The Flyers now have a key date in place that will allow them to start training in small groups.
Thursday was a big announcement date for the NHL. First, they finalized a format for the playoffs and how the rounds will be seeded. The re-seeding will incentivize the Flyers to to capture the number one seed in the conference.
Now we have a date in place for small training to begin. That will allow the Flyers, and other teams, to get back on the ice.
The @NHL has announced that it will transition to Phase 2 of its Return To Play Plan effective Monday, June 8. https://t.co/Xjk8cfhWyh pic.twitter.com/uT6WEwCBtF
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 5, 2020
Outlined in the Phase 2 plan, teams will be permitted to reopen their training facilities. Players will be able to take part in both on and off ice activities. They will be limited to a group of six players only.
Starting on June 8th, the Flyers will be able to return to Voorhees. They must go through testing before they are to begin and on-going throughout training.
Contact drills will not be permitted and appropriate social distancing must be followed. A select amount of team staff may observe the players from a separate location.
A more detailed look at Phase 2 and everything it consists of can be found here.
This is a big step in continuing the season. Phase 3, which won’t happen before July 10th, will be the next step before the playoffs can begin.
After that we would officially have hockey back. But that won’t come until early August most likely.
Ivan Provorov and Robert Hagg have had the advantage of being the only healthy Flyers to skate lately. Claude Giroux had also began some skating as well.
This will allow the Flyers to get back on the ice together, even in small groups. They will be able to start game planning and re-gaining the confidence and chemistry to had before the season was paused.
Winners of nine out of their last ten, finding that form again could make the Flyers a true contender in the playoffs.