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The Philadelphia Flyers had an off day in advance of hosting the Vancouver Canucks on Monday. The team should now know more about the statuses of Christian Dvorak and Dan Vladar for the Canucks game. Both players are currently considered “day to day” with respective upper body injuries.
The next two games — home against Vancouver and Tuesday in Chicago — will lead the Flyers into the league-wide Christmas break. The Flyers have left a lot of points on the table of late, losing four of their last six games either in overtime or via shootout. Additionally, the team suffered a 5-3 loss in an eminently winnable game in Buffalo. Most recently, on Saturday, the Flyers left a two-goal lead against the New York Rangers slip away in the third period. After failing to convert on two separate overtime power plays, Philadelphia lost 2-0 in a shootout.
Denver Barkey is coming off a memorable NHL debut. The undersized but tenacious winger quickly compiled a pair of primary assists for his first two NHL points. He also made several strong plays on the walls and in applying back pressure.
Zamula reports to Lehigh Valley
After clearing waivers over the weekend, defenseman Egor Zamula reported to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Russian defenseman was in the lineup for the team’s 2-1 (2-1) shootout home win over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Teddy Bear toss night. He assisted on Lane Pederson’s second period power play goal.
Winning goaltender Carson Bjarnason stopped 34 of 35 shots through 65 minutes. The rookie netminder went on to deny three of four Hartford shootout attempts to backstop the team to a bonus point.
Recently returned to the Phantoms after a successful NHL debut with the Flyers, defenseman Ty Murchison drew a checking to the head minor and a fighting major in the second period of Saturday’s game.
The Phantoms had a much-needed bounceback game on special teams in Saturday’s tilt: 1-for-1 on the power play, 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
Flyers Daily: Mondays with Meltzer
The Holiday week starts with a Mondays with Meltzer edition of Flyers Daily. Jason Myrtetus and I discuss a bunch of timely topics including:
* Denver Barkey call up and debut
* Return of Rasmus Ristolainen
* Waiver and demotion to the Phantoms for Egot Zamula
* Is Jamie Drysdale the most improved Flyers player overall this season?
*Considering where the organization is, what it has coming, is the 1C more important if an add than a 1D?
* The Sabres could be open for business with Jarmo now in charge. Who do you target? Obviously Rasmus Dahlin. But what about Tage Thompson, Bowen Byrum or maybe even Owen Power?
Prospect Pipeline: Flyers WJC hopefuls
Brian Smith and I discuss the upcoming World Junior Championships and what the teams might look like as far as potential Flyers prospects. We also look at the early season success stories on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms: Denver Barkey, Ty Murchison and others.
Not too sure about Power. A bit disappointing (maybe too strong a word?) for a first overall. (see Alexis Lafrenière…). Still, he’s young and big and maybe needs a change of scenery. But, you see comments like this and you have to wonder – “He’s one of the most frustrating players to watch in the league. He’s 6’6, 220 and a strong skater but avoids contact like he’s Mitch Marner. Chris Pronger was the same build and look how he played.” Then again, you see what Tocchet is doing to Michkov. I bet many teams would like to have MM and give him opportunities he’s not getting in Philly! So, maybe the ol’ change of scenery is the right thing?