To introduce this post, first let me introduce myself. By now, you’re well aware that I managed the Flyzette site all of last season, starting it from the ground up. It was a season that gave me opportunities with CSN Philly where I filled-in here and there throughout the season, even going down to Washington D.C. for the playoffs for coverage. With that, I stepped into varying roles covering the Flyers, including with Metro Philly.
A few days ago, I announced I’ll be taking on a role with Broad Street Hockey over at SB Nation. I’ll be providing some practice reports through training camp and the season, while doing a weekly Sunday column that will debut this weekend.
All of this in addition to my real job with NJ.com. That being said, I still am operating Flyzette, but will take a different approach with it to kick off the season.
The Fly Over will be a regular post on the site, basically it’ll go over all the news and notes from that day along with my takeaways from the players and coaches I spoke with that day.
So, let’s get into the debut of The Fly Over:
Schenn on his suspension
Brayden Schenn will be training with his teammates for the next few weeks, but will sit out the first three games, which also is the first West Coast trip of the season. He’ll be serving a three-game suspension from his charge on T.J. Oshie.
“It’s not the start you want,” Schenn said. “It is what it is.”
He says he doesn’t plan on changing anything about his game, but will keep things a little more in check if need be.
“You learn from it,” Schenn said. “I don’t plan on changing my style of play; just have to cautious and aware.”
Gudas not cleared yet, will remain “aggressive”
The preseason may have to go on without Radko Gudas. The defenseman, still rehabbing a fractured right wrist, is uncertain if he will be ready to go in time before the preseason games wrap up.
General manager Ron Hextall said the team will be cautious with him. Gudas says he expects to play, but in this situation, the player’s “feeling” doesn’t hold much weight. It’ll be a decision made by the doctors and management, and right now, it’s looking like he’ll be out a little while.
“It’s been a longer process than I thought but it might be another week,” Gudas said. “It’s getting closer.”
He has yet to be cleared to shoot, focusing his workouts solely on his lower body and core. He says the injury was a result of “continuous” stress that carried over from the end of the season through the summer.
When he does return, though, don’t expect the setback — or his run-ins with the league office last season — to alter his style.
“You have to learn from your own mistakes and grow as a hockey player…but aggressive hockey is my game,” Gudas said. “I want to stay on the line and play my game.”
Read putting “bad seasons” behind him
Production wise, Matt Read has fallen back quite a bit. He went from 47 points as a rookie to another 40-point season two years later, dropping all the way down to 26 points last season.
The 30-year-old is well aware of his slide.
“I’ve had a couple of bad seasons in a row,” Read admitted. “It’s going to be a competitive roster this year, but you have to do as much as you can in the offseason to do the best you can when the season starts.”
Read spent anywhere from two to three hours at the gym, working out and skating, all with the hopes of giving himself the best shot to remain a constant in the Flyers lineup. There will be a few players nipping at his heels — and his spot — so Read has done all he could this summer to ensure he’s in the best position.
“I think I just have to play a little more tougher and with a little more tenacity, just keep playing smart defensively and doing my role as a defensive forward,” Read said. “Get to the net more and shoot more pucks when I have the opportunity. Keep doing those little things to make my linemates better so the three of us can work together to succeed on the ice.”
Odds and ends
* Dale Weise, who made some remarks about his time in Chicago a few weeks back, says his brief stint with the Blackhawks is behind him, “I put Chicago behind me.” He says he didn’t lose any confidence from the very limited role he had there.
* Brandon Manning will be competing with a handful of defenseman for a spot in the lineup. He’s used to it by now, though, “I think that’s been the story of my life.” Manning says not being drafted, he’s always had to fight for what he’s earned.
* Chris VandeVelde will be in a battle this camp with Roman Lyubimov looking to take his spot. The difference could come down to special teams, “If I can bring that extra edge to the PK and really solidify that role, that’s huge.”
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