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Snapshots: Three Stars, Scott, Potential GMs/Coaches

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The NHL announced its Three Stars of the Week for March 20 through March 26, with Viktor Arvidsson of the Los Angeles Kings earning the top spot. Arvidsson led the league with five goals and two assists, scoring in each of the three games he played. His performance helped the Kings extend their point streak to a franchise-record 12 games as they rocket up the Pacific Division standings.

Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki was named the Second Star after tallying eight points in three games. Suzuki’s four-point effort in an 8-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets was his first career four-point outing. The Third Star went to Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson, who posted a 2-0-0 record, a 0.96 goals-against average, and a .972 save percentage. Gustavsson’s 47-save performance in a 2-1 win of the New Jersey Devils was a career-high. The Wild have earned points in 12 of Gustavsson’s past 13 starts dating back to February 11. His excellence in goal for the Wild has helped them continue to climb the Central Division standings without the services of Kirill Kaprizov.

More from around the league this morning:

  • Dave Scott, the chairman and former CEO of the Philadelphia Flyers’ ownership group, Comcast-Spectacor, will be retiring from his positive effective April 17th. Comcast-Spectacor announced the news Monday, ending Scott’s 30-year time at the helm of Philadelphia’s ownership. Dan Hilferty, who was recently appointed as CEO of the company, will take over as chairman and assume both of Scott’s former roles, per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.
  • ESPN’s Emily Kaplan compiled a list of the top candidates for potential coaching and general manager vacancies, with a lot of familiar names near the tops of both lists. Former Florida Panthers interim head coach Andrew Brunette, Toronto Maple Leafs assistant Spencer Carbery, and Seattle Kraken assistant Jay Leach made Kaplan’s “ready right now” tier for coaching vacancies, while former Sabres general manager Jason Botterill, Flyers interim GM Daniel Briere, and Lightning assistant GM Mathieu Darche made the “ready right now” tier for GM vacancies.

 

Philadelphia Flyers Send Tyson Foerster, Egor Zamula To AHL

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The Philadelphia Flyers are providing their AHL affiliate with a major boost for their playoff push. Per a team announcement, Tyson Foerster and Egor Zamula have been loaned back to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

While the Phantoms are unlikely to be able to catch the Hershey Bears for the second seed in the AHL’s Atlantic Division (therefore securing them a bye past the best-of-three first round of the playoffs) they could still feasibly catch the Charlotte Checkers to earn the third seed, which could be a factor that motivated these two loans.

Foerster in particular has made this decision a difficult one due to how well he’s played in his first taste of NHL action. Foerster is riding a five-game point streak with three goals and seven points in that span. The Flyers have won four out of their last five games as well, with their only loss coming in overtime against the division-leading Carolina Hurricanes.

While this is unlikely to have been any significant motivator to the team sending Foerster back to the AHL, the Flyers are now four points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens for the fifth-best odds in the draft lottery.

By sending their red-hot rookie scorer back to the AHL, the Flyers have (perhaps not intentionally) raised their chances of getting back into prime Connor Bedard contention.

There is, of course, a legitimate case to be made that this is the most appropriate choice for Foerster’s development, and that’s likely to be the sole reason the Flyers have sent him down.

Despite how much NHL front offices seem to value gaining the best odds in the draft lottery, a team is still far more likely to make decisions on individual players based on what they believe to be best for the player’s development.

It’s reasonable to believe that having Foerster play a crucial role in meaningful AHL games for the rest of this season will be better for his development than playing some extra NHL contests near the end of what has been a generally miserable Flyers season.

The 21-year-old 2020 first-round pick has excelled in the AHL this season, thoroughly bouncing back after an injury-plagued 2021-22. He’s scored 19 goals and 39 points in 57 games and will be counted on as a top offensive option for second-year head coach Ian Laperriere.

If the Phantoms end up making any noise in the Calder Cup playoffs, it’s likely that Foerster will be a major reason why.

As for Zamula, he heads back to the AHL where he, like Foerster, has spent most of this season. The 22-year-old has scored 16 points in 42 AHL games and has been a top-pairing all-situations blueliner for the team.

Eligible for restricted free agency in the summer, a strong showing as a number-one defenseman for a Calder Cup playoff team would put Zamula in a strong position for offseason contract negotiations, and help support the idea that he’ll be ready to compete for a more regular NHL role in next fall’s training camp.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Flyers Injury Notes: Deslauriers, Tippett, Couturier, Konecny

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Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic is reporting that Nicolas Deslauriers of the Philadelphia Flyers didn’t attend today’s optional practice. Deslauriers didn’t play in the Flyers 5-4 win over the Minnesota Wild last night and is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. Deslauriers was supposed to be re-evaluated today, but no word yet if he will dress in Philadelphia’s game tomorrow evening against the Detroit Red Wings.

The 32-year-old Deslauriers has five goals and six assists in 70 games this season while playing just over ten minutes a night on the fourth line. His signing last summer was one of the more baffling moves that any team made as the Flyers elected to give a four-year contract with a modified no trade clause to a player that has never been able to score or remain in the lineup.

In other Flyers injury news:

  • Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia is reporting that Owen Tippett has been banged up this week and didn’t attend Flyers practice today. Tippett left practice earlier in the week, and when asked about it coach John Tortorella said Tippett was “Not serious, nicked up.” Tippett has taken massive strides this season for the Flyers after coming over from the Florida Panthers in last year’s Claude Giroux trade. Tippett has a career high 39 points in 66 games and has looked every bit the top-6 winger the Flyers hoped they were getting when they dealt their former captain.
  • Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweeted that Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny were both present at Flyers practice today and wearing regular contact jerseys. Couturier hasn’t played in over a year after having two back surgeries in less than nine months. The 30-year-old center has had a long road to get back and while it is encouraging to see him practicing with the team once again, it is unknown if he returns to game action in what has been a lost season for the club. Konecny on the other hand has been out since suffering an upper body injury in late February in a game against the Calgary Flames. Konecny had been having a stellar season with 54 points in 52 games before he was put on injured reserve. It was a bounce back season for the 26-year-old after struggling to score in the two seasons previous. Should Konecny return to the lineup soon, he will likely eclipse the 30-goal plateau for the first time in his career.

Cutter Gauthier Returning To NCAA For Sophomore Season

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Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet is reporting that Philadelphia Flyers 2022 fifth overall pick Cutter Gauthier is headed back to Boston College for his sophomore season. Friedman tweeted that he doesn’t view this move as a surprise for the young forward, given that this is likely the best scenario for his development.

Gauthier returns to a club where he played mostly center last season on his way to 16 goals and 21 assists in 31 games. His 37 points were good enough to lead the Eagles in scoring and earn him a Hockey East Third Team All-Star selection.

Gauthier was a very coveted prospect at last year’s draft, and it is easy to see why. He is a center who can skate with good size standing 6’2″ and weighing 194 pounds. He is seen by scouts as a player that plays with a lot of pace who can burn defenders with a wide assortment of offensive tools. While his work with the puck is impressive, his work away from the puck is also quite good. He is seen as a player who is dangerous along the boards and can disrupt cycles and win puck battles.

Gauthier was born in Sweden when his father Sean Gauthier was playing goalie in the Swedish Elite League. However, he grew up playing hockey in the United States after his family moved back to North America. He has represented Team USA internationally on many occasions including the 2022 Under-18 World Championships where he had nine points in six games to help the Americans win a silver medal.

Nicolas Deslauriers Out With Upper-Body Injury

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  • Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic reports Nicolas Deslauriers was held out of the Philadelphia Flyers lineup with an upper-body injury. Deslauriers is in the first season of a four-year contract that pays him $1.75MM per year. The gritty winger has scored five goals and 11 points in 70 games for the Flyers this season.

Philadelphia Flyers Expected To Recall Bobby Brink

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  • Sam Carchidi of Philly Hockey Now says the Philadelphia Flyers are expected to give winger Bobby Brink an NHL look soon. After an offseason hip injury cost him the beginning of the 2022-23 season, the 21-year-old Brink has 19 points in 31 games with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The 34th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft also had four assists in 10 games with the Flyers last year, his first stint in the NHL.

Philadelphia Flyers Recall Egor Zamula

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According to a team announcement, the Philadelphia Flyers recalled defenseman Egor Zamula from the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Monday morning.

This is Zamula’s fourth recall of the season but his first in almost four months. As the season winds down, the Flyers will continue to focus on shifting ice time to their younger players.

At 22, Zamula is one of the more highly-regarded defense prospects in the organization. In 11 games with Philadelphia this season, he’s registered two assists, his first points in the NHL.

Set to be a restricted free agent this offseason, Zamula is still looking to find his offensive footing in the minors. His 16 points in 42 games with Lehigh Valley are a step back from last year’s totals and a further step back from his last two seasons in junior hockey with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, where he neared a point-per-game pace.

Zamula’s recall gives Philadelphia eight defensemen on the NHL roster, and it’s unclear how they’ll slot the undrafted prospect into their lineup, if at all. They’ll have plenty of opportunity, though, with four games left on their current seven-game homestand.

Injury Notes: O’Reilly, Konecny, Couturier

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Toronto Maple Leafs center Ryan O’Reilly, who broke his finger March 4 against the Vancouver Canucks, skated again Friday before Toronto’s optional morning skate, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.

O’Reilly is currently on injured reserve, but is expected to be ready for the playoffs. If he were to return by April 1, he would have eight games left in the schedule to get back up to speed. If able to return for regular season action, he could be close to full health once the playoffs start. Toronto currently sits one point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lighting for second place in the Atlantic Division behind the Boston Bruins.

Other injury notes from around the NHL.

  • Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny was on the ice wearing a non-contact jersey during practice Friday, according to Olivia Reiner of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Konecny, who has been out since Feb. 20 with an upper-body injury, may return this season, but Philadelphia is likely to be cautious with his return. Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic reports that coach John Tortorella said he’s not sure if Konecny could return this season. The Flyers are taking into account whether it would be worth Konecny to return this season, as allowing him the time to heal may be the course of action the team decides to take. Konecny has had a strong season, with 27 goals and 27 assists for 54 points in 52 games.
  • Sticking with the Flyers, another player who took part in the morning skate was center Sean Couturier, who has missed the entire season due to injury. He wore a regular contact jersey during the morning skate, reports Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic. O’Connor also reports that Tortorella said Couturier is closer to a return than Konecny. In what has been a lost season in Philadelphia, Couturier’s return would be more symbolic than anything else. He could benefit from taking the rest of the season than risk re-aggravating the injury playing meaningless games down the stretch. If he were to return, the Flyers would surely bring him along slowly to get him back up to game speed.

Emil Andrae Signing AHL ATO

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The Philadelphia Flyers haven’t quite signed Emil Andrae yet, but he is joining the organization nonetheless. The young Swede will play for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms down the stretch on an AHL amateur tryout, now that his SHL season has ended.

Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic tweets that the plan is still for Andrae to sign an entry-level contract with the Flyers at some point, likely one beginning in 2023-24. The team holds his exclusive draft rights until June 1, 2024.

The 21-year-old Andrae was the 54th overall selection in 2020, and broke out this season in his first full year of SHL action. With six goals and 26 points, he ranked 13th among league defensemen in scoring and now joins the Flyers as a potential building block.

Despite his size—Andrae stands just 5’8″—there has never been a doubt of his willingness to work in the corners or engage attackers in front of the net. The question now will be whether he can remain effective at those things as he transitions to North America, while still bringing a high level of poise and skill when the puck is on his stick.

Carter Hart Returns To Team After Illness

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  • Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Carter Hart was back with the Philadelphia Flyers at practice this morning. Hart missed the team’s last game with an illness, but appears to have recovered quickly and could be in goal when they face the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night. Hart has a 2.96 GAA and a .906 SV% in 48 games this season.
  • Walt Ruff of NHL.com reports Jalen Chatfield is back as a full participant for the Carolina Hurricanes. The right defenseman was skating on the third pairing with Shayne Gostisbehere with a regular jersey on instead of the no-contact jersey he had been using. Chatfield has not played since March 7, but head coach Rob Brind’Amour says he hopes Chatfield will be ready to step back into the lineup either when the Hurricanes take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow night or the Flyers on Saturday.

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