><span>The organization is genuinely rebuilding, was creative, and netted countable assets. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following is courtesy of the Flyers' media relations department: </span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hi, Danny. Just wondering about what was the timeline for this? When did you start having conversations about making this trade and specifically with Provorov and these teams?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last couple of weeks, I've had a few different discussions on Ivan. There was other teams involved, but it really seemed like the best fit was with Columbus. The interest was really, really high on Columbus’ side. We started focusing on that a little bit more in the last couple of days.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Danny, I guess this is more of a bigger picture question, but what went into the decision to trade Ivan Provorov? What drove that decision on your part?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, part of it is that we are in a rebuilding stage. We felt that the picks and the direction that we wanted to go in, it was really enticing. Very exciting. We have a chance to really kind of start building the team the way we want it, the right way that we've talked about. I think it kind of starts with that. It wasn't an easy decision. Ivan has been a really good soldier for the Flyers for a lot of years. A lot of sweat, a lot of hits he’s taken, a lot of pucks he’s blocked. He's really poured his heart out into the Flyers. It wasn't an easy decision. For us, what we were looking at is young guys and picks. We've said it from the beginning, so that was the major reason behind it.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, just kind of following up on that. Obviously, Ivan has been for years your guys’ number one defenseman, the big minutes guy. That's a key piece for any team, not just in terms of trying to win now, but also in terms of how the rest of the depth chart fills out. Why did you feel like future assets matter more to the long-term plan than his present value here?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, sometimes you have to pay the price to get good assets back as well. We're not denying the fact that Ivan is a good defender and he's put in heavy minutes for us. It's going to be tough to replace him. At this time, we felt that the assets we were getting to build the team we want to build in the future. That was critical and you have to give up good players and good assets in return. You don't get first round picks for players that don't have interest from other teams. You've got to play ball with both sides, and we have to give up a good player for that.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hey, Danny, thanks for doing this. I was just curious. In your conversations with Ivan, did he express the desire for a change of scenery? Just how were your conversations with him leading up to the off-season and in the days leading up to this trade?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I'm not gonna get into the details of that. All I'd like to say is thanks to Ivan for being a great soldier for a lot of years. At this time, we felt it was the best of interest for everybody to make this trade.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is a pretty significant move for you guys. You've used the word rebuilding a couple of times since you took over as GM, including today. Is this the first of many moves you're planning to make between now and the draft? Do you envision this being the start of kind of what you want to do as far as reshaping the team?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">If it makes sense. It all depends if things make sense. We felt this trade made sense at this time for us. That's why we moved ahead. Like I've said earlier, there's always two sides to it - three sides in this case – so you never know. If it makes sense and there's a good return on other things, we'll consider it, but it's too early to tell.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Does having a second first round pick in this year's draft - it's considered an incredibly deep crop - how important was that to get this as part of the deal for Ivan?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">That was the key part of the deal. We have the chance to get a really good player when you're drafting in the top-10 this year in this crop, but it's a deep draft, and we felt we wanted to acquire another pick in the first two rounds, not having a second rounder this year. So, having a chance to get number 22 was critical to the deal for us.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can you tell us a little bit about the defensive prospect, Grans, that you got back? What are your impressions of him? Have you seen him personally play and what can you tell us about him?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">No, unfortunately, I haven't seen him play. I had to rely on our scouts for him. I'm excited. He was a second-round pick, an early second-round pick, by the Kings. A right-shot defenseman - premium position - and a tall, lanky body so I can't wait to see him play. I don't know too much at the moment, so I'd be lying to you. I’ll wait and reserve my comments for after I have the chance to watch him a little bit more.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">You're accumulating a bunch now. You have a couple extra picks this <a name="_Int_s1H8NbzP" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none;">year,</a> you have extra picks next year. Is this something where you would potentially consider maybe putting some of these together to kind of maybe move up in this draft considering how good it is? And is there an appetite for that from other teams to potentially look around and see if teams are interested in doing it?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We're open for business. We'll listen if it makes sense. If the value is there for us, definitely. That's kind of the luxury of having a lot of picks, and unfortunately, in the situation we're at when you finish a little lower in the standings, you have better picks. It's good and it's bad. You have to suffer for it. Nothing's off the table on our side.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ivan is only 26. Was there any belief or thought that he had stagnated in his development and progression? I mean, it's not often, even if a franchise is rebuilding, that they trade a 26-year-old number one defenseman.</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The points may make it look that way, but also, he wasn't really put in a position to succeed. What I mean by that is he didn't have a lot of power play time, so it's not just about the points for Ivan. He's a hard defender. He never bails and plays hard every single night. We have a lot of respect for that. We still consider him a top pairing for our team, but again, to acquire assets and a first-round pick in a deep draft like this year, you <a name="_Int_WbGymrhd" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none;">have to</a> pay the price and we had to give up on a good player.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Was the situation with Pride Night back in January any factor in the decision to trade him?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">No, it did not factor into the trade.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hey, Danny, just changing gears real quick. In the trade, you got back Cal Petersen, goalie from LA. I guess, where do you see him fitting in? Given the fact that at one time, he was used very highly around the league, obviously now, it seems like his inclusion was more of a salary dump on LA's part, but where do you see him fitting in with you guys?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, it's very interesting. We're not too sure at the moment, we'll give him a chance that will make for a healthy competition at camp. It's a little too early to tell where he's going to fit in. But, you know, like you said, he was a good young goaltender. He had an off year last year, so we'll see where he's at.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I guess kind of as a follow up on that. I know you've answered a few questions about this in the last few weeks. But in the wake of the trade, there were some rumors out there about the status of Carter Hart, obviously adding a goalie in Cal Petersen adds to that. But where are you at right now with Carter? Is he on the block or you guys just in the process of pretty much listening on everyone?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm still in the same spot I was. We're open for business. We listen on everybody. Everybody's being treated the same way for us on our side.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hey, Danny, kind of in a similar vein about Cal Petersen. Obviously, you guys trade out a, you know, significant contract in Provorov, but you take back the five million in Petersen. With you guys probably not contending for the next couple of seasons. Are you more willing to take on contracts like that, you know, you get that short term kind of a contract to get maybe some extra pieces? Is that kind of where you guys are right now?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think it's a deal that was helping all sides. Columbus wanted their defenseman, we were looking to acquire young assets, either draft pick or young guys. For LA, it was a chance to create cap space, you know, for what they want to do. So, for us, it made a lot of sense acquiring a young guy and a lot of draft picks in the process.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Where</span></b><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> do you think Cam York is in terms of readiness? More minutes? More responsibility? It's going to kind of be a group effort to do that without Ivan. And do you feel that younger defensively? Zamula, once he's fully rehab, or Attard, are ready to step up to the NHL level as full-time players?</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, we certainly hope so. We want to give our young guys a look. A bigger look. Cam York had a tough training camp. He went down, put his time in in the minors, really came back rejuvenated and was a great player for us. He's obviously an important part of the future for the Flyers. Egor Zamula, like you mentioned, Ronnie Attard and Emil Andrae – there’s other young defensemen that are coming up that are still in college or juniors that will also get looks eventually. I'm not saying right away next year but eventually. I mean it's exciting and you don't know sometimes, you look at last year where a guy like Tippett got the chance to play more and showed what he was capable of. Same thing with Morgan Frost, Noah Cates, Travis Konecny – so a lot of the young guys took a big step forward, especially upfront last year with having more opportunities. We hope we can do the same in the future with our defensemen. Now, there might be some nights where it's going to be tough but we want to see and have a clear idea of where our defensemen can stand. Hopefully, we give them the chance to show us that.</span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Danny, can you take us through this kind of deal from an internal standpoint, especially with Keith at the Stanley Cup Final? Did that make things more difficult? How much was he involved in the process of this?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv9182289998MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">No, actually, with Keith, it’s great. We're probably on the phone four or five times a day. And to go in deeper with that, it's been pretty amazing. Dan Hilferty was kept in the loop, Keith Jones was kept in the loop the whole time and brought in some good ideas. Same with John Tortorella. But if I went even deeper than that, the amazing part with this is how the different departments were involved. Obviously, the guys in my area and assistant GM, to the guys around me, were really involved, but our amateur scouts were involved with the picks, with the young players, what they remembered. Our pro scouts were really helpful with some of the players involved. And our analytics department was really, really creative helping with that deal. So, it's pretty cool how different departments kind of came together. Everybody was involved. It was definitely a team-oriented trade that we came up with. Pretty exciting how the team came together.</span></span></p><p><br /></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-74623050203720471252023-05-12T17:06:00.034-07:002023-05-12T17:15:51.504-07:00 Philadelphia Flyers: Realistic New Era of Orange Begins<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KJobslNTDphlFK1gIt-SFLqeXax-ybZeawY05XgCaw4w4H37p-fQJ9jYiBtgCCKvL_gg7owmGd9cBCqmbMMxz_nTOCM4MtnOqp5uJ83F5nb34FmdHIy9uDBo96fM3h1YxtjUK5quY_4R1QnPtMkLonpt-NP8aalFp6VW2jS1p3CRc_MErsFnQVUQ/s2048/Jones%20and%20Briere%20presser%20-%20May%2012,%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KJobslNTDphlFK1gIt-SFLqeXax-ybZeawY05XgCaw4w4H37p-fQJ9jYiBtgCCKvL_gg7owmGd9cBCqmbMMxz_nTOCM4MtnOqp5uJ83F5nb34FmdHIy9uDBo96fM3h1YxtjUK5quY_4R1QnPtMkLonpt-NP8aalFp6VW2jS1p3CRc_MErsFnQVUQ/w640-h360/Jones%20and%20Briere%20presser%20-%20May%2012,%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(John Tortorella, Keith Jones, Dan Hilferty, Danny Briere, and Valerie Camillo.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers.)</div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">The </span><a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/" style="font-size: xx-large;">Philadelphia Flyers</a><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> are determined to rebuild the roster. The organIzation also intends to reset its internal barometer and earn the trust of its fans. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The introduction of now-General Manager Danny Briere and President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones was a watershed moment in May 2023. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dan Hilferty, Comcast Spectacor Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Governor Valerie Camillo, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Alternate Governor, and Head Coach, John Tortorella, sat on the dais on the floor of the Wells Fargo Center that opened in 1996 (then known by a different corporate sponsor's name). The Flyers were in the midst of the Eric Lindros era during the stadium's inaugural season (1996-97). A Stanley Cup Final appearance against the Detroit Red Wings followed that spring. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PHI/history.html">A quarter-century-plus</a> has passed. Only one other Stanley Cup Final appearance happened since then (2009-2010), with the trophy awarded to Philadelphia's opponent, the Chicago Blackhawks. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hilferty was hired, in part, because of his corporate success in the region. Camillo is credited with overseeing the complete renovation of the Center, with hundreds of millions invested. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jones was hired because of his intellect, deep hockey ties, and earned goodwill across the League. The statements made about Jones' position and the ones he made himself were particularly informative. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Briere has steadily worked his way up the ladder during a period of multiple changes in the organization. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hilferty termed Tortorella the franchise's “spiritual leader”.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The presser projected realism, organization, and a request for patience. The specific mentions of the Flyers' glory days and respect offered for the alumni sent a message that the past will be honored, while also incorporating modern methods that are part of today's game. The future will now unfold in a direction that, like life, is unpredictable. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The following was provided courtesy of the Flyers media relations department:</span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><a name="_Hlk134806036" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><u style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia Flyers ‘New Era of Orange’ Executive Leadership</span></span></u></b></a></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Valerie Camillo:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the new Wells Fargo Center. Many of us were here pretty late last night. Exciting game, I think I got out of here around 11 o'clock. Didn't get the outcome we wanted for the Sixers, but we wish them the best of luck in game seven up in Boston on Sunday, and hopefully they'll bring the Eastern Conference Finals back to the Wells Fargo Center. But today is about the Philadelphia Flyers, and it's about making this the toughest, loudest building in the NHL once again. Joining me on stage we have Coach John Tortorella, who is setting a new standard and new expectations on the ice for the Flyers, began great work doing that this past season. Two individuals I’ll introduce shortly, and Dan Hilferty, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor, and Governor of the Flyers. Since joining, Dan has made a tremendous impact. He has a reputation for organizational excellence that he's bringing to this organization, and also for creating top notch teams, as we're about to introduce to you today. So please welcome Dan as he is going to share our bold vision for a New Era of Orange. Please welcome Dan Hilferty.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Thank you, Valerie. Good morning, everyone. I am absolutely thrilled to have you all here today. This is an exciting day. We are on the cusp of a New Era of Orange. I'm excited to say more about our future in a moment. But first, I want to acknowledge our amazing, amazing past. I like to remind people what is past is prologue. I say that quote and I think of Ed and the entire Snider family. What Ed Snider Youth Hockey and Education has done has transformed the lives of so many. Thank you Scott Tharp, Bill Whitmore, Cindy Stutman and Flyers Charities and many others for your tremendous commitment. I think of Brad Marsh. Brad, are you here? Where are you, Brad? Brad Marsh. This is about more than a game of hockey, and the Flyers alums exemplify that in all they do for the community. The Flyers and this community, this city, we're deeply connected. You can't say one without the other. First, I want to discuss the search process that got us here today. Special thanks to Neil Glassberg and to Billy King of Modern for your assistance along with my colleagues, Valerie Camillo and John Master. It was a great process. You see our leadership vision centers around one word – collaboration. There will be total alignment – not perfect – but there will be total alignment between hockey operations and business operations. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate, and I have a bit of a talent – the ability to assemble collaborative teams that achieve great things together. My philosophy is simple. We are stronger when we are together. Magic. Magic happens. Takes time, but magic happens when talented leaders unify toward a collective goal. For us, it's about winning, or developing a winning culture for our beloved Flyers. We're pretty lucky. We already have two outstanding leaders in Valerie Camillo and Coach Tortorella. Our search for leaders in hockey ops was about constructing the best team. We looked for individuals with complementary skills, personalities, and experiences. This was about putting the right people in place to rebuild this team and sustain a winning culture. One thing we heard from a number of candidates who asked the question, are the Flyers for sale? Let me emphatically say – no. Comcast Spectacor intends to have a long and successful run as owner the Flyers. Today, today we start a new chapter, but before we get to that, I have a message for our fans. You, fans of the Philadelphia Flyers, are the heartbeat of this team. Everything we do has to be for you. When I think of our passionate diehard fans, I think of Rick Genslinger, owner of Slinger’s Broad Street Bar in Reading – I haven't been there yet, but I'm up for a road trip – who only got to stay up late as a kid if it was to watch the Flyers with his father. The Hart family, Gene and his daughter Lauren, who devoted their lives and voices to this team. Pat Smart, a season-ticket holder for 15 years, who enjoys bringing his grandkids to Section 107 right behind you each year. Our 30 charter members who have each held season tickets for more than 50 years. Zachary Wertz, our Make A Wish kid last season whose wish wasn't to go to Disney World, it was to skate with the Philadelphia Flyers. Sean, Rasmus, Nick, you have a responsibility to these young people because they're not just watching your game, they're watching you to learn about life. So, thank you for the leadership that all of your teammates will play in making that happen. Also, to the more than 100 high school players here with us today, whose hard work led them to win their divisions of the Flyers Cup Championship. Let's give the champions a round of applause.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also count myself among those lifelong fans. As a freshman at St. Joseph's University, I decided to skip two classes with a group of friends to drive into Center City, Broad Street, for the second parade in 1975. We all have different hometowns and histories, but we're all united in our passion for the Philadelphia Flyers. So, I share our new leadership mentality. The message to our fans is this – we need you, we want to make you proud to wear orange and black. We intend to compete at a high level year after year, we will do things the right way on and off the ice, and we promise to be transparent along the way. This will not be perfect. No human organism is perfect. It will take time, so be patient with us, but know that our goal is singular – to deliver a championship or more and to be the envy of the NHL. You'll notice that we've introduced a new theme – the New Era of Orange. Like I said earlier, what is past is prologue. The New Era of Orange is about setting a new path forward while respecting the rich history of this franchise. I want to recognize and thank many of the alumni in the room with us today. Thank you, thank you for your time, your energy and your passion. In particular, I am deeply inspired by the work of the Flyers Warriors program. This program connects with veterans and teaches them about learning and playing team hockey, while also focusing on their own, their friends, their families, behavioral and mental health. I'd like to point out two members of the Flyers family whose children are currently serving in the military, and I'm sure there are others. So, this is for each of you too. The first is Franny Shielding, who works in the executive offices here, whose son Steven is serving our country in the Navy. And the second is Coach John Tortorella, whose son serves in the US Army. What you do with the Warriors alums is so important. Let's give a round of applause to everyone who serves our military. To alumni near and far, we greatly appreciate your support and loyalty. You never gave up, and neither will we. In selecting two of your fellow alums, be assured the traditions will be honored and determination will be the hallmark of this team. I know some people are thinking “here they go again, hiring two former Flyer players isn't a fresh start”. Let me share with you that during the process, our goal was to hire the two best candidates. It just happens that they're former Flyers. We were inspired by the titans who won us championships in 1974 and ‘75. We need to channel the spirit of those early years as we build anew. Equally, we need to embrace today's modern game, one that requires speed, power, and strategy like never before. Before we make the introductions, I want to explain how this group will work together. We've been very thoughtful in how we constructed the leadership team. Keith in his new role will lead the big picture. Here's what that means. Number one, implementing the organizational vision and plan alongside the leadership team. Collaborating with Coach Tortorella and Danny Briere about the team. Collaborating with business ops and Valerie Camillo on the strategic direction and collaborating with the League when necessary. Three, connecting with business leaders, corporate partners, and other teams and fans. That will be the President, Keith’s, role. Danny as General Manager will oversee all hockey decisions. This includes signings, trades, the Draft, as well as overseeing scouting, player development, and roster construction. He will apply the data and analytics along with Coach Torts’ view of the eye test to create the best decision related to the roster and the future of the Flyers. Coach Torts is the bench boss, and he decides what happens on the ice. Make no mistake about it – John Tortorella is our spiritual leader. This is a model that has worked successfully for other organizations, and I feel certain it will work really well with these three individuals at the helm. Hockey leadership will work in lockstep with Valerie and me. Valerie oversees business strategy on and off the ice for the team and the arena. She was hugely successful in overseeing the nearly $400-million project to transform this building into the new Wells Fargo Center. I'm so proud to work alongside her. The two gentlemen about to be introduced know what playing Flyer hockey is all about. Their names are familiar to fans and around the league. I can assure you, they bring a fresh perspective and what it takes to restore a winning tradition. We are one unit, and we will be one unit with a common goal in mind to bring a Stanley Cup back to Philadelphia. Thank you very much.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Valerie Camillo:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> So now we'd like to introduce our new General Manager. It was clear to all of us from the start that Danny Briere was the right person for this job. He is brilliant. He is data driven. He is analytical. He's hard working. He's a great guy. I've known him for going on almost five years, and he is ready to rebuild this team into a perennial contender. He has an impressive career, incredibly impressive, both off and on the ice. He spent 17 years as a professional, six as a Flyer. A multi-time all-star and a playoff legend. When the lights are the brightest, Danny Briere is at his best. Off the ice he's a natural leader, a strategic thinker. He spent eight years in the front office in a variety of roles. Learned about the business, learned analytics, learned about hockey operations. He knows the organization inside and out. He's never stopped learning, always striving for continuous improvement, exemplified by his continuing education at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. And he's the proud husband to Misha, and if it's possible to be more impressive than Danny, you should meet Misha, who served our country proudly in the Air Force. And he’s Dad to four sons. Danny is the right person for this job at exactly the right moment. He understands today's game, he understands today's players, and he knows what it takes to build a Stanley Cup contender. It is my absolute honor to please help me welcome join us officially as the General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, Daniel Briere.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Daniel Briere:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Thank you, Val. Dan, also. Thank you everyone for coming out today for this big announcement, and especially a big thank you to my family – my wife Misha, and my four boys – who have been very supportive of my path throughout my career, both as a player and over these last several years, building a career to be able to reach this point. It's pretty cool to be to be here again, not on the ice, per se, but in this building on the ice. I have so many great memories of playing some great moments in this building. But I remember when I retired, I was fortunate enough to start in the offices up here and probably with a lot of you that are here in attendance. That's when I realized – first of all I met some great, great people. I saw a whole new side of the team and just how everyone works outside of the locker room, behind the scenes to really make a team successful. Jonesy, I am so excited to have you as our President of Hockey Operations. I've always admired your mind, the way you think the game, especially the way not that you only break down all aspects of the game, but how you translate it to your audience to make it relatable to them. It's one of the many reasons why you're well known and so respected in all corners of the hockey world. I'm looking forward to working with you. With this leadership group in place, we're going to do this right and together. If there's one message that I want to send out today, especially to our most loyal fans, is that you have my full attention. It's been an incredible honor to serve the last two months as the GM of the team, and the fact of the matter is that it's only made me hungrier to turn this thing around. We are on our way already, and I consider it my highest duty to rebuild and restore this team to it’s winning ways for years to come. Thank you, and I look forward to this summer and the start of a new Flyers era. Thank you.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Valerie Camillo:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> So now I'd like to introduce our President of Hockey Operations. For this search, we were looking for someone who could not only succeed in the position, but also be a great complement to Danny and Torts’ unique skill sets, and no one fits that bill better than Keith Jones. Keith spent 12 years as a player, many more in the broadcast booth, and he's steeped in the game of hockey in a way that few others are or could ever be. Ask anyone around the NHL – and believe us, we did – Keith Jones is a great guy. He's a great, smart hockey mind. He's hardworking, tenacious, greatly respected. As a player he never let up. He played through injuries, he was very difficult to play against making the lives of our opponents quite miserable. And as a national broadcaster, he got to know the league inside and out. During the interview process, what shone through was his intelligence, his passion, his kindness, and his understanding of all aspects of the game, including the business side. He's collaborative, and he's focused, laser-like focused on returning this organization to glory. Keith is the kind of person we want in this organization. He treats everyone with respect and kindness, and he cares. He's passionate about the Flyers. He's also a devoted husband to Laura, and Dad to Adrian. I'm honored to introduce our new President of Hockey Operations, Keith Jones.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Keith Jones:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Thank you, everyone. Very proud and very humbled to be up here as the President of Hockey Operations, very surreal. I want to thank my wife, Laura, my daughter, Adrian, for encouraging me to do this. I've been away a lot over the last 23 years. I thought I was going to spend some more time at home – that's not the case. We have a lot of work to do. I am thrilled to be able to give back to this city what it's given to me. We have an alumni that is strong, we're going to get stronger. We have people that have been around here and supported us throughout the years. We want you to know that we love you. We want our players to know that we love you. We want this to be a city that everyone wants to come to. When I arrived here in Philadelphia 25 years ago, I flew in from Colorado, a tremendous franchise. When I got the call and was informed it's the Philadelphia Flyers, I couldn't get here fast enough. When I landed here, I looked around at the city and I said, “I just can't believe I'm part of the Philadelphia Flyers”. We are going to get back to that. It's got away from us. We are off to a very good start based upon what happened last year. I'm arriving at the right time, and I'm convinced that together, collaboratively, we are going to get there. That is one of my greatest strengths. Much easier to talk about other people, and a lot more uncomfortable to have people talk about you in a nice way like all of these people have. But I am promising you that we're going to get it right together. This is not my team. This is our team. And I look forward to working with everybody, everyone that's here. The Philadelphia Flyers are coming back. Thank you.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Keith Jones, Danny Briere – welcome home. Although you've been here, Danny, we're looking forward to an exciting time. I'd like to close with a brief quote from the great Ray Bourque, and it's in Jonesy's autobiography – Steve Coates has copies available for anybody who would like to purchase one, $65. “If there is any one lesson sports can teach children and adults, it is togetherness. To stick it out in bad times, in good times, and to face a challenge with a unified resolve.” I firmly believe as a fan of the Flyers, this team will work hard, will do it tirelessly, and collaborate around making the Flyers the envy of the NHL. Thank you very much.</span></span></span></p><p align="center" class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Joe Siville:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Okay, now we'll open up for question and answers from the media. Please remember to take one of the microphones to ask your question and hand it back to one of the employees. And please also remember to direct your question to one or more of the individuals on stage.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is for Keith. You've had such a long, storied career as a broadcaster. Why now step out of that role to take on this sort of project?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Keith Jones:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Yeah, it's a great question, Adam, thank you for that. It was not an easy decision, but this is the only team that I would have ever thought about doing something like this. I would not have interviewed anywhere else. I have only done my job on television to do my job on television. I never campaigned to get in a position to take a job like this. I just wanted to do the best job I could in relaying the message to our fans here in Philadelphia on what our team was doing on the ice. When the opportunity arose, I did think about it for about a minute – and that's stretching it, it might have been 10 seconds – the answer was yes. After a long and grueling interviewing process, it is here now and I couldn't be happier about it.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is for Dan Hilferty. You mentioned about the distribution of roles and the importance of collaboration between the GM and the President of Hockey Operations. I'm curious in terms of the organizational hierarchy, is the President of Hockey Operations going to be above the GM? Will the President of Hockey Operations have hiring and firing responsibilities? Is that what Keith's role is going to be?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Yes, I think in terms of the President of Hockey Operations, that person, Keith, is the leader of the team. So that would include all aspects of team building, setting a vision, as I said earlier, and also hiring or firing.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This question is for Danny. You mentioned two months you've had the job. What have you learned through that two months to kind of prepare you as we get into the Combine, the Draft, and the offseason moving forward here?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Daniel Briere: </span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">I learned a lot, obviously. Managing the front office, obviously. But you know, I have been around for a long time. I've seen different ways of doing things. I have a great team around me to help me. I think I was fortunate to have seen and been around this organization the last few years to know what areas we need to improve on, what areas we need to focus on. So that that makes me feel more comfortable in the job coming in. Certainly, very excited about it.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This question is for Dan Hilferty. Can you just take us into what the interview process was like? How many candidates were up for the position, and what led you to Keith Jones?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Well, the process was an exhaustive one. We started thinking about it right when Danny was named interim General Manager. It was Valerie and myself. I mentioned earlier the group that was involved. The first thought was we wanted to cast a wide net. That's why we met with a number of search firms – three to be exact – and we landed on Modern and Billy King who is a well-known name here, and we also wanted to have someone who was well known, very active in the hockey community. We worked with Neil Glassberg to support us in the effort. Modern began the effort of reaching out to potential candidates. We took ideas from many sources, alums, former players, others in the hockey community, and I won't give you the exact number, but it was exhaustive, and the net was wide. We landed on a smaller group that Modern led some interviews with, and then we came to a final three that we had a day of interviews with, follow up interviews, and came to the conclusion that Keith Jones was the best candidate for the job.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This question is for Keith. You bring an interesting perspective to this role, obviously you’ve spent the last number of years in broadcasting. What kind of tools and what kind of knowledge have you gained from broadcasting that can help you succeed in this role?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Keith Jones:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> In that role, I was able to meet everyone. Everyone in the game – from general managers, to head coaches, to presidents – and have conversations with them, kind of continuing to learn as I went. I also had a view from upstairs for many games and watching players perform, and part of that job is to analyze and recognize what certain players do that you like, and what certain players do that might not fit into something that you would be looking to build on your team. Having that insight has been really valuable. The fact that a lot of them are my friends from even my playing days is really helpful. I’m incredibly honored with the fact that my friend group has been very successful in hockey. Craig Berube as a head coach, one of my best friends. Rick Tocchet as a head coach, Joe Sakic in Colorado, General Manager, Stanley Cup winning General Manager and player, Chris Drury, Tom Fitzgerald, Luke Richardson coaching, Rod Brind'Amour coaching. I've had an opportunity to not just play with – I'm going to forget some people along the way – but I've really been blessed that I've had an opportunity to learn from their character and they're educated, they're really smart people, and I've really been involved with them for a long time. From a league perspective, I've gotten to know the Commissioner Gary Bettman at a different level. He is a tremendously bright man, and I've learned a lot in any discussion I've ever had with him. So, I have relationships league wide, and I think some of those will come in handy in this position. I look forward to furthering those relationships as I get started.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Going off that same question, in the job description, it said you'll be in charge of leading the strategic direction of the hockey operations side as well as collaborating on the business side. In your experiences as a broadcaster, a player, or outside of that, where did you gain the qualifications for that?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Keith Jones:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Teamwork. It's one of the most important things, I think, in anything that we do in life, and I always encourage kids to play sports because you learn how to be a member of a team. No matter what your role is and whatever level you're at in your life, your role may increase as you get better at what you're doing, as you become a more important person. I want to make sure that people within our organization can grow. I want you to be patient in your willingness to grow, and I think it's important that you do your job that you're being asked to do right now and then when it's time for you to advance, we're going to make sure you can advance, but I want people to love working here. I want that to translate to great messaging from leaving our building when they walk out of here. So, I think that's probably something, but the most important thing I think, is collaboratively working together, and that's something I've done in every job that I've had in my life. Whether I was playing or my post playing career in television, I'm quite confident that if you asked anyone I worked with, that's the message that you're going to get.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Collaboration being a buzzword here today, how do you see it from the business side? What can happen there for both sides to kind of work together? How do you envision that happening now going forward that maybe wasn't as easy to do previously?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Valerie Camillo:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> I think it's about partnership, and it's already begun. I actually was just talking to Keith yesterday, we were having some conversations on the business side with the NHL about future marquee games that the Flyers might participate in, be that outdoors or international, and he was the first call that I made to say, “how do you feel about this? Are you excited about it?” because we want to be in lockstep on everything. Our marketing campaigns are another example of that. Our marketing personality should reflect the personality of the team and how these guys feel about the vision going forward. Just in each and every thing that comes up on the business side that's relevant to what they're working on, it's going to be my first call, and Keith has told me the same on his side.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a follow up for Dan Hilferty. You had mentioned earlier that this is a model that has worked with other organizations, yet it's still one that's kind of unique in and of itself in the way that you described the roles that you have here. Do you look at it as something that could be a model that other people will then try to follow, as opposed to you guys trying to follow a role that other organizations have put together? Does that make sense the way I'm asking that?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> It does make sense. If it works, I hope not. I hope they don't follow it, because we don't want others to emulate what we're doing. Although that's not true. I'm thinking about the question you asked Valerie, I really believe this, we all come to any endeavor with certain gifts and talents, and others do as well, and I was thinking, as Valerie was answering, there's going to be times when the three hockey leaders – we don't belong in the room. So we have to be sensitive and understand that hockey leads hockey, and we on the business side have a responsibility to do everything in our power to support the hockey side being successful. It's about both understanding our roles, and being willing to let others lead when they have an expertise or a talent that can lead us. I know it sounds trite, maybe, but it really has worked for me in other industries. I mean, I'm just a fan though, when it comes to hockey, I'm the last person you should ask about hockey. But I do know that the most successful organizations in the world are organizations where people band together and understand each other’s skills and let each other lead when it's their turn to lead.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This question is for Dan Hilferty, as well. When you mentioned about the process, you spoke mostly of the President of Hockey Operations hiring process. Did you interview anyone else for GM, or were you pretty much settled on Danny? And if you were settled on Danny, what gives you the confidence that he is the right guy to be the full time GM?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> I can only answer from my perspective. When the transition in leadership was going on in hockey, I was simply just trying to find my way around the building. Dave Scott was really great about educating me as he and others were thinking about who's the next leader from a General Manager perspective. I got to know Danny, I can tell you from a personal point of view, watching him as a leader, as a well-organized, experienced person in the space, interim tag or not, I can tell you from the first day that we really interacted, I viewed him as the next GM of the Philadelphia Flyers. So, the process went on in my head, conversations with Valerie, just watching how he and Torts interacted, we just felt strongly there was no need for a process. We had our General Manager.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This question is for Danny. You got a front row seat to seeing one individual be both the General Manager and the President. Now having those roles split into two hires, how do you envision that being beneficial to you in your role and being able to focus on the construction of the roster?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Daniel Briere:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> I believe in teamwork, just like Jonesy has said. Having someone of his stature come in being involved with our team – everybody that's going to be part of it – but to add Keith there in the room, I'm ecstatic about it. I'm so excited just listening to his opinion over the years, having a chance to be around him with some alumni stuff that we've done over the years, I can't be any happier than to have them around there. So, I have no worries that it's going to work. Again, teamwork, having Torts’ point of view, his point of view. We've said it before, I don't want people around me that are just yes-men or yes-women. It's including everybody. I want different opinions. I want people to bring their own vision, and we'll come up with the right answer.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This question is for John. Historically, coaches have always had a seat at the table, but maybe not had as much of a voice. Do you almost feel like working in this collaborative environment that you're going to get a little bit more of a voice and be heard a little bit more than maybe coaches are used to being heard in this league?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">John Tortorella:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> The way I look at this hire, which is just a fantastic hire both ways – Danny was the GM for me, interim tag or not. We have gone about our business that way from day one. Bringing on Jonesy here, the thing – and Danny just touched upon it – I think what you have here are two strong hockey minds, and personalities not being afraid to shed their opinion in discussions. I think that is going to be so productive. It may be all five of us at certain times, but sometimes we will tell Dan and Valerie “get out of here, we need to talk about this”, and everybody I think has the personality to voice their opinion, and not just agree along the way. I think that's how you solve problems. I think that's what the process is about. I'm thrilled. The time I've spent with Danny, I'm so excited to work with him because I think he's got such a great mind. This guy here has followed the league and his job for years, as he just stated – talking to coaches, GMs, understanding player systems, all that. That is so important to get his view. We're going to have some arguments along the way, and that's healthy. But to know that we're in it together, I'm thrilled. And I want to make a point. I don't want to speak out of turn, but I don't get sometimes in this process when people start talking about Flyers, alumni, Jonesy, an ex-Flyer, Danny, an ex-Flyer, what has happened? Why do people think that they're diseased? If you’re an ex-Flyer and you come from the organization that you shouldn't be in this organization, that we need to look outside? I'm not sure who said it here, but it's the person you're looking at. I'm proud that they are Flyers. I'm proud of these guys over here, and other alumni that care about this organization. That's what thrills me the most. I think we have strong personalities and I think they care, and I don't get some of the thinking out in this city. “Oh, it's an ex-Flyer again, they're doing it the same way”. God damn. It is so important to have that belief. I'm thrilled. I can't wait to get to work and already starting to do it.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">John, you've been around a long time. Danny's new to his role. Keith's new to his role. Does that change anything for you when you do have that voice at the table? Where, we talk about rookies and veteran players, it's sort of a similar situation where you're the veteran with two rookies. Does it change anything for you at all as far as when you go into those meetings or have those discussions?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">John Tortorella:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Nope. We're going to have those discussions as men. Whatever problem or maybe good stuffs going on, we'll discuss it. It's trust. I'm really interested to hear his views. We've already started scratching the surface on a few things and what needs to be done this summer. Danny and I have had some really major conversations on that. Meetings, you strip your symbol off. You're talking as men and talking about the Philadelphia Flyers, how we improve the team. Nothing changes as far as those and I'm sure the same thing they feel about it.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This question is for Keith. I know you'll be involved with the business side a lot, but I'm sure you'll want to have your voice in the hockey side as well. How much trust do you have in Danny to call the shots, make important decisions, and will you want your voice heard too?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Keith Jones:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> I have the ultimate confidence that Danny Briere is the right man for this job. I have had many conversations about hockey with Danny. What impresses me the most about Danny is his mind. What I'm also impressed with is he stayed here. He selected the Philadelphia Flyers to come play for as an unrestricted free agent – could have went anywhere in the league. That tells me a lot. What tells me more is he stayed, and that's what's probably something when I look at Danny Briere that stands out to me. He wanted to be a Flyer. He put the work in, as Valerie mentioned earlier, to become eventually the Flyers General Manager. He's ready for it. I look forward to working with him, and I'm overly impressed with how well prepared he is. We're going to have a lot of discussions in the coming days. I've been away, I've been working. Danny had no idea that I was going to be the guy. So, we're going to get to some real conversations here in the next little while, and I so much look forward to getting to those conversations.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This question is for Dan Hilferty as well. Danny Briere, obviously, was interim GM, Special Assistant to the GM, but doesn't have a ton of experience in an NHL front office. Was it ever a consideration that the President of Hockey Operations needed to be someone who maybe had that hands on experience, or was that not really a consideration in your mind?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> I would say I started by talking about the three roles. For me, it was about leadership skills, and it was about getting the best people that would combine with the other two members. So, I would say I didn't give a lot of thought to having experience in that role before. Heck, I didn't have any experience in this role I've come into. Mine was more about blending the personalities. I said to Torts at one point, he didn't know who I was, but for a couple of months, I could watch him after games, during games. Same with Danny. So for me, it was about finding that person who was the third part of that triumvirate that would make the collective more successful. I would say in that regard, I never considered what the job was before, I just considered what the three together could do.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dan, you were very clear that this rebuild will take time, and sometimes things can get worse before they get better. With that said, in a field where people can be quick to move on from a leadership structure, what are you going to be looking at to make sure they are on the right path, and how will you stay the course, how much leeway will they have?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Well, I'm going to say this, that we all are aligned that this effort, this new era, will take time. I'm going to repeat what folks have said, we're going to do it the right way. We're going to be calculated in everything we do, and we're going to be measured about making steps forward. In terms of coaching, Coach Tortorella is going to make those decisions and develop the team. In terms of putting the team together, the two individuals we introduced today will take that leadership role. From a business perspective, Valerie. My job is just to make sure that we are all on the same page, that Valerie and I are doing what we need to do, and that those in hockey continue to work together to move it forward. It's interesting, I thought of another angle on this. We are all committed within each of our remarks to bringing our fan base along, frankly, having a really positive dialogue with those of you in the media so that you can see what we're doing, why we're doing it, and that yes, it's going to be a multi-year process. I firmly believe, optimistically so, that if we share that with the fans, if we meet them where they are, they'll come along on that journey and get to know our players better, the younger players as they develop. My barometer for success will be just making sure that we continue to work as a team, and that these three professionals working with – I believe – the best leader in sports and entertainment in Valerie, that we are truly moving in the right direction.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This question is for Danny. Any player coming into the league, you ask them what players have influenced them, they'll always give you Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl. Are there any other General Managers in the league right now that have influenced what you want to accomplish as the Flyers’ General Manager?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Daniel Briere:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> Definitely. From the time I started playing, I always saw myself more in the management role than a coach. I was always more interested in how teams were being built. I probably started that when I was with Buffalo, Darcy Regier had an influence. Then I came here and saw how Paul Holmgren was building his team throughout my stay here. Then I went to Montreal with Marc Bergevin, followed there and we got to the Conference Final. I saw how Joe Sakic started his rebuild in Colorado. I was there early on when, probably the second year, maybe, of his rebuild, so I saw how he was doing it. I've always been studying that. That's always an area that I was passionate about. I was not doing it expecting to be a GM one day, but that was certainly something that I hoped that one day I'd have the chance to build my own team.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dan, Presidents of hockey teams can sometimes be recluse and unavailable to the public. How much of an advantage was it going into this process to know that Keith has the ability, not only in terms of a broadcaster, but doing morning radio to kind of be a face, and how much of that do you expect him to do going forward?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> I think that's a great question, a key component of the job. I also think that these three get along so well, that they'll be able to work collaboratively in speaking to the public on a regular basis. Where I thought you were going with the question was, how do I view it? And I mean, when I think of a President of a hockey club – I'm not even getting into the ownership aspect – I think of Ed Snider, and people said to me, “are you going to be like Ed Snider”, and my response is, “I can't be Ed Snider, I can only be myself”. A thing that is apparent to people I work with is I like being out there. So, I'm going to be walking around the arena. I'm going to go to events. My wife got embarrassed two weeks ago because we were leaving to fly to California and anybody that walked into the little waiting area before we got on the plane that had anything that remotely looked like a Flyers garb, I went up and introduced myself. I want that to be what we do as a leadership team, both from a hockey perspective, and from a business perspective. So, I know he's going to be out there. I'm going to be out there too, and I know Valerie is going to be out there, and I know Danny's going to be out there. Torts has a role to –</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">John Tortorella:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> I won't be out there.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Dan Hilferty:</span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"> He won’t be out there. We were all excited when he showed up today.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is for Keith. Dan has talked a lot about today the importance of collaboration in terms of hockey decisions. He also said that Danny is going to be making the trades, the signings, everything like that. Where do you see your role being in terms of influencing what decisions are made on the hockey side?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">Keith Jones: </span></b></span><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; outline: none;">A lot of it will be discussions with Danny. I'm here for Danny Briere, whatever he needs whenever he needs it. I will give my opinion to Danny and Danny will make the final decision on player personnel, trades, etc. He's going to be on the phone a lot. He's going to be busy, there's no doubt, but I will be there for him at all times. That will be my role. I would just like to touch on something. Dan mentioned Mr. Snider's name. This is Mr. Snider's team. This is the Philadelphia Flyers. We're going to work hard to honor that. To get out there for him. He did a lot for all of us, so we're not going to lose sight of that. That's one of the most important messages you can get from leaving here today.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv2298493829MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><br /></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-22557010810393941932023-04-14T17:14:00.003-07:002023-04-14T17:14:56.078-07:00An Important Philadelphia Flyers' Summer Awaits<p><span style="font-size: large;">Danny Briere should have the interim tag removed and become the official General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers. A President of Hockey Operations should be named before the National Hockey League draft, which takes place on June 28 and 29. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But what happens at the NHL's draft lottery, on May 8, could be momentous if they are able to move up to the first or second position. But a good player can be had at seven, eight, or nine, which are the other positions they could pick from depending upon how the lottery goes for Monday nights (at 7 PM) from today.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Flyers finished with the <a href="https://www.nhl.com/standings/2022/league">seventh-worst record</a> (31-38-13, 75 points). That was fourteen points better than <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PHI/history.html">last season</a> and represents reasonable team progress. Credit to head coach John Tortorella and his staff in that regard. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Some expiring contracts will create the natural subtraction Tortorella has referenced on many occasions. There will be trades as well. Free agents will also be acquired. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia has a handful of promising young players on the NHL roster and elsewhere in its system, with credit going to the last few regimes. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Briere and Tortorella appear to be working well together. They both are talking about a handful of seasons being needed to do a proper rebuild of the organization. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following list of end-of-season interviews are courtesy of the Flyers Media Relations department: </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">LW James van Riemsdyk</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know everybody assumes that you probably won’t be here next year, but everybody also assumed you’d be traded. In your mind, have you had talks with the Flyers? Is there any chance that you'll be back here next year, or have they said that they're not interested?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">We haven't really had talks about that. I'm obviously, probably like everyone else, looking at the situation and I'm assuming there's a direction they're going to go as far as being a younger team and still a team that's kind of transitioning to be as young as they can. That's just kind of the way I'm assuming that things will go. I haven't had official things one way or the other, but just assuming that's what's going to happen.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">If that does happen, what is your favorite memory from here?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wow. A lot of great memories. Definitely some early ones I remember. You could look at the Cup run, that was a pretty special time. We were so close. And then just, especially early on I think just a lot of how I was treated by some of the older players was pretty cool. I remember just being here for some of the summers training before the year and especially right before my rookie year where guys like – I remember Jeff Carter would take me out for dinner all the time and to baseball games and stuff like that. And then guys like Prongs and Danny B were really great with me, and Scotty Hartnell – the list goes on and on. Obviously on the ice that Cup run that we had was great, but off the ice a lot of great memories, especially early on. There's been I feel like lots of great groups of guys that I have been able to play with over my time here. So those definitely stand out, just because when you're younger and you're kind of impressionable, I think it really sets the stage for you for the rest of your career when you're around good people and good players. Looking back, I think that definitely helped set me up on a stage to know what it takes to try to be a productive, successful player.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you came back from the injury in December, Torts puts you on line with Tip and Frosty for about five weeks in there, and both of those guys credited your communication with them and your influence on them as one of the reasons why they took off this season. Where did you see Owen and Morgan grow this season?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think for both those guys, obviously they've got the pedigree there. They're both first round picks, huge talents. I think they really got a chance, as far as opportunity wise, to play a little bit more and have that opportunity to get a little more leash, where you were you get thrown back out there a little bit more, and I think they just took it and ran with it. They were fun. We had a lot of success playing together as a line, especially during that stretch that you mentioned. It was fun to play with those guys, and to see the growth in their game and things like that. It'll be fun to watch those guys going forward to see what they can do.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">After the trade deadline, we talked to Torts a few times and he said he felt bad that you didn't get a chance to go to another team and chase down a Cup. Looking back, what were your emotions after the deadline? Were you disappointed that you weren't able to be moved?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m obviously extremely proud to be a Flyer and play for the Flyers for as many games as I have and as many years as I have. That being said, that was probably one of the more disappointing things that I've gone through just for a whole host of different reasons. Definitely disappointed that I wasn't able to get that opportunity.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">After the deadline, Chuck was pretty open about the process and what had happened. Did that hurt, him being as open about being able to trade you? Just in terms of saying that teams didn't have interest and things like that? Usually, GMs aren't that open.</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, I don't know if I want to dive too much into the weeds on some of those things. I know there's lots of different ways to look at the situation. I don't think it's necessarily as cut and dry as it was made out to be after the fact. So yeah, I'd rather not get too far down that road.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other day you said you feel like you have quite a few more goals left in you. You're a guy that's always prepared off the ice, on the ice. Do you have an expectation for how many more years you want to play, and a fit for where you want to go next?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think ultimately for that question, I still love the grind of preparing myself and trying to get better and working at your craft and working at your game, and it's fun to come to the rink and things like that. So, I think again, as long as it's still fun, as long as I can still think I can serve a role and find a good fit on a team, I want to obviously play as long as I can. This is obviously a next stage now for me, going into the summer, going into free agency. For that, you have a little bit of that excitement to see what's potentially out there and how that can all work out. I put a lot of time and thought and effort into preparing myself the best way I can, and I think this is the time when you do that – over the course of a bunch of years – I think this is the time where it starts to pay off. I think I still feel pretty good on the ice and physically and things like that. Obviously, you have the experience and the reps of playing for a long time, so I think that part of your game becomes even more efficient as far as how you play the game and knowing the right places to be and things like that so you don't have to be skating around like a dog off the leash. Definitely excited for what's next.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You talked the other day about how much it meant to get that career goal in this organization. You've been around a long time, but just this season alone, how much did it mean to you – just along with the goal and just kind of being a mentor to some of those young players – maybe knowing that this was going to be it for you in Philadelphia?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Certainly, it was a transitionary year for the for the organization. To be a part of that, and obviously, you want to prepare yourself the best way that you can and approach it like you do. Again, I think you have to have that no matter what the situation is – what situation, what things are going on around you – I think you have to have that approach to try to play along. I don't know if I answered your question or not. To play here for as many years as I have, for as many games as I have, I definitely take a lot of pride in that, and I’ll always look back on that fondly.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you came back here in 2018, the team was coming off a 98-point season, there's a lot of hope at that point of taking those next steps. When you look at your second tenure here – obviously there's the COVID thing, there's the bubble, all those strange experiences, but also a lot of exciting times in your own personal life, too – do you look at these as have been positive years for you on the whole?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coming back here, like you said, I had a lot of pride of being a Flyer the first time, and I think part of the reason why I came back here was ultimately having a bitter – not a bitter taste but wanting to really – I was drafted here and wanted to try to be part of a solution going forward to win and things like that. I came here with the best of intentions and approached it the best way I could as far as trying to be the best player I could to help the team win games. Like you mentioned, looking back, it was lots of different things happened between, if you look at COVID, coaching changes, GM changes, different guys, kind of pillars that have been here coming and going. I added a couple of kids to my family, things like that. So definitely a lot to unpack there, but everything happens for a reason. I just try to enjoy each part and keep things in perspective, whether good or bad. I think just kind of helps you try to have that appreciation for things, especially when things aren't going as well. It definitely makes you appreciate things when they are going a little bit better. I think everything's sort of a learning experience and I had a chance to grow and things like that, so I think that's kind of the way I try to look at it when things maybe go a little sideways sometimes.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Four or five days ago, you dropped the gloves and stood up for Scott Laughton. How much did playing with Scott Laughton mean to you?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">He's going to be a lifelong friend. One of my closest friends. I still remember before free agency, I was up – didn't know him at all then – but I was up there with Connor brown and a few of their other buddies playing on a softball team with them right before free agency starts, and we were just chatting with him a little bit. Just about what it's like with the Flyers and things like that at that point since I had left. I've gotten really close with him, and it's been a lot of fun playing with him. Like I said, we'll have a lifelong friendship and had a lot of good times over these last five years.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">C Sean Couturier</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You've already sort of moved into offseason mode. You talked about that last time that you were with us. How are you feeling, and how excited are you to get back to training, knowing that there's a really good chance you'll be healthy back here next season?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel great. I feel like I've pretty much done a full offseason of training already and I’m starting again. I'm already excited for camp, and obviously it’s a big summer of training for me. I’m going to work extremely hard to get back to the pace of the game. Just looking forward to next year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You talked about before the decision was made that one of the reasons why you wanted to play at the end of the year was you just felt like it would get you in the right frame of mind for the summer, just knowing you can play, knowing you can make it back. Knowing how important of an offseason this is for you in terms of preparing, how do you attack the offseason without the benefit of that better frame of mind by playing in a few games?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Probably just going to have to skate a little more. I've trained a lot in the last year and a half, and I feel strong again, I feel back 100%. So, it's just a matter of getting back to the level of a high NHL player. It's going to be on me to just get ready. Obviously, I'm disappointed I couldn't get into a few games and see where I'm at, but only time will tell if it was a benefit or not. We’ll see next year, but I'm for sure going into this offseason motivated and with a lot to prove coming into next year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You mentioned how you want to be a part of this rebuild, you want to go through the tough times and not just come back when things are good again. Does the talk of rebuild really provide extra motivation for you?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think so. Rebuild or not, for me anyways, in the situation I'm in with the two back surgeries, it's important to come back strong and show that I can be the player I was before the injury. We're using the rebuild word, but I think it's on us players to just make sure we come ready, and we can maybe speed up the process. That's on us to just develop and grow as a team, and we'll see how it goes next year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">Is</b><b style="outline: none !important;"> there a feeling on your part - obviously, you missed all of this year, a lot of last year – that if you can come back the player you were, that maybe a rebuild isn't necessary in the way that people are thinking about it, because you can give this team enough of a boost to get it going quicker?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not going to be saving this organization coming back. I think it's important to do this rebuild the right way. What I'm saying is, if you look at kind of like New York a couple years ago, they send out that letter and you think it's a big rebuild – three, four years – and next thing you know they're in the playoffs the following year, two years later, and they've been good since. It’s like I said, things can change quick in the NHL. We've seen it the last two, three years, we were supposed to be one of the top-end teams and we went to the bottom of the standings. It's on us as a team, as players, as an organization to switch it around and get back to where this organization belongs.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">You had</b><b style="outline: none !important;"> a unique perspective in that you got to watch the games this year. Just from watching all the games, are there areas that you think the team needs to grow in? And what are those areas, do you think?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">We've had a lot of young guys, a lot of call-ups, that got chances. I think if you look individually, I think guys have improved and took a step forward. As a team, I think special teams obviously were a huge part of our success, and of our bad sequences. I think when we were winning a couple of games in a row, you could see the power play was clicking, and then once it wasn't, and the PK is struggling, then we're losing a couple in a row. I think special teams is a big part in today's world – whether it's the players or the way we play – it's something that we definitely got to get better.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">You</b><b style="outline: none !important;"> mentioned you had a unique perspective of being able to watch the younger guys grow. Were there any that really made a jump where you could say, “I want to play with this guy next season” or “I really like what he's going to bring to the team next season”, guys that really kind of stood out to you amongst the younger group that got their chance this year?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, there's obviously Tippett – I think he's a pretty fun player to watch. I haven't seen such a good shot in a while from a young guy, so he's definitely a guy that I'd love to maybe get the opportunity to play with, eventually. There's a lot of guys that I think improved. Catesy’s one that plays a really mature game. I don't know if we'll play together – he's a center as well – but he's really reliable. He does all the little things right, and he's one of those players that you kind of need to build around successful teams and make runs. He's not flashy or anything, but he does all these little things that make a difference in a winning team.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">With regards </b><b style="outline: none !important;">to Cates, you just mentioned him. Do you see a little bit of yourself in him, particularly where you were as a young player?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do, I think. Like I said, he plays a mature game. He's really reliable defensively, and I think he has some undercover really good offensive skills, also. I think if you give him maybe a little more opportunity offensively – power play and stuff – I think he can maybe produce a little more. He’s just one of those guys that you can throw out in any situation, and he'll find a way to succeed. It’s like I said, he's one of those guys that that you need to make runs and win.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">You’ve been under</b><b style="outline: none !important;"> a lot of supervision here by the trainers throughout your rehab. What are your plans for this offseason? Will you continue to train here? Will you go home?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll probably go home eventually. I'll be here for a couple of weeks. Take a couple of weeks off and then start training again. I'm going into this offseason really kind of being done with the rehab part and just getting back to game shape – feeling strong on and off the ice. There's probably definitely going to be a little more follow up with me, but like I said, I feel great. I'm just going into this offseason really just working on my game and coming back the player I was.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">When</b><b style="outline: none !important;"> John Tortorella first started, he had talked about the Flyers culture and wanting to make this team harder to play against, more ready to play. From your perspective off the ice, how much do you think this team really went into that resiliency of always kind of being in games and always able to make those comebacks?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think we've definitely became a harder team to play against, I think. Maybe we're not seeing the results yet, but if you look at the scores and how tight these games are – even playing against some top end teams – we're usually in the game till the end. It's good. We just got to find a way to take it to another level and maybe score a little more goals and be more of a difference.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Will you change anything, tweak anything in how you approach your summer training? I know you guys are such creatures of habit. Will you either start skating sooner, skate with groups of guys, just to kind of – because you're in a different place because you haven’t played, you want to get up to game speed – will you sort of tweak how you kind of do your usual training?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I always try to find a way to improve myself each year, every summer, but this year, obviously, like you said, I'll probably be skating a little more earlier in the summer just to get back to par on the ice. I think that's going to be the biggest thing. Off the ice, I've been working a lot over the last year, year and a half. It's really on the ice that I'll have to focus a little more I think, and work on my skill set and execution and stuff like that. I'm just looking forward to it.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before you left, you guys had a longtime Captain in the room, and you wore a letter yourself. I know Torts has said there's not going to be a Captain next year. You weren't really in locker room this year, focusing on yourself. Do you see yourself as trying, when you go back in there, you're going to have to reestablish who you are in the locker room and maybe adjust to a new leadership structure?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel I have a lot to prove coming into next year. New coach, a lot of new teammates that I got to know over the last year and a half, but a lot of these guys I haven't even played with. Whatever the captain situation is, or leadership group is, I'm still going to be the player and the guy I am and try to lead by example and do the right things all the time. So, doesn't really change much for me.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You made a point to be around the team as much as you could this year. The young guys said that they appreciated the fact that they could kind of pick your brain a bit, but that gets you around the team. Did that help you get through the emotional part of this recovery of having to sit and wait?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think the last month or so, being more around definitely helped. I was focused on coming back till probably two or three weeks ago. That was a little bummer when I found out, but after that it was just kind of just trying to be a part of the team and being a part of the guys and help out in any way I could if needed. It was just nice being back around in that team environment.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cam Atkinson has basically been in the same boat that you were this year. Did you and Cam kind of help keep each other sane as you were rehabbing and working to get back?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, a little bit. We were not together on a daily basis, but it's always nice to have someone. At times I was by myself, and at times there was a bunch of us. You don't want to see everyone in there, but it just helps definitely mental side of things being around the guys.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">C Kevin Hayes</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you look at your season just as a whole, how do you sort of classify it?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ups and downs for sure. It’s weird. Had almost a career year and I was an All-Star, but never really felt like that throughout the whole season to be honest. Like I said, ups and downs. Fun year with these guys. The players on this team work extremely hard, and they love this city, and they love this team. It was a lot of fun.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">John Tortorella has been honest about the team wanting to get younger, and it's gonna take time here. You're going to be 31 I think next month, and you had pretty much a career year. Has anything come to your mind about maybe like you feel like you would be better suited with a contender, or how much do you want to maybe still stay here?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think you guys know how much I love it here. I signed here seven years. Absolutely love this organization. I thought Chuck was great. I loved AV. I know they've both caught a lot of flak here from fans and media. Danny B’s great. The city's awesome. It's a sports town. Like you said, I'm turning 31. I picked up the message that was sent months ago. I'm okay with it. It's their decision. I don't want to say I'm suited for a contender, because I think I'm suited for anyone to be honest. We'll see how that unfolds. Their decisions have probably already been made. We don't know them yet. I'm sure I'll find out around the draft.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Obviously, with all the uncertainty that kind of surrounds your future here, you talked about how much you've enjoyed getting to be in the city. The fans kind of welcomed you right away. What has the fan base meant to you in this city?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">This fan base is one of the best in all sports. I came here not knowing much about Philadelphia as a city. I lived on the East Coast my whole life, but I've never really been to Philly before. It's been amazing. I love where I live. I love the food here. I love the people here. You guys have been pretty good. As a professional athlete, you want to play for a city that kind of lives and dies by sports. The Eagles are in the Super Bowl, the Phillies are in the World Series, the Union whatever their championship is, and the Sixers are good every year. My first couple years here we were great, and it was a lot of fun. Last couple of years have been a little bit of struggle, and it's been just as much fun, so I think a lot of that has to do with the fans in the city and I absolutely loved my time here.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You mentioned about the fact that your first year went really well. Obviously, then things have went down. As someone who's lived it, why do you think things kind of fell apart as quickly as they did after that very first year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's easy to blame it on injuries. You can argue that this year fell apart. I can argue that it was a good year. I was an All-Star earlier in the year and then I don't think I was given the same opportunity late in the year as I was early on, playing with certain players and stuff, but it is what it is. My second year, I tried to battle through an injury. My only regret here was I wish I figured that out earlier than I really did. Then that trickled into my third year. You can argue either way if I had a good year or a bad year this year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">To be clear, I was talking about the team not you.</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought you were talking about me. Well, you got your answer about me. I don’t know. It's crazy, because it's sad. You see the teams that you have and on paper you're supposed to be really good. You get excited for certain trades that happened in the summer and you're like “that's gonna help our team”, and it never just came together. First year we were great. Like I said, we were on an 11-game win streak before COVID hit. We lost to the Bruins, and then we were the one-seed in the playoffs. Since then, it's just kind of all fell apart, but I don't know what the exact reason is. I'm sure you guys can blame Chuck and AV, but I don't think that's the situation. They don't play the games – we do. I don't think they deserve the bad publicity as much as they get. It’s tough to pinpoint, but nothing really seemed to come together. Key injuries. You look at this year, you got Coots and Cam. You can argue they're two of our best players. Last year, I was out for a lot of the season. I don't know if you're gonna argue that I'm one of the best players. Then you make a big trade and get Ryan Ellis, and he's only played four games. On paper, we're a great team, but that's why you play the games, I guess.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You said you could see the message that's being said. It sounds like you don't expect to be here next year. Am I reading that right?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have no idea. I don't make those decisions.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you mean by that? You see the message being sent? The team wanting to be younger, is that what you're saying?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Younger guys are playing. I don't know if they want a guy that's making the money that I'm making playing 9-10 minutes a night. I don't make those decisions – they do, and I'm sure they have to make them pretty quickly. Draft is coming up.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You said that you picked up on that message months ago. Regardless of whether or not that's the reality, how challenging was it for you to continue to show up and be the best version of yourself?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I just focus on being the best teammate. That's what I've been trying to do. My brother taught me that, and it's something that I wear on my sleeve is making sure that everyone in that room feels comfortable every night and can be in the best headspace that they should be in. It's tough when you're getting 22 minutes a night and leading the team in points, and then you wake up, you get back from All-Star break, and you're playing eight minutes a night and playing with different players. Like I said, it is what it is. They need to go younger here if they want to win. That's how you win in this league, you got to rebuild, and that's what they're in now. As much as I would love to stay and help it out, I have no idea if that's going to be the case.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">You told us that </b><b style="outline: none !important;">one of your goals at the end of the day is that you hope that you made every player around you the best player they can be despite you feeling like your own season was up and down. How personally gratifying was it to see some of these young guys really find their stride?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, it's awesome. It's weird. You go from being a relied upon player to not really relied on, but you get to watch some of your closest buddies who are young. I've been in that situation where I was young, not playing a lot, and then all of a sudden, I'm leading the team in minutes. I was 25 years old, it was a blast. It's awesome to see those guys do that. I got to know a lot of those young guys a lot more this year. Catesy, Tip – they were both pretty new last year. Catesy came at the end of the year, Tip got traded. This year, I kind of focused on trying to help them out as much as I could. I'm not saying my help led to their season at all – I promise you that – but it is awesome to kind of see them really come out of their shell at the end of the season and kind of dominate, which was what they did.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to your role and your minutes changing as the season went along, your position changed for a lot of the year – they moved you to the wing. Did that affect you and your game at all?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not really. If you're playing the right minutes, you don't care where you play. Early, I think I played 10 games at center, I think. I got signed here as a center. Torts doesn’t see it like that, but I don't mind playing the wing honestly. I just enjoy playing. I like being out there with my teammates. That was just another thing I accepted early on in the year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You talked about how this might be – you don’t know where you’ll be going. If that ends up being the case, has there been a moment of being a Philadelphia Flyer that stood out to you that you can look back on?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think there's a lot of fun moments here honestly. The two I’ll always fall back on is G’s 1000<sup style="outline: none !important;">th</sup> game – that was a lot of fun being there for that. I got to play with the Yands, which was amazing. But I think the best moment I think was in the bubble when Oskar came back and at that practice, when AV told everyone he was playing. It was a very cool moment that I'll remember probably for my whole career.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kevin, you talked about the ups and downs of this season, but one thing that was constant for you was your health. How much trust did you regain in your body this season?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, that was huge. That was early on honestly. Playing last year really, really helped that. I wasn't really nervous at all coming into the season, where I was nervous last year playing those final games. I honestly forgot about my injuries to be honest which is huge. There's some days where you get twisted and turned on the ice that you're not supposed to where your groin comes up, but I think even if I didn't have those surgeries or those injuries, that would be the case. I played 81 games, not 82. I missed one during the season, but that was about as healthy as I could be.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">RW Cam Atkinson</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hello everybody. Good year for me, good year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you mentioned, obviously I'm sure it was a frustrating year for you. There was a time where you thought you were going to come back and things kind of turned around. Where's kind of your mindset just right now heading into the offseason?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Really good actually. Gonna get cleared hopefully next week. Been skating a lot the last three weeks. Training hard. No setbacks. Just looking forward to obviously getting cleared for contact and having a really, really good summer training. Revving it up even more than I ever have and obviously, itching for next season to start already selfishly.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now that the season's over, can you kind of take us through all what happened, even going back to training camp? We were just told it was an upper body injury and then there was sort of nothing until the announcement that you had your surgery. Can you sort of take us through the process of how kind of things went south for you this year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where do I start? Just wasn't feeling well at the start of training camp. Got a couple of different MRIs and a couple misdiagnosis. Finally, I saw someone that told me that I had a herniated disc in my C6-C7 and that I needed to get surgery right away. At the time, I really didn't want to get surgery because it kind of freaked me out a little bit, going through the neck, and I was being told differently. Obviously, went through the process of trying to rehab naturally. I went back to Columbus for a little bit to see some people that I trust and I know, and came back here feeling pretty good. Thought that I could kind of return to play in December when we went on that road trip to Vegas, Colorado, Arizona, and then New Jersey, I believe, and just the process of the return to play. I just I couldn't get through a practice by myself. So anyway, I felt like I needed to do something. I saw a different doctor, Vic Carroll, who was a BC guy, Boston College guy, and one of the Eagles’ surgeons and has worked on a lot of professional athletes, and pretty much reassured me that if I don't take care of my atrophy in my left triceps, that I probably wouldn't be able to play again. So, I got surgery three days later. I woke up and felt unbelievable. All the pain that I couldn't sleep was gone. Just started the process of rehabbing. I don't even know why I'm getting emotional, but just a tough year. Feel good. Feel good, and I know this is a huge summer for me and I want to be part of the solution, and I'm going to push myself more than ever. Seeing these young guys obviously, some guys take a huge step forward, it only fuels me to push myself and push the young guys. I don't think we're as far off as people think especially if guys are healthy and certain things happen this offseason. Not to get too sappy, but that's been my year. But I feel great. I feel the best I’ve felt in a long, long time, and it's nice to be able to shoot the puck the way that I've been able to shoot the puck in the past. Like I said, just looking forward to starting next season.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who are some of the people or things that helped you get through?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Talking to guys that obviously got similar surgery. I talked to Eichel a little bit, obviously Farabee. I did a different procedure than those guys. I did the old school kind of take bone and stem cells off my hip and went through the neck, replaced the disc with that. They fused my C6-C7. I think those guys got our artificial disc. I read a lot of different books that are mental toughness books throughout my whole college career and kind of going back to what keeps me in a positive mindset. A lot has happened this year, obviously my wife gave birth in January. You can imagine the roller coaster. I got the surgery a week before that. It's just talking to other guys around the league that have got different injuries, but it's a process with any injury, right? I knew I wasn't gonna play this season after I got the surgery, so I kind of put my mind on just getting better, take the time that I need to get back to myself and feel good. I feel pretty good right now.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cam, you and Couts are two guys who play both ends of special teams. Specials teams were an issue this year, and obviously one of the main areas of improvement going forward. How much do you think that your return, Couts’ and other players gaining experience can help that next year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I take a lot of pride in playing in every situation, right, especially on the PP, but even more so on the PK. I've scored a lot of shorthanded goals, just because I trust my instincts and kind of do my own thing out there. I don’t know if people forget, I think I’m right behind Sebastian Aho for most shorthanded goals since 2015, or something like that. And Couts as well. We play such a huge role on special teams that obviously it allowed other guys to test it out a little bit to see what works and what doesn't. I think we'll both help to an extreme extent on both ends powerplay and PK. Not that we're going to be the solution. I think every guy needs to step up and do a little bit better job on both sides, but I think we'll help a lot more than we hurt.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">We talked to Torts, I think it was about three weeks ago and he mentioned about the changes that the team has made to the medical department. He felt that was something that needed to be re-established, that trust needs to be re-established between the players and the medical team. He feels like they've made strides in that regard this year. You mentioned about misdiagnoses. How did that impact those months leading up to getting the surgery? Was there may be a lack of trust in the beginning and do you feel like that's improved over the course of the year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, absolutely. It went through a pretty, pretty significant change, the new head athletic trainers and bringing in new guys that I hadn't know as well. You're trying to trust certain people. I have all my trust in Tommy and the team that's here now. It obviously took a little bit of time just because like I was going through things that I've never experienced and listening to this guy, that guy. People telling me this. Someone telling me that. It was just a kind of a gong show. It definitely has gotten straightened out and it's going to continue to get better. Like I said, I've been rehabbing here since my surgery for the last couple months and trust them.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">In part why it was so tough for you, did you feel like maybe you weren't going to be able to play again like when you were going through that? Did you contemplate that at all?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Honestly, not really. I've been very fortunate and lucky with whatever injury I have. I heal pretty quickly. It's just the emotion of like not being told what the hell is going on when I know I'm not feeling good and that was the crappy part. I feel great. Like I said, I trust the process of who's here giving guys rehab and obviously our team doctors. It just was a crazy year. I'm just looking forward. I'm glad selfishly that the season’s done, so I can focus on the summer and doing what I need to do to get back to that elite shape and form that I know, and everyone knows that I'm capable of doing. Like I said, I haven't had any setbacks at all. I feel really good.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cam, you mentioned about your shorthanded prowess and your abilities to score shorthanded goals. Obviously, you didn't play this year, but watching what Brad Shaw, who you worked with for years, what he was able to do with TK and with Laughts, turning them into real shorthand threats. Is that really exciting for you next year to get to play under him again?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, he kind of changed it up a little bit. I think he went more towards a diamond this year where in Columbus, we were more all pressure, all pressure. When one guy pressures, everyone pressure, so everyone was on the same page and knew what to expect. Obviously, when you struggle and not that we struggled a little bit, you have to change it up a little bit. I think it helped a little bit. For me where I have a lot of success is and Shawsy will be the first one to admit it, he lets me kind of be free rein, where I trust my instincts. 95% of the time it works. I'm always moving. I'm always moving. My partner knows kind of what I'm doing, where I always apply pressure. Obviously, when they get set up and they're not fully control, I'm always kind of just reading the play and anticipating because obviously being on the powerplay as well you kind of know what the guys are trying to look for in certain plays. Like I said, works out more so than it doesn't.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we talked to John Tortorella recently, he said that he was hoping this season for you to be kind of that liaison between him having been his player in the past and also the locker room going through him for the first time. You didn't get to be that player. What role do you envision for yourself next year on this team, even though the team has already gone through a year with Torts?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, there's no secret that Torts and I have a really good relationship. He was my coach for six years. We've talked a lot before he got hired, when he got hired, and just through the process of getting injured, getting surgery and kind of being that sound board for the players to the coaching staff. I was that this year as much as I could without obviously being in the locker room 24/7. Just picking each other's brains on players, what's going on with these certain players and just trying to help out. He obviously expects a lot out of me and like I expect a lot out of myself. Just being a leader for the young guys and leading the way in how you practice, trying to bring guys into the fight that way and practice how you want to play. It was definitely tough not being a part of it, but he knows what to expect out of me. I'm looking forward to just being a leader for this group, this organization. Scoring goals and winning games, getting back to building that culture that Philly knows that we're capable of doing and getting back to the playoffs. Obviously, hopefully, one day winning a Stanley Cup.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">In talking about John Tortorella, you were obviously excited when he was brought in at the beginning of the year. You've had kind of a different perspective of seeing things off the ice. How do you think he's done in helping to change kind of the culture of this team and the way that this team plays now?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think you can see it with our results to an extent of - I shouldn't say results, but it's pretty obvious how hard the guys worked this year. For the most part, we weren't out of the games and every guy to literally the end of regulation fought to the very end. That's a great sign. That's what happened in Columbus, where we went through the process of evaluating players for the first couple of years and seeing who's part of the problem, who's part of the solution. Everyone kind of building toward that one goal and working together as a whole organization, not just the players, but obviously the top down management to the coaching staff to the equipment guys, the trainers, and then just being a tight knit group of that family atmosphere. I think he's done a really solid job and being very honest with each player. As a player, me personally I know it's probably not for everyone, but I appreciate that and know where I stand with him. It's not always rainbows and butterflies. Him and I have gotten to plenty of F-U matches and I'm sure we're gonna get into a lot next year. I embrace it and I appreciate the fact that he's trying to look out for the best of his players, even though the players might not think so in certain situations. He wants the best and he's going to do whatever it takes to push you to your limits.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Being close friends with Kevin, I know you're there for him through a lot last year. One, how has he been there for you through your process? He was just saying who's gotten the message loud and clear that he probably isn't a part of this process that's getting younger, so how have you been there for him through realizing that?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Listen, I can't control what happens. For all I know, I could get traded this summer. Kevin, I've known his family for a long, long time, so we're always going to be there for each other no matter what, through the good times and the bad times. I’m always going to be a sounding board, just like he was for me during this process of my injury and what he went through last year, kind of picking him up when he was down and vice versa this year for me. He's a good teammate and we sit next to each other in the locker room too, right? Just a good, good, good teammate. Who knows what's going to happen? I'm not gonna sit here and speculate. He's a good player.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cam, you're the third player on the Flyers that has said the rebuild won't take as long as people think. What makes you say that?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I just think with two of your better players hurt - obviously a lot has to do with staying healthy, if Couts and I obviously stay healthy, who knows the changes that are going to be made this year, the young guys that have taken a step forward this year are only going to take another step forward next year to the push each other. I just personally don't think that we're that far off; I'm not gonna sit here and say winning a Stanley Cup, but being a playoff team. This year with all the injuries and people out up until All-Star Break, we were only four to six points out, and we went on a couple of 10-game losing streaks or something like that, something crazy and we're still there. I think when you add in a couple of your better leadership guys to hold everyone accountable, those overtime losses - I think we're one in 12 - you have two forwards out there and one D, guys that obviously are put in situations to score goals and help this team win. All those tight games that we lost, I think those could have been wins and so it was definitely an interesting year. Like I said, I don't think we're too far off.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">C Scott Laughton</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You look at this season, there's a lot of young guys that came into the lineup, you know, the rebuild could be quick. It could be a quick turnaround. You know, when you see what the young guys did, and the veterans who couldn't be back, how do you kind of see things going forward?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I would agree, I think the step that some of those young guys made this year, and just the feel around the room, I think it was a little bit different from maybe the year past and the belief within guys and throughout the year, obviously, not where we want to be. But this is a situation we're in and we have a lot of young guys that have stepped up and played bigger roles. I think you saw it in the last two months or so, they're getting more opportunities and playing against some top guys and really getting their feet wet. You don’t always get that opportunity as a young guy to play those big minutes and be in key situations. So, I think it can only help down the road when we have a couple of young forwards that I think can be very valuable for us going forward. So, it's exciting for us and them and it's going be a big summer for a lot of those guys.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm talking about the younger guys, are there any guys specifically that stood out to you?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think probably right off the top of my head is Tipper [Tippett]. I think he took a massive step, was dominant for a lot of games, especially when TK was out and kind of took over that role for us. Frosty takes a huge step, scores 20 goals or close to, I think, and plays some good hockey for us. And Catesy [Cates] plays out of position, plays center all year, and plays against the top guys. I thought he did a hell of a job. So, there's three guys that kind of come to mind. And then you have Yorkie [York] on the back end that I thought looked very good again, poised with the puck and makes plays, and very skilled and looks like he can run a power play. So, you have those pieces come up and they're not super young, even Foerster comes up and looks really good. So, they're not super young, but it's tough to get going in this league and I think they did. And yeah, time will tell.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You guys obviously would have wanted for the season to go differently in terms of standings. But this was for you, your best statistical year by a lot deeper. 40 points, your most goals of your career, I guess. How do you try to balance having pride in your own individual accomplishments with the disappointment of where the team finished?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, that's a good question. Because to be honest, it really doesn't matter to me. I signed here long-term, I want to be playing meaningful hockey. When it gets nice outside, I think that's the best time to play. I really hope these young guys can experience playoff hockey in Philly, because I don't think it's like any other. So that's obvious, you want to do well for yourself and help the team. To be given the opportunity on the power play – first time where I've kind of been on the power play all year – and get those looks and it's playing 20 minutes a night and playing against the other team’s top lines, and I got a ton of opportunity to kind of show what I could do. I'm thankful for that. But yeah, I'm decently happy with my year, obviously, you want to do more, and I think you can bring more to the table. But to be able to be put in those situations and succeed in some of them, it feels good for your game and all the hard work that you do put in over the summer and been around for a little bit of time now and to get those looks. Now it feels good.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You had a career year and a bunch of other players had career years – TK just passed 30 goals, Frosty, as you said, had 19. How important is that in terms of confidence going into next year? And how for you, as the guy wearing the letter, try to help foster that confidence into some of these younger guys?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, and kind of like what I touched on before, I think everyone has their own path and comes up in different ways. But a lot of guys took great steps forward and like you said a lot of career years. I thought TK was dominant, most of the games he played in, and something that he can definitely build on. But yeah, you try and keep that confidence going into next year, sometimes bounces go your way that year and you have five or 10 more points, or five or 10 more goals. So, you try and use that going into the summer and try and help your game and maybe do some of the same stuff that you did in previous summers and add to it, but the confidence, I think is, is a big thing, and some people don't believe in it. But I'm a big believer in confidence and getting those puck touches and thought some guys definitely stepped up and in the absence of some of our key guys who have been out all year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of guys have talked positively about steps that were taken on the penalty kill this year. How do you think that positive attitude might help you guys take a bigger step forward next year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I thought our penalty kill kind of dwindled there near the end of the year, and was losing us hockey games, I guess. And our special teams or power play wasn't very good this year at all. Special teams are a huge part of this game and it helps you win hockey games. You see, most of those playoff teams are usually in the top 15 in both categories, and usually top 10 or the elite teams. So that's something that you have to work on. But I think the way Brad Shaw teaches the penalty kill and just teaches the game is really good for the young guys and for myself. He was great on the penalty kill just the way he went about things. So, you see a guy like TK who's never probably killed in his career and I thought he flourished. Some guys took some big steps that I thought was huge on our penalty kill and our goalies were great too. So, something that we can definitely build on and get better at, but your special teams have to be pretty good to be successful and it's got to win your hockey game.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott, you're obviously a team leader, you're the only guy who wore the “A”. Tortorella talked a lot this year about this season being for him figuring out who's part of the solution and who needs to go, I guess. Has he involved you at all or anybody higher up involved at all in terms of trying to figure out who should be part of this moving forward?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">No, I haven't talked to anyone about that. I guess everyone will have their conversations today and speak their mind and how they feel their season went and what's moving forward, but yeah, I'm not getting any younger and you obviously want to win in this league. I think that's why you play the game and I've said it before, I want to be here and be part of this solution and help these young guys out and try and take that next step for this franchise. I want to be here for it. But yeah, time will tell with Danny, I think he's got to put his fingerprints on this and what he wants to do with this team. So, we'll see what happens this summer and closer to the draft and go about it that way.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">The only guy to wear a letter on your jersey. I was just curious how your relationship evolved with John Tortorella. Like did he start to seek you out more to get the pulse of the locker room? And how did that kind of shake out?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, to be honest, we didn't have that many conversations, probably a couple here and there, just about little things throughout the year on the road. Yeah, just more logistical stuff maybe and throughout the year just talked about where the group was at and how we were feeling. It's tough when you get into that last month and you're not playing for anything. You're obviously in the NHL, you're playing for the Flyers, you have that pride, but it sucks. It really does suck to play meaningless games and have nothing to look forward to, so the last month was definitely long but something that I hope to grow with me and Tortorella throughout the summer and have those conversations. But I can't say enough good things about Torts for myself, he gave me the opportunity, gave me great looks and treated me very fairly and with a ton of respect. So, I appreciate that.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we talked to James van Riemsdyk earlier, he mentioned the relationship between you two and how you're going to be friends for a long time after this. And I think you've spoken about how much his leadership has helped you grow as a leader as well, just what has it meant to you to play with him over the years and especially this season to be a part of his milestone goal a couple games ago?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, that was awesome. My dad actually texted me before the game, he was hoping that I assisted on his 300th goal. So luckily, I won the face off and he scored. I was pretty excited for him. But the ultimate pro Reemer is. I think anyone will say that he probably knows he's not coming back and probably knew that for a little bit. He still cares about the young guys and the team, was still trying to find ways to help us win hockey games. On and off the ice, he’s a really great human being. Yeah, he's a lifelong friend and someone that I'll be friends with for a while. I can't say enough good things about Reemer. What he brings on a day-to-day basis and the way he handled himself throughout the situations that he's gone through here the last couple of years. So good for him. And I can't wait to spend a little bit of time with him here.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott over the course of season, you basically played with everyone more or less. But there was a five week stretch there. I think middle of December, late January, there literally wasn't a single lineup change with the same lines for five straight weeks. Was that stretch of the season good for continuity getting to, you know, pull things together as a team?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I think so. And anytime you can, I guess try and build that chemistry throughout. Especially for some of those guys like Frosty and Tipper who were playing together and really finding themselves, I guess, and finding their offensive game together. I think it goes a long way. And I think Reemer helped out with that too. Touching on that, just the on the bench things that people don't see so much, I think was huge. And yeah, I think it helps and it's going to be those young guys, the core, that are going to come up here together and try and build something. For them to be able to get that experience, kind of like what I touched on before, but those big situations playing against Pastrnak and McDavid on a nightly basis I think can only help you.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">RW Travis Konecny</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know it’s just a number on a stat sheet in a season that doesn’t end in the playoffs, but what did 30 goals mean to you last night?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was definitely something I'd been aiming at getting at some point. I'd been close in the past. Every summer, ever since I had hit the 24-goal mark, that was a goal going into the season. Unfortunately, how we ended isn't the goal, but to hit that was nice.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 2019-2020, you had what looked like was going to be your breakout year. The next few seasons didn't go the way you wanted it. What do you think was different for you about this one in comparison to those two?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know. I'm getting a little – I'm not older in the league, per se – but I've played a few years now, so I think that kind of plays into it. Just understanding the game a little bit better, working on being in better positions to help the team and score and being in better ice for the most part. Also just coming in here knowing that with the new staff, you're going to have to prove yourself. Maybe that was that season – I think AV was brought on that season, so maybe I was proving myself then too, I'm not too sure. Just tried to work hard and put the work in and it just paid off.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">How much did the relationship that John Tortorella had with you kind of get you to be the player that you were? Risto was in here earlier, he said Torts gave us a kick in the butt that maybe we didn't realize we needed. Would you kind of fall into that same equation, that maybe he gave you or said things to you that maybe you didn't know you needed to hear that really helped?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, definitely. You just knew every night you had to work hard, and if you didn't, you were going to be held accountable. There's something to be said about that. It doesn't matter who you are, you know you got to go in and put the – whether it's practice or morning skate, he was always paying attention to that stuff. We had a good relationship. To be honest, we didn't really talk, we just kind of understood each other, and I knew what he expected for me. When I wasn't giving that and kind of trending in the wrong direction, I knew that a conversation was going to come and then that would be it, and we would get back on track.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You weren't the only one to have a career season this year, a lot of the younger guys especially stepped up as this team is kind of moving into that rebuild phase. How much confidence is there with those guys stepping up that maybe you guys can kind of turn this around a little bit quicker than usual?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, it's really exciting. For those guys, too, it's so important to have that confidence going into next year. I don't think a lot of us in here are shocked at the seasons that some of the guys had, it was just a matter of getting an opportunity. This league’s kind of all about having that one person believing and giving you an opportunity, and it's what you do with it. These guys, they all got a chance to show their skills and their hockey smarts and what they're capable of doing. It's really big for us moving forward, and I'm sure they'll all say the same thing.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You mentioned that you guys obviously weren't shocked, really, but was there any one player that maybe you can pick out that you're like, “I didn't know he had that extra gear and that he could do something like that”?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's multiple. You can look at all the young guys, really, and go through the list of them. The couple that come to mind for me, I know it's not Frosty’s first year, but he did a great job at trying to showcase what he's capable of doing. Then Tippy, you guys all saw what Tippy did. He's just – there's not a lot of players like Tippy. He kind of has the full package with the skating, the skill, and he thinks the game the right way. That's really impressive. Lastly, Catesy, it's just really impressive what he was able to do. I bring him up last because I played with him, and I had an opportunity to play like half my games with him and just see what he can do. For him to remind me that much of Coots in his first season is really, really impressive.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know we talked about this a little bit during the season, but now that we're at the end, looking back at the beginning, how much have you been able to grow as a leader – just with the responsibilities that you’re given, and also the open structure in the locker room for guys to step up?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I tried to take on a little bit more of a leadership role. You could probably ask anyone, for me it's not so much the in-the-room stuff, I still joke around and try to keep things fairly light. There's other guys that pick up that and make sure things are running the right way in the locker room. I just try to work hard every night and kind of lead by example that way, but in saying that, there's so many guys this year that did that, so it was nice to see guys step up and kind of take on that role.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year, you took on a significant penalty killing role really for the first time. How much pride is there for you in being that all-situations player?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's always kind of been a goal of mine, just because I think the thing for me has always just been my hockey sense maybe wasn't always there. It's just I skate fast, and I shoot the puck, and kind of that's all there was to it. Maybe they're right, but I always thought there was something more and being able to have the opportunity to play on the penalty kill was definitely nice. We'll see moving forward where it goes, but I definitely enjoyed it this year. I think it just kept me in games a little bit more and more engaged. If the game was going well, you can make a difference on the penalty kill and maybe get some positive vibes going on the bench. It's definitely something I enjoyed.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Were there any players that you maybe watched from a PK standpoint, that maybe you tried to emulate a little bit?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just around us, I think the one guy that I enjoyed watching last year was Cam, and he was really, really good at creating offense by just being in the right spots. He was never cheating, but if there was an opportunity to jump when it's the right time, and I kind of learned that from him just from watching last year. I'm sure at times I maybe was putting us in some bad spots, so there's definitely things that I can still clean up. But yeah, probably watching Cam.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Going back to way back in October, there was that game against the Sharks where you got sat down for the final two periods. In a way, was that kind of a turning point, not just in terms of having that first push-pull with Torts, but also just being able to respond to the adversity of a season for you individually?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I think that was a big moment for me and for Torts because after that, we had a discussion and kind of built a relationship after that. Like I said, it wasn't like a whole back-and-forth communicating every day, it was it was more kind of right after that, and then we understood each other and kind of got that out of the way. I think it was big moment.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You mentioned that you didn't talk to Tortorella a ton throughout the season, and I think other players have said similar things. How long did it take you to get used to that kind of style, where he's not necessarily going to spoon feed you things, but he might want you to come to him with questions?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every coach has their own style. I think the one thing that you could relate to every coach is if you're not hearing anything, it's probably a good thing. As long as you're not hearing from him, just kind of keep going about your business, and just keep going to work and that's kind of all I have for that.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Danny was named interim GM, he and the organization were both very clear that this is now a rebuild. You had been mentioned as one of the 25-and-under guys, you’re not exactly that anymore. Where do you see your role in this rebuild, and what is your focus on helping the organization moving forward?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll just try to do as much as I can do and as much as I can control. Whatever opportunity I'm given, I'll just continue to try to work hard throughout the summer. Whether that means trying to be around here maybe a couple weeks just to be around young guys, or phone calls, or whatever it may be, but work hard in the summer and then try to set an example at camp and we'll go from there.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is it tough for you – you’ve mentioned about how with Torts, if he's not talking to me, if Coach isn’t talking to me, I assume it's a good thing because he doesn’t have anything to say – is it tough for you when some of your best friends on the team – Travis Sanheim, Kevin Hayes – they didn't necessarily have the same easy relationship with Torts that you had, in terms of being there for them while also you kind of know in the back of your head that you have a much better relationship with him than they do?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I could relate with it, though. I don't want to say that I didn't have my time, like I had times too with Torts where he was not pleased with me, and we had those conversations. I'm not saying I went through the season without any problems and I was perfect – I was far from that. We did have our moments. With other guys, I could relate too because I in the past with other coaches have had similar things where you just feel like you're maybe gripping it too tight, and things start to spiral and you get frustrated, or whatever it may be. I've been there. We're all professionals now, at this point, the guys you mentioned anyways, and they know how to handle themselves, they know. So, there isn't a ton of conversation that goes around it. It's just kind of, when you get out of the rink, you try not to talk about hockey, and maybe that's how I can help. When we're in the car, we're just kind of shooting the breeze about other stuff.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kevin Hayes kind of hinted that he expects to be traded. How much of a loss would that be to lose Hayesy and his veteran leadership?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I remember from the first moment I ever spoke to Hayesy it was the day I signed, and he was one of the first guys that actually texted me. I had never met him before, and he sent me a nice text. Ever since then, Hayesy and I have become pretty close. We’re on the same card table on the plane, so we sit together every single flight, and we got to know each other really well. The impact he has in the locker room around the guys and stuff, it's – honestly you guys wouldn't even really know – it's just so deep and every single guy loves Hayesy, and what he brings to the table. Even his family, we've all interacted with his family over the years at their house and things like that. He's really bought into being a great teammate. On the ice, too, you just see what he brings. I'm hoping – I don't have control over any of that stuff, so we'll just see what happens. But at the end of the day, we all love Hayesy.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking to another guy that's likely not going to be back because he's a free agent – James van Riemsdyk. He’s been around this organization for a long time. You’ve spent a lot of years with him. Just what has kind of he meant to maybe just you personally and to this locker room with just everything he's been through?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reemer’s another one of those guys too where like I've over the years grown to love Reemer and become close with him. I think one of the things that he's taught me along with everyone else is how to be a good professional. He gets it more than anybody. He does all the little things that you have to do to be ready for just a practice, a morning skate, a flight, it doesn't matter. Eating the right things. He's brought that into this organization and showed us all the right way to go about that. And then on top of it, just like showing that you can do all that and still just be an awesome guy, have fun, and put your time into building relationships with people along with being a good professional. He has shown everyone the perfect balance of that, and we all love James.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Has Hockey Canada been in touch with you about playing in the Worlds?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, and I am not going to be going.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">D Ivan Provorov</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">When</b><b style="outline: none !important;"> you sort of look at your season, both individually and for the team, how would you sort of describe how things went this year?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think overall as a team, we took some big steps forward. Obviously, every time you don't make the playoffs, it's hard to call it a successful season, but I think overall, the team made the right steps forward and is definitely on the right path.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were a lot of young players who stepped up for you guys. You got to play a lot with Cam York. It’s obviously maybe a difficult start of the season to get set down, but kind of learns, comes back up. What did you see from him throughout the season?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Obviously, coming into camp, I'm sure he didn't really think that he was going to be sent down, but when he did, I kind of texted him and told him, “Hey, don't get discouraged, play your game, get better, and you'll be up here soon”, and that's what happened. When he got called up, I think he was playing great and getting better with every game, and you can definitely see that he can be playing in this league full time from this point moving forward.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">We’ve talked to Torts, and when your name has come up, he's always said how much he respects your approach, your hard nose play. He said that you guys have butted heads a little bit in the season. With the season over, where do you see your relationship with him at?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m still the player, he’s still the coach. Obviously, there's things you're not going to agree upon, but if both people put an effort to come to a solution, I think you can and that's how kind of our year went. We're going to continue to keep getting on the same page. Obviously, there's going to be things that come up that we probably are not going to agree on. But like I said, his job is to coach the best way that he can, and my job is to play the best way that I can.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You've gotten to work closely with Brad Shaw throughout the year. What did you learn from him as he helped you try to take the next step?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">He's been great. With Shawzy, we kind of from the first couple of days of camp, we – or even a little bit beforehand – kind of got to know each other. I think it was a pretty open relationship in the sense of the input and what we were thinking. Whether it came to PK or the D-zone face-offs, or anything like that. Just to have that I thought was really good to be able to speak your mind and see if you can come up to a solution as a collective unit.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">In terms of special teams this year, how much do you think not having Coots or having Cam all year kind of affected you guys?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Those are big players with a ton of experience and ability to help your team. So obviously, it's hard to replace those, but it kind of gave – I would say younger guys – opportunity to show what they can do and learn.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rasmus was saying that he feels like he had two different seasons – the first half he didn't do anything right, and then the second half was a lot better. Having played with him, what were the changes you saw in him, and how much of a launching point can this be for him?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think he missed the first five, six games with the groin injury. When you have that sometimes it takes you a little bit of time to get going. When you are a little behind, I feel like it's almost things stand out more. I think once he got back on track and found his game – obviously, everybody knows he's a big guy that can skate, that can hit and contribute that way and also has offensive abilities to help your team – so I think on the second part of his season, I think that's the Risto that everybody is used to seeing.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the last couple months of the year, the organization has kind of pivoted towards this idea of a rebuild. With where you're at in your career, with your age and where you are as a veteran, are you open to being part of a rebuild?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's definitely not exactly what you want to hear because I feel like I came into a rebuild, we had one good year, the bubble year that was also kind of paused – we were going into the pause on a nine-game winning streak, or it was just snapped, I think. Then after that, things went sideways, and we tried to quick fix that didn't work. I wouldn't say it's the most positive news you can hear, but there's a bright future here, and there's a lot of great players that can keep growing. Obviously, it depends on how quick everybody gets better and how quickly the team game gets better. I think that's what determines the length of the rebuild.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kind of speaking to the rebuild, it seems like a common theme from some of the guys today has been it may not necessarily take as long as everyone may think with some of the young guys stepping up, you guys getting the guys like Atkinson and Couturier back. Do you think you can hold onto the fact that maybe you guys can turn this around a little bit quicker than it may seem?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">I</b>t's hard to tell because as a team you're trying to get better, individually you’re trying to get better, but the other teams are doing the same thing. It's hard to tell how fast it's going to take, but I think everybody here is going to try to do their best to get this rolling and see what happens.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you had the chance to talk to Danny Briere in just where the team stands and how long he thinks this can take?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, he was pretty open about it that it is in kind of a rebuild stage. We did talk about it, but there was no real set years or how long it's going to take. All that was said was they're going to do it the proper way and I believe he will.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">D Tony DeAngelo</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are you willing to go into at all why you think you were healthy scratched for the final five games of the year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">No, it's not my decision anyway, so I can't really get into it because I don't know.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You said you don't know, as in you don't know why you got healthy scratched?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure there's reasons for it, but nothing that either one of us were obviously willing to discuss. I'll just leave it at that.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">But you have had conversations with John Tortorella about his reasoning and his decision making?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not going to go into that, actually.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not asking for what he said, I’m just –</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, we talked, but not a whole lot.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where do you feel like the relationship is – obviously you're going to be away from it for a while – but do you feel like it's at a point where it can't be salvaged?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">No. The way I put it – I love being a Flyer. My whole life I've wanted to be a Flyer. Now that I am, I don't take it for granted at all. It's something that means a lot to me, so we're not going to let any relationship stuff get in the way. He's the coach of the team, so you got to respect that, and I respect what he does. Do I agree with it, what happened in the last five games? Absolutely not. I think it's ridiculous that I didn't play the last five. That's one thing, but he's also the coach of the team. It's not my job to decide that. All I can worry about is being a good teammate, which I think I did. Tried to stay out of the way. I don't want to be a distraction to anybody, these guys had stuff to play for. There’s milestones these guys are trying to get to, guys are trying to play for contracts next year – I don't know how many guys are due up, but all that kind of stuff. I don't want to be a distraction, that's why I was glad there was no – I know you guys were writing stories and all this – but it was more about, for me, what them guys were doing. I was done, wasn't playing, so it made no difference at all. Just try to be around, be a good teammate, watch the games. There were some good games, some good stuff happened. You keep watching guys like Tip and all that and just try to take that approach. Where, what am I going to do? I wasn't planning, it is what it is.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">So just to be clear, you do want to come back next year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I plan on being back. I want to come back. I have no clue what's going to happen. It's not my decisions, but I'll be training and getting ready to play another season here.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brad Shaw kind of took a large hand in how the defense was, kind of what you guys did in the game plan and all that stuff. What was your relationship like with him, and maybe if Torts didn’t give you the answers you were hoping for about why you're out, was Brad sort of more the guy who kind of say, “hey, nuts and bolts, this is what we need from you, and maybe this was is what we were seeing”?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">As far as you’re asking like in the last week here? No, I didn't speak to him in the last week about any of that kind of stuff. Not his decision. It's coming from above him. As far as a coach, I thought he was good. Real smart hockey guy, high hockey IQ, so it's kind of somebody you could talk to that sees the game in a sense that a player would see it from. When we're watching video together for example, he may see something when you're watching the game just as a fan or just as in the moment you see something, you’re like “what the hell?”, but then if you watch back and you can kind of explain to him what you were thinking maybe, he was pretty on the ball being able to understand where your head was at and stuff, so I thought he had a good hockey mind. Enjoyed kind of going over that kind of stuff with him and giving him my perspective on the way I see the game. I see it a little bit differently, I think, then some guys do and I have a different opinion on the way the way it should be played. He was good all year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">There were </b><b style="outline: none !important;">portions of the season where it felt like the power play was starting to get on track, a couple games here and there. How would you assess kind of where that went this year?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought the power play stunk for a little while. Then I thought there was times where it was real good and we couldn't score. Then there was times where it was average, and we were scoring. I'd say inconsistent would be the biggest thing. But, also a ton of different units, different guys that were on it as far as when guys were out, and guys were playing better, then all of a sudden, they're on it. Chemistry wise, consistency wise, I don't think we ever really got into something specific where it was just like – you watch these teams around the league like Washington has been the same unit for 10 years. Obviously, they have the best goal scorer of all-time on the unit, but it's just an example of when you need chemistry, you need to play together. You need five guys that are together for at least a few weeks, you would say, just to start getting something going. We probably maybe the five of us together didn't deserve that at the time, and I understood what Torts was doing trying to give it to the guys that were playing well, they're going to go on it as a reward. Guys that weren't playing well, they're going to come off of it. We kind of just never really found a groove. Maybe the last two weeks before the last five games, but we started getting a little bit of a groove. Just overall, just not I'd say chemistry might have been the biggest issue, and that just is what it is when you're in this kind of position with a team.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You weren’t the only veteran scratched this year. You also weren't the only guy to say there wasn't that much communication between you and the coaching staff as to why or moving forward. Was there some camaraderie among you guys who went through that and did you guys talk it out at</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">all about how to handle it?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">No, everybody's – hopefully not everybody's been scratched – I've been scratched enough in my career. It's a coach's decision. Sure, we all talk like you guys would assume and give our opinions to each other and stuff, but not about that. We're not going to – the coach makes his decision, it is what it is. I would say 99% of the time a guy's going to disagree when he gets scratched. Is he going to come out and say it to him? Maybe, maybe not, I don't know. I’m more along the lines of a person that probably will. Maybe that's my problem. You’ve got to respect the coach's decision no matter where you're at, it is what it is. We're getting paid to play, not to coach, so if you’re scratched, you’re scratched, and you just try to get yourself back in. Unfortunately, for myself, I wasn't able to get back in, so that sucks. Missing the last five games is brutal for me because you don't get to compete, play. Watching the game last night. Would love to play with Brauner one final game. We became real close as buddies, so I would like to be in there with him. Who knows, maybe could have helped him get that 200<sup style="outline: none !important;">th</sup> point. I still think the NHL greased him out of that first one. I don't know what you guys see. Maybe he got a stick on there. I don't think they knew – they probably don't know he's at 199. Just that kind of stuff you get to miss. But no, we don't sit and gossip that much about that. It is what it is.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You mentioned that you want to be in Philadelphia. It’s been your dream since you were a kid to be a Flyer. You also mentioned that your relationship with the coach, you're not necessarily going to let that stop you from still wanting to be a Flyer, but is it hard for you to stay in a place if maybe there isn't a strong relationship with the head coach?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">No. Like I said, I got to play, and I got to play better. I’m pretty accountable on myself. I feel like – did I have a good year offensively? Probably. I was probably pretty, in my opinion, I was pretty good with the puck. Did I have the points that I probably think I should have had? No. Lower year than I would have expected, even in the 70 games. There was other stuff that I didn't do as well. I didn't think I was great defensively all the time. There was some games where I was real good. Early in the year, I thought I was really good defensively, and then kind of dipped. As the points weren't coming, it was all over the place. Too inconsistent. I thought it was very frustrating for myself to be that inconsistent this year, especially after the year I had last year where I thought I was very consistent. That's not his fault. I can't blame Torts for that, me being inconsistent and him not being happy about it. That's stuff that I take responsibility for, and I was pissed about. It was a disappointing year for me in that sense. I thought I did a lot of good things with the puck. Without the puck, average at best. Some games really good, some games terrible. When you’re getting paid 5 million, to me, you really can't let that happen, and I take a lot of pride in being worth what I'm getting paid. People think that guys get paid, and they don't really care. Maybe that's the truth for some guys – not for me. I think I care even more, especially being a Flyer as well, so that bothered me. Having said all that, that would make me want to come back even more. I don't care who the coach is. I want to come back, and this is where I want to be. I’ve wanted to be a Flyer forever. As far as what's going to happen, I can't tell you what's going to happen. Even if I’m back next year, if I'm back after that year, I can't tell you what's going to happen. As long as I'm wanted here, I'll be here.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You were paired with Provorov in training camp, and the feeling seemed to be they wanted that to be a steady pairing throughout the year. Why didn't that work out?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's another one for the big boss there.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">From</b><b style="outline: none !important;"> your perspective?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought we were real good together. In the first 15 – I don’t know how many games we played together, maybe 20, I forget exactly what it was, it was switching after that – I thought we were real good together, and I love his game. I like the way he holds onto the puck. Not many guys – I'm sure you guys have noticed over the years – can cut the net like he does and escape away from guys and hold on to the puck. He's real good at possessing it. He's a one-man breakout half the time. Good skater. Good defender. I thought we were good. We kind of got in a position where we were getting beat up pretty bad. We had that 10-game losing streak, and we were still together at that time. We were real shorthanded. We were missing I think Laughty, TK, and JVR at the time, on top of Cam and Coots, so we were beat up. We were kind of beat down offensively there for a bit. Obviously, that's when changes start to happen when you go through stretches like that. We make the change, and I don’t think we ever went back together. Maybe a game, maybe a couple of shifts in games where we were down. I wouldn't say disappointing because I don't really care who I play with – anybody you play with is a good player and you want to make it work with them – but we would have liked to play together a little more probably. I don't have an answer as to why we didn't get back together or why it did end in the beginning, that's not stuff that really comes up.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You're going to get two key players back next year – Atkinson and Coots. Do you think this team needs to make a lot of moves in the offseason?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m putting my GM hat on. That's up to Danny. Those two guys, to me, this year, if you have them from the beginning to the end healthy – I don't know, what did we finish 75 points, Playoffs was 93 – I don't know. You start to creep up there pretty quick I think with those two. That’s 100-plus points in offense that we didn't have. I don't know, it's tough to say “oh, we would have had nine more wins”. I have no idea what we would have had, but two really good first-line players on a lot of teams in the league. When you're getting those guys back, you're replacing two fours for two first-liners – it's a big difference. I don't know where we would have went with them, but I think that it's almost like two free agent signings at this point because they haven't played in so long. So maybe that's the moves they make, I don't know, but to me, getting those two guys back in, they play in all situations. You got your top faceoff guy, your top center, your power play guy, your top penalty kill guy, most likely, and then you got your top, maybe your second top scorer as far as goal scoring – it's a big difference. You're looking at 50 goals probably there. 50 goals that we could’ve used. Those are two guys, I’m hoping that I get to play with them and be back hopefully on a power play with them or whatever the case may be, but huge guys added to the lineup, and I'm sure Frosty and Tip are going to take another step like they already have. You got Tyse that was really good when he played. Probably if it wasn't for playoffs, he would have stayed up. I've said it to you guys all year, a lot of a lot of positives – more positives than people probably think we have coming, and that's what happens when young guys get to play.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You mentioned kind of some of those young guys there at the end who, as you said you were watching their career years towards the end of the season. How much can guys like that taking that next step also help you guys maybe, not speed up the reboot a little bit, but maybe not make it take as long?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's a step that they all took, and there's probably another step for them as well. I think that you see the skill that a guy like Frosty – he could probably even take another big step, I would think. His ice time probably fluctuated throughout the year. I know he was down a little bit, and he was in and out, whatever the case may be. Then when he started to play consistently – I was just reading something, maybe one of you guys had it up actually, I read all this stuff just so you guys know – 41 points his last 50 games? Or last 60 games, whatever the case is? Something like that. If you’re putting out numbers like that, with his skill, and playing with good guys, and playing on special teams – I think there's another even level for him to get to. You guys seen how good Tip was playing. The important thing for them is, from past experience I would say, is you get the ice time when your team's in a position that we were in. You’re getting 20 minutes a game – you may not get 20 every night now, because we're going to have Cam and Coots back and all that kind of stuff. So, they got to keep finding ways to produce and play maybe a little bit less and still find a way to jump to the next level, because as your team fills out and you get more depth, not everybody can play 25 minutes a night. They're really good though, too.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">One thing, whatever good or bad happened this year, whenever he was healthy, Carter Hart was just very consistent this year. What does that mean for the team?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s the most important position. Without him, we might have had some more struggles this year. He's really good. First 20 games, we were probably floating a little bit over .500 I would say or close to it, and he was probably the sole reason. There were some games where it was 45-20 on shots and we were winning 3-2. Really good goalie. Good in practice, works hard. Crazy preparation. He’s a very focused and determined guy. That's what you need in the net. I think Philly has been, you guys have been waiting for a goalie for a long time, and we got one.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">The</b><b style="outline: none !important;"> organization put a pretty big emphasis this year on the identity of the city and just getting back to what made the Flyers great in the first place. How do you think that that developed throughout this year?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think it developed pretty good. I think we were a respected team as far as if you look at our lineup if you were an opposing team, you don't know how much you want to play the game, is it's a certain score, especially. Having guys like – and it's not even all to do with fighting – but having guys like Deelo in the lineup and what he's done for us this year. You look at the game in Ottawa, I like that a lot what he did there. Yorkie gets hit when a guy skates probably 140 feet down the ice and one of our top young prospects is going to get hit like that at full speed from a big guy. Then that guy, he hit him, but he also knew that something was coming after that. That kind of builds a good identity for the team, and it also protects the young guys. It gives the young guys a little more leeway on how they're going to play the game. Gives them just a little – I'm trying to think of the word, I’m missing it here – but they just feel better about what they could do on the ice. You got Deelo, you had Seels, you had myself, had Pepe when Lemieux came in there, and Laughts. Laughts was picking up for JVR a couple nights ago. I love that kind of stuff. JVR’s a 30-something year old guy and he's bigger than Laughts, and you got Laughts trying to tackle one of the Columbus D for him. So that's the kind of locker room I think we've built, which is really good. You guys will see it obviously in the playoffs coming here, that's what's needed. You need a locker room like that. Guys that take care of each other and pick up for each other no matter what. We're 25 points out of the playoffs and we still got guys doing it. To me that means something. It may not mean something to everybody, but it does to me. You could kind of throw in the towel with eight games left as far as when it comes to fighting – not your work ethic – buy some guys would say “eh, I'm not going to jump in and fight”. We have guys getting in there picking up everybody no matter what happened. That's the way to do it.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, assuming you're back next year, Torts is back next year, how do you sort of iron out all those inconsistencies in your game the way he wants you to play so everybody's on the same page?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's not even what he wants as far as my game, that's on me. Like I said, I'm not going to criticize Torts for pointing out that I made some bad plays defensively, that's not him. I'm not going to get mad at him for it, that's me. That's where I need to do a better job. I felt like maybe I was pressing for offense a little bit almost, to produce the way I thought I should be producing. I don't like making excuses, that kind of sounds like an excuse. I just got to be better defensively, I'll put it to you that way, and better overall, in a consistent manner. There was times where in the beginning of the season, I thought I was playing my best hockey I've ever played in the league. I was playing really, really well. Then it was just from there – up and down, up and down. There were some real good spots where I was like, “alright, we're trying, we're getting it back a little bit here, we're pushing in the right direction”. Then you have a game where it’s down. I remember one game against LA where I thought I had one of my worst career games, and that was right after I thought I was playing pretty good. That's really never happened in my career. I felt like I've been consistent for the most part, so that's something I'll fix. I got a sour taste in my mouth to the way things ended. To go have a good summer, train, and get healthy, all that kind of stuff and then get ready to go again. I'm pretty confident I’ll have a real good year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">RW Owen Tippett</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know maybe the season isn't ending the way anybody wants it to, but from where you were when you got here for training camp to where you are now, what is your confidence level because of what you were able to accomplish. Are you going into the offseason feeling pretty good about yourself and about your game?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I think so. I think for me, this year was a big stepping stone and just kind of realizing what kind of player I needed to be to have success. I think I was able to find that. Obviously, with that comes confidence, like you were saying. Obviously, going into the offseason, it helps to kind of have that confidence and be able to build off that.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the beginning of the season, there was a little feeling out process, you are finding your groove, playing for Torts and those kinds of things. It obviously clicked as the season went along. Do you feel going forward and kind of hit the ground running next year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I think anytime a new coach comes in and you got new guys in the group, there's always that feeling out process. Just understanding what's expected of you and kind of what your role is. Going forward, I think with each year that you kind of have the same group and same coaching staff that it allows you to kind of take steps going forward.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Owen, by the end of the year, you were one of the guys who Torts couldn't say enough good things about: about your progression, about you as a player. Looking back going into the season, how concerned were you about playing for John Tortorella?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't think I was concerned. I work out with guys, and I've talked to guys who in the past have had Torts. They had nothing but great things to say about him. I think he's one of those old school coaches that just goes off of - he wants guys to work hard each and every day. I think if you can do that, you're gonna put yourself in a good spot. I've never been one to kind of come in and just go through the motions. I think each and every day is a chance to get better and the harder you work, the more results you're gonna get out of it.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kind of talking about Tortorella and the opportunities that he gave you, how much did getting put in more and more situations, you got more minutes, you saw different situations on the ice, how much as someone who was kind of looking to show maybe they feel they could be a player? How much does that help the confidence?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I think the more situations you get in, the more comfortable you become in those situations helps with confidence. I think when you play those kinds of big minutes in last minute periods in games, it goes a long way. You become more comfortable in those situations. I think it helps a lot with just overall confidence and just knowing that you're trusted at times. It for sure goes a long way, just as an overall aspect.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Travis Konecny has had like two to three 24-goal seasons, and he admitted that eventually 30 goals became a goal for him. He hit it this year. Would you circle maybe 30 for next year for yourself?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I think so. I'm not really trying to set any goals the day after the season's done. I think just knowing I was kind of scratching at the surface there of 30 that obviously can be a goal. It's one of those things where I want to improve each and every year, whether that be 30 goals or something else. It's something that you can kind of look forward to as the next milestone.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">What progress do you think you made, particularly in the last month or so of the year, at developing the power side of your game? That was a real emphasis that Torts had for you in terms of what he wanted to see you working on?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I think it's one of those things where all year, like you said, he's been emphasizing that. I think once I got more comfortable and used to playing that style game, it's when things took off. It's one of those things I know I have the capabilities to do it. Now that I know that's kind of what I need to do it, it's just a matter of being consistent at it.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is it more of a mentality thing in that regard? Like, you obviously have the physical ability to do it, but is it just in the middle of a shift reminding yourself that I can go in and get that puck or I can win that battle?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I think it's all situational. There's so many different things that happen each and every shift and throughout a game. There's certain times where you can take it to the edge and there's certain times where that's not the right play. Maybe there's another play to be made. I think it's all situational, but at the same time, it's one of those things that you can add in your game. Once it's a mindset, then it just becomes a consistent matter.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Was there something about this group of guys specifically that helped you find yourself or find your game?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I think right from day one when you go through training camp, you become close with guys. I think we had a great group in there that we wanted to go to work each and every night for each other. When that's the case, everyone trusts you in the group and you're tight, you build those friendships. It makes it more enjoyable and feel less like work. It's definitely one of those things where the tighter group you have, it's easier to go to work and you want to fight for one another.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's great to have individual success and growth in your own game. When you look around and you see your peers like Morgan and Joel have big months to close up the season. How exciting does that make going into this offseason and then into next season?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, it's great. Obviously, you love seeing other guys do well and reach those milestones. TK was sitting at 29 for a while and it was good to him for him to hit 30. Frosty had so many opportunities at 20. Brauner, I still think he should have gotten that assist on that goal last night. It's always amazing to kind of see it and be with those guys when they hit their milestones. I think the last half of the year when guys got more comfortable and started to take off personal success, it's when you start having more fun kind of as a group. You just kind of want to help each other have the most success as possible. I think it goes a long way with that and it builds confidence for next year for sure for everyone in the group.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">G Carter Hart</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Obviously, I'm sure this wasn't the season that any of you guys wanted to have, but how much can you guys hang your hats on how resilient this team and how hard you guys were to play against?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't think there was – we had a few games where we were off – but I thought for most nights this year, we competed. We were in a lot of games. We had a lot of overtime games this year, and maybe not the best record in overtime, but a couple of big overtime wins to finish the year off strong. I thought our group was very resilient and just competed night in and night out, even when we were out of the race.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">How important was it for you personally to come back at the end of the year healthy and finish the year and get a win in your final game?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I definitely wanted to come back and just was making sure I was feeling 100% before I came back. The last two years previous didn't finish the year off healthy, so really wanted to come back and push through and battle back to finish off the year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You obviously had the strong first full year in 2019-2020. The next year didn't go at all the way you wanted it to. Last year, you were satisfied up until the end when you felt like you tailed off. What's your self-evaluation of the season?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a team, obviously, we're not where we want to be right now, on the outside looking in. I can always be better. This summer I’ve got some things to work on and tidy up and get stronger and faster and be ready for next year, and for a push to be hopefully still playing at this time. I think we've also made a lot of strides this year as a team and with a lot of the young guys we have here coming up.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You mentioned about obviously wanting to still be playing this time of year next year. That said, the organization has been pretty open over the last couple of months about transitioning to a rebuild. You're basically in the prime of your career right now. What's your openness to kind of waiting out a rebuild to get to the point where you're playing playoff games if it's going to take a few years?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm still only 24, but I want to win as well. I love playing for the city. I love playing for this organization. I'm very, very grateful for everything they've given me and the opportunity that I've had here. I think that with the young guys we have coming up and the promise they started to show towards the second half of the season, I think it looks bright, our young core of guys. I think Danny is going to be the guy to turn things around and get the ship going the right way.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">What </b><b style="outline: none !important;">gives you confidence in Danny? Obviously, there's some inexperience – he's only 45 – but everyone just raves about his hockey mind. What do you see in Danny?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just talking with him, even before he was in this position now as our General Manager. He was a hell of a player, had a hell of an NHL career, and he’s just a smart hockey man. The way he carries himself around the team and tries to be involved with the guys and talk to all the guys on a personal level. I think we really appreciate that. He's gonna be a good fit for us.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You mentioned that you felt like you saw a lot of growth from some of the young players in front of you. How encouraging is that to you – even though you're not necessarily playing with them when you're back there and you see them take over games and things like that – how encouraging is that?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think it looks very promising. I think Tip made huge strides this year. You started to see glimpses of the player that he's going to become or – I mean he had a hell of a year this year, and he's only going to get better. He's a strong, powerful forward with a lot of skill, so it's very exciting to see his growth and development. Frosty this year – so much skill and you started to really see it. He was playing with a lot of confidence this last stretch and made some pretty silky moves on the ice. It's fun to watch. Then even Tyson coming up and having a cup of coffee but playing really well when he was here. Egor played really solid when he was here for a couple of games. Some of the young guys – Cam had a good year here. We got a lot of young guys coming up here in our organization that are going to be a huge part of this future</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">We</b><b style="outline: none !important;"> talked to you a little bit about this at the start of the year with regards to the Hockey Canada situation. I know in recent weeks, it was revealed that Team Canada isn't going to be allowing any of the players involved to go to World Championships. Is there anything you can comment or are willing to comment on that situation as it stands right now?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can't talk about it right now. I wish I could, but not till it's over.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;">You're one of only four goaltenders to win the team MVP award, and both the coach and several players said that you were the best player this year, not only on the ice, but you were also a leader in the locker room. </b><b style="outline: none !important;">Are you more of a vocal presence there now? Have you sort embraced that role a little bit?</b></span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not maybe the loudest guy, but I try to lead more kind of with my work ethic and work habits on the ice and off the ice. I think now that I've been here for five seasons, that I'm not afraid to maybe say a few things if they need to be said. I think we got some guys in here that have taken strides in that leadership department. I think Laughts has been a huge leader for this group this year. Obviously, missing some veteran guys out of the lineup all year with Ryan, and with Coots, and Cam. I think Laughts has been a huge leader for this team this year.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a guy who played in front of you for four years, how nice was it to see Brauner get the level of respect and attention he got yesterday?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was so cool. To see his parents come down and read the lineup, how emotional they were, and then Justin's Dad on the bench in the third period, that was really cool. Kudos to the coaching staff for letting him come on. After the game, before the game, you just see how much Brauner is invested into the sport, and how much he cares about the game, his teammates, his family. He's been a great teammate to me and a great friend to all of us. It's been a pleasure playing alongside him these last four years.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tortorella has said all season that he doesn't watch goalies or know anything about goalies, so I'm curious – what has that relationship with him been like, if you get any sort of feedback, or if there's been much change concerning your goalie coach stayed the same as last year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think Kim handles mostly the day-to-day stuff. If there's something Torts needs to say, he'll say it. I think we've gotten along great this year. He's been good for our group, and he's gotten the most out of our team this year for sure.</span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">You mentioned earlier about the young players and the development. One of those young players that definitely impressed was Sam Ersson, who also plays goal. It seems like they see him as a part of the future. This year you were clearly the number one. Sam I would assume, if he makes the team – I'm not sure what's going to happen with Felix and whatnot – but he'll be pushing for starts probably. How is that relationship with you and Sam right now, and do you think you guys can make it work if he develops into a really good goalie at the NHL level too?</span></b></p><p class="yiv4320825024MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think competition is healthy. There's only two goaltenders on a team so I think there needs to be that good relationship on and off the ice in pushing each other. With Felix this year, we got along really well. We had a great relationship with Moose in the past, Martin Jones – they've been great. I think that's really important. I don't know what the future is with Sam and with Felix, but when Sam was here, he played really well. He's a great guy off the ice, we got along well. Felix as well. Felix is a great goalie, got a lot of skill, a really good skater. I'm not sure where they're going, but either way, they're both good guys.</span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-62462259078232464012023-03-18T16:38:00.031-07:002023-03-18T19:35:42.216-07:00Behind the Hockey Scenes: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Carolina Hurricanes <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiit80zgdiwWCCUcnuAEo3wXmLlgB9pi890RkVptgZKyTNsHZya53OGMziKZupQ6pPBWXYD1Ue7uSJXHUak0cRqCaMDHj2pAI-nkXCKXVRmQh2wl_r1T3q67QAj7AarkDcXxY20W7dvuVvw59HpWT_sa4xDBwWC-pYqFhKcAH8BVYYYzCph5OggPLU/s4032/Establishing%20Shot%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiit80zgdiwWCCUcnuAEo3wXmLlgB9pi890RkVptgZKyTNsHZya53OGMziKZupQ6pPBWXYD1Ue7uSJXHUak0cRqCaMDHj2pAI-nkXCKXVRmQh2wl_r1T3q67QAj7AarkDcXxY20W7dvuVvw59HpWT_sa4xDBwWC-pYqFhKcAH8BVYYYzCph5OggPLU/w640-h480/Establishing%20Shot%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">March 18, 2023 – Wells
Fargo Center, Philadelphia</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Introductions</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Philadelphia </span></span></span><a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">(25-32-11,
61 points, .434 points percentage)</span></u></span></span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> is
thirteen points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets (21-40-7, 49
points, .316 points percentage) in the Metropolitan division of the
National Hockey League's Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets have
the least number of points in the </span></span></span><a href="https://www.nhl.com/standings/2022/league" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">National
Hockey League</span></u></span></span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
Flyers have the sixth-lowest point total in the NHL, with much-hyped
June draft lottery implications. The draft lottery will be held on
May 8, with the first sixteen picks being determined that day. Round
1 of the draft takes place on June 28. Rounds 2 through 7 take place
on June 29.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Former
Flyer Rod Brind' Amor's Carolina Hurricanes (44-15-8, 96 points, .716
points percentage) would likely be the top-ranked team in the NHL in
most other seasons. But in 2022-23, the Canes enter the
late-afternoon game 11 points behind the Boston Bruins (51-11-5, 107
points, .799 points percentage). </span></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
Montreal Canadiens 1976-77 season (60-8-12, 132 points, .825)
produced the greatest points percentage in NHL history. A look at Les
Habitants' records in the book-ended seasons of 1975-76 and 1977-78
is astounding.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
Flyers beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 in Philadelphia last night, with
Owen Tippett netting a St. Patrick's Day hat trick, the first of his
career. A variety of hats, including Irish bowlers, dotted the ice
after the third goal was netted. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
Hurricanes were beaten by the same score (5-2) on the road against
the Toronto Maple Leafs last night. Viewers of that game saw the
Leafs wear their glorious green uniforms, with St Pats replacing the
traditional Maple Leaf logo. </span></span></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjdcN0LahmsfY4L1e5qT98Kc__ajx7hsKb0oQeBbs862uAV9_cs47lCCddsswkKwz3HOc2Rk541jmo-WSSb3OojxiZhJHoHSqFJ_VaIWXTY4v2qQ8oUiYMOeNRURgZwiSRQngxQyaLu-16OPl1ttoO_DFG9PaYyG2wA8pez8KPd8rK0hkKCbYDlGN/s4032/ES%20-%20Warmups%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjdcN0LahmsfY4L1e5qT98Kc__ajx7hsKb0oQeBbs862uAV9_cs47lCCddsswkKwz3HOc2Rk541jmo-WSSb3OojxiZhJHoHSqFJ_VaIWXTY4v2qQ8oUiYMOeNRURgZwiSRQngxQyaLu-16OPl1ttoO_DFG9PaYyG2wA8pez8KPd8rK0hkKCbYDlGN/w640-h480/ES%20-%20Warmups%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Anthem - Lauren Hart delivered her standard A+ performance. </span>
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">First
period</span></span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Starting
goaltenders – Philadelphia – Felix Sandstrom, Carolina –
Frederick Andersen</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia
enters the game with a -47 goal differential (having surrendered 47
more goals than they have scored), which ranks twenty-seventh in the
League. Carolina has a +51 goal differential (third in the NHL). </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Minimal
action through the first half of the period. Noah Cates picked a puck
out of the air on the fly as he entered the Canes' offensive zone,
dropped it to the ice, and attempted to score but was denied. That
play pushed the Flyers' shot total to four, which equaled Carolina's
tally through nearly nine minutes played. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
mostly filled Center, which will have the 76ers as tenants for at
least the next few years, was entertained by Gritty's antics in the
stands, as head coach John Tortorella waits for more offensive
players to develop and be acquired in coming seasons.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jalen
Chatfield lifted a hard wrist shot that flew over Sandstrom's left
shoulder and clanked off the post with approximately six minutes to
go. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carolina
took the lead at 14:52 when Sebastian Aho (twenty-eighth of the
season) put a wrister past Sandstrom's glove. Assisted by Martin
Necas and Brady Skjei. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Skjei
(fifteenth of the season) quickly followed with his second point of
the period when, at 16:51, he lifted a high wrist shot past
Sandstrom's glove. So, the shot location pattern continued. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shots:
Carolina – 8 Philadelphia - 12 </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Score:
Carolina – 2 Philadelphia - 0 </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Intermission
– Mites on Ice delighted the crowd with their energetic play before
the second period got underway.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzg8i9kP5SI3oSFxtN-nYxgPnwo50yC5HIpJ7ae7jknUa0S3wRt4wz-E2jjW0G0_LSBORefwZ67iyuTX8BShdA8wze96nqj2IFeQZnY3abOtvVKVxfSgTcrFBXae47899lrjvbeS5nXxJxDUlsygrrQNSJE_-TYxFc231DRKtynyWPiKQVs8XVATck/s4032/Mites%20first%20intermission%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzg8i9kP5SI3oSFxtN-nYxgPnwo50yC5HIpJ7ae7jknUa0S3wRt4wz-E2jjW0G0_LSBORefwZ67iyuTX8BShdA8wze96nqj2IFeQZnY3abOtvVKVxfSgTcrFBXae47899lrjvbeS5nXxJxDUlsygrrQNSJE_-TYxFc231DRKtynyWPiKQVs8XVATck/w640-h480/Mites%20first%20intermission%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Second
period </span></span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One
of the Flyers' prized prospects, Tyson Foerster demonstrated his
strong shot, when whisking a low writer past Andersen at 4:56 to pull
Philadelphia within one goal of Carolina. Assisted by Morgan Frost
and Brendan Lemieux. It was Foerster's first NHL goal. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aho
netted his second goal of the game and his twenty-ninth of the
season, over Sandstrom's glove, at 13:55. From high above in the
press level, it is clear that Carolina has identified and aims for
that particular spot, possibly because Sandstrom sets low in his
crouch and allows a lot of open space to aim at. Assists to Stefan
Noesen and former Flyer, Shayne Gostisbehere. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
Cates (eleventh of the season) scored from in front of the net,
seconds into the power play, at 18:18. He was forced to the ice for
his effort and did not care as Philadelphia pulled to within one goal
of Carolina. Assisted by Foerster and Owen Tippett.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
development of the future of the Flyers is on display in this game.
The Tortorella X-Factor, Danny Briere's </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shots:
Carolina - 4 Philadelphia - 13</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Score:
Carolina – 3 Philadelphia - 2</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p>
</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Intermission
– More Mites, with the sequel also being cheered. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XlvDgeFEBdHqajT3Zl_gvtHxqI0rujTZx5SQ_2rYVOv3aFdQct1bP7m9ujZbuRZaclwY7usahw4YUR8ItIXaXzKIKFcAv4Lw6YV1bo0EgU2bCUcKCjljZ1XdzedVVja3_xSDdo0uMoySaCZv7XOOonmJPwBxI5nnaOukU7uIK80dflqfoNhnlbP7/s4032/Mites2%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XlvDgeFEBdHqajT3Zl_gvtHxqI0rujTZx5SQ_2rYVOv3aFdQct1bP7m9ujZbuRZaclwY7usahw4YUR8ItIXaXzKIKFcAv4Lw6YV1bo0EgU2bCUcKCjljZ1XdzedVVja3_xSDdo0uMoySaCZv7XOOonmJPwBxI5nnaOukU7uIK80dflqfoNhnlbP7/w640-h480/Mites2%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Third
period </span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Joel
Farabee (eleventh of the season) was positioned in front of the net
when Tippett fired a turnaround shot toward Anderson. Farabee took
the puck and pushed it into the back of the net at 2:33 to tie the
score at 3-3. The other assist was by Cates.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Andersen
was behind his net when Frost stole the puck from him and passed it
to Lemieux (second of the season) who inserted it into the empty
crease at 5:50, giving the Flyers a 4-3 lead. The team's persistence
and effort are something Tortorella has been preaching all season. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Carolina's
trip out of Toronto and through customs appears to be having an
effect at this point in the game.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Jesperi
Kotkaniemi's penalty at 12:38 gave the Flyers a chance to push their
lead to two goals. They did not capitalize. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Aho
was called for a hooking penalty at 14:54. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">The
Canes got a few close-in shots on their power kill, as Philadelphia
failed to score again on the man advantage.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Carolina
called a 30-second timeout at 17:44 and returned with the goalie
pulled, to add the extra attacker, as the face-off was in the Flyers'
defensive zone.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Scott
Laughton was called for hooking at 19:53. Martin Necas scored
(twenty-seventh of the season) with 0.3 seconds to tie the game 4-4.
An official's review confirmed it, as the fans' enthusiasm evaporated
in less than that second. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Shots:
Carolina – 17 Philadelphia - 12 </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Score
– Carolina – 4 Philadelphia – 4 </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Overtime </span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Aho
matched Tippett's St. Patrick's Day feat, by netting his third goal
(thirtieth of the season) of the night for the hat trick when scoring
28 seconds into overtime. He moved into the zone, put the puck
through Flyers' defensemen Tony DeAngelo's legs, and touched the puck
again, putting it over Sandstrom's blocker, over his shoulder on the
right side. </span>
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">The
puck clanged off the post as it went in, causing Sandstrom to believe
no goal was scored. But the comeback <a href="https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1637240053205291011">OT
victory was complete</a>. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Shots:
Carolina – 1 Philadelphia – 0 </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Final
Shot totals: Carolina – 34 Philadelphia - 33</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">Final
Score: Carolina – 5 Philadelphia 4 </span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;">(All photos courtesy of Sean O'Brien.)</span>
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">After
the horn sounded</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: large;">The
following text is courtesy of Philadelphia's media relations department:</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Philadelphia
Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella</b></u></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLEAnH8ocJN8AtCCYBdjZeA2AB1I0-xf8QROfLFVSRBH4tEUGCOocssfRIoqaM8OB5RCwIK_HLi9TCX0NKRk-IRFmVekSNq3Zwu-ws7_O-3Lahf1rcdtvrCrbjdp2wZ-nhxhwmiiVCqcYlEKR0J8l_Qlfv2-VTSULZoD56uEt7k0YOrSiCIXq_wjV/s4032/Tortorella%20PC%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLEAnH8ocJN8AtCCYBdjZeA2AB1I0-xf8QROfLFVSRBH4tEUGCOocssfRIoqaM8OB5RCwIK_HLi9TCX0NKRk-IRFmVekSNq3Zwu-ws7_O-3Lahf1rcdtvrCrbjdp2wZ-nhxhwmiiVCqcYlEKR0J8l_Qlfv2-VTSULZoD56uEt7k0YOrSiCIXq_wjV/w640-h480/Tortorella%20PC%20-%20March%2018,%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><p></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The
team overcame a pair of two-goal deficits and got the lead, and then
gave it away at the end. How do you evaluate the highs and lows of
this game?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thought
we played really well. Thought we had the game controlled and – I
don’t know how to evaluate it right now.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>A
lot of your multi-point goal scorers, most of them were your
25-and-unders. Is that a positive you look at for this organization?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Encouraging
stuff with the kids.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>How
did you think they handled the power play time? I know you mentioned
it last night.</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Who?</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The
younger players?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The
one power play, we have most of the kids on it. Thought they did a
good job.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Was
there anything they could have done differently there at the end?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not
going to replay all that stuff right now. You guys can watch the
video yourself.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>How
did you think Ristolainen played on the power play?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Didn’t
get much time. Can’t evaluate him.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Carolina
Hurricanes C Sebastian Aho</b></u></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>That
overtime goal, you played with Tony, did that go into how he would
play that moment where you’re able to get passed him like that?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not
really. I was able to gather a lot of speed. There was an offensive
gap there, so I just went for it. You don’t really think about it
much when you’re out there. You just to play with your instincts
and it worked this time.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I
guess you just be happy you got the two points, it’s not the
prettiest win.</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah
exactly. Find a way to win this game, which is huge. We can’t play
like this every night. We don’t give our best chance to win these
games, but obviously a little bit of confidence boost as well to get
the late one there and be able to come out the winner on this one.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>What
was your view on Martins goal, were you concerned that maybe it came
after the buzzer and wouldn’t count or?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
I mean look up, it’s zeros on the thing so you don’t know. They
have those on the bench, behind the bench. You see very clearly that
it was a goal, so it was a big one. </span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Philadelphia
Flyers LW Noah Cates</b></u></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>That’s
got to be a tough one to take after being ahead twice?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
you noticed it kind of slips away. This weekend I thought we played
really well for the most part and kind of got away from it in the
third period against Buffalo and then have a good third period
comeback a little bit. Just a last second play like that is pretty
tough. You’re thinking about just all the little plays that five,
ten, fifteen seconds that could’ve just iced that game. Just
definitely hard to look back and kind of see the plays that could’ve
been there and just would ice the game.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The
little plays like faceoffs, you lost two or three tough ones there
that you could’ve gotten it out and that would’ve been it, talk
about that a little bit.</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I
mean just a veteran guy over there. It’s obviously a good
opportunity for me to work on it and be out there in a huge part of
the game. It just sucks that it kind of slips away. Obviously, if you
get three or four opportunities like that, you should at least tie up
or win one. It sucks that it kind of came down to that and they put
one in late there.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Noah,
John told us that he likes to have some of the younger guys together
on the power play unit, how do you think you’ve taken advantage of
that opportunity.</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I
think we have nothing to lose. We’re kind of down there in the
power-play percentage, so we can try different things. Work off each
other, talk to each other, and work with each other. I think we’re
a little more comfortable when we’re working with a younger guy and
how freely you can talk to them. I think we found some chemistry here
this past weekend, so hopefully we can build off of it. </span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Philadelphia
Flyers RW Tyson Foerster</b></u></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Missed
question…</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This
league’s all about confidence. I feel like mine’s pretty high
right now, but I’m just going to look for next game.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>In
the games you played you’ve shown some progress, from getting more
shots on goal, to a point, to now a goal, is that encouraging to you
to know that you are obviously adapting to this level?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
but I also had a couple shots blocked. I got to try and find ways to
get those through. All in all, I think I played pretty well.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Carolina
Hurricanes C Martin Nečas</b></u></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Point-three
seconds left, what do look at there when that goal goes in?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I
don’t know. I was just standing on the back door and the puck just,
I don’t even know, somehow show up there. Just bang it in the net,
so kind of lucky. I think we were really after those last few minutes
where we had a few chances.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>They
took a look at it, were you worried at all that the light had gone on
before you scored?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
I had no idea I was going right to the bench, and we had a little tv
there. It was a good goal.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Maybe
not the prettiest win but you’ll take the two points and be happy
with it?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
they played a good game. We were struggling for a bit, especially in
the third period. Big win. Sometimes these wins when you got to find
a way like that are important and that’s a big one tonight.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Philadelphia
Flyers LW Brendan Lemieux</b></u></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Brendan,
is that as frustrating of a loss you can have in the fashion that it
happened?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
it sucks. It’s a bad break. It is what it is. I think just move
past it. Unfortunate, I thought we played a really good game, so it
sucks.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>How
important is it to take the positives from it too? I mean, I think
there was 5 guys that had multi-point games, including you.</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
I think the more positive thing we take from it is as a group. That’s
a good hockey team over there. We were with them all night. We played
a good game, so we’re proud of that. Tyson and some of these
younger guys that have big nights, it’s good for them and helps
build confidence for the rest of this year and moving forward. We’re
happy for them.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>How
much are you able to kind of feed off the energy that they bring
given their success at this point in their careers and what they’re
doing with this team?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
it’s awesome. I’m excited for them. I’m excited personally.
It’s been a new lease on life for me in Philly, getting an
opportunity to play again so I’ve been happy. I’ve been given a
great opportunity. I’m just trying to make the most of it
individually, but then for the young guys, I’ve been through with
basically there teams before where we’ve got to restart and
rebuild. I’ve seen it happen. We’ve got some good kids in here
and the right pieces to do it. Doesn’t take long, seeing it happen
so many times in today’s day and age. These retools, these
rebuilds, they happen fast and it starts with the guys you bring up
like Tyson. This young group in here, it’s going to be quick and
it’s going to be fun to watch these kids grow. We’ve got a lot of
skill in here and a good group. I’m excited just to watch
sometimes. It’s fun. </span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Philadelphia
Flyers C Scott Laughton</b></u></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>As
far as frustration goes tonight, what’s the feeling in the room
after the way this one ended?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
I thought a lot of guys battled hard. We battled back. Get the lead
there, take a penalty with seven seconds, they score, and then score
first shift of overtime. Yeah, that’s it.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The
goal at the end of regulation, what was your viewpoint on that? Did
you think maybe it had gone in after the buzzer? What happened there?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No,
I thought it went in before. I was sitting in the box there, so had a
pretty good idea of it. Did I think it was a penalty? No, but I’m
on that side of it so of course I’m probably biased on that side.
It’s a neutral zone play. I stick-checked a guy and they called it
a penalty. That’s the way the game goes.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Is
it even more frustrating Scott as again there were so many positives
before that?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
a lot of guys played well I thought, especially some of our young
guys. Foerster, Tipper again, all those guys, Catesy. I know I need
to be better, but what are you going to do now? Try and get better
for next game. That’s all you can do. The young guys played really
well, were patient on the power play, made some good plays, and got
us back in the game. </span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Carolina
Hurricanes Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour</b></u></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>No
styles points, but are you just happy with the two points today?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
that’s what we came here to get. It wasn’t the prettiest of games
for us. Thought we had a real good start. It was really that
offensive zone penalty that we take that leads to the five-on-three,
and then they get into the game. Then, we have a terrible start to
the third. Give Philadelphia credit, they played hard all the way. We
finally were able to break through there and win it.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Despite
that second game on a back-to-back you must be happy with the
resiliency you saw from your guys late in third.</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yeah,
we finally woke up, to be honest with you. We were sleeping through
the game. For that third period, and even the second period, we were
just going through the motions. Can’t do that in this league. It
was a good lesson, and we will take the two points. We need them at
this time of the year.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>When
you see Martin’s goal go in, but you don’t know if it counts.
What was your viewpoint there?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well,
you just go right to the monitor that they have on the bench, and you
can see the clock there. We had real good luck right before. You set
up a little play, and not very often does it work. There it was. The
goalie made just an unbelievable save, so you think the game is over.
We got a lucky break there, but I’ll take it.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I
asked you about Aho, and a few guys stepping up before the game. Have
you come to expect that from him?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well,
he needs to. I hate to say that all the time. With the guys we have
out now, you just have to count more, and more on your tops guys.
He’s one we have left as far as a game changer. Him and Martin
Neĉas, they came through. You must rely on those guys.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sebastian
said after the game, “can’t play like this”, meaning the
penalties. Do you have to say something to the guys? Is it a
discipline issue, is it a positioning issue?</b></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We
have talked about it all year. Penalties is number one. You can’t
take them, especially O-zone penalties. Those are death. We took a
couple of those tonight. We know that. It’s not a lack of effort.
Those guys are working hard at it. They just got have to be a little
smarter.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-92156698313703472672023-03-12T10:34:00.005-07:002023-03-12T10:36:54.148-07:00Philadelphia Flyers: Danny Briere Part of Organizational Rebuild<p><span style="font-size: large;">Daniel Briere is the <a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/">Philadelphia Flyers'</a> new interim General Manager. As the Gatineau, Quebec, native said in today's press conference, he did not expect to gain this responsibility two days ago. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fans of this storied franchise and others across the hockey world know Briere by his nickname, Danny. The goodwill he earned appears more likely than not to lead to him being named the organization's full-time general manager in the near future. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Flyers are in the early stages of head coach John Tortorella correctly labeled a rebuild earlier this season. Chuck Fletcher, the recently relieved President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, was not hired in 2018 to rebuild the team but to quickly make it a Stanley Cup contender. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Many factors caused the team to regress. What was seen as a one-person operation, led by former General Manager Ron Hextall, was replaced with a multi-person corporate effort. Neither formation worked. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">So, an announced split of Fletcher's positions into a President of Hockey Operations and a General Manager will happen. Briere's task, assuming he becomes the GM under whoever the new President of Hockey Operations is, will be to make steady progress and not backslide. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tortorella's praise for Briere during the season signaled organizational confidence. That, along with Comcast Spectacor's hire of Dan Hilferty as Chief Executive Officer, furthers significant internal changes to restore the Flyers to an elite team in the National Hockey League. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Founder and Chairman Ed Snider died in 2016. No one and no internal group can ever replace what Snider created or become what he and those who worked for him represent. But all involved are striving toward restoring the reputation the Flyers held. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Briere wore the <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/brierda01.html">Flyers uniform</a> and various hats in the organization after he retired. He raised his sons in this area and made Philadelphia his home. Now, like others before him, Briere must translate his passion for the game, background in it, and a solid work ethic into achieving success on the ice and, eventually, in raising the ever-elusive third Stanley Cup.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The following was provided by the Flyers media relations department: </span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia Flyers Interim General Manager Daniel Briere</span></span></u></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone, Danny Briere here. First of all, I want to start by thanking Dave Scott for trusting me and giving me this opportunity. I had the chance to work with Dave closely with the Mariners when I started my career, my second career after stepping off the ice and then in the last couple of years too with the Flyers. I want to thank Chuck Fletcher as well for the chance, the opportunity of including me on the staff in the past season. It is a true honor to be in this role. I've been a Flyer for a big part of my career. I love the Flyers. I love the logo. I spent a lot of days, a lot of sweat, a lot of sacrifice here for this organization. It's a true honor to be in this position. It's also the city I call home. I've raised my kids here; that's what they consider their home. I'm very proud to be here, to live here, and to be part of this. All I can say at this point is that I want to do whatever I can to help finish the season and help prepare the right way. Put a plan in place hopefully for an important summer ahead of us.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the last couple of days, how have you navigated the emotions of Chuck getting fired, someone you work with closely, and earning the interim role?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">It's been a little bittersweet, to be honest. I have so much respect for Chuck Fletcher. Anybody that has had the chance to work with him and under him the last few years will tell you, he is true gentleman. One of the nicest person in the hockey world. You know that side is tough. It's also the business of hockey. That's what we're in. I have a lot of respect for Chuck and I, again, thank him for giving me the opportunity. Then on the flip side, it's the excitement of being here, of representing the Flyers as Interim GM. It's a pretty cool moment. It's something that I'm extremely proud of. To be honest with you, it's something that will stay with me for a long, long time. This emotion of having that title is pretty special, to be honest.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">With regards to the Flyers roster as a whole, over the last few weeks, John Tortorella and Chuck mentioned the importance of taking this slow and doing this the right way. In his comments about Chuck being removed, Dave Scott knew this is going to be a multiyear process. Obviously, you're the Interim GM. You're not the full time GM as of yet. Do you agree that fixing this and getting the Flyers on the right path is a multiyear process?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I do. That's my belief. It needs to be done the right way. At this point, I think that's what's needed. That's what's going to be important moving forward and not rushing to things. We're going to keep evaluating players. We’ll have a lot of discussions in which direction we're going to move, but there's no doubt that this is not a quick fix in my mind. I believe it's going to take a little while, but at the same time, it doesn't mean that we're going to do a full fire sale and have a complete new team next year. There's a lot of good players. There's a lot of good young players on this team. We've definitely gone on the younger side and I think it shows at times. It showed this year and it's going to show until the end of the year. We're a younger team. We maybe lack a little bit of experience. I think it's the right way to go at this time.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">When we were talking to John Tortorella yesterday, he said that you have some pretty strong opinions about where you think this organization needs to go. What are some of the strong beliefs that you have and that you're able to do as you move forward here?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I'm not going to get into player’s names and stuff like that at this point. I think it's a little too early for that. I have my own way of seeing things, obviously. I have my own opinions. I'm not gonna lie about that. Everybody sees things their own way differently and I do as well. I'm really looking forward to spending more time with the coaches, get their thoughts, and also our staff here on the second floor. I have some good people around me that I want their opinion and I'm going to talk to a lot of different people, moving forward, evaluating, and deciding on what the next few steps will be at this point. It's only been 48 hours. To be honest, we haven't dived really deep into any of that at this point. I'm just trying to survive those last 48 hours. My phone hasn't stopped buzzing for more than about three seconds. It was a little bit of survival mode the last couple of days.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I know you were involved in the interview process with John Tortorella when you guys were hiring this head coach. What did you like about his interview and what you've learned about him?</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">There was a lot to like about John. I think what really was striking for me was how he was going to rebuild the culture over here. Looking at the last couple years, it was tough to watch at times. I felt we were an easy team to play against. You don't realize how important culture is until you lose it. We interviewed a lot of great candidates, guys that were probably great coaches and could have done the job. In my mind, I felt John Tortorella was the perfect guy at this time to get us back on track and I really feel we've seen this. We've seen it this year. You look at not just the way we play, but talking also to players around the league, executives around the league, and they all say the same thing: The Flyers are tough to face. They might not have the most talent at this point. They might be a little inexperienced at this point. But man, it's tough to face you guys. We've heard that constantly over the year. I've been really proud of the players and our coaching staff, the way they enforce that and how tough they've made us to face the season. I think it was the right step in the process. The mentality is different around here, from what I've seen from the previous two years. It's really exciting. I think and I still believe that John was the perfect decision at this time for us.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Two questions. The first one, you’re obviously talking like someone who's gonna be a part of this decision-making for the long term, why the interim title? What do you do to get it full-time? Is it a try out for a few weeks or what exactly is going on with that?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, look, I think it's the right thing to do. I'm okay with it. I don't have a problem with the interim tag. I like that Dave and his staff are going to take the proper time to evaluate who should be full time in that position. You know, I see myself staying here and being part of the future. I hope they believe in me as well. It feels that way. I honestly don't have a problem with the tag. We'll see what happens next. Like I said, I'm honored to be here and to be in this position. I want to do everything possible to help put this this franchise on the right track at this point.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">A quick follow up, a lot has been made of the senior advisors on the Flyers, the guys who've been around for decades now. Are they part of your decision-making? Do you see them playing kind of the same role in the past with that?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know at this point. I am not sure. What I can tell you is I have a lot of respect for, I assume you're talking about Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, and Paul Holmgren. I have a lot of respect for those guys for what they've accomplished in their career, both on and off the ice. Lots of respect. I've been in this position for 48 hours. I've had a quick chat with them. At this point, that's all that's happened. We'll see moving forward with what happens there.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">There are two openings right now: President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. Does one of the two jobs appeal to you more than the other?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I have the GM part in my title, so that's kind of what I'm going with at this point. I haven't really thought about President. At this point, I probably see myself as the GM, I would say, but I would be open to whatever Dave and Dan would see fit. It really doesn't matter to me.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">As a quick follow up, Chuck Fletcher did not like the word rebuild when he talked about the future. Is that something that you don't like to use too? Or do you see this as a rebuild?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Not at all. I believe it's needed. We have to be careful, and I want to make sure that rebuild doesn't mean fire sale. There's a big difference between the two. I want to make that clear. We're not going to get rid of everybody. We have some good players here. Some players that are in certain roles that we're going to keep as well. We're going to look at every possible option out there to improve the team. I don't think this is a quick fix. That's my belief and that's why I'm not afraid to use the word rebuild. As long as you all understand, those little asterix, that it's not a fire sale. It doesn't mean fire sale for me.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Danny, what are kind of your primary focuses over the next couple of months heading into the off-season, Draft and does having the interim tag impact any of that?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, the next few things, it's helping John, his staff finish the season strong. Obviously, I know a lot of the players, but I'll have the chance to maybe dive a little deeper with his coaching staff and the people upstairs around me. Have deeper discussions on evaluating players and what the next few steps moving forward. At the same time, the draft is going to be a key opportunity for us to improve our team for the future. The reality is, unfortunately, we're not going to make the playoffs most likely this season. We're going to be positioned pretty well to add a key quality player for the future of this franchise. That's going to be important the next couple months to send the proper people in the right place to see us who's out there. Make sure we make the right pick. That's also going to be a key responsibility of my job.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">You are the interim GM, but are you empowered if there were changes in the front office, either additions or subtractions that you're allowed to make?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">That's a discussion that I need to have with Dave and Dan, but I believe so. At this time, it's not about rocking the boat. It's more about evaluating everybody that's in place, evaluating our players, finishing the season strong and being a help to the players and staff and everybody around me. Try to get everything on track finishing off. I'm not looking to change anything drastically right at this moment. I've had this job for 48 hours. It's not going to happen overnight. This is going to be a long process. Just like we've talked about doing things the right way, I think it applies also with everybody on the staff, not just the players.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">It's pretty clear based on our conversation this morning that you would like to ultimately be named the GM. That said, you've only been an official member on the front office as a special assistant for a little over a year. What gives you the confidence that you have the necessary experience to take on that role for the players?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, there's no doubt in my mind that I can do the job. I'm going to have some great people around me as well. It's not something that I'm going to do alone. I was never a player that worked alone. I always believed in team first, team mentality first, and it's going to be the same approach on this side. I love working with people and it's going to be the same way moving forward now. Even when I played as a player, I was always someone that studied my opponents, also studied my GMs, and what they were doing and whether the other GMs were doing. I probably started doing that a little deeper when I got to Buffalo, the way the Darcy Regier kind of built a young team that went to a couple back-to-back Conference Finals. I came here, learned a lot under Paul Holmgren as well, where we were a lot closer, maybe when I arrived to winning the Stanley Cup, but it was also coming off a year where we finished last, I believe, the year before I got here, and how he was able to rebuild that team. I went to Montreal with Marc Bergevin where he also had to rebuild the character of his team. In the year that I was there, I was able to take a team to the Conference Final as well and then to Joe Sakic in Colorado. I got there early in the process; they were just the latest Stanley Cup Champions. I was there early in the process when that rebuild was being made. Now I like to think that I was able to help some of the young guys because I was at the end of my career. More of in leadership role, little less responsibilities on the ice. I felt that I was there more for leadership, but I also saw how things were being built at that time. Since then, I've tried to follow how teams were building their teams. I've also learned on the business side, different things that you don't realize as a player, how everything works in front offices. It's been a great process. Yeah, maybe I was hired officially under Chuck in the past year, but my journey has started a long, long time ago. I've always been someone that pays attention to what's going on, how processes are being done, and how I could use it if one day I'd be in that position. I'm not gonna lie, it's something that I saw myself do from early on when I was playing. I always believed that I could be in this position one day. Again, it’s why it's so special and so exciting for me.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">First, as Adam was referencing, the still is relatively new to you in the front office and you were talking about your preparation for it. But in your mind, how important is it as there's a search for a team president is there to have somebody with high degree of experience in a front office role? Or does it really kind of depend on who the candidate is?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Why I think there's many ways to go about that. That would be more of a question for Dave Scott and Dan Hilferty. I don't want to put words in their mouth that whatever they decide. It might be someone that can help in a day-to-day decision, or maybe it's someone else that we find in a different role. I'm not sure. That would be more of a question for them.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Chuck in one of his last press conferences was talking about how he's not planning a fire sale. He mentioned a number of young players as a group that in his mind were growing and continue to build on key guys like Noah Cates, Owen Tippett, Cam York, Morgan Frost and maybe a couple other guys. In your mind, is that the group that go in each day individually? Are these guys that you're looking to continue to grow as an organization?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, what I would say to that is our young guys have a lot of value to us. At the same time, we're not in the position to not listen to anyone. The young guys are not the guys that we would be shopping, obviously. Yes, I have been really impressed in the development of the guys that you've mentioned under John Tortorella. That's the really exciting part for me. Seeing some of the young guys take a step this year. In the last few days seeing also guys like Elliot Desnoyers and Tyson Foerster come up and hold their own. Gives us a lot of hope moving forward. They're all going to be part of the evaluating process. As you've seen, there's no one that's untouchable anywhere. If Wayne Gretzky can be traded, anyone can. But obviously, some players have more value than others and I'm not going to deny that.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know if you know this yet or not. As far as Brent Flahr, is he going to be around? Is he going to be the leader of the Draft? And moving forward, is he going to be on the staff here?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">That's my expectation. I have a great relationship with Brent. He's been tremendous. He's included me on everything since I started working with Chuck. I have a lot of confidence in Brent. You look at his track record at the draft. It's pretty impressive. So yeah, I would say so.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The timing was a bit curious, right after the trade deadline. How active were you in trade discussions? If this was going to happen, would you'd rather had it before the deadline to get a full crack at shaping the roster that way?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't even think of that. I was trying to help as much as I could at the deadline like everybody else. That's really not my decision. It happened 48 hours ago. I'm ecstatic. I'm so happy and honored to be here. I'm not questioning what was done before or when the decisions were made. To me, it's moving forward. Looking to this day and moving forward. That's what I'm excited about.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you been given any idea what kind of timeframe Dave and Dan have to hire full time people? Obviously, your interview started 48 hours ago and it's going to be ongoing. Have they given you any ideas of when they want to have full time people in those two positions?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">No, I don't know what the timeline is at this point. I have the feeling, or I was kind of led to believe that it's not going to be something that's going to drag into next season. I don't know the timeline of things. I'm sure they're going to reach out to people and talk to different people. Hopefully, the decision is made soon.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Last year, we were talking about the development. This season has been a big year for the Phantoms with a lot of young players taking bigger bites of the team. Do you feel that that is on the right track? Or do you think that that still needs to be accelerated?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">That's a good question. Something we're going to evaluate deeper. At the same time, I think Lappy has done a great job preparing these guys when they were called up. Like you mentioned, they've done a really good job coming up and helping. You look in the case of Cam York, I remember beginning of the year when we sent them down, you would have thought that was the end of his career. Even though it wasn't easy for him, it was a tough time. He battled through. I was really impressed on how he got through that and how Lappy’s staff was able to get him back on track, work with him, and how good he's been since he got called up. He's playing heavy minutes for us in our top four and on the power play. It's been an impressive process, so it's got to be part of the evaluation.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">You've come across like trying to find your feet a little bit. Were you surprised when you got the call?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv0909961994MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">A little bit, obviously. You don't go to work expecting the person you work for to be fired. Like I said, the last 48 hours it's been a little crazy. Lots of people reaching out. Lots of friends reaching out. I couldn't keep up and I apologize to everyone if I haven't had the chance to get back to you yet. It's been a little crazy. I know I'm repeating myself and I apologize for that, but it's been pretty amazing. It's quite an honor. I’m trying to survive at this point the last 48 hours.</span></span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-2139147878016531672023-03-10T15:19:00.013-08:002023-03-10T15:24:18.815-08:00Philadelphia Flyers: Danny Briere's Elevation to Interim General Manager Is Step 2<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">The Philadelphia Flyers hired John Tortorella last year. The ramifications of that internal decision </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8842087511929415492/213914787801653167#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">was detailed</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> heading into the start of this season.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8842087511929415492/213914787801653167#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Today's move</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">, relieving President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chuck Fletcher of his duties and naming </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8842087511929415492/213914787801653167#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Danny Briere</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> interim GM, is step 2 in rebuilding the Flyers on and off the ice. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The organization's decision to split what were Fletcher's positions, since his hire in 2018, into President and GM roles recognizes the complexities of the modern professional sports world. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Briere has worked for the Flyers for many years following his retirement as a player after the 2014-15 season. He was provided with a comprehensive opportunity to learn all aspects of the organization, and also served in a top role for the Comcast-owned East Coast Hockey League's Mariners of Maine team, which gave him unique and applicable experience he can use now. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The interviews Briere had in the recent past, including his being a finalist for the Montreal Canadiens GM position, led to the Flyers naming Briere as Special Assistant to the General Manager. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Quebec native was drafted in the first round of the National Hockey League's draft in 1996 by the then-Phoenix Coyotes. Brier seems primed to be elevated beyond the interim GM title he earned today. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">And earned is the right adjective to use regarding Step 2, with Step 1 being Tortorella's hire. </span></p><p><br /></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-25929430293819270552023-03-03T15:07:00.017-08:002023-03-04T08:58:20.616-08:00Philadelphia Flyers: Trade Deadline Day and the Hockey Road Ahead<p><span style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia Flyers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Chuck Fletcher, spoke with the media today about the National Hockey League's trade deadline. He fielded questions with an eye toward building the <a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/">franchise</a> in a measured manner. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There has been and will continue to be questions about the process that is underway. More answers about <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PHI/2023.html">players</a> currently in the organization will be determined as this regular season plays out, with various post-season decisions pending and more changes projected this summer. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following is courtesy of the Flyers' Media Relations department:</span></p><p class="yiv8132368796MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Chuck Fletcher</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv8132368796MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">How close were you with JVR?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't have any offers at all until about 1:40. I got a call from a team, and they had a concept that if they were able to move a forward off of their team, then they had interest in in acquiring JVR. We talked about the parameters of what the deal would look like. It made sense from that standpoint, but all along, it was conditional on the other trade going through. Eventually the other deal fell through.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">That was just minutes before the deadline?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">It was probably about 25 minutes before the deadline when I found out that the deal fell through. It was interesting. Interesting market. We've been working the phones hard for three weeks on most of our players on expiring contracts. The one offer that I did get on JVR happened at 1:40 this afternoon and it was a conditional offer. I didn't know what the market would be, but I thought there would at least be some offers that we would have to consider or not consider. So, it's the nature of the business, I guess. It is what it is. We would probably rather have a good pick and allow JVR the opportunity to play in the playoffs, but the market spoke, and it wasn't to be. He's a true professional. He is a good hockey player for us, and he'll be a good mentor down the stretch.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Did you have other teams that you went back to when you found that out?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been speaking to teams for three weeks; I've spoken to every team.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m talking about right before the deadline when that deal fell through.</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Every team by then had already told me no several times. There was no – that deal didn't hold up anything at all. I never had an offer until that conditional offer at 1:40, which I found out at 2:30 wasn't going to happen.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Just to clarify, they acquired somebody else?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">No, they didn't acquire somebody else. They were going to move a forward, the other team – I don't know the details of what they were doing, it wasn't really my business – but if they were able to consummate the other trade, then they were going to come back. But we had the framework of the deal done in case they were able to make that trade and they weren't able to make it.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">There was a report from Elliote Friedman who said that it was pending a physical so that that wasn't true?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">No, no, nothing. Routinely when you acquire players, teams ask about the medicals. They did ask and his medicals are fine. You guys have been covering JVR, he has no medical issues. It had nothing to do with us. Again, we agreed to the conditional part of the deal, but I understood the conditions. So, there's nothing untoward here. We understood that if the deal happened, we had a deal. If it didn't happen, we didn't have a deal. It was all up front. At that point, again, we were where we were.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">You said there were no firm offers on JVR, but obviously, deals have been going on for the past week or so. Do you think that maybe your ask was too high in the early going and then there was no one left that had interest because they had already had their pieces by deadline day?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">No, I don't think that at all. Typically, you make an offer and another team counters. if a team has interest, they typically counter. They accept your offer, or they counter your offer. And these are draft picks we're talking about it's not overly complicated. There's no smoking gun here, I guess is all I could say. We certainly made everybody aware he was available. We made everybody aware we would retain 50%. We made everybody aware that we could even take back a contract if that helped a little bit more on the cap or the cash. We talked about a different range and different ways of getting there – prospects, a pick, multiple picks, whatever it would be, conditional pick. We talked about all kinds of different scenarios. But ultimately, again, I can only control my half, and there has to be a willing buyer. Until 1:40 today, we never had any type of offer and the offer we got was conditional.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">We're talking about a guy who has nearly 300 goals in the NHL. There were many other players that were dealt at this deadline that don't have the same pedigree that he has. How do you explain the lack of interest?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been using that line for three days. That's exactly what I've been saying to teams. This guy is a good player, he can help you. Can give him to you at 3.5 million. Let’s cut a fair deal. So, I can't answer that. Obviously, I can't speak for the other teams.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">How disappointed are you that you couldn't get a draft pick for him? I’m sure going into it you thought you'd get at least a draft pick.</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, that certainly was the hope and to give JVR an opportunity to play in the playoffs. He's a pending UFA, he's been a good pro for us, and I think it would have been a win-win for both sides. I would have much rather had a pick than not, but we never had that opportunity. So, it is what it is. There's only so much you can do. I spoke to every team in the league. Really, there's about 16 teams that were true buyers – I spoke to them multiple times. There was a couple of times I thought there might be a possibility, and then things would veer off. There's not much more I can say. We were willing, and we were accommodating, and we were open to ideas, but you need somebody to be a willing buyer.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">In your conversations with those potential buyers, what was the biggest sticking point in them not wanting to get over the hump for JVR?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m not sure. I'm not sure. Obviously, a $7 million cap hit, you retain 50%, It's still 3.5. You can see some of the teams’ cap situations, I assume that was part of it. There's been some pretty good players moved, probably there's some teams that have preferences, players they preferred above JVR. But I can't speak to that.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Did you attempt to get a third party involved to retain some more of his salary?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, that would be up to the buying team to do that. Say, for example, you’re a team and you valued JVR as a fourth-round pick. You think he's worth a fourth-round pick, then you're going to give up another third or fourth round pick to have a team retain another 50% - you’ve now doubled your acquisition cost. I'm just trying to be really clear here – I didn't get a firm offer of even a fourth-round pick for JVR. So, just logically, I can't speak for those teams, but obviously, that's more than they wanted to pay.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">You said that you were willing, if it would help, to take back an NHL level contract. Were there parameters on that?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">You guys are going to beat this one up, holy gosh. Yeah, I told teams absolutely I'd take a player on an expiring deal, I would take a one-way contract in the minors, I could help on the cash. I was not interested in taking a player with term, unless that player could help us going forward. So, we tried to be as accommodating as possible. But again, we never had an offer, there was never anything that broke down, there was never anybody that said, “I'm only going to give you a third or a fourth or sixth and take it or leave it”, I never even got that. So, I don't know what to say. Yesterday, for example, I received two calls – one on JVR, one on another player – and I made 17. I just counted my log. We actively did our best to get an asset and to give JVR the opportunity to play in the playoffs and it didn't happen.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you think your explanation of this will maybe calm down your fanbase and sort of give them a sense of where you were throughout the process here?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Again, when you're selling at the trade deadline, it's not really a hockey trade. You're selling, you're trying to trade a player and get a draft pick. In order for that to happen, you need a team that's willing to give you a draft pick back. I can't control that end of it. I can only control making sure I talk to everybody, making sure I let everybody know we're willing to retain half, making sure everybody knows that we can take a contract back, let people know we're flexible in terms of what type of – we're not necessarily led to a pick, it could be a prospect, there's different ways to do it. From my experience, and every other deal I've done, typically you come in and say the player, we’re looking for x, and the other team says “well, that might be a little rich, I'll give you y”, and then you haggle. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I guess what surprised me was I wasn't even able to get a team to say “I'll give you this”.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">You talked about retaining salary. Do you think if James was making less than 7 million, he would have more suitors? It seems like money was the biggest obstacle here.</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">That's my assumption. Probably in the next week or so – we have GM meetings next week, and I can ask a couple of teams what they felt and what happened. Again, there were some good players moved. A couple of teams came online a little bit later in the process and had some pretty good players that ended up getting moved. I'm not sure the exact reason, but certainly the cap hit at seven million is high in this environment, which is why we were willing to work with teams. I'd have to assume that was part of it for some teams.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you talked to him?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't spoken to him yet. I spoke to his agent. I thought I would let you guys at me first, and then I'll speak with him.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The other day you mentioned that you wanted to sell some and get younger. For some of the older guys beyond JVR, did you get offers, and why did you decide ultimately not to deal some of your older players like Kevin, Provorov – the ones that you said you were taking calls on?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, you need to get value. I had a lot of conversations. I essentially told teams, look, we have our three pending UFA’s, and we'll listen on anybody. Essentially had conversations with teams and I think there were some good conversations that could be picked up in the summer in certain situations. The goal is certainly to get younger, as I mentioned, but also to make sure you're getting fair value for the players you have. There were a lot of names in the market, there were a lot of sellers, but from our standpoint, there was a couple of situations we looked at and things just didn't make sense at this point in time. That’s not to say they won't in the summer. There’s some things, again, that we can pick up. We were able to pick up a couple of draft picks today. I would have liked to have picked up a third one as we’ve just gone through, but that's what were able to accomplish.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">You talked to us earlier this week, you said you wanted to get younger. The way today played out with not being able to find something for JVR, Justin Braun is still here, so not all the rentals got moved, how can people have faith that you can actually get this team going, because part of getting it younger is going to be to move out veterans?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, exactly, and we’re going to certainly look at that this summer. Again, you have to get value when you move guys out. As I mentioned to you guys a few days ago, our goal isn't just to gut the team or to get rid of players, it's to make trades that make you better, and make sure you get value, make sure you get market value for those players with existing contracts. Today is not the only opportunity to move those players. You're going to have an opportunity in the summer, you have an opportunity next year. There's going to be opportunities to make good deals for some of those players. But it didn't happen this time. In terms of players on expiring contracts, we moved two players today and two others we didn’t, and it wasn't for lack of effort. Again, you need to – for the rental type of market – you need a team to want to acquire a player and make you an offer.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I guess there's an element here, though, where – yes, these moves can be made in the summer, it can be made next year and whatnot – but the team has struggled for years, and obviously you're trying to stay in your position. Is there a concern that this shows that you aren't able to do the rebuild you guys want to do in terms of how ownership looks at it?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Look, Charlie, I said last time our goal is to get younger. We do want to add more young assets. We are a younger team this year. We do have some pieces in Lehigh Valley and elsewhere that we think could be part of the solution going forward. We do have some veteran players on our team – mid-range age guys – we think can be a part of this too as we go forward. We're going to just continue to look at every opportunity to get better, and the trade deadline was one opportunity. There was not fair deals, in my opinion, to be made. There are some things that potentially could happen in the summer, and as we go forward, we'll just continue to look at those opportunities. But we will get younger, we're going to continue to add more young assets, and we're going to continue to build this up.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">You’ve expressed the need for high end talent. Cutter Gauthier has had a great season up at Boston College. is there a possibility that the Flyers are willing to extend an ELC to him? I spoke with him last week, he said he was going to sit down with his family and the Flyers. Have the Flyers reached out in any way and does the lack of success this particular trade deadline now force the hand to sign Cutter to at least give the fanbase something to be proud of?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't think you want to – even going back to Charlie's last question – I don't think we want to just make moves for the sake of making moves. With Cutter, we have to sit down with Cutter and really have a good conversation with Cutter, with the coaches at BC, with their own development people. Out of respect to the fact that they're starting playoffs next week, it's not a conversation you have during the year. We speak with Cutter all the time. I've been up there a few times, other staff members have been up there. We’ve met with the coaches, I speak with his advisor. Ultimately, the decision we make has to be about what's right for Cutter and his development. He's too important to make a decision not based on what's right for him. I think there's conversations that have to be had, and at the end of the season, we'll certainly sit down and do that.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Is Brendan Lemieux a guy you’re going to look at for the future, or was that deal basically for the fifth round pick?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">When I when I spoke with Rob Blake, we'd spoke about Zack. They had interest. We talked about a fifth-round pick and we thought that was fair. But he said to me, “I need a little bit of time, I need to move Brendan Lemieux in order to bring in Zack MacEwen”, and I said, “well, I'll just take him – with the fifth – but I'll take Brendan as well”. He agreed to that. Brendan's a pending UFA and we can give him a 20-game tryout here to see what he can do, but the deal was for the fifth. Then, again, Rob had indicated that for whatever his reasons were, that if he could move Brendan, he would do the deal. So, I thought I'd just make it easier.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">With Patrick Brown, a lot of times on deadline day, guys who win faceoffs and kill penalties tend to be in demand on deadline day, and they tend to be late in the process kind of deals. How did Patrick’s deal come around?</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Again, I've been speaking to teams for a while on all of our players on expiring contracts. I talked to a few teams and just, gave them some of my thoughts. I thought Patrick, actually played really well for Vegas in the playoffs a couple of years ago, and his faceoffs on the right side are excellent, and he can kill and he's willing to block shots, and you can really bring an element that teams might need. A few teams call back and Ottawa was willing to give a pick. Another team was willing to offer a minor league player back, but I would have just kept Patrick in that case. But the pick was worthwhile, and it gives Patrick a chance to push for a playoff spot as well.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Charlie, I'll just go back to your last question because I don't know if I answered it as accurately. Look, I understand our fans are really disappointed. The last two, three years, there's no question we've been trying to be a competitive team. We've been trying to be a team – in particular two years ago, going back to the Summer of ‘21 – trying to be a team to maximize the last year of Giroux on his contract, to be a team that could compete and make a playoff spot. Clearly, I haven't done that. I haven't done that job. There's no doubt. Last year we had a couple devastating injuries, absolutely, with Couturier and Ellis, and even Hayesy. This year with Couturier and Atkinson has been very difficult. But that's not the only reason. We need more talent and that's on me. So, I get it. Last Summer I think we were a little tepid. We didn't want to be overly aggressive, in pursuit of talent because we did have some concerns about Couturier in particular, then Farabee had been hurt and we didn't know what we exactly were going to have going into the year. So, we put some kids on the team, we gave them that opportunity. As we go forward, we recognize we have to get more talent and we are going to build it. I'm not worried about my job – whatever happens with me will happen with me. That's up to Dave Scott. But everything I do is about doing what's right for the Philadelphia Flyers and not taking shortcuts, and that's in part why we didn't make any more deals today. The deals that were presented to me were not good deals for the Philadelphia Flyers. Last Summer, being more aggressive was not going to be good for the Philadelphia Flyers. Maybe in the short run it makes me look better, but we don't want band-aids anymore. We want to build this the right way and we're committed to doing it. Those are my words, my actions will have to back it up, but we're committed to doing it.</span></span></p><p class="yiv1135619397MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-11993477794138830422023-02-08T16:36:00.001-08:002023-02-08T16:36:07.198-08:00Classic Post: An Interview With Philadelphia Flyers’ Legend Bernie Parent<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The emergence of Carter Hart as a solid goalie provides the Philadelphia Flyers with a key building block. The top goaltender in franchise history and National Hockey League Hall of Famer, Bernie Parent, was central to the team's back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's another look at an interview I conducted with him...</span></p><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spending a few hours with Philadelphia Flyers' legend Bernie Parent was well worth the trip to his office in New Jersey. Here's a full replay of an online feature that originally premiered in the fall of 2010...<br /><br />“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Today, my philosophy has changed tremendously. Everything comes from what you think about. Whatever you are thinking, you are going to attract. When you are happy, good things will come to you, ” Bernard Marcel Parent.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">A week prior to his participation in the Spectrum's demolition ceremonies, I had the chance to discuss hockey, business, and philosophy with Bernie Parent. In doing so, I learned about the man who was a steady rock on those Flyers 1970's Stanley Cup teams. The former goaltender's candor and warm demeanor revealed how he has transitioned from a Hall of Fame sports career to life after the game.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The last time I was in the Spectrum, I went down to the floor and stood where the holes for the net used to be. I was there for about 10 to15 minutes looking at the whole building. I relived the memories one last time. It was a beautiful thing,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Parent, who will be honored by the Flyers on December 8</span><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> at “Bernie Parent night”, has remained a member of the Flyers' family, serving as an ambassador for the team.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>New book to be released</b></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">He also is the author of a forthcoming book, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u>My Journey Through Fear and Risk</u></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, which was </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">developed through his experiences, conversations, and motivational speeches that he has given since his playing career ended. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The book will be available to corporations, schools, non-profits, and individuals. In it, he discusses life after hockey and how each person can develop a proper philosophy. It also contains a menu of 15 topics to select from which facilitates Parent's in-person presentations.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">In addition to authoring a book, he has continued to represent a number of different corporations, and make public relations appearances around the country and in Canada.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Business requests can be made through his manager, Dean Smith, who can be contacted at: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">856-988-0001 and through Parent's website.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">When I talk with people, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I tell them to find out what their purpose is. They need to find what they love to do and dedicate their lives to it. That's when you get involved in fear and risk. You may have to change everything in your life, but risk is a beautiful thing. That is when things happen. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">All successful people have taken risks,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Learning from the master</b></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Parent's hockey career was partly inspired by Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante, whose sister lived aside of his family home.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I was a shy kid, so when Plante would come to visit his sister I would always watch him. I can see in my mind exactly what his sister's house looked like, how he got out of his car, stood in front of the house smoking a cigar, and how he walked up the steps,” Parent fondly recalled.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">My goal as a little leaguer was to get to the National Hockey League and then to win the Stanley Cup. When I was a kid I might have had 200 people telling me that I wasn't going to make it. They said I</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">wasn't big enough, or strong enough. But, w</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">hen you have passion and are good enough, the obstacles fade away,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">After playing in the junior leagues for the Niagara Falls Flyers, he was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the mid-1960's. Later he was selected in the 1967 NHL expansion draft by the Flyers and played in Philadelphia until he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1971. Their starting goalie at the time was none other than Jacques Plante.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">When I was traded to Toronto, I had some doubts at first. That was a low point in my career because I wasn't looking at the right side of the coin. I was thinking about the Flyers not wanting me, rather than the fact that the Leaf's did want me. Plus, the person who I admired as a child, Plante, was their goalie. I learned a great lesson from that whole experience,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I was there (in Toronto) for two years. I watched Plante play from the bench. He was incredible! You don't want to copy someone, but take what they have an add it to your own style. So, one day, I said to him, 'Jacques, can you teach me?', Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">In 1972, Parent took a risk and jumped to a rival league called the World Hockey Association. While playing for the Philadelphia Blazers during that 1972-73 season, he faced an average of 55 shots per game, but used that as an opportunity to apply what he had learned from Plante. When the Blazers moved to Vancouver at season's end, he decided to go back to the NHL. Toronto then traded his rights to the Flyers.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Fred Shero</b></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Newspapers heralded his return as a move that could help the team to win the Cup in 1973-74.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The first time I met Fred Shero he came up to me and said that he believed in team work, but didn't know anything about goaltending, so I was on my own. As soon as he said that, I knew I had the right coach,” Parent recalled.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I got a standing ovation when I stepped onto the ice at the Spectrum during our first pre-season game that year. But, ten minutes into the game, the Rangers had scored </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">eight goals</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> against me. I heard a lot of boos and Freddy (Shero) pulled me out. That was my reintroduction to the city. But, when you think you have hit your lowest moments, it doesn't mean it's over. You are just being sent in a different direction,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A few weeks after that Rangers game, Shero had Parent start in goal for the regular season opener against Toronto. He shut them out 2-0. As we know, the </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Broad Street Bullies </i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">went on to famously win their first Stanley Cup that season and have “walked together forever”, just as Shero's locker room chalkboard message had encouraged them to do.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Parent earned many awards after his return to Philadelphia, including winning both </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">the Vezina (an award given annually to the league's best goalie) and the Conn Smythe (an award given annually to the league's best playoff performance) trophies in 1973-74 and 1974-75.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Post-hockey career</b></u></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A five-time All-Star, he was the toast of the town in the 1970's, adding another Cup win in 1974-75. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">But, after a career-ending eye injury against the Rangers, in 1979, his life changed dramatically.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">After retirement, the problem is that you can't perform in front of large crowds anymore. That is the biggest adjustment that you have to make. Money is separate adjustment,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">He joined a self-help program that he credits with turning his life around.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In your greatest despair, you can have your greatest victory. As long as I was the hockey player, I had a purpose. Once that stopped, that purpose was gone. I went in circles. I wasn't happy and I hung around people who had a similar outlook. I have learned that you become what you attract. So, I like to share what I went through because I want to help people to learn through my experiences,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">During that time period he also was a goaltending coach and scout for the Flyers. Neil Little, drafted on Parent's recommendation, went on to win two Calder Cups for the Flyers AHL affiliate and today is the Flyers worldwide goalie scout.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">In 1998, he was willing to let a doctor perform a new procedure on his damaged right eye. The procedure worked, restoring his vision to 20/20.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Pelle Lindbergh</b></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Thomas Tynander and Bill Meltzer's book </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Behind the White Mask</u></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, contains a sharply detailed description of Lindbergh's life, career, and the father-son type relationship that he had with Parent. We discussed the book and his remembrances of Lindbergh.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Pelle was here on Earth for a brief moment that was cut a little bit short. We are spiritual people and</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">I believe that when someone passes away they move onto a new place in their eternal life,” Parent reflected.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">During the 1981-82 season, Lindbergh was struggling. When he was sent to the Flyers minor league team in Maine, Parent suggested that he go with him. Through his guidance, Lindbergh returned to the Flyers during that season. He went on to win the Vezina trophy in 1984-85, which Parent presented to him at the awards ceremony.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I opened the envelope and his name was listed as the winner. He came up on stage and gave me hug. It was a big moment,” Parent fondly recalled.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I was very grateful that I was a part of his life. A paradigm was passed from Plante, the master, to me and then I passed what I had learned on to Pelle. He had a lot of good qualities that could benefit us today,” Parent said of his former protege.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Recent pursuits</b></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">He has remained an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. He values family greatly, having two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">It is a different phase that I'm going into now. I love children. When you watch a child, you are seeing happiness. Watch them for a half of an hour and you will learn a lot,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">A few years ago one of Parent's sons gave him a popular DVD. He credits what he learned from it (along with it's related book) as helping him to gain a deeper understanding of life.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u>The Secret</u></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> helped me to see that we attract good and the bad things in life by how we think. When you have a positive view of life, good things happen to you. T</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">he greatest power on Earth is the power to choose. Once you understand the process, you can create anything that you want,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Ed Snider</b></u></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I believe that he is one of the best owners in professional sports and has built his own economy. He is wise enough to realize that he needs a team. He is involved with his company, but allows people to have confidence in themselves and lets his team perform. Back in 1967-68 (the team's first year) he was sitting at the kitchen table with his wife, trying to determine how they would meet payroll. Now, he is one of the most successful individuals in the Delaware Valley,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Flyers 2010-2011</b></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I think this team has the whole package. They have a great coach (Peter Laviolette) who I really like. They have great forwards and great defenseman. They also have three good goalies, who understand the game. It's exciting because the Flyers have their deepest team in a long time. They aren't hoping to win, they know they can win. If they stay healthy, they have a good chance to win the whole thing,” Parent enthusiastically said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Packs</b></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I consider myself to be a wolf, because I like the freedom of choice. Choice is very, very important to me.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> A wolf works in packs. So, everyone doesn't have to be like me, because people all have different talents,” Parent said.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">He has employed the same strategy in his current pursuits that he did when he studied Plante's goaltending techniques. He studied successful business people for five years, so that he could begin to build his own business pack.</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Parent concluded by saying, “Material possessions, like us, will come and go. I am grateful for what I have been able to attract. Life is a wonderful journey.”</span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Postscript</b></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Growing up in the 1970's, I was naturally a Flyers fan and spent many great days playing street hockey with cousins and elementary school friends. My uncle created cool foam goalie pads that my cousin wore during our games in his garage. Every Sunday, while my Mom was making dinner, I would put my Bernie-style mask on and fend off shots from my Dad in our own basement rink.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">After completing the interview, I began my journey back through the roads that I had traveled on a few hours earlier. As I did so, I could see in my memories that we all wanted to be who Bernie was back then. I also knew that I had just spoken with someone who enjoys being who he is today.</span><br /><br />(Thank you to <a href="http://morronicustom.com/" style="color: #7c93a1; text-decoration-line: none;">Dan Morroni</a>, who is a custom tailor in the Philadelphia region.)<br />(My interview was initially provided to philly2philly.com.)</span></div>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-60088009676572791812022-12-20T15:20:00.052-08:002022-12-21T11:37:35.488-08:00Behind the Hockey Scenes: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets <p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Behind the Hockey Scenes:
<a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> vs. Columbus Blue Jackets </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">December 20, 2022 –
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd52GaI_ATyqyt4JzGnMe9nQBToxCkzHkrcTR4lxKVEAJj7xNDeZQa7j-2sgcIkeawrQCS69v_6Qbt-GeJTQpXLgGOW8y6oz5a0oW4FERFhDc_f_YoKLTcDtggUKDjQ-Tl5APN0smHYD-Z-cbkxV-LXYguE8vQmhfxmerubaBWyD7txncHQn2GnpU/s4032/Pre-game%20full%20ice%20-%20Dec%2020,%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd52GaI_ATyqyt4JzGnMe9nQBToxCkzHkrcTR4lxKVEAJj7xNDeZQa7j-2sgcIkeawrQCS69v_6Qbt-GeJTQpXLgGOW8y6oz5a0oW4FERFhDc_f_YoKLTcDtggUKDjQ-Tl5APN0smHYD-Z-cbkxV-LXYguE8vQmhfxmerubaBWyD7txncHQn2GnpU/w640-h480/Pre-game%20full%20ice%20-%20Dec%2020,%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Photo - Sean O'Brien)</div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: large;">Introductions</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Philadelphia (10-15-7, 27
points) sits just ahead of the bottom team, <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/CBJ/2023.html">Columbus</a> (10-19-2, 22
points) in the Metropolitan division of the National Hockey League's
Eastern Conference. The Flyers and Blue Jackets are just ahead of the
Anaheim Ducks (21 points) and Chicago Blackhawks (18 points) with the
lowest point totals in the NHL.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like Brad Larsen's squad,
John Tortorella's team has been impacted by many injuries. Last
summer's debate about Johnny Gaudreau led to him signing with
Columbus in July. He leads his team with 33 points (10 goals and 23
assists). </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Columbus leads the
four-game season series with one regulation and one overtime win. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Flyers lost 6-3 to the
New York Rangers at home on Saturday night. The Blue Jackets lost 2-1
at home to the Dallas Stars last night.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anthem - Lauren Hart - Her
voice and love for the game and the fans, like that of her iconic
father and Flyers' broadcaster, Gene Hart, resonates in the
listener's soul. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>First period</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Starting goaltenders –
Philadelphia – Carter Hart, Columbus – Daniil Tarasov</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wade Allison, Kevin Hayes,
and Zack MacEwen returned to the Flyers' lineup.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No sustained pressure on
either side through the first half of the period. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First power play went to
the Jackets due to Rasmus Ristolainen with at 12:58 left in the
frame. However, Travis Konecny scored a shorty (thirteenth overall
goal) at 13:58 remaining to give the Flyers the first tally. Assist
to Scott Laughton) </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Shots: Philadelphia - 13 Columbus - 8</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Score: Philadelphia - 1 Columbus - 0</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Intermission – Mites On Ice, with Peanuts Christmas
music equaled a crowd-pleaser. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Second period </b></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kirill Marchenko scored
(third goal) at 5:58 into the frame. Assists to Jake Christensen and
Eric Robinson. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kent Johnson (eighth goal)
put a wrister over Hart's left shoulder at 8:41 to give the Jackets a
2-1 lead. Assist to Gaudreau. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Moran Frost (sixth goal)
took a pass from Cam York and snapped a wicked wrist shot past
Tarasov at 10:04 to tie the game. Assists York and James van
Riemsdyk. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Owen Tippett (ninth goal)
worked a nifty give-an-go with Joel Farabee to the right of Tarasov
on a power play to give the Flyers a 3-2 lead at 14:18.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The growth of the younger
players on the roster was on display at points in this period. As
Tortorella has often said, this season is about seeing what they
have. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Shots: Philadelphia - 13 Columbus - 12</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Score: Philadelphia - 3 Columbus - 2 </span>
</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Intermission – More Mites</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XFkBMUKSLIysX4ml4tIb7qumg35NTrjYdSAPaBlGrR73DA99ZE8_xFtrqiGOD3TZ7geTDW5cFWnXU1BmfVDt-MdWkqn9RSXE4ACo4veWWNY6WzHj78rIZ763qPcVKadoYdk9-dw7SfkeRgLdlTKknw-BSZAt_ggWtGZM5o1P7YvXX-oWZ6V3_ky1/s4032/Flyers%20bench%20during%20the%20game%20%20-%20Dec%2020.%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XFkBMUKSLIysX4ml4tIb7qumg35NTrjYdSAPaBlGrR73DA99ZE8_xFtrqiGOD3TZ7geTDW5cFWnXU1BmfVDt-MdWkqn9RSXE4ACo4veWWNY6WzHj78rIZ763qPcVKadoYdk9-dw7SfkeRgLdlTKknw-BSZAt_ggWtGZM5o1P7YvXX-oWZ6V3_ky1/w640-h480/Flyers%20bench%20during%20the%20game%20%20-%20Dec%2020.%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Photo - Sean O'Brien)</div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: large;">Third period</b></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Konecny, who had that
Christmas pep in his step tonight, weaved into the offensive zone and
threaded a backhanded wrister over the left shoulder of Tarasov to
give the Flyers a 4-2 lead at 2:45. His second goal of the night and
fourteenth of the season was unassisted. </span>
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Andrew Peeke (third goal)
quickly entered the zone and snapped a strong wrist shot over Hart's
left shoulder to close the gap to one goal at 11:11. Assists to Jack
Roslovic and Gustav Nyquist. </span>
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Columbus pulled the goalie
with approximately two minutes to go. But Tippett (tenth) netted an
empty-netter to seal the game. His second of the night, unassisted
at 18:41 to give Philadelphia a 5-3 victory. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shots: Philadelphia - 13 Columbus - 13</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Final Shots: Philadelphia 39 - Columbus - 33 </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgXFbGdUZhtEtyAttx2YqDZNDtqVJ9_QAzSTXceKl5ykthvibyhjMJS0MY8lfYsCSlK_oS4Zr8onAWPi4qGsbA9ciWaHLFaEvzbd3lPXivC8XV9q43EF4BsshJuLNdukJZsy4_z2hxuCtlcGAhvFd1PH5v3to2y7crU-0ckN-HSzqAq59kFQvqc3s/s4032/John%20Tortorella%20-%20during%20postgame%20presser%20-%20Dec%2020,%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgXFbGdUZhtEtyAttx2YqDZNDtqVJ9_QAzSTXceKl5ykthvibyhjMJS0MY8lfYsCSlK_oS4Zr8onAWPi4qGsbA9ciWaHLFaEvzbd3lPXivC8XV9q43EF4BsshJuLNdukJZsy4_z2hxuCtlcGAhvFd1PH5v3to2y7crU-0ckN-HSzqAq59kFQvqc3s/w300-h400/John%20Tortorella%20-%20during%20postgame%20presser%20-%20Dec%2020,%202022.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Photo - Sean O'Brien)</div><p>Per the Flyers media relations department:</p><p><b style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><u><span face="sans-serif">Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span face="sans-serif"> </span></u></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">How much of a factor was it for you guys to come back in that second period? They started to get some momentum on their side, you guys answered back and take it back, but how key was that for you guys?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">Are you asking me if that was a key time? When we went down 2-1? Yeah, when we answered, tied it, and then scored another one – Tip’s goal – it just swings the momentum. Didn’t give. We give up some goals. We give up a lead, but we didn’t give. We crawled back in it and found a way.</span></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">Was Carter okay at the end? It looked like he was slow getting up.</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">I didn’t notice anything. I just left the bench. I did not see. No one’s told me anything.</span></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">This morning we talked about the power play and how the main focus for those guys was the entries, just getting into the zone. That unit didn’t end up with a goal on the power play – I believe it was Tippett’s goal at the end – but what did you see there, them being able to keep the puck in even after the power play ended?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">We still struggle on the entry. It’s at a very dangerous area right at the blue line. I thought Tip has a good game as far as retrieving pucks and battling for pucks. I didn’t even see the goal, so I can’t even comment on it. Everybody stood up, so I couldn’t even see it. It’s a work in progress as far as our power play, especially the entry part.</span></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">You’ve talked a lot the last few weeks about the fact that you’re building something here. A game like this where you have a lot of the 25 and younger guys step up – TK, Tippett, Frost, Cam – does that make you excited for what this could be down the road?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">As hard as it’s been to eat all the losses – for coaches, it’s hard – they’re the ones that play. I can imagine how they feel. There have been some good things going on as far as development, as far as individual players, and also our team concept. You got to hang your hat on somewhere or you’ll lose your mind. Those are the things we’re trying. We’re trying a little “small victories” as far as where we’re coming as individuals. I’ve seen players get better each game. I’ve seen our backend get better. Cam York – minor leagues worked. Lappy and those guys, that whole situation that you guys were pissing and moaning about when we sent him down – worked. Cam comes up and is trying to make a difference. Those are the things we’re trying just to build on and hopefully – 50 plus games here – hopefully we just get some consistency and maybe some results.</span></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">With Konecny, has he entered the point where you trust him in any situation – power play, shorthanded, up a goal, down a goal?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">You see how I use him, so I trust him. I’m always looking for him. He does some crazy stuff at times. We need to work with situational play with him, but you’ve got to be really careful of how – he’s just a reaction type player – you got to be really careful how you coach him because I need to let him go. Teach him a couple things along the way, but I need to let him go because that’s when he’s at his best.</span></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">Have you seen the positive progression in the areas you need him to be better in?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">Yeah, I think he’s cognizant – at least he tells me that before he goes out on the next shift. He’s a bundle of energy and I love that about him. With a bundle of energy, there’s going to be some crazy stuff that happens. I don’t want to overcoach him. When we get to being a team that is competing in big games, playoffs and all that, when we get there as a team, hopefully at that time, he’ll lead the way as far as situational play. He’s still a pretty young man in this game. I’m hoping he leads the way as far as understanding some of those things when you’re in those key type of situations.</span></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">What did you think of Wade Allison’s game? I think he missed about six weeks, and what did you think of Hayes’ game tonight too?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">I’m not giving up Hayesy’s game. I’m not going to have the Kevin Hayes update. You guys are trying to pit him against me and me against him, which is so ludicrous. So, I’m not giving you any update on Kevin Hayes. Ally, straight ahead, had some good bangs. I think he probably played ten minutes. I can give you a better assessment when I watch the tape.</span></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">Going back to Konecny, he scored the first shorthanded goal of his career tonight. You’ve had him paired up with Scott Laughton on the penalty kill. What have you liked about that duo, not just from a penalty killing standpoint but also their ability to try to create some offense?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">I don’t think he’s killed here before. At least that’s what he’s told me, which is shocking. I’m not criticizing the prior coaching staffs, but I just think he’s so good. I had Cam for six years. Him and Cam are very similar – they anticipate so very well as a penalty killer. That’s why they end up with scoring chances in those types of situations. Willing to block shots, their quickness to pucks – listen, he’s a key guy. As I said, I look for him in every situation and deservedly so.</span></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">You talked about how Cam York, since he’s come back up, he’s trying to make a difference. Are you kind of seeing the same thing with Morgan Frost, especially over these last few games?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">Yeah, he’s growing. He scores another goal tonight. I think we put that line together and I think James has kind of steadied those two kids. I watch him tonight. I see him carry the puck more instead of just getting rid of it. I think the big part of his game is carrying the puck, bringing people to him, so he can make plays. For a big part of this season, he was just getting rid of the puck. I think he feels more confident. When you start getting some points and you score a couple goals with those offensive guys, that’s what happens. This is a big time for his career. He has a chance to show or not show. He’s going to get the opportunity throughout the rest of this year and I think he’s trying to cease it here.</span></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="sans-serif">We talked a lot about positives at times in losses and how that’s important to focus on, but you have two wins in your last three games. Is it still important to get results throughout this process?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6463490435MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="sans-serif">Everybody wants results. You can’t minimize that. We always are preparing to win a hockey game. Players, that’s all they want to do is win. I have to, as the head coach of the team, understand some of the situations that some guys are in and where maybe we get overwhelmed at times. I got to make sure I keep patience as we’re building. Because we’re building. As you’re building, when you approach each and every game, you want to win. It’s my job and my coaching staff’s job to make sure we handle ourselves the right way. Players just want to play and win. We have to control circumstances and how we coach them when we’re not getting the results.</span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-86838487589700966862022-11-29T14:08:00.000-08:002022-11-29T14:08:13.377-08:00John Tortorella's Comments Intriguing - Danny Briere's Star to Shine in Philadelphia?<p>Philadelphia Flyers head coach <a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/">John Tortorella</a> spoke with the media this week, as he regularly does, and offered an intriguing response to a question about his relationship with the team's management. </p><p>He credited assistant general manager Brent Flahr. But Tortorella also praised the hockey mind of the special assistant to the general manager, Danny Briere. </p><p><br /></p><p>People can subjectively read between the lines now and refer back to the latter part of November 2022 to determine where Briere's ascension is realized, meaning with this or another organization, as the future unfolds.</p><p><br /></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-8309369548596851232022-10-23T17:52:00.006-07:002022-10-29T11:43:43.119-07:00Philadelphia Phillies' Win Arguably Most Improbable National League Pennant <p>Baseball is a great game filled with emotional memories. This sport is played in backyards, on city streets, and in ballfields across the world. </p><p>As someone who has followed the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> since the 1970's, this season's improbable turnaround, through a tough September, is particularly special. </p><p>The Phillies have enjoyed four club house celebrations since Monday, October 3. Their trip to the 2022 World Series is stunning, with the triumphs over the St. Louis Cardinals, reigning World Champion Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres all being impressive. </p><p>What comes next is also unpredictable, with a strong Houston Astros team likely primed to secure its fourth American League pennant (2018, 2021) since also winning its first-ever World Series championship in 2017. </p><p>The then five-game maximum Phillies-Astros 1980 National League Championship Series (when Houston was still in the NL) ranks with or is the greatest championship series of all-time. The last four games all went extra innings, with the Phillies emerging victorious and then defeating a good Kansas City Royals team in six games to earn Philadelphia's first-ever title. </p><p>While the Phillies have gone to the World Series in 1915, 1950, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, and 2009, the franchise has only ever been awarded one other trophy. The 2008 championship team was part of a run (2007-2011) of five consecutive playoff appearances. The 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1983 playoff teams represent the only other great era in team history.</p><p>The 1993 run to the World Series (verses the Toronto Blue Jays) has since been seen as the most improbable playoff run in franchise history. The 2022 season arguably tops it. </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-41437668409992186162022-10-12T14:03:00.007-07:002023-03-12T17:25:33.759-07:00Philadelphia Flyers Prepare To Establish 2022-23 Baseline Standard <p><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> appear to see the 2022-23 season as one that will establish a baseline standard. The team, led by new head coach, John Tortorella, is not stocked to contend or, realistically, be a .500 team. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, an establishment of a what it means to be a Flyer is partially what the upcoming campaign will be about. Tortorella will lead the evaluation of the players who he believes can be part of a future that goes beyond this season. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "New serif";">P</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "New serif";">resident of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Chuck Fletcher, spoke to the media on Wednesday morning, with the season's first game being the next day, against the New Jersey Devils, on home ice in Philadelphia. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following is courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers media relations department:</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Chuck Fletcher</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">Couturier’s been skating off and on, do you have a timetable of when he’ll be able to get in the lineup?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">No timetable yet. I think he’s skated six or seven times now, I believe he was going to skate again today. He feels great, he’s progressing. If anything, we’re trying to slow him down from time to time. He’s really anxious to get back, but this is the best he’s felt since pre-surgery last year so we’re cautiously optimistic and hopefully he’ll continue to progress.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">Where do you think the strengths are for your roster and where do you think the weaknesses are for things you’re going to figure out throughout the year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">Well, the strengths – this is a young, fast team. There’s 12 players on the 23-man roster that are 25 and under, I think 9 of them are 24 and under, so they’re a little bit unproven. That’s something we’re going to have to work through that Torts has been addressing, I think with you guys as well. We have a lot of work to do, but there’s a lot of upside, so I think the youth, the speed, the depth – we have really good depth this year, much better than we have the last two years, so if we do run into injuries, which seem to happen through the course of the season, I think we have a lot of kids down in Lehigh Valley we can call up. We have 23 on our roster now, and even though we’re on LTI, we have $3.9 million in LTI space now, and we can create more, obviously, if we want to carry fewer than 23, so I think we’re set up pretty well from that standpoint. We have a lot of work to do. We know that, we’ve been saying that. The players have been working hard. I’m sure some things, some of the systems play, specialty teams even, early in the season we’re going to have to work through some things. There’s great energy down there right now. I think the players are recharged after last season and I think everyone’s just excited to get playing.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">It was a little bit of a surprise to see both Ronnie Attard and Egor Zamula on the roster. John had said that you guys weren’t going to keep them if they weren’t playing. Do you expect them to be in the opening night lineup? Where do they fit right now?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">That’s what we’re going to see the next few days. If young players are not getting regular ice time here, clearly we’ll get them to Lehigh Valley at the appropriate point. I still think John is looking at the different combinations. I believe Zamula in particular has a strong chance to play tomorrow night, but we’ll see what John does today. I haven’t had a long chat with him yet, but we’ll just see how things play out the first couple games the next few days.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">When we spoke to you back in September you mentioned that Ryan Ellis hadn’t been progressing. You put him on LTIR, do you have any update on how he’s doing now?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">He’s continuing to rehab every day. He’s been in the facility a lot, but there’s been no substantial or substantive change in his situation.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">Is surgery an option for him? I know you said during the summer it wasn’t, has that changed at all?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">At this point, we’re continuing the process that we started a while ago and that Ryan’s been working hard at. We’ll just continue to see how things evolve.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">Felix has put in a couple practices in a row, he sounded optimistic to be able to start the season on time. Was starting him on Injured Non-Roster just precautionary or did he have a setback?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">No set back at all. It’s a groin strain. If he was a skater he could probably play, but with goaltenders you always want to be a little bit more careful. In case he had to get into the game as a backup, you’d hate to have him aggravate something. He’s continuing to practice in full. He truly is day-to-day so we’ll see how that plays out, but for right now I believe Sam Ersson will be the backup tomorrow.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">What would you say the expectations are, and, in your mind, what would make this a good season for you guys?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">In terms of expectations, it’s exactly what John and I have been saying. We expect to work hard this season. We expect to work hard at establishing a standard to which we’re going to be held on and off the ice. We’re expecting to defend much better, play harder away from the puck, be a more competitive team. Clearly we got to reduce our goals against. That’s something that you can control through hard work and structure and attention to detail, and that’s an area that coaches have been focused on in camp and we’ve spoken about a lot internally. To me, I’d like to see significant improvement in our compete, in our details, keeping the puck out of our net, allowing our goaltenders to see the puck a little cleaner. If we can do that, we’ll be a pretty competitive team.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">One thing that John Tortorella said at the start of camp is that one thing that he’s good at as a coach is determining which players fit the program that he’s trying to build. How important of an aspect of this season is that – trying to figure out which guys should be part of this team moving forward?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">That’s clearly one of John’s greatest strengths. I think the other one is actually developing young players. There’s no question this season we got to see who’s part of the solution going forward. Whether you’re a veteran player, whether you’re a younger player that’s trying to push and make their way into becoming full time NHLers. There certainly are some question marks in some of these players, and that’s what happens when you have a lot of young players. Again, they’re a little bit unproven, so there could be some ups and downs, but, on the other hand, there’s also potential to improve. Whether it’s as individuals, these players, or even collectively as a team, we feel we will get better as the season goes along.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">As a follow up on that, how patient do you think you guys are going to be? Specifically with the young players, but also with the veterans in terms of if guys aren’t necessarily buying into what John is selling.</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">I don’t think there’ll be a lot of patience at all if you’re not buying in. Now, if you’re buying in, playing hard, and the production isn’t quite there, the results aren’t quite there, but you’re doing what’s asked of you, there’ll be a lot of patience, but there won’t be any patience for not buying in.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">Couple players said over the last year or two that pressure in the offensive zone, attacking the net more, is the key to cutting down on the goals allowed, because you’re spending less time in your own end. Is that something that you and John are in agreement on, that you have to be more proactive here than react so much?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">If you look at John’s teams historically, they’re strong puck possession teams. They have the ability to hold the puck in the offensive zone, and when you have the puck, obviously you don’t have to defend. Clearly, we got to get better defending, we got to defend harder, we got to defend faster. And the other part of our game last year that really struggled was our transition game. We weren’t very good at – one of the bottom five teams in the league I think – at getting out of our zone successfully, and that’s where you hope players like Zamula and Tony DeAngelo can really help you get the puck, get going. Clearly if we can have the puck, hold onto the puck, it should improve your offense, but, just as importantly, help you reduce your goals against.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">You mentioned that Samuel Ersson is going to be the backup for the time being as Sandstrom gets healthy. How do you see – once Sandstrom does get back, and he is healthy, and he returns to the lineup – how do you see that competition? Is it over, how does it play out?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">I don’t think the competition’s ever over. Again, there could be moves you have to make short-term, but I think – whether it’s the first month, the first couple months, even the first half of the year – I think you’re going to see a lot of movement between Lehigh Valley and here.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">John said the other day he expected Cam Atkinson to be on the ice today. How’s he doing, any update on him?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">I haven’t seen Cam yet; he is back in the building. He is going to get on the ice today in some fashion, and we’ll just see where he’s at. I know he feels great, he feels much better than he did last week. He’s progressed, and I guess we’ll have to see what that means.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">How concerned are you that he, Carter Hart, a couple of other guys didn’t play in any preseason games? Does that worry you at all?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">It’s sort of the reality. I don’t think there’s much we can do about that now. You’re actually seeing that more and more in other sports as well. I think in the NFL, a lot of the vets don’t even get a snap in preseason anymore. Its probably not ideal, but these guys are professionals, they’re working hard, and I assume over a couple games they’ll get going.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">How do you think that Ronnie Attard and Egor Zamula improved during the preseason with their decision making, and how did that factor into keeping them on the roster?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">Zamula had a really tough first shift in the rookie camp game, and I thought from that point on he actually kept getting better and better. He has great poise with the puck, he sees the ice so well, he’s got great length and reach. He put on about 10 pounds of muscle this summer, he can still continue to get stronger, but for right now, after two years in the American league, I’m kind of excited to see what he can do up here. Let’s see if we can develop him more up here versus just another season in the American league. That’ll be up to him how he plays. Ronnie, similar, I thought he was trying to do a lot early, trying to impact the play all over the ice in every situation early in camp. I know John and Brad Shaw had some good conversations with him. I thought he settled down and still was getting a lot of shots, was still being aggressive, but being a little bit more controlled in his defensive play. He’s a player that’s very close to playing. Whether its right now or whether he needs a little bit of time, we’ll see, but I just love the energy he brings, I love the size he brings. He’s a little bit unpredictable which I think is great. Not a cookie cutter player, but he can impact the game in so many different ways. Again, whether he's ready right now, we’ll see, but he’s here for a reason, because he’s earned the right to be here.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">We talked to John a few days before the roster was finalized about Hayden Hodgson and he said that his camp was OK. He didn’t seem terribly excited by what he’d seen, but he said that a lot of people in the organization are really high on him. What went into the decision to keep him and keep him on the roster given the fact that it doesn’t sound like he really blew the doors off in camp?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">I don’t think he had a bad camp. I really liked his first game. I thought the other games he played he was probably a little bit too safe, maybe even a little bit in-between. He wasn’t bringing that physical nature that he has. He’s a big, heavy guy. He can impact the play on the forecheck. He’s got a great shot. He’s just a young man that essentially has been an ECHL player until last year. Even though he’s 27, I still think there’s some untapped potential there. I think playing at a higher level, as he continues to adjust to the pace here, that he can improve and can continue to round out his game. Clearly what we saw last year – whether it was Lappy, Brent, Danny, me – we had a lot of time, and we’re very impressed with what he did last season, so that certainly bought him the opportunity to be here now. He knows he has to step up a bit, and he’ll get that opportunity.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">Just curious to see if you’ve had any discussions with Ivan Fedotov’s agent and is there any hope that he’ll be here at some point during the season, or is that something that you’re not even worried about now or thinking about?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">There’s really been no change. He continues to be under contract to us. He continues to serve his time in the Russian Navy, and other than that there really hasn’t been any change or any update.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">You’re going to start this season without a Captain. Were you heavily involved in that decision, and how important is it to get the right guys to wear the As, home and away?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">I’ve had a few conversations with John on that, and I think even John mentioned it – we have a lot of priorities, that’s just probably not towards the top of the list right now. I think there is some very good leaders in this group, and guys that can certainly wear a letter and have a lot of experience. I think what he wants to do is, let’s just get into the season, let’s see how players adjust, let’s see how players buy-in, and let’s see where we’re at in a little bit of time. And when there’s a decision to be made, we’ll be ready to make it.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">You got a 14-game look at Noah Cates last year, he had a very impressive camp. One of the areas that John, and before him, Mike Yeo, had said was an area of concern was the young players and the team as a whole wasn’t handling adversity in games. They’d play well when things were going well and then kind of blend in and play the way everybody did when things weren’t going so well. Is Noah, being an exception to that, is that something that other players can look at and think this is how we have to play?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">The way he’s played so far, I think every player on our team can look at his habits, his work ethic – his hockey sense is off the charts. Can move him around different positions, move him up and down your lineup. He’s playing a big role right now. That’s, to me, kind of an exciting line for our franchise. With Farabee and Tippett, and right now you got JVR with Frost and Allison, so that’s five younger guys in your middle six group, if you will. I think, not even just Noah, but some of these players now, they’re young, but they’ve had some experience, players like Frost and Tippett for example. Even Allison and Laczynski are 25 now. At some point you got to grab that opportunity and you got to rise above what Mike Yeo spoke about last year, and you hope that with continued experience and getting these reps, that that’s something they can grow into, where their game doesn’t change regardless of the score, and they can continue to take steps forward, and I’d be surprised if many of them don’t. Again, most of them have had very good camps.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">You mentioned the improvements of Ronnie Attard and Egor Zamula throughout the course of camp, we talked to John about this too, what kind of separated the two of them from Cam York, whether it was buy-in, execution, and ultimately what lead to York being sent down to the AHL?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">Cam’s a really good young player and he’s going to be a big part of our future. I spoke to you guys about this earlier in the Summer, the things he does well are the things we need for our group going forward. But he’s 21. His camp was OK. We just felt at this stage, with his age and relative lack of experience, that the best place for him is in Lehigh Valley. Lappy’s going to give him a great chance to play in every situation. Again, it’s going to be a fluid situation, there’s going to be movement, but I think allowing Cam to get big minutes in Lehigh Valley right now is the best thing, not only for him, but for our team if we want him to be that player going forward.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">John’s a coach that likes to have his input on players and decisions, he’s a pretty fiery guy, just curious as to what your relationship has been like with him and how’s it grown throughout the preseason?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">It’s been great. If you see the show The Standard that we put out, I just saw a cut of it, the one that’s going out tonight, I think it’s pretty good, you’ll see a lot of that interaction. He’s been great. He, honestly, hasn’t come in and demanded anything, “you need to get this player, you need to get that”. He wants to work with young players, “whoever you give me I’ll work with”. Now, he has opinions on those players, and you guys will know it without him even saying it, you’ll know how he feels about a player, but I think that’s great. It’s brutal honesty. The players have embraced it, and he never holds a grudge. He could have a confrontation with a player in the morning and that afternoon he’s chatting with them in the lunchroom, and the next day it’s like nothing happened. Everything he does is about making a player better. It’s never personal. I’ve been really impressed with how he ran this camp, I thought it was a great camp, and I’m excited to see what he can do. Again, his track record of bringing along young players and helping veteran players get back to where they need to be is pretty much unparalleled, in my opinion.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">You mentioned the Eagles and the Phillies at the start, the fact that their fanbase is excited right now, and your attendance was declining the last year or so, what’s your message to the fanbase? That this is a young team that’s going to be exciting to watch? What’s the selling point here?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">We’re going to get better. I think we are an exciting young team. We’re going to be fast, we’re going to be aggressive. Right now, we’re working hard to come together as a group. Like everybody, you get your 20-odd days in camp, and you’re throwing line combinations together now, we’re still working on systems, but I see a lot of potential for this group to grow. I think we have some good young talent, and I think we’re going to be an improved team and a team that’s really fun to watch.</span></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">I know you’re always looking to improve your team in some way, but compared to what you have here, the young guys, what you have at your disposal in Lehigh as well, how active do you intend on being in terms of mining the waiver wire as teams get sorted out over these next couple weeks?</span></b></p><p class="yiv3407153479MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: large;">We were watching the waiver wire like everybody, but going back to what I said before, I think our depth is pretty good. You look at D, we’re ten, eleven deep that can play up here. Obviously, a lot of forwards that can play here. A lot of young players that I think need an opportunity. So, I think before we start looking outside the organization, let’s see what we have inside. And again, for the most part, you guys have watched most of camp, I think most of the young players have played pretty well and look like they’re improved. And I think right now, if they continue to work and do what John asks, we need to give them the opportunity to show what they are. Going back to Charlie’s question earlier, this is a year we got to find out who’s part of the solution going forward, and hopefully a lot of these players grab that opportunity.</span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-1022991731171987692022-09-22T15:59:00.015-07:002022-09-22T16:02:01.104-07:00Philadelphia Flyers' Chuck Fletcher Speaks As John Tortorella Leads <p>The <a href="https://www.nhl.com/flyers/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> have opened the 2022-23 season with a new outlook. The off-season hiring of head coach <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/tortojo99c.html">John Tortorella</a> was significant, in that it signaled that the organization intends to enforce on-ice accountability. </p><p>Torts, as he has long been known, is not expected to work a miracle on ice with what was an injury-riddled roster. Instead, the veteran coach, whose Tampa Bay Lightning team beat a stacked Flyers team in 2003-04 in a memorable seven-game Eastern Conference Semi-Finals series and then won what remains his first and only Stanley Cup, enters the fray as an all-eyes evaluator. </p><p>This two-time Jack Adams' winner (2003-04, and 2016-17 in Columbus) is an instant fan favorite, a Philly fit, and may be the right guy for this rebuilding team. But he may need the full four years of his contract to lead this franchise to being able to make a deep playoff run toward its ever elusive (1973-74, 1974-75) third Cup.</p><p>The following transcript was provided courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers Media Relations Department:</p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Philadelphia Flyers President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Chuck Fletcher</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Last year we dealt with a lot of adversity on and off the ice. Clearly, we didn’t meet the challenges that we faced, there’s no ducking that. It was an extremely disappointing season, one that we lived with all summer, and certainly one that drove us to make the changes that we did both on and off the ice. </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">But this year is a clean slate for everybody, John has made that very clear to the players. We know there’s a lot of skeptics, a lot of people that don’t believe we are a good hockey team. I know our players are eager to prove them wrong, we all are.</span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">There’s a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we’re excited about camp. In particular, I think this year this is probably the best opportunity since I’ve been here for young players to step up and either earn a bigger role on the National Hockey League team or even to make the team. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">We have a big wave of young talent coming into our system this year. Some will play in Lehigh, some will play here, but it’s an exciting opportunity for a lot of young players. Depending on how camp goes, we could have up to 10 players on our roster 25 years old and younger. So clearly, particularly up front, there’s a lot of opportunity for some young players to step up and show what they can do and see if they're a part of the solution going forward. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">In terms of injuries, I’ll start off with Sean Couturier. He has not been cleared to play as you all know. This morning he will see a specialist to get a second opinion. Based on that appointment, we will try to come up with a plan of attack, and as we have more information, we will let you know. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Ryan Ellis is out indefinitely. There is no timetable on his return to play. I’ll just say that my assumption is that he will not play this season if he does it will be a bonus. That is how we have prepared this offseason by making the additions we did on the blue line. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Patrick Brown had offseason back surgery, he is continuing to rehab. The timeline is a little murky, I would call it week to week. He is skating but he has not been cleared for contact. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Joel Farabee has been cleared to participate, but non-contact participation. I think we saw him this morning in the skating test, he is making good progress. In terms of when he will be cleared for contact, that will probably depend a little bit on how he feels in the skating portion and the practice portion of camp. I think we’re still looking week to week with Joel. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Bobby Brink is in the building rehabbing, rehabbing is going well, he is nine weeks post-op. Return to play I believe will still be in that December-January timeframe. The next step for him is to progress to on-ice rehab which we hope to have him do in the next week or two. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Ryan Fitzgerald has a lower body injury he suffered while skating in Boston a couple of weeks ago. He is one to two weeks away. </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">With that, I will take your questions. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">How surprised are you with Ryan Ellis? Because last year it seemed like he was improving and there was a decent chance he would play this year… </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">There’s been ebbs and flows, I think he made progress earlier in the summer. I would say the last two months there hasn't been any visible signs of progress. It’s been a frustrating injury, nobody is more frustrated than Ryan, nobody wants to play more than Ryan, but we’re dealing with reality now. He’s not skating, so clearly, he is a long way from playing. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">So, he’ll go on long term? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Potentially, that’s certainly an option for us. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">When did Joel Farabee return to being able to skate? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Joel’s been skating with the group for over a month now, he just has not had some contact yet. He had a little inadvertent contact in a couple scrimmages when the players were conducting their own practices, but he feels great. I think we want to be careful here, let the injury heal. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">We also want to make sure Joel can do the off-ice training he needs to get stronger so he cannot just survive but play well this season. We’re going to do what’s in the best interest of Joel, but I think it’s very encouraging. You saw he skated as hard as everybody, so the good thing is he’s been handling the puck skating. His timing will be great, so now it’s just a question of getting him back into contact and making sure he’s strong enough. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Regarding Ryan, when things broke up last season, you said a surgical option wasn’t something that was going to be considered. Has that changed, is there going to be a surgical option to fix whatever his issue is? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">I know we have been vague with describing the injury. I think we call it multifaceted, which it is, there's a psoas component, there’s a hip component, there’s an abductor component, so I’m not sure if you go in and repair one part that it’s going to fix everything. I’ve never heard of an injury like this, it’s very complicated. Torn psoas is a very serious injury for a hockey player, a very rare injury, so we’re doing the best we can, but we will leave it up to the medical experts. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Regarding Sean Couturier, can you speak to the details of the location of the injury and whether this is the same injury happening again? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">I know it’s in the same area as the last injury. He has been following the medical guidance of the doctors and our medical staff. Over the course of the summer he was improving, but from time to time he had some nerve irritation in his glutes He was told it was a normal part of the process, continued to train, and at some point, over the last week things deteriorated. It got to the point that he was not sleeping as well and was experiencing some pain. What triggered that I don’t know, there’s a whole host of components that impact your back. We’ll try to get to the bottom of it and we’ll do what’s best for Sean. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">He’s going for a second opinion, if it comes back in a negative way is this potentially a season ending issue? Is this something that could threaten his career? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">I think we’re a long way from knowing that. He feels much better than he did last year, he can walk around, he can sit comfortably, he feels he can even go out and skate right now. To suggest its career ending or season ending is a long way away. We’ll leave it up to the specialists, see what his opinion is, and then we’ll get together and get a plan. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Is Ellis’s injury threatening his career? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Certainly, that’s a possibility.</span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">How is Ellis holding up mentally? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">It is extremely frustrating for him; I think he thought he would be a Predator forever. He got over the initial shock of being traded, he came here, he dove right and was a great teammate, he took Ivan Provorov under his wing - they were inseparable trying to build that chemistry. He was so excited to start the season, when he played, he played well. Nobody wants to play more than Ryan Ellis. I know people in this market haven’t had a great chance to see him, but he is a high-end competitor, a very good player. It has been very difficult on Ryan as a human trying to get healthy and trying to be a part of what we are building here. But we’ll hope for the best, and things can turn quickly as we have seen for the good and for the bad, but we’ll keep working. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Have you entered contract negotiations with Travis Sanheim? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">We have, we’ve had conversations with his agent. Our goal is to resign Travis, he’s a big part of our team. He is probably the one and only player that played to their capabilities last year. I think he continues to improve. We continue to work to find a resolution, but if we don’t, I don’t think it will be a distraction. Everything has been professional and amicable, and we will continue to work away. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">What was the back injury Couturier was dealing with and what kind of surgery did he have? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">He did have back surgery, that’s the best I can characterize. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Do you see any moves coming down the middle or do you feel someone within can step-up? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">This is a really important training camp. We brought John in for a reason, not just to guide a change in culture and change standards and crack the whip but John has a proven track record of helping players reach their potential, of helping young players get better. I think we are excited to let John and his staff get to work and to see where some of these young players are, let's see where the health of our players is, and from there we can make decisions. It's a critical camp for a lot of players and again there is an unprecedented opportunity for some young players to take on bigger roles now that Giroux isn't here. Not every player is going to make our club, but all these kids are important parts of our future.</span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><br /><b><span style="color: black;">Do you think someone can change to center because… (inaudible)?</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Scott Laughton can play center; he can play wing. Lycksell played some center before in his past, but I think we’re going to start him on the wing here that’s the position he’s played most at. We do have some depth at center still and again we’ll see what the situation is with respect to Couturier and Brown and see how some of these players do and we’ll make decisions from there.</span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Have you been able to determine whether Hart is a subject of the Hockey Canada investigation and is there a concern regarding that on your part? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">This is a really serious matter; I think we all understand that. The NHL is conducting an investigation. They've been pretty adamant that at this point we should refrain from making comments - we should direct all questions to them. The question is a serious matter but at this point I’ll refrain from speaking until the NHL releases their investigation. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Have you been told how long the investigation is going? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">I haven’t. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Is Hart cooperating with the investigation? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">From what I’ve been told every player has cooperated. </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">(Inaudible) Can you talk about that change and also is Harry back with the team or not, and if not why?</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">We feel that in order to be successful on the ice we have to have the right support crew off the ice, and we spent the bulk of summer really analyzing our staff but also conducting exhaustive job searches for people to come in whether is John Tortorella and his coaching staff or Ian McEwen and the athlete performance and wellness staff. We’re very excited with where we landed with not only John but Ian, and Ian’s only been on the ground a couple weeks. He’s been focused on rounding out the staff and we announced the hiring of Tommy Alva to be our head athletic trainer, Jeff Taylor to come into a newly created PT type of position, a rehab position, we’re looking into soft tissue experts to come in and work with our players so Ian’s been hard at work with Barry Hanrahan trying to build out the staff. It’s really important that we look at different ways of taking care of our players. It’s not enough just to help out players when they’re hurt, I think the whole emphasis here is in trying to build out a program where we can prevent injuries from happening by using data, best practices, and having experts in the field. It’s going to be a process, it’s going to take some time, but we brought some good people in, and we’re excited with where we’re going to take the program.</span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Is Harry back or not?</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Harry’s not back, no. We’ve made some changes to our equipment staff. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";"> <b>Who is the new equipment manager? </b></span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">John Peters. </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif";">Are you comfortable with the prospect of having competition between Felix and Troy? Is that something you’ll evaluate at the end of camp? Might it come to a point where you bring in a goalie from the outside? </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"></span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Yeah you know it’s a great question, Bill. We have spoke about this a lot the last two or three summers when we’ve been looking at backup goaltenders and who would have come in to work with Carter and you know it seems to be the same names every summer. The same types of goalies that are free agents. We just really feel that we need to start developing more talent internally. The goal going in was to have Ivan Fedotov, with Felix Sandstrom, and a goalie like Troy Grosenick and hopefully Samuel Ersson depending on he came back from injury last season. Let them compete. Let’s what we have. Let’s give them opportunities for these young goalies, to not only provide depth in the NHL, but hopefully take a step and reach their potential instead of bringing in sort of career backup goaltenders. I’m not sure if that is the proper term but obviously a little bit of a curveball with Fedetov. But Sandstrom, I thought played very well down the stretch. He played well here. Grosenick has had a long career with remarkably consistent numbers in the American Hockey League. Actually he has phenomenal numbers in the NHL and has never really been given that opportunity. So we feel these guys can compete. Samuel Ersson I thought would need maybe a half a season or maybe a season in the American League and maybe that’ll prove to be true. But he is coming off a successful rookie camp. Small sample size, I get it. But the fact that he’s healthy and was able to compete at that level at rookie camp, I think bodes well for the future. So look we will have to see, but at some point we will have to give some young players a chance to grab a job if they can earn it. And believe me, with Torts they have to earn it. But if you don’t give them a chance, you never know.</span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Regarding Fedetov, do you have any more clarity on that situation?</span></b></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">No. Just he has to fulfill a commitment back in Russia. It’s obviously a sensitive situation but there is a commitment he has to fill and really there’s not much influence we can have in this situation.</span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What is your expectation after he fulfills his year in Russia?</span></b></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Look it’s a sensitive situation. I think I will just leave it at that he will have to fulfill his commitment in Russia. Obviously he has a contract with us and we’ll just let things play out.</span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Chuck, you mentioned about the possibility of up to 10 players 25 or younger making this team. With the issues with Couturier obviously it’s still unclear how long he’s going to be out but does that change the possibility of Couturier missing a set of time, missing the season, does that change the organizational approach to the season and pivot a little more towards playing young players and using this more as a future focused year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Well part of our, I think I mentioned to you guys at the draft and free agency, part of our main focus this year is to provide opportunity for young players to get better. And we’ve added a lot of young talent over the last couple of years. And I think it’s really important to find out what we have. Last year, as I mentioned, a lot of adversity. Again, we didn’t handle the challenges well but it was also a difficult year to fairly evaluate some younger players. Particularly at the end when we traded some players and we had some players out. You’re throwing rosters together every night and on of John Tortorella’s strengths, and I don’t think he gets nearly enough credit for this, he’s got a proven track record of making players better. Pushing players to be better. Developing young players and that’s a critical part of what we want to do. We want to find out what we have. Even take a player like Travis Konecny. He is a 50 point guys or a 70 point guy. Let’s push him here a little bit let’s see what we have. Ivan Provorov, Sanheim I think took a step last year, but Ivan Provorov is a good hockey player. Let’s give him a chance to get better. Never mind the Yorks and the Attards and the Zamulas on the blue line. Some of these are young players and there’s going to be ups and down but we have to demand more out of some of these players. They’re not just our future anymore. Some of these kids are our present. So, it’s always been a critical part of what we wanted to do. If Sean is out for an extended period of time that clearly makes things a little more difficult because he’s arguably our best player. Our number one centerman. But with that there’s opportunity for other players to step up. There’s opportunity for Morgan Frost to step forward. There’s opportunity for Scott Laughton play at center. There’s opportunity maybe for a Tanner Laczynski to take a step. He’s 25 years old. We need to find out about Tanner Laczynski. He’s not a kid anymore but yet he’s missed a lot of time. Looks great so far from the little bit I’ve seen. But to me, that’s the main storyline of this camp. Let’s see what we have. Let’s see how good these kids are.</span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">In regard to some of these younger players, obviously camp performance is the first barometer, but if things are close do waiver considerations factor in at all?</span></b></p><p class="yiv7209009568MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">They do because you want to make sure you have enough depth. So that will be something that we sit with the coaching staff about. John has been pretty adamant that he doesn’t care what the name on the back of your jersey is. You’ll hear more from him today but whoever earns it will earn it but there’s obviously some practical considerations of time that we will have to look into. But there’s also health issues. How healthy are we? Sometimes you think you have decisions to make and they are made for you by virtue of things you can’t control. But look we’re, I guess I’ll just say in closing, we understand there’s a lot of questions about our team. We understand there are skeptics. But we are excited. We are excited to go out and prove people wrong. The energy around this building is the best I’ve seen. There is a little bit of fear. But just a lot of genuine excitement from the players about getting back out there. Let’s get some stability here. Let’s function as a team. Let’s rebuild some things we need to rebuild. So we are excited.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-58605809073300384132022-07-24T12:47:00.056-07:002022-07-27T17:37:52.043-07:00Gut Check Championships – Electric 15-Card Event - July 23, 2022<p></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br /></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8842087511929415492/5860580907330038413#">Gut
Check Promotions</a><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">
presented another electric event at the PAL Center in Hockessin,
Delaware, on July 23, 2022. The strong card featured fifteen bouts,
including two championship events.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif">A solid, energized crowd witnessed Jhalani Battle-Williams (23-9) win
the 145-pound Gut Check Full Rule Muay Thai Title. He defeated
Serpico Arriaga in a five-round majority decision.</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhsQ-w3q3H4wKNGFXyzZ0ezrpafdt7riBvxmEIcD8GmJbV-bLGs57uqEQkJQTZRz6OiC3iy0sE-HBRSKkQjsqduHnd_1ildbxDuuVtfhuxEfYfJ-84I5dnkzRauH4tRziDErnTqopsFEJkctESyTAC1f_9a9BFohRhz5KcN11ucwK5Vm38-4C3Pnw/s2048/Muay%20Thai%20Event%20-%20Battle-Williams%20with%20the%20championship%20belt%20-%20July%2023,%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhsQ-w3q3H4wKNGFXyzZ0ezrpafdt7riBvxmEIcD8GmJbV-bLGs57uqEQkJQTZRz6OiC3iy0sE-HBRSKkQjsqduHnd_1ildbxDuuVtfhuxEfYfJ-84I5dnkzRauH4tRziDErnTqopsFEJkctESyTAC1f_9a9BFohRhz5KcN11ucwK5Vm38-4C3Pnw/w640-h512/Muay%20Thai%20Event%20-%20Battle-Williams%20with%20the%20championship%20belt%20-%20July%2023,%202022.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">In
the co-main event - Jordan Wilson (14-1) defeated reigning 135-pound
Gut Check Glory Title holder, Stephen 'Luke' Marshall, in a
five-round unanimous decision.</span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5L5Dqn7s2vD_9Q9WTYxYKKpPBfx98OEPgVSf9EIbFxOl_lhkpEJFydwXoqWu69f652ntCfQ6FfW-aRv00Dc_Vf5F4fg1X8ooGpMHqZujVWOgHk7CVlDT2fohj0wJVGWRWaX8musT0Rd7KTRfPuccybvzSfv2t77luZHSLy4l-JDtseynGocS5rdj/s2048/Muay%20Thai%20Event%20-%20Wilson%20defeated%20Marshall%20-%20July%2023,%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5L5Dqn7s2vD_9Q9WTYxYKKpPBfx98OEPgVSf9EIbFxOl_lhkpEJFydwXoqWu69f652ntCfQ6FfW-aRv00Dc_Vf5F4fg1X8ooGpMHqZujVWOgHk7CVlDT2fohj0wJVGWRWaX8musT0Rd7KTRfPuccybvzSfv2t77luZHSLy4l-JDtseynGocS5rdj/w640-h426/Muay%20Thai%20Event%20-%20Wilson%20defeated%20Marshall%20-%20July%2023,%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Results
of the thirteen undercard bouts were as follows:</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Glory
rules -</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Brandon
Gibbs defeated Fahad Zafar. First-round TKO at two minutes.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Sean
Suvie defeated Joseph Huggins. Unanimous decision.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Danny
Mahoney defeated Victor Vega Gomez. Unanimous decision. </span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott
Chieu defeated Sergio Melendez. Unanimous decision.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Isaac
Pantano defeated Efrain Garcia. Unanimous decision.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Kevin
Lovett defeated Dave Lucas. Unanimous decision. </span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Muay
Thai rules -</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Nathan
Maul defeated Tony Bermudez. Second-round TKO at 1:39.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Henry
Smythe defeated Adam Chatrer. Unanimous decision. </span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Kaden
Toler defeated Jared Clayton. Unanimous decision.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Jared
Dobkin defeated Kevin Nunez. Unanimous decision.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Dana
Manzi defeated Lauren Rawle. Majority decision.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Patrick
Brennan defeated Domenico Palagruto. Second-round TKO at 1:14.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Jake
Strickler defeated Colin Hartey. Unanimous decision. </span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Anyone
who watched the thirty participants could see they shared common
bonds of intensity, determination, and respect. The growing
popularity of combat sports is not surprising to those who have been
following their ascendancy in popular culture.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Interviews
were conducted prior to the bouts:</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lauren
Rawle</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Insight
– Tell us about your background.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">LR
- “I have been training for almost a year and a half.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">"Day
1, just learning how to walk. Have power and not just muscle it.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Insight
- What is a typical day of training like?</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span>LR
- “I train in the morning. I usually run for about four miles.
Then, I'll train for an hour at the gym. Some days after that, I'll </span><span>spar,</span><span> or I'll stay and do more cardio. I try to get that all done in
the morning, before work.” </span></span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Insight
– How many fights have you had to date (prior to the one on July
23, 2022)?</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">LR
- “Today is my fourth one.” (She entered the bout with Manzi with
a 2-1 record.)</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Insight
– Where would you like to be a year from now, as compared to today?
</span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">LR
- “I would like to keep fighting, as much as possible. It is kind of hard to get girls my size, but I am trying. But eventually, if I
can become pro that would be really awesome. So, I'm just trying to
get as much experience as I can.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">-----</span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Jake Strickler</span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Insight
– Tell us about your background.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>JS
“Growing up, throughout high school, I was a three-sport (athlete),
baseball, basketball, football. I didn't do any martial arts. I would
box on my own, with the heavy bag. I loved the sport. I got to Penn
State and was a freshman and I needed that next thing, and I got
addicted to other martial arts. I did jujitsu. I did every single
thing. I went to class and needed something else. Then, the pandemic
hit. My senior year, I moved back home. That's when I linked up with
Jordan Jones of Jorakay Muay Thai in Levittown, PA, my hometown,
literally two minutes away from my house where I grew up. </span><span>And</span><span> I've
been there from almost two years now. Over those two years he's
(Jones) has taken my striking to a place where I just want to keep
getting better at it. That is my passion, to be an elite striker. The
best that I can be.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Insight
– How did you know that Jones was the right trainer for you?</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span>JS
- He talked to me like a </span><span>brother,</span><span> and I could rely that he would be
there every day. Literally, almost every single day for the last two
years between 10:30 AM and 1 PM. We train hard. That's why I'm
addicted to it; the constant pursuit of your potential and that is
where I can get it. </span></span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Insight
– What have you learned during the last two years?</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">JS
“I know that on the other side of hard work is always what you
want.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Insight
– Do you feel the determination is part of who you are and also the
training you received? </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>JS
- “At my core, I always need to think that I am the hardest worker
in the room. If I don't think that, then I feel like I'm failing
myself and I'm failing the people around me that spent time investing
in me. </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>"He
(Jones) has spent so much time investing in me. </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">"I like it is my duty to him (Jones) to the people I love, I care about,
to make sure they know I'm not wasting my time doing this. I take
that as a personal statement.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Insight
– What would you like to do the next sixth months to a year?</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>JS
- Growing up, I had plans to be in the military or police or to be a
lawyer. At every turn my life always brought me back to the gym.
Everything good in my life came out of the hard work I put in at the
gym. I'm a personal trainer, that is my job. I want to own my own gym
and be an elite level striker.” </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">-----</span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">'Luke' Marshall</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">Insight
– How did you get involved in Muay Thai?</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>LM
– “I've always been athletic. My dad was into sports. I've been
skateboarding my whole life. I've watched a lot of Anime and I've
seen all the fighting. So, I decided to pick up Muay Thai. I didn't
seek out Muay Thai, it was just a gym close to my house. So, I
started going and training.” </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Insight
– What is a typical day of training? </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">LM
– “During fight camp, the first thing I do is run three or five
miles, depending on the day and what I've done that week. Then, skip
rope for twenty minutes, shadow box, hit pads for various amounts of
time, and then spar and clinch. That will cover about three to four
hours, depending upon how long each thing takes.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Insight
– What role has your trainer played in your development?</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">LM
– “I really see the effect that Isaac Glendening had on me. He
really started to pick out my strengths and try and enhance them,
focus on my weaknesses and really try and improve upon them.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>"He
knows my style. He knows what I'm good at, what I'm bad at. He can
focus our lesson and our training on those things. </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">"He
does quite a lot behind the scenes, like researching opponents.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">"He's
definitely had a huge impact on my development, streamlining my
development by coaching me very intelligently.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Insight
– What are you looking to accomplish in tonight's fight?</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>LM
– “I'm looking to improve upon my last fight. I would like to
know that I've done my best and be satisfied to go home. </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">"That
does not have to mean that I won but that I've showed my best because
some of these guys are really good. I don't expect to be beating
every single person that I come by, but I want to at least try my
hardest against every single person I come by.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Insight
– In terms of tonight being your first title defense – Is is
harder to get to where you are or stay where you are at?</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>LM
– “Probably, stay where you are at. You don't really have a
choice. The target is on your back. Everybody is lined up to fight
you.” </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">Insight
– What is the future for you?</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">LM
- “I'm in no rush. Honestly, I'm twenty-one. I've only been
fighting for a year. I've been training for three years.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>"Eventually,
I would like to turn pro. But it is not something that I want to rush
especially with how dangerous this sport is. </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">"If there is an opportunity to face someone who is really good and it is
probably a risky fight for some big title or I could fight two more
people in between there, I'm going to play the long game. Be smarter
about it. Try not to just go in and kill myself.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>"I would rather do this for a long time and not turn pro then go pro in
two years and be injured. I do this because I like it. I don't do it
because I want </span><span>money,</span><span> or I want the status. It's just for the love of
it.”</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-----</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Jhalani
Battle-Williams</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Insight
– Tell us about your background.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>JBW
– “I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. My mom's side of
the family comes from Nigeria. My dad's side of the family comes from
the Dominican Republic.” </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Insight
– How did you first get involved in Muay Thai?</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>JBW
- “My mom put me in it when I was five years old. I had just lost
my father. </span><span>So,</span><span> my mom wanted me to have some direction in my life.”</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Insight
– Describe a type day of training. </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span>JBW
– “I train twice a day. I get up in the morning. I run about two
miles, </span><span>depending on</span><span> if I have a fight coming up, I'll run more. I'll
come back and do shadow boxing, pad work, sparring, I go home, make
sure I get some rest, hydrate, get some food in my system. I come
back at 7 PM and do the same thing.” </span></span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Insight
– Was there a certain point where you realized, I have to be
better? </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>JBW
– “Definitely. There was a certain point where I realized I had
to be better, not only in approaching fights but even in training. It
was at the point where even in training, I was too cocky. Nobody
wanted to teach me. I was uncoachable. </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>"So,
learning that has definitely shaped me into who I am today as a
fighter. And taking a couple of losses has helped me as well.” </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Insight
– Tell us about your trainer. </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>JBW
– “Rami Ibrihim is very tough, very hard-nosed, in your face,
pushing you. He wants to find your breaking point and push you just a
little bit past that to see how you react.” </span></span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Insight
– How key has the mental aspect been to your development?</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>JBW
– “Extremely. You are not going to get far in sports in general,
especially a combat sport, if you are not mentally strong. If you are
a mentally weak person, you are not going to do well here. </span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">"Life
is hard enough but when you get punched in the face it gets a lot
harder.”</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Insight
– JBW intended to turn pro after the fight on July 23, 2022. </span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks
to Greg Pritchett, who is the owner and promoter of Gut Check
Promotions, and to Helen Locura who is the matchmaker. Photos
courtesy of Gut Check Promotions.</span></span></span></p><p></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-56826797719743176092022-07-07T20:33:00.011-07:002022-07-07T21:00:22.799-07:00Philadelphia Flyers Add To Forward Depth: First Round NHL Draft Selection - Cutter Gauthier <p>Per the Philadelphia Flyers Media Relations Department: </p><p class="yiv2734173717MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">With the overall 5<sup>th</sup> pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers select Cutter Gauthier from the US National Development Team Program.</span></p><p class="yiv2734173717MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">First Round (5th Overall) – Cutter Gauthier, U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP_</span></b></p><p class="yiv2734173717MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Left Wing – 6-2, 189 lbs.</span></b></p><p class="yiv2734173717MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Born on January 19, 2004 in Skellefteå, Sweden</span></b></p><p class="yiv2734173717MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "New serif";">• Recorded 65 points (34g-31) in 54 games for the USNTDP, his first full season with the team… He ranked second on the team with his 34 goals.</span></p><p class="yiv2734173717MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">• He helped lead Team USA to a silver medal at this year’s IIHF U-18 World Championships recording nine points (3g-6a) in six games.</span></p><p class="yiv2734173717MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">• Also played for the U.S. National U-17 team where he posted 20 goals and 37 points in 44 games</span></p><p class="yiv2734173717MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">• Is committed to playing for the Boston College next season (2022-23).</span></p><p class="yiv2734173717MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">• Was born in Sweden where his father, Sean Gauthier, was a goalie in the Swedish Elite League.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Philadelphia Flyers LW/C Cutter Gauthier</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What does it feel like when you heard your name called?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">It’s such a surreal moment. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of, growing up hearing my named called one day. I’m so happy that the Philadelphia Flyers are the one to do it. I’m extremely excited for the future and to see what it holds.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Cutter, did you have a pretty good inkling that the Flyers were heavily interested in you?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Yeah, I think so. I think I had a really good interview with them over the course of the combine and yesterday. It was nice talking with them and catching up. I thought we had a good bond in those meetings and I definitely thought they were interested in me, for sure.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">[Inaudible question]</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Yeah. It’s awesome. It’s bright orange, so it’s awesome. You definitely stand out and I love that. I’m extremely excited to be a part of this organization and see what the future holds.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">With the U.S. National Team, you were playing on the wing and now you’ll be playing center. How would you describe the game playing center?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">That is something I’ve developed over the past two years. Shooting versatile, where I can play left or right wing and center, if that being the case. I’ve displayed my message to the Philadelphia Flyers that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win, whether that’s on the wing or center. I’m willing to do whatever. I’m excited to be a center or left wing in the future.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Can you also talk about the physical side of the game?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">That’s something I’ve developed over the past two years with the program. They’ve developed me into such a great player. That’s one of the things I’ve added to my game. I wasn’t really physical growing up. As big body as I am, it creates time and space for my teammates to make future plays. It’s a big help in my game today.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">It’s a big crowd tonight from the US NTDP. What makes this crowd so special?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">It’s super cool. I’ve heard such great things about Philadelphia Flyers. Talking with them, I felt I had such a good connection with them. I’m excited to see the near future, get out to development camp next week and have a great week.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Your mother’s from Reading. What does it mean to have such a connection to the state and area?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">It’s been awesome. She’s had nothing but the best about the Philadelphia fanbase and all the fans out there. My aunt on my mom’s side of my family lives out there, so it’s pretty cool. They don’t have to move anywhere to watch me play hockey. It’s awesome. I’m super excited for it. It’s great.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What’s part of your game we don’t talk about much?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I think my compete. That’s something I’ve developed as well over the past two years. The dog and the bone mentality. You’re not going to go in the corner and beat me out to the net. I’m coming out of the corner with that puck. My compete, for sure.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">When do you feel you’ll be ready to play pro?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I think one year in the NCAA, then I’ll be ready to play in the National Hockey League. Hopefully, help the Philadelphia Flyers win a Stanley Cup in the near future.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What did they say they were most excited about when you talked with them? Where do they want to see you grow?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I’m super excited to have the opportunity to be with them. They did not really display too much of that message. It was kind of a jack of all trades. We didn’t really know what was going on, but I’m super happy to be here. I’m so happy to be picked by the Philadelphia Flyers. We’ll see what happens in the future.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Was the draft rankings something you paid attention to? Was it exciting to see your stock go up as the weeks by and did you pay attention to it?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Yes and no. I see a couple things if they pop up on my Instagram. I don’t really go in-depth with all of that stuff. I like to work hard. It shows on the ice all the stuff I do behind the scenes that does not get shown. It’s nice to see all the hard work pay off as I’m rising up the boards.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">You seem pretty excited right now. Was last night a restless night?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I’ve done everything I can to be where I am today. I’ve put in hard work over the past 18 years to get to where I am. I had great night of sleep last night. There’s nothing else I could’ve done. I was super happy with everything I did.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Is Cutter your given name?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Yes. My grandmother from Philly, over in Sweden, was cooking that night and she found it in a Swedish cookbook. I love my name. It’s great.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What did your dad mean to you growing up, having played pro hockey and what did he impart on you?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I think the mentality. It doesn’t matter where you are now. It matters what you’re going to do now to get to the next level in the future. He’s played at the highest level in the National Hockey League. I’ve seen what it takes to get there. He’s displayed that message on how hard work and all the little things pays off. I’m just trying to do everything I can to get to the next level.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Do you get back much to Sudbury, Ontario?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Ever since the pandemic, I haven’t been able to see my grandparents or any of my dad’s side of my family in 2 -3 years. I usually go up every summer and spend some time with them. I have a couple of family friends here from Sudbury. It’s good to see those people, especially after tonight. I try to get there as much as I can, but it has been tough with COVID.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What is it like to know you are a part of the same organization that your dad has a connection to?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">It’s awesome. My dad played many years and he’s got many connections. It’s pretty cool to see that the Philadelphia Flyers are one of them. I’m super excited to be a part of this organization and to have a couple of strings attached to the team is pretty cool too.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What does it mean that for you and Logan Cooley to get drafted?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">We’re good buddies. We have been teammates a lot. Over the past two years, him and I have been on the same line, second half of the season. We have built a pretty good bond over the past half of the season there and it showed on the ice. It’s pretty cool to see him go to the team he wanted. I’m happy to see that for him.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Why do you think your game can translate to center full time?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I think developing all the skills as a center or a wing to get to the next level. I think I’m the complete package. I have all the skills to be a center or left wing at the NHL level. I think it’s up to the team to make that decision in the near future.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Where’s your confidence come from?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I think just through all the hard work I put in. There’s nothing else I would’ve left one the table. I worked my butt off to get to where I am today and it’s all the little things to get here. I’m super excited for this moment and super confident as well.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">John Tortorella really wants his forwards to play defense?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I think I’m the complete package as I’ve said earlier. I think the defensive side of the game is a big part of my game as well. Taking control of the defensive zone, whether playing the wing or being there for your defenseman. Helping your defenseman down low. I think it plays a big role in winning hockey. I don’t think you’re going to get to the next level if you’re lazy on defense.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Have they told you which position the prefer you at?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">They didn’t really tell me, whether it was left wing, center or right wing, so I don’t really know yet. We will see in the near future.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">[Inaudible question]</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I think increasing the type of play to get to get to the next level. It’s the National Hockey League and it’s the fastest league in the world. If I can get used to the pace and play as soon as possible and develop those skills at Boston College, I’m really looking forward to it.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Any player you’re looking to meeting the most?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Kevin Hayes, actually. He went to Boston College. It’s pretty cool to see how his path kind of aligned with mine.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">How exciting to join fellow Boston College alumni players?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">It’s awesome. They went to Boston College and that’s where I’m headed. It’s pretty cool to see how Boston College has developed their players to get to the NHL and how well they do with their development and how they treat their players. It’s a testament to their character. I’m excited to be part of that family.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Any current NHL players you try to model your game after?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I try to model my game after Mark Scheifele and Pierre-Luc Dubois. Both big power forwards with lots of skill. Can control the pace of play at any time. I was actually fortunate enough to meet Mark Scheifele where I work out. He’s been a great leader and he’s been nothing but the best to me. It’s been cool to see him in the gym and how hard he works.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Philadelphia Flyers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chuck Fletcher</span></u></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What was it about Cutter Gauthier that made you think he had to be a pick at number 5?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I think it’s a combination of things. Obviously, his size, strength, speed. Very athletic. His testing was off the charts. On the ice, he is physical. He scores goals. He has good hands. It’s really hard to find a player that can be a potential power forward in the National Hockey League. He has a lot of those attributes. We’ll see how he develops and he’s going to a good program at Boston College. Not sure if you had a chance to speak with him, but he has lots of energy and certainly lots of juice to him, both on and off the ice.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Do you guys see him as a center? I know he is going to play center at Boston College. Are you drafting him assuming he going to be a center in the NHL?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">That’s certainly our hope. He can play both positions. We feel he plays well at center. I know Boston College intends to use him that way next year. We want the process to play out, but he was a young man that can play both positions.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Did the picks at 1 through 4 impact your decision?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">We had him very high on our list. Cleary there were some top players that went before us and some very good players after us too. It’s a relatively flat draft. I think I’ve said that before. There are still some very good players getting drafted right now. We are really happy with Cutter. We like the position versatility. The fact about size, strength and skill, all those attributes. I think he has the chance to be a pretty good player.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">How does Cutter’s skill set lend itself to the aspirations of the team? Playing harder?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">He skates well. Again, he can hit. He works. He’s a big man that can control the puck down low in the offensive zone. He can hold on to the puck. He can hold off defenders with the size and strength. I think he allows you to play a possession type of game. Again, his size and physicality. He’s somebody that can play power play and penalty kill. He’s really used in all situations on the Under-18 team. There’s certainly a lot to work with there.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">You said the expectation on when the can contribute depends on the players. He said he wants to get here. What are your thoughts on that now that you have you player?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">He will be going to Boston College next year. We’ll go from there. There’s no rush for us. Again, he has some physical attributes. Maybe you could put him on the team and see what he can do, but I think he’s best served by climbing another step. Even though the Under-18 team play a lot of college programs, to play a full year of hockey collegiately, while you’re in college, you have to balance studies with hockey and working out. It’s a great opportunity for him to mature on and off the ice and hopefully compete for a World Junior spot next year.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Other than size and skill what are the other attributes?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">I think he rose on most teams’ list. Two seasons ago, he played well too. I don’t know if I can answer that. Maybe Brent can answer that better. Watching him play, for me, he was a pretty good player all year. Maybe it took us a little bit of time to recognize that. I got to see him play some games at center and on the wing. He played well. He played well throughout the year. I’ll let Brent answer that tomorrow when you ask him that.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">How important was it to get a guy with a high ceiling?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Yes, absolutely. It was an upside play. I think he’s a good player. Everybody has a backup game, I guess you’d call it. He certainly has upside. The way he shoots the shots the puck; the way he drives with the puck. Again size, strength. He brings so many attributes that every team could use more, including ours. He’s extremely athletic. His test results at the combine were impressive and he still feels he can get stronger. He’s a better judge of that than we are, but he works hard and pretty relentless kid. Pretty impressive the level of maturity he has showing now. It’s exciting seeing what he can do.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What elements of his game need to become more polished in order for him to become an effective NHL player?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Usually for young players, it’s just consistency. Again, I think he was pretty consistent for his age group. As you climb the ladder, best players bring it every night or at least have small drop off between game to game, at worst. Consistency will be one thing. Again, it’s just going to be doing it against bigger, faster, and stronger players. He can probably improve everything, but in his age group, he’s pretty top end.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">You mentioned Mark Scheifele and Pierre-Luc Dubois<span style="color: red;"> </span>as models of the game. Does Cutter share similar elements in his game?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Yeah, for sure. Even little parts of Jeff Carter, at times. They’re a little bit different players. Kind of those big centerman that can come through the middle of the ice with the puck. Again, if he ends up playing on the wing, he can hand the puck off the wing and drive the net. He’s just a big power forward. Some differences with <span style="color: red;">Scheifele</span>, but some similarities to <span style="color: red;">Dubois</span>, those types of players. It will be interesting to see where he can get to. His athleticism is off the charts, so it would be interesting to see if there’s even another level of speed, strength, and everything that he can attain at Boston College.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Was confidence something that stood out?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Yeah, confident. Energetic. Personable. He showed a lot of compassion for his teammates. He talked about his teammates in a really positive fashion. Confident, but yet I think the team orientation is really strong. He’s coming out of Arizona and climbing the ranks, through Michigan, and into the program. He’s had to move a bit. Make a lot of different clubs. To his credit, he’s found a way to continue to get better. I’m sure that does instill a little confidence in him.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">What did you see when it came to his least talked about quality, “compete”?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Just strong work ethic. Willing to play physically. When he played on the Under-18 team and played against colleges, he didn’t back down physically. He was still making contact, taking contact. I agree. I think he’s a very competitive player and a very driven player.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Are you potentially looking to get a second-round pick?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Certainly, we’ll look at that if there are opportunities. We have a very early third round pick, so I think we’re pretty confident that someone we like and would possibly take in the second round would fall to that spot. I think we’re comfortable with where we’re picking, but you’re always looking for those opportunities.<b></b></span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Are you thinking about being involved in the trade market tomorrow?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Well, there’s been a lot of dialogue. I can tell you that. We’ll see. There’s potentially something that could happen tomorrow. I could also see things happening later on in the week, closer to the start of free agency.</span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"> </span></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif";">Are you making an effort to take a shoot first guy early in the draft, like Tyson?</span></b></p><p class="yiv6058549282MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";">We certainly have been looking for forwards with offensive upsides. Again, a little bit different player, but they both have good size. Cutter’s probably a little better skater than Tyson at the same age, but they are both competitive, high hockey sense players. They can shoot the puck and are willing to work hard. I think we always want skill, but preferably if we can get skill in a little bigger package, that is a good thing too.</span></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842087511929415492.post-3703190759868982952022-06-30T13:35:00.002-07:002022-06-30T13:35:30.596-07:00Philadelphia Flyers: Chuck Fletcher and Brent Flahr Provide Summer Updates Prior To NHL Draft<p>Philadelphia Flyers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chuck Fletcher, along with Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr, provided updates about the team prior to the National Hockey League Draft that is set to take place in Montreal, Canada, on July 7 and 8, 2022, along with outlooks regarding the roster, which will be impacted by trades and free agency.</p><p>The following is courtesy of the Flyers' Media Relations Department:</p><p><b style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Is this the least predictable going into it where you can say this is absolutely going to happen and figure it out from there?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">BF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Yeah, I think it is fair to say. We usually have a couple players we want to draft for sure. We’ll have a pretty good idea by next week, but there are still some unknowns. Again, we have a grouping of players we’re talking about.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Because you are getting such a high pick at number five, do you expect this player to be NHL ready in this year?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">BF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Depends on the player, to be honest with you. Some players are physically more ready than others. There are a couple more kids that need more time to get stronger. Some have played at a little higher level. That will be up to them. Some of these kids should be ready to practice and play potentially within the year</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do you still invasion making this pick and not trading it for a player?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Well, if we’re going to trade the pick outright, it needs to be for a player in a certain age group. A player that could help us win now, but also win for several years. I do not think we are looking for someone in their late 20’s or early 30’s. Certainly speaking to every team in the league, we say this every year, but it’s definitely true this year, trying to ascertain that value of that pick is. If somebody has designs on it and makes the fair offer, we have to consider everything.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With so much talent bunched up together, does it make it potentially easier to make that decision knowing that the guy you like at five could still be there if you move down “X” numbers of spots?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> That certainly could be the case. The top end of this draft you mentioned previously is pretty scrambled. Different readings on the group and different lists, there are probably several names in most teams’ top ten. Whether that creates more movement or less movement, I’m not sure<b>. </b>I think there’s already been some interesting conversations and everyone’s trying to get a sense on where everyone’s at and what the value of that pick is.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What is Ryan Ellis’s status currently?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Well, he’s continuing to progress, certainly improved since the end of this season. Certainly, further along now compared to a month or two months ago. Saying that, the bulk of his rehab is still ahead of him. He’s starting to intensify his off-ice workouts. Its’s going well, but there is still several steps to go before he gets on the ice. It’s still difficult, if not impossible, to predict where he’s going to be at in three months. The last month has been encouraging, but there is still more work to do.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Considering the uncertainty of how draft prospects still develop as well as the coaching situation. How does that effect what you’re looking for going into the draft?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: N</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ot at all. He’s no different than any other coach. We prefer to have the best player available. We’re looking for a player. Realistically it’s not going to be a goaltender this year at five; a forward or a defenseman that has a skill set that could help us for many years. We’re up the either position. There’s some excellent defenseman. Some excellent forwards. Certainly, we’re looking for talent at the top of the draft.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do you expect Ryan Ellis to be ready for training camp or is that still an unknown?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> I don’t know how anyone could predict that right now. That’s certainly the hope and the goal. We’ll have to see. Again, he’s starting ramp up the rehab, which is great that he’s at the point where he could ramp it up, but we’ll just have to see how everything responds.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When did it evolve that Joel Farabee had to get surgery?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It happened about two weeks ago. It was crazy. It was one of his first formal workouts of the summer and he was warming up with light weights on the bench press. He felt, what he called some kind of pinching sensation in his neck area. He was able to see a doctor in the Syracuse area. Got some imaging done. We got him down here last Monday to see Dr. Yoon and he got him in for surgery four days later. I don’t even know what to say. It was extremely unfortunate and unlucky for him. I think we moved as quickly as we could once we knew he had issues.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How much training is Farabee going to be able to do in spite of the surgery, are you optimistic he’ll be ready at the start of camp or the start of the season?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I am not even sure that that is important to me. Just looking at some schedule drafts coming out, we have eight games in the month of October. To me, it’s about getting him right. I’m not 100% sure how quickly he can get into getting stronger and really working on, not just his upper body, but his lower as well and building some strength to help him become a little more durable. He plays hard and he’s a fearless kid. This was going to be a big summer for him, from strength and development scenario. That is certainly an important part of the rehab, just getting him healthy and stronger. For me whether it’s three months or four months at the end of the day, if he’s ready for Game One, great. If he misses five, six, seven games and we can push him a little further, that might make sense too. We’ll make every decision with him based on his long-term health, welfare and development.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Did the doctor speculate if any of Farabee’s past injuries were connected to his current?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> No, no one has said that. You can speculate all you want. There’s no correlation. Certainly, nothing at the end of the year. There was no issue with this at any point, since I’ve been here.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">BF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Talked to Joel this morning. He was saying it was the first time he started working out. His shoulder and everything was 100%. Everything felt great and then this happens. He walked out of the surgery. Later that day, said feels really good, which was amazing.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> That’s an incredible surgery</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Was there any kind of consultation of what kind of players coach likes or would want to go with?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He’s not coming here. I’ve never had a head coach ever in 30 years I’ve been in the business; I’ve never seen the head coach be involved in the drafting of players that may not play two, three years down the road. I’m certainly well aware of what John likes in a hockey player. What I think all of us in the group respect, we want is smart, competitive, hardworking people. Preferably six foot five with high end skill and speed. John clearly, like all of us, we appreciate the same attributes in player. John will be consulted a lot more on pro players and maybe free agents and trades. You always want to get the coaches input on the type of player you’re bringing in from the outside if you’re going to do that. Maybe they have knowledge of the player or certain things they know about the player that you don’t. You would be crazy to not involve your coaching staff on player personnel decisions. In terms of the draft, we’ve just never done that.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">BF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Nor do they want to.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Yeah, I don’t think they want to. Exactly. I don’t think they want the kind of responsibility for that.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If everything were equal, what kind of player would you go for?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">BF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> We’re not showing our hand. You’re just trying to get dirt out of me. I’m not going to tell you.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What position would you go for if they were equal?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">BF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Why would I tell you that?</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> We could use everything. We could use a center, wing, a defenseman.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">BF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> In reality there’s obviously a group of players, that a lot of you guys are aware of, we have some guys higher than others. We are at the mercy of the teams in front of us a little bit, but we have a couple of players targeted that we’re hopeful that are there at five. If that’s the case then we’ll make that decision.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Is there any ease that Joel will comeback okay sense you’ve seen players with similar injuries comeback in the past?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Yeah, it did. I know that Joel, Joel’s family and his representation were encouraged by the results that they’ve seen. We’ve obviously consulted with more than one doctor and we got multiple opinions. Everybody thought that this was the best approach. For Dr. Yoon to see him on a Monday, recommend the surgery and he had it on the Friday. There was a high degree of cooperation. A lot of communication with everybody. We all felt that this was the best way to go, not just short-term of getting him back as a player, but for his long-term health would be as well. It’s incredible. There’s still only three players that had it. My expectation is that this will become a little bit more commonplace as we move forward.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Is there a spot where teams this year are varying when looking at a certain player in the draft?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">BF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> One. This year is a little different. You guys read about the names. I know I talked a little bit on my counterparts. There’s a lot of different opinions on the top end of the draft. Not as much of a consensus as some media think. I think you see the general names. We have a couple of layers of players, certain amount of guys that we’re comfortable with where we’re at. Then another layer maybe if we move back a couple spots. At the draft table, if it goes a certain way we can move back and gain assets and still get player that we have rated, then we’ll potentially do that. You’re going to see more action as we get closer to the draft and get more information on what teams are doing or looking to do.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Why do you think trading a top draft pick is so rare? Why do you think this draft might be different in that sense?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Were you in our meeting this morning? I swear to God, we were talking about that. I was asking, “When was the last time a team traded back from number five? Was it Luke Schenn” That was the only name we came up with? Ian and Cole were digging it up for me. It’s hard. I assume obviously you had to have a pretty bad season to earn the number five pick or to earn a top ten pick. It’s still the best way to acquire top end talent, so I think it’s difficult to trade because that’s a great opportunity to fix at least one hole that you have long term in your organization. There is also the human and emotional, psychological side of it as well. You have guys that have worked all year preparing their list and they get the chance to get a top guy. As a manager, you’re trying to give your guys more opportunities and not take opportunities away from them. That factors in as well. There hasn’t been a lot of them and you’re looking at that, trying to ascertain what is that value if you do. How much do you need to get back to move from five to whatever? There are probabilities of how much each slot over time has become a NHL player, a good NHL player. You have to factor in this draft, as Brett said the layers, maybe you have a layer of five players and then another layer of five. If there’s a big discrepancy to trade down one layer or another, if you do, what are you getting? You have to get something. We honestly met on that for an hour today. As you get closer you start to ask those questions because teams are calling you. Would you trade number five? Sure. You say sure, I don’t know if you always mean it. That’s the fun part of it, for us at least. Exploring what may be there, but as you just mentioned history tells you that usually you make the pick.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Are you willing to talk about specific players? What do you normally like in a player?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> I don’t know. I’ve never really done that, just because you end up going through all of them. The kids at the top end like every year there’s some really good young players. I think the one thing that separates this draft from many is that the top five is still in the flux. Seems like in a lot of years, there’s been more certainty about the top three or four players will be. This year there seems to be more uncertainty than most years. That could provide a great opportunity for us. But, no, to answer your question, I don’t think that that’s proper.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Would you go up to get a player you had wanted to draft? </span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I just think it would be hard. Realistically.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Would if be less difficult because of how evenly everyone is launched in the draft?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Potentially. You’re not sure how it will play out. It could play out either way and I’ve tried to think it through from both angles. I could see arguments would be harder or easier to move up or back. Realistically the likelihood of us moving up I think would be much slimmer. It could happen, but I think we’re going to be pretty happy picking at five and I think we have to weigh what kind of price would you want to move back to five. Is there even a price? If so what price? I think that might be more relevant, then what it would take to get to one.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What you actively look to acquire a second-round pick?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Yeah, definitely. I think the priority is making sure we do well with the first pick. If we can still get a great round pick and find a way to get a second-round pick, get another player or another prospect, sure. But I think that’s secondary to actually looking at the top end in the draft.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Are you looking for someone who fits the mold of helping the team be harder to place against?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> I still think you got to make sure you get high-end talent. High-end talent as we just saw in the playoffs, you look at Tampa and Colorado. They have a lot of high-end talent that is packaged in often times in big or competitive or speedy frame. I think we’re certainly like everybody wanting to get the most competitive players we can get but you can’t forsake talent. You have to make sure you get talent and where we’re picking you should be able to find competitive people that have talent.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Are you looking to add a veteran goalie?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That’s still up in the air. That’s in all honestly. Obviously, we’re going to look and explore what veteran goalies may be available and talking to teams about potential trades. Trying to see what the price would be to do that. Saying that, Sandström and Fedotov are 25 years old. They both have proven they are good goalies in leagues outside of the NHL, so do you take a leap of faith and save some cap space? Or do you get a veteran guy and maybe have more certainty? But there is a cost to that as well. That’s really been a part of what we’ve been discussing the past few weeks.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What gave you the confidence in signing Sandström?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Just continue to get better. He had some injury issues for a while but the last couple of years he’s steadily improved. I think he has over, between the ECHL and American League, maybe over 80 games of experience over here plus time in the Swedish league. He has some games at the NHL level. He is a highly competitive kid that continues to progress. Certainly, he looks like he has the ability to play in the NHL again whether it’s right way, three months down the road, or a year down the road only time will tell. For us, he was a key guy who’s going to be unrestricted free agent. Barry Hanrahan did a good job working with his agent and finding, I thought, a fair solution by giving him a little bit of protection in terms of a one-way deal in year two, but also allowing us to maybe having a competition this year as well.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What is Ryan [Ellis] dealing with, when referring to his “multi-layer” injury?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> It’s multi-layered. It’s almost everything that’s in the middle of the body. Multiple areas where he is working on strengthen and rehab. Trying to put all the pieces back together. He’s made progress. He’s determined to get back and not just play but to be a good hockey player. Be the player that we wanted him to be when we acquired him. He was probably the most excited player last training camp coming in. After he got over the initial shock of coming in from Nashville, he was so excited to play and it was incredible watching him spend hour after hour with Ivan Provorov. They had breakfast together. They talked together before practice. They were partners on the ice. They had lunch together. He wanted to get to know Ivan so well that they would build this chemistry as quickly as they could on and off the ice. I was like this guy is a true professional. It was incredible, watching his interact with Ivan and Ivan interact with him. How they were trying to make each other better and then his world came crashing down. It’s been very difficult for him on many levels. Physically but also emotionally trying to become a part of the team when you played four games and your rehabbing all year. You are not with the guys. You’re not on the road. He’s very excited and determined to get back. He’s made progress. I’m not trying to be vague, but I don’t think anyone could look you in the eye and say he’ll be back by this time frame. He’s where we thought he would be. He’s where the medical people thought he would be. He’s got another step he’s got to take and hopefully that responds. Then another step and got another step. Get on the ice and then how does that respond. It may go quicker. It may go slower. For me, the ultimate goal is to get him back as quickly as possible. The goal has been for camp and for the start of the season. Hopefully, that’s the case, but the bigger picture is to get him back. That’s what we are focusing on.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Are you worried that you might have to get another defenseman because you’re finding out if Ryan is coming back so late?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> We’ll know before camp. We just may not know on July 13<sup>th</sup>, but I would think over the next month, we would start to get a pretty good picture as he continues to advance in his rehab protocols, both off and on the ice. Is he still going forward or has any setbacks? Does he stall at a certain step? This is all the uncertainty. Again, I’m not trying to be vague. I’m trying to be as completely transparent as I can be, but there is certainly a path where this could go really well. We will just have to see. Sure, there is some uncertainty. A little bit now with Joel. The good news is Sean Couturier is doing great. He’s doing all summer training. Feels very good. Same with Kevin Hayes. Hopefully, there are no more surprises this summer in a negative sense. Like a week and a half ago when I got the call that Joel Farabee had numbness and pain in his neck and it could be pretty bad. I was like are you kidding me. Hopefully, there are no more of those. If we do, we will just react, that is what we do. We’ll have to work around it and have to ability to hopefully improve our roster. Clearly getting guys back to full health, and hopefully have young guys improving. We can’t continue to go to market and build a team. We need to get some guys back and get some kids to step up.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Has there been any more decisions made on the coaching staff?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Well, I meant to speak to John before I did this so I can say this. Darryl Williams will be back. Kim Dillabaugh will be back. A goaltender coach to me is always an organizational decision, not just a coach. Adam Patterson and Vinny Yula will be back. After that, we are working through. From what I know right now, Torts is speaking or will speak with everyone that was on staff last year and try to see if there is a fit, if it could work for the people last year, if it could work for John. It’s got to be a two-way street. There’s got to be a comfort level and we’ll continue to talk to people outside the organization as well. We are in the middle of that process. Whether it’s done this week or next week, I am not sure. That’s what we’re working on right now.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do you agree with your head coaches statement that the team has to “get harder”?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF:</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> I one hundred percent agree, that is why we hired him. You have to remember ‘19-20 season, we were a hard team to play against. We played hard. Playing hard doesn’t just mean we were big and strong; it means playing the game the right way and having the puck. It’s forcing the team to defend; it’s forcing the other team to play the way you want them to play and on your terms. So, it’s not just about personnel. It’s about, A. not defending all the time. It’s defensive structure. It’s how you retrieve pucks and get out of your own zone. Again, it’s hopefully having the puck, not being trapped in D-zone like we were all last season. When you’re defending all the time, it’s hard to dictate. It’s hard to be aggressive. All you’re doing is reacting to what the other team does. You want to have the puck, but to have the puck, you have to defend quickly. You have to defend well and get the hell out of the D-zone. Once you do that now you can manage the game and make puck decisions. You can chip and chase. You can enter under control. You can do whatever you can do because you have the puck. You can dictate the flow of the game. That’s what we want to get back to. That’s what we want to be. That’s what Torts’ teams always been. That’s the mindset and identity of what we want to accomplish here. It’s coaching. It’s buy-in. It’s accountability. It’s structure. It’s fitness levels. It’s personnel. It’s everything. We’re going to try to check every box we can this summer to be that type of team.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Why do you think there has been splintering amongst the team?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Splintering, I don’t know that I agree with that. Obviously, he is entitled to his opinion. I think it is a bunch of good guys that have gotten along. I think where we have to get to is you can be a good guy and get along, but we have to hold each other accountable. I think that’s maybe where he’s getting at and where clearly, we need to get to. The players recognize that as well. It’s about having standards, both off the ice and on the ice. It’s everything. It’s how you play. It’s puck management. It’s shift length. It’s team orientation. It’s not turning a puck over for the third time in a row. It’s blocking a shot. It’s making sure you’re in the gym and that you’re on time. It’s everything to do with it. It’s respecting your teammate and the organization by doing the right things. I think that’s something we need to get better at and get back to. It’s a good group of guys that like each other and they want to get better. This group does not lack character. We clearly need direction, accountability, and not just from the coaching staff, part of that has to be internal too. I think that’s probably what he meant is creating that internal push. That doesn’t always have to be the coaching staff.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What gives you the confidence in the coaching staff to bring them back?</span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">They are good at what they good. They are good at what they do. They are good people and good coaches. I think as we fill out our staff now. John is looking for sort-of for the two top assistants. However, they are labeled. Typically, one runs the defense and the PK and one will run the offense and the power play. Call it the defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator, whatever type of labels you want. Those are probably the roles we’re filling right now. The people that will come in and have some of those hands-on specific roles that John will entrust in them. We’ll work on that. Certainly, Darryl and Kim will bring a lot. Kim’s not just an everyday with an NHL team type of role. He also works with Brady Robinson. He manages our overall goaltender development program. He’s involved watching goaltenders for the draft. He is a coach that’s heavily involved in the draft. We won’t draft a goaltender that Kim and Brady don’t sign off on. They know more about goaltending than any of our staff may never know. Sorry, Rick Pracey might not like me saying that. Rick knows a little bit about goaltending. You have to rely on your goaltending coaches on the drafting, the development of goaltenders, their progression through the system as well as the day-to-day maintenance of your NHL goaltenders. Kim’s role to me is a role that management, me certainly, but management, me, Brent, Barry, Danny, Tommy, all of us, have a strong comfort level in because we rely on that role more than just getting Carter Hart or whoever ready for practice or who’s going to play the next game. He’s been involved with Felix and now Samuel. When Kolosov come over. It’s a massive role. That’s what gives me confidence with Kim. I’ve watched what he has done. I think I mentioned it at the end of the year, we are getting to a depth where our goaltender depth is getting to in a really good place. We have some young guys pushing. Kolosov is as talented as anybody we have ever drafted. It’s exciting. Kim and Brady are a huge part of that.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Where are the negotiations with Morgan Frost and Owen Tippett? Is Martin Jones an option to come back?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yeah, absolutely. Everything is on the table. In terms of some of those young players and contracts, we are literally just starting. We’ve been involved in a lot of different interview processes, I guess you should say. Now dealing with the assistant coaches, the draft and getting our free agent list together. Not that those issues aren’t crucial, as restricted free agents, we just have time. Yesterday, we actually had a meeting on that, getting together, getting our comps together and our plan together. Probably over the next week or so we will make contact with them. Hopefully, some of them go quickly. I’m sure over the next few weeks we’ll get those done.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do you see yourself making a huge splash at free agency?</span></b></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">CF: </span></b><span style="font-family: "New serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We’ll see. Unlike several teams, we don’t have a cap issue. We don’t the cap issues that several teams do where we literally have to move bodies out to be cap compliant. We can be cap compliant easily. We are cap compliant. If we want to be aggressive in free agency then we have to get creative. It’s just how aggressive we want to be and how aggressive we can be that may dictate how many transactions we make. This is the best we have been at least in the last few years. We can be cap compliant if we go away from the summer, we got a hockey team. It’s just how aggressive we want to be.</span></p><p class="yiv2665599451MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></p>Sean O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14087654502393094697noreply@blogger.com0