Who will be the Flyers' No. 1 goalie
Who will emerge as the Flyers' No. 1 goalie? That's one of the more interesting questions that will be answered at the Flyers' main training camp, which opens Friday at 9:45 a.m. in Voorhees.
Who will emerge as the Flyers' No. 1 goalie?
That's one of the more interesting questions that will be answered at the Flyers' main training camp, which opens Friday at 9:45 a.m. in Voorhees.
A year ago, Steve Mason was clearly No. 1 when camp started, but Michal Neuvirth had such a strong 2015-16 season - and a remarkable playoff performance - that he has emerged as a candidate to win the majority of starts.
Mason was superb down the stretch last season and steered the Flyers into the playoffs.
"I look at it more so as two guys who are going to continue to contribute to our wins," coach Dave Hakstol said of the goalie battle. "I think we have two guys capable of being No. 1. . . .Yeah, there's going to be competition for who's going to be in the net. Both of these guys are proud, both guys are capable, and both are also really good teammates.
"It's going to be very competitive."
Both goalies can become unrestricted free agents in July, so both have extra incentive to have strong seasons. Mason is already in camp, while Neuvirth is in Toronto playing in the World Cup for the Czech Republic. Neuvirth and Czech teammate Jake Voracek are expected to join the Flyers' camp at some point next week, general manager Ron Hextall said.
Rookie matchup
Anthony Salinitri, Reading native Steven Swavely, Tyrell Goulbourne, and Carsen Twarynski scored as the Flyers defeated the host Islanders, 4-0, in a rookie game Wednesday night. The latter two players scored shorthanded.
Alex Lyon and Carter Hart combined for the shutout.
As a precautionary measure, promising defenseman Phil Myers, who had hip surgery in June, did not play. Forward Pascal Laberge, a second-round draft pick last June, sat out with a minor injury and was replaced by Taylor Leier, who had 20 goals for the Phantoms last season.
A step back?
The oddsmaker Bovada believes the Flyers won't be as good as last season. It has set the over/under at 89.5 points this season.
The Flyers finished with 96 points last season.
Breakaways
Shayne Gostisbehere had three assists Wednesday, helping North America register a 4-3 OT win over Sweden in the World Cup. . . . Hakstol said improving the penalty kill will be one of the Flyers' goals in camp. . . . The fifth annual All-American Prospects game, featuring 42 of the best U.S.-born players who are eligible for the 2017 draft, will be held at the Wells Fargo Center Thursday at 7 p.m. There are expected to be 150 NHL scouts at the game.
