Frost makes a spotlight, lineup discuss and extra from Flyers coaching camp

Frost makes a highlight, lineup talk and more from Flyers training camp initially appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

VOORHEES, N.J. — Loads of pucks had been in play a day after John Tortorella’s annual skating gauntlet.

The three teams in Flyers coaching camp break up up two scrimmages Friday. Two of the teams had one scrimmage and one follow, whereas the opposite group performed in each scrimmages and not using a follow.

In “such an important” Year 3 with the Flyers, Tortorella has appreciated the main focus of camp.

“The factor I am pleased about, I feel it is simply enterprise,” the pinnacle coach stated. “It is a group that we do that, that is how we do it right here. I feel you possibly can really feel the tightness already. What it transforms into, I do not know. However I identical to the final perspective as we have gone via the primary two days right here.”

Let’s get into three observations from Day 2 at Flyers Coaching Middle.

Frost, Michkov present connection

Which heart will play with Matvei Michkov? That has been a big storyline ever because the prized prospect signed his contract this summer season.

Proper now, Morgan Frost is getting the primary crack, with Owen Tippett on the alternative wing.

Frost appeared glorious in his one scrimmage and completely had a spark with Michkov. Each gamers see the ice and are inventive with the puck, traits that labored properly collectively Friday.

On one play, Michkov’s backcheck stress helped create a turnover to maintain the puck within the offensive zone. Frost then completed the sequence with a bullet from the low circle.

Whereas Frost flashed, he additionally exhibited energy alongside the boards to win puck battles and maintain possession.

“I really feel stronger,” he stated Friday. “I feel that is positively one space I can enhance on is a few of these 1-on-1 puck battles. I am by no means going to be an excellent bodily man on the market, however I feel if I can win some extra 1-on-1 battles after which get the puck to my teammates after that, I feel that can assist me rather a lot.

“I might wish to get to a degree the place I might be relied upon late within the sport from a defensive standpoint. I feel prior to now, that sort of hasn’t been there, in order that’s one thing I might wish to work on and hopefully get to that time.”

Frost’s function has fluctuated beneath Tortorella. This season, the 25-year-old is in a contract 12 months.

“That is the largest factor with Frosty and I, the up and down we go with is being consistent,” Tortorella stated Friday. “Essential man, up the center, a place that we’re nonetheless looking for our approach with. He makes performs, he has gone via it, has slowly gotten higher. I feel it is a actually large 12 months for him, I actually do. I feel he has improved, which is basically good. However I need to see him in additional of a constant, take cost kind of man. Not along with his mouth; along with his play.”

The Flyers open their exhibition slate Sunday on the street towards the Capitals (3 p.m. ET/NHL Community). We’ll see if Michkov makes his preseason debut.

“He has bought some persona,” Tortorella stated. “He played with some personality out at that rookie game. I like gamers with persona. Typically it goes the fallacious approach with a coach and a participant, however no less than it is persona. I feel it is boring typically on this league the place there isn’t any persona with the fellows. … You may see the puck follows him.”

Couturier’s well being and line

It is no secret Sean Couturier’s play dipped considerably down the stretch of final season. Maybe an damage to the captain’s decrease stomach space factored into his struggles.

Couturier did not use the damage as an excuse and stated he believed the offseason surgical procedure he underwent was minor. The 31-year-old heart was extremely efficient over his first 50 video games earlier than dropping off round mid-February. His damage took place in December.

“It was sort of up and down, like sort of symptomatic,” Couturier stated Thursday. “It was a type of issues the place you possibly can battle via it, you possibly can rehab it, keep it, do upkeep on it. However as time goes on, you sort of adapt your self and you do not really feel pure anymore. I am glad that I am again to feeling regular and able to go.”

For Tortorella and Couturier, this season shall be their first full one collectively as coach and captain. Final season, their relationship became a storyline to say the least.

On Thursday, Tortorella favored Couturier’s fortitude within the skating take a look at.

“I watched him the primary two reps and I stated, ‘Oh, s—,’ as a result of it appeared like he was going to die fairly rapidly,” the pinnacle coach stated. “And he fought via it, he fought via it and completed the correct approach.

“With Sean, I feel he is able to go, I feel he is in a great mindset. I do not suppose Sean will ever use final 12 months along with his play as that he was nicked up. As a result of we checked with him on a regular basis, he needed to play.”

Right here had been a number of the Flyers’ notable strains Friday, in no specific order (and in pencil):

Tyson Foerster-Sean Couturier-Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett-Morgan Frost-Matvei Michkov
Joel Farabee-Jett Luchanko-Noah Cates
Elliot Desnoyers-Scott Laughton-Bobby Brink
Nicolas Deslauriers-Ryan Poehling-Garnet Hathaway
Oscar Eklind-Rodrigo Abols-Olle Lycksell

‘Jamie appears free’

Jamie Drysdale is a gifted skater and puck-mover, particularly when wholesome. However the 22-year-old defenseman has fought accidents, limiting him to 42 video games during the last two seasons.

With the Flyers, after arriving in the Cutter Gauthier trade, Drysdale handled a core muscle damage and in addition missed shut to 5 weeks due to a left shoulder damage. He had offseason surgical procedure for the core muscle drawback.

“It isn’t nice sort of understanding that you could’t do what you need to do and know you are able to do,” Drysdale stated Thursday about being hampered by the damage. “Simply from not having the ability to heat up correctly, sort of simply being restricted and doing something you possibly can to make it really feel first rate going into video games.”

He had a dynamic look to him in his one scrimmage.

“Jamie appears free,” Tortorella stated Friday. “Everyone knows how nice of a skater he’s; he simply appears extra assured in his skating.”

Drysdale spent the offseason rehabbing and understanding on the staff’s follow facility.

“We definitely introduced it to his consideration on the finish of the 12 months that this was a really large summer season for him and we needed our fingers on him,” Tortorella stated. “He stayed in right here, did his work. He appears completely different to me. He appears extra assured.”

His pair with Nick Seeler is one you very well could see on opening night.

“I really feel good, physique’s feeling good for the primary time shortly, in order that’s a optimistic,” Drysdale stated. “I am simply wanting ahead to hopefully a full 82 [games].”

Right here had been a number of the Flyers’ notable pairs Friday, in no specific order (and in pencil):

Cam York-Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler-Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula-Rasmus Ristolainen
Emil Andrae-Erik Johnson
Adam Ginning-Oliver Bonk
Carter Sotheran-Ronnie Attard

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