Philadelphia Flyers: 5 Players to Watch In Training Camp
As training camp began Friday, nobody really knew what to expect. Many players for the Flyers are coming off a bad season and are looking for some form of redemption. So let’s take a look at the five players to watch during training camp.
Next: #5-Vincent Lecavalier
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#5-Vincent Lecavalier
I’m fairly certain that this comes as no surprise to anyone who is a Philadelphia Flyers fan. Vinny is coming off the worst year of his professional hockey career. His tenure in the orange and black has been less than stellar to say the least.
It just hasn’t worked or been easy for Vinny or the Philadelphia Flyers. But, lucky for Vinny, he will have another chance to showcase what he can do, and if he still has enough left in the tank to remain competitive. His fresh start comes in the form of the Flyers new head coach, Dave Hakstol.
I’m very intrigued to watch Vinny this training camp and preseason due to the supposed stellar off-season he has had. Vinny has gotten leaner and added quite a bit of muscle mass. Vinny also skated around four to five times a week this off-season so he could stay fresh and get back to the level Vinny is capable of achieving.
I’m also incredibly interested in seeing if coach Hakstol continues playing Vinny at his natural position of Center, just as he has done the first three days of camp. New Flyers head coach has had Vinny playing center with RJ Umberger and Sam Gagner playing the wings. All three of these players need to have a bounce back year, especially after playing way below what was ultimately expected from each and every one of them.
Look for Vinny to try and impress coach Hakstol to solidify not only his roster spot, but his position at center.
Next: #4-Scott Laughton
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#4-Scott Laughton
We now turn our heads toward Scott Laughton. Scott has been on the fringe of the roster for the last two seasons. He finally got his first real taste of NHL action last season when he played 31 games and registered six points.
There’s a lot to like about Laughton. He just needs to become a little more consistent but the more he gets acclimated to the NHL the better off he will be. Unfortunately for Laughton, he’s still a fringe or bubble roster player just due to the surplus of centers and forwards on the Flyers roster at the moment.
Each of the last two seasons Laughton has been sent back down to start the season with the Phantoms. Unfortunately I believe that Laughton will again be sent back to the Phantoms after training camp subsides. He can continue to develop and work on his consistency while playing top line minutes for them.
I definitely believe that Laughton will get a good amount of NHL playing time this year and he will more than likely be the first Phantom called upon to fill a forward spot if an injury were to occur.
Hakstol was utilizing Laughton on a line with Brayden Schenn, and Chris Porter. This was another indication that Laughton more than likely won’t be on the opening night roster. I would definitely look for Laughton to have a very good training camp and show the team that he can definitely play in the NHL.
Next: #3-Brayden Schenn
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
#3-Brayden Schenn
This is a massive year for Brayden Schenn. This is truly going to be a make or break it season for him. Although Bryaden has continued to get better with each and every NHL season, his biggest issue, just as many of the other Flyers players, has been consistency.
Sometimes Brayden will show flashes of offensive brilliance and then he will go goalless or pointless for ten games. That just can’t happen, especially with how competitive the NHL is.
What makes it even more of a make or break season for him is the fact that this is the last year of his bridge deal. Either he steps up, produces, and earns a raise, or he will be sporting another jersey before the trade deadline hits.
Although it’s only the first few days of training camp, and I usually don’t weigh too much in regards to the line combos, it definitely makes you wonder what new Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol thinks about Brayden. It looks as if Schenn is starting off on the wrong foot. Schenn was playing right-wing on a line that consisted of Chris Porter and Scott Laughton.
I hope that Brayden can become consistent because I do feel that he has the potential to do much better but consistency is holding him back. Only time will tell for Brayden. It will be interesting to see how Hakstol will use Brayden once the season starts.
Next: #2-Ivan Provorov
Sep 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Brayden Schenn (10) and defenseman Ivan Provorov (79) talk during warm ups before a game against the New York Rangers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
#2-Ivan Provorov
Ivan Provorov is definitely one Flyer to watch. When Provorov was still on the board during this year’s draft, you knew that Flyers GM Ron Hextall couldn’t pass him up. This kid has all the attributes to become a great defensemen. Many professional scouts have projected him to become a number one defenseman.
This is something the Flyers haven’t had since Chris Pronger. For only being eighteen years old, Provorov is incredibly mature and he shows that in his game. Although it wasn’t until day three of camp that Provorov joined the veteran group, he has still impressed new coach Dave Hakstol.
New Flyers coach Dave Hakstol had this to say about him, “He showed us that his play is efficient in all areas with and without the puck. I thought his competitiveness was very good throughout the two days. He was focused and relaxed. He is a composed young man with maturity and confidence. Those are very good traits in a young player.”
This kid has it all. Every area of his game is already refined to the NHL level. Many Professional scouts believe that Ivan could easily play in the NHL as soon as this season.
I would definitely look for him to make a very positive impact on not only Dace Hakstol but Ron Hextall as well. It will be incredibly hard to send him back to the Brandon Wheat Kings but with the log jam on the Flyers blue line, there really are not any other options.
Next: #1 Sam Morin
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
#1-Sam Morin
Another Flyers prospect to watch is Sam Morin. Morin is part of what many are calling the “Fab Five”. He is regarded very highly amongst the Flyers organization and while watching him play, you can easily tell why.
Morin was the closest of the defensive prospects to make the opening night roster last season and he has definitely progressed since then. I’m very interested to see how well he does as camp progresses and to see him continue to evolve.
Morin is a massive defenseman and he has continued to put on weight and build muscle. Morin currently comes in at 6’7″ and weighs in at around 220 pounds.
If Morin doesn’t make the opening roster, he will still be eligible to play for the Flyers AHL team, the Phantoms. This will be Morin’s first professional season in hockey.
Morin has been paired with another one of the Flyers prospects, Shayne Gostisbehere. They have been paired together ever since development camp last month. They have continued to evolve together and I would look for the both of them to be paired together while playing for the Phantoms as well, pending one or both doesn’t make the Flyers opening night roster.
Either way, watch Morin this training camp, especially once the games start being played. He has all the intangibles to become a good NHL defenseman. Even though he is 6’7″, Morin has great skating ability, and he has some fantastic breakout passes that allow for a lethal transition game.
Next: Notes from 9/22 Rangers Preseason Game