Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers GM Ron Hextall made several announcements following the Flyers-Islanders game, the final preseason tilt, on Sunday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Hextall announced that rookie forwards Nolan Patrick and Taylor Leier, as well as rookie defenseman Robert Hagg will be a part of the opening night roster for the 2017-18 Flyers squad.
In addition, rookie forward Oskar Lindblom has been assigned to the club’s AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, following the game.
Excluding injured players Cole Bardreau, Colin McDonald and Anthony Stolarz, the Flyers training camp roster is now at 24 players.
Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere left late in the third period due to an upper-body injury. Hextall added that the club will know more in a day or two on his status.
Patrick was one of two players who appeared in all seven possible preseason games for the Flyers (Travis Konecny). He recorded three assists and a plus-2 rating to go along with 11 shots on net. Patrick was also a regular on the team’s power-play unit during the preseason.
“It’s really exciting. Growing up, my goal was to play in the NHL so to hear that news is pretty exciting. My family is pretty excited for me,” said Patrick.
Leier appeared in four preseason games for the Flyers, where he recorded two goals and an assist for three points and an even rating. Leier also saw significant time on the team’s penalty killing unit throughout the preseason.
Hagg played in six out of seven possible preseason games, going scoreless, but logged heavy minutes and a plus-1 rating to go along with 12 shots on goal.
“[I’m] Pretty happy, was kinda nervous when I walked in there, but after the meeting I was extremely happy to make the team,” said Hagg, who also commented on the challenges that are ahead after making the team. “I need to step up my game even more I think to be able to play at this level and I’m gonna do my best out there.”
As for Lindblom, he will report to Phantoms training camp, where the club is set to open the 2017-18 regular season on Saturday, October 7. He appeared in four preseason games and recorded a goal and an assist to go along with an even rating and nine shots on goal. Lindblom also participated in the Flyers-Islanders Rookie Game held on Sept. 13 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Added Hextall: “Oskar did a good job in camp and it’s the one thing you try to punctuate with young players. You didn’t fail. You had a good camp but right now the best thing for you and the team is for you to go up there and play well. He was great. He took it very well. Oskar is a good player and American League time hasn’t hurt one player in history of professional hockey. So he will be fine.”
With the roster at 24 players, defensemen Travis Sanheim and Samuel Morin still remain in camp. The final opening night roster is officially due to the National Hockey League office on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. ET
