Whispers…The Flyers Start Their Preseason Tonight
I know, I know, I know, we’ve got the Birds taking on the Bucs tonight on Monday Night Football. But, I’m a Flyers writer I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t write about the boys in orange and Black. Yes, it is only preseason but these games will go a long way in determining who’s in and who’s out come the regular season.
Tonight the Flyers head to Newark to take on the New Jersey Devils for the preseason opener. The game won’t be on TV but we’ve been told there will be a stream so keep an eye on the Flyers accounts for that link later on tonight.
Based off the morning skate it appears the Flyers will have some expected to be regulars in the lineup. Here’s how lines looked at the skate this morning…
Farabee-Coutuier-Brink
Lycksell-Frost-Atkinson
Brown-Barkey-Foerster
Furry-Desnoyers-Tuomaala
York-Walker
Andrae-Grans
Bonk-Seeler
Petersen/Sandstrom
Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson will be playing their first games in over a year and it’ll be great to have those two back in action. Ian Laperriere will be behind the bench for tonights game for the Flyers and stated that “Coots and Cam will have no restrictions and the goal for tonight is mostly for them to keep shaking off the rust.”
Bobby Brink is going to get the chance to show off he belongs on the NHL roster as he is on a line with Farabee and Coots. If Brink can have himself a nice game with those guys next to him Torts should be inclined to give him more looks throughout the preseason in hopes he takes advantage and can make the team.
On Thursday in my article about day one of camp I stated that Matt Brown was one of the guys that stood out. Tonight he will get the chance to show out some more in game action. Playing on a line with 2023 draft pick Denver Barkey and Tyson Foerster who should be a lock for opening night, Brown should have plenty of chances to show he can play at the next level.
On the backend Cam York appears to being paired with Sean Walker tonight. Emil Andrae who has opened some eyes early here in camp and is pushing for an NHL spot will get his shot to impress in game action. With the Flyers defense having a much different look this year and Torts stating he thinks the defense will be younger this year, this is Andrae chance to take charge and get one step closer to making the NHL team.
For the goaltenders, newcomer Cal Petersen will get his first action as a Flyer and will play the first two period of the game. Felix Sandstrom will play in the third period. Both of these guys are competing for the Flyers backup goaltender job a good performance could go a long way in which one of these guys can secure that spot. Keep in mind Sam Ersson will also be competing for that role as well.
Hopefully we can get a stream whether it be from the Flyers or the Devils it would be nice to be able to watch some of this game during the commercials of the Birds game.
We’re one more step closer to the regular season and while they may not be the talk of the town, there is still plenty of excitement surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers this season.
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-Walsh