The Philadelphia Flyers have hit the ice at the Flyers Training Center, diving into back-to-back practices on Tuesday and Wednesday for the first time since the Olympic Break. These sessions were packed with energy and focus, signaling a renewed drive as they gear up for the next phase of the season.
Each practice kicked off with the usual warm-ups and line rushes, gradually building into competitive five-on-five drills. The intensity ramped up with some serious conditioning work.
Tuesday's session wrapped up with players doing laps around the net, with each net positioned slightly further back to increase the challenge. On Wednesday, they switched it up with a shuttle skate, sprinting from the goal line to the blueline and back, hitting each line twice for good measure.
After the structured drills, many players stayed on the ice for some extra work. Notably, Matvei Michkov and Denver Barkey were the last ones practicing their shots on separate nets. Meanwhile, Bobby Brink dedicated time to perfecting his one-timers, and Carson Bjarnason, Oliver Bonk, Hunter McDonald, and Barkey worked diligently on another sheet.
As for the line combinations, it's important to remember that things can change with a week to go before the next game. But here's a glimpse of how they lined up during these practices:
Forwards:
- Trevor Zegras - Christian Dvorak - Travis Konecny
- Denver Barkey - Sean Couturier - Owen Tippett
- Matvei Michkov - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
- Nick Deslauriers - Carl Grundstrum - Garnet Hathaway
The fourth center spot remains open, so expect some adjustments.
Defensemen:
The defensemen rotated frequently, with Emil Andrae, Noah Juulsen, Nick Seeler, Hunter McDonald, and Oliver Bonk all getting reps. Cam York and Jamie Drysdale were the constants in the mix.
Goalies:
- Sam Ersson
- Carson Bjarnason
With three players away, the Flyers brought up prospects Carson Bjarnason, Oliver Bonk, and Hunter McDonald from the AHL. The plan is to send them back once the Olympians return from Milan. This stint offers the coaching staff a valuable opportunity to assess these prospects in a high-paced, NHL-level environment.
Flyers assistant coach Todd Reirden emphasized the significance of this decision, highlighting the chance for these young players to integrate with the team and test their mettle. Bonk, who has been recovering from an injury, shared insights on his journey back, emphasizing the importance of learning professional habits early on.
Reirden praised both Bjarnason and Bonk for their performance, noting that some drills were specifically crafted to evaluate their readiness for the NHL.
After Wednesday’s practice, the locker room buzzed with excitement as players tuned into the Czechia-Canada game. It was a rare sight to see professional players so engrossed in a match, especially with teammates on both sides of the ice. The young Canadians, Barkey, Bonk, and Bjarnason, were particularly animated when they saw Canada trailing 3-2, adding a layer of personal investment to the viewing experience.
Oliver Bonk found himself in an interesting position, balancing his Canadian roots with his father Radek's Czech heritage. It seems the competitive spirit runs deep in the Bonk family, with Oliver having the last laugh this time around.