Sport-scan daily brief

"They are fun," said Spezza. "It's the second game for some of us, so you try to be a little better than you were in the first game. It's the pre-season, so you have to be ready.

"There's guys playing for jobs, there's guys playing hard and if you're not ready that's when you can get hurt. You have to be sharp. It's a little different, you don't play in the all the situations or as much as you normally do, but your preparation has to be the same."

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 09.19.2013

717306 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers practicing in Lake Placid

FRANK SERAVALLI, Daily News Staff Writer seravaf@phillynews.com

Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2013, 3:01 AM

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - For years, Peter Laviolette has tried to find a gap in the Flyers' training-camp schedule to get his team away from the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia so they can concentrate solely on hockey.

Last year, there was no preseason - just 5 days of practice before the lockout-shortened season opened. Previously, it meant cramming in another getaway in conjunction with a regular-season game, like the trip to the Pinehurst Golf Resort in 2011 before a game against Carolina.

This year, Laviolette finally found an opportunity. With a week between preseason games and their practice facility in the midst of a remodeling, the Flyers will descend on quaint Lake Placid (population 2,521) today for 4 days of practice and off-ice activities.

The Flyers will be skating at Herb Brooks Arena - site of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" triumph over the Soviet Union - but that isn't why Massachusetts-born Laviolette wanted to go there.

"The place has a special meaning, but that's not how I look at this week," Laviolette said. "I think it's a really good spot for us to step out. We've had a big camp here. We can go up there and get off our normal daily routine, spend some time working on some things. We don't do that anymore. I feel like it's a lot of time spent in a big rink or a city."

The Flyers' last preseason trip was to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., in 2008 under John Stevens. Laviolette took the Islanders to Lake Placid as their head coach more than a decade ago.

Most everyone has heard the echoes of the U.S. Olympic team in 1980 or has seen the movie "Miracle," yet only three of the 29 players accompanying the Flyers to Lake Placid were alive in January 1980: Kimmo Timonen (born 1975), Hal Gill ('75) and Mark Streit ('78).

Timonen hails from Finland, which lost in the subsequent gold-medal game to the Americans, though most believe the United States' win over the Soviets was for gold.

Flyers assistant coach Joe Mullen had a spot on that Miracle on Ice team but chose to sign with the St. Louis Blues to support his family after his father had fallen ill.

"I knew just about everybody on the team between trying out with them and playing college hockey against them," Mullen said. "I was proud of them. It was a great team and a great accomplishment. My dad got sick and I had to make a decision. I think I made the right one for me."

Mullen, the first American to score 500 goals, retired just before NHL players were allowed to participate in the 1998 Olympics and never got a shot at gold. He did win three Stanley Cups and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.

In addition to 3 days of on-ice practice, Laviolette has some "interesting things planned for the players" off-ice. It's not a rarity in the NHL these days: Nashville players went fishing together yesterday.

"I've never been to Lake Placid before, so it will be interesting to see the history of the town," Scott Hartnell said. "I think everything's a little messed up here, being at the Wells Fargo Center with Voorhees being under construction. To get away from all the distractions and get away with the boys, to have a couple good dinners and to have some good workouts and good practices is always exciting."

Roster trimmed

The Flyers trimmed their roster to 29 players yesterday and there were quite a few surprises. First-round pick Samuel Morin was sent back to his junior team in Rimouski, Quebec, after a strong debut in exhibition games.

Veteran tryout Hal Gill, 38, will remain with the Flyers. Laviolette said Tuesday he likes Gill playing in a shutdown role against an opponent's top lines. Fellow 6-6 tower Oliver Lauridsen also made the list.

At forward, Chris VandeVelde - who played in 11 games for the Oilers last season - came out of nowhere to make the trip. VandeVelde, 26, has an AHL-only contract and is technically with the Flyers on a tryout deal. He beat out Tye McGinn, Jason Akeson and Nick Cousins, who were all assigned to Adirondack.

Highly touted winger Michael Raffl survived the first round of cuts to be among the 17 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies. He will compete with Scott Laughton, 19, for a spot.

Ben Holmstrom, Kris Newbury and Yann Danis also made the roster, but are expected to be placed on waivers with the intent of being sent down as soon as today, according to the club's website.

Slap shots

Practices in Lake Placid are closed to the public . . . ESPN.com announced its rankings of the top players in the game: Claude Giroux (T-10), Wayne Simmonds and Jake Voracek (T-60) and Scott Hartnell and Vincent Lecavalier (T-72) finished in the top 100 among forwards. Kimmo Timonen (17) and Mark Streit (42) were among top 50 defensemen and Ray Emery (24) was among the top 25 goaltenders. Votes were compiled from media members who cover the game, including this one.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717307 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette to have his own radio show on 97.5 The Fanatic

Peter Mucha, Philly.com

Last updated: Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 3:18 PM

Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette will do a regular radio show live from a Cherry Hill restaurant on 97.5 The Fanatic, the station announced this afternoon.

"This should be good. Talk Flyers," the coach said to afternoon talk show host Mike Missanelli. "... This will be my first one, but it should be fun. Everybody in the city of Phladelphia loves to talk sports."

He said he was looking forward to an exciting season, with a roster bolstered by the acquisition of some free agents over the summer.

The first of at least 10 shows this season will be broadcast 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1., the evening before the home and season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Wells Fargo Center.

The shows, airing from Ponzio’s Diner Bakery and Bar, will be open to the public, and the coach will also speak with callers.

Cohosting will be ex-Flyer Chris Therien, who does color for the game broadcasts on 97.5 FM, and Jason Myrtetus, who hosts the station’s Flyers pregame shows.

The second Peter Laviolette Show will air three weeks later, on Oct. 22. Dates have yet to be set for additional sessions, which will have to be scheduled around the Flyers and Sixers games that air on the station.

The show will follow Missanelli’s gig, which runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Ponzio's is on Route 70, near Kings Highway.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717308 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers head to Lake Placid; Morin back to juniors

Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2013, 1:09 AM

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - Perhaps hoping some of the mojo rubs off, the Flyers on Thursday will move their training camp here, site of the "Miracle on Ice" by the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team.

The Flyers, who haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1975, will be in Lake Placid through Sunday, training at the arena named after the 1980 U.S. Olympic coach, Herb Brooks.

The Flyers will be on the ice Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Saturday will be used for team-bonding activities.

"We've got some new guys in the dressing room," winger Wayne Simmonds said. "It's going to be good for bonding, and it's going to bring us closer together."

Center Vinny Lecavalier, who had an outstanding 14-year career with Tampa Bay and is in his first season with the Flyers, agreed.

"Well for me, I'm the new guy," he said "[You] get to know all the guys a lot more. . . . I don't want to say it's a vacation, but you know your teammates on the ice, off the ice."

Coach Peter Laviolette, the captain of the 1994 U.S. Olympic team and the coach of the 2006 squad, had some camps at Lake Placid when he coached the New York Islanders. He said bringing the Flyers to Lake Placid, a tiny village in Upstate New York, is all about the seclusion - and not necessarily about the hockey history.

"I think it's a really good spot to slip out," said Laviolette, who will serve as a Team USA assistant to Dan Bylsma (of the Pittsburgh Penguins) in the 2014 Olympics. "It's an opportunity to get away from families and out of your homes and get to a different place where you can spend some time, work on some things."

En route to the 1980 gold medal, the U.S. Olympic team, composed of amateurs, scored a shocking 4-3 semifinal win over a professional Russian team, a victory that Sports Illustrated later called the greatest sports event in the 20th century. The Soviets had won eight of the previous nine gold medals.

After that draining triumph, the Americans rallied past Finland, 4-2, to capture the gold.

Flyers assistant coach Joey Mullen nearly played on that famous 1980 American team, but his father had suffered a stroke, and he decided to turn pro to help support his family.

"It was the right decision," Mullen said.

As for the four days in Lake Placid, Mullen said, "We have a lot of work ahead of us. It starts when we get there."

Roster moves

The Flyers reduced their training-camp roster by 28 players Wednesday, and the most surprising development was that winger Tye McGinn was sent to the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms.

The Flyers also sent three players to their junior clubs, including Sam Morin, the 6-foot-6, 211-pound defenseman who opened eyes during two preseason games. Morin, 18, was the team's first pick in the June draft and he signed an entry-level deal Tuesday.

With the trims, the Flyers have 32 players in camp - 17 forwards, 12 defensemen and three goalies.

McGinn, who was impressive in an 18-game stint with the Flyers last season, Jason Akeson, Nick Cousins, Marcel Noebels and Petr Straka were among the highly regarded forwards demoted to the Phantoms.

Ben Holmstrom, Kris Newbury and goalie Yann Danis are still in camp but are likely to be sent to the AHL if they clear waivers. All told, the Flyers sent 24 players to the Phantoms, including goalies Cal Heeter and Carsen Chubak and defensemen Mark Alt and Brandon Manning.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717309 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers make 28 roster cuts, send Morin back to juniors

Frank Seravalli

Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 2:20 PM

One day after earning his first big league contract, the Flyers decided to send first round pick Samuel Morin back to his junior team in Quebec.

Morin, 18, announced on his Twitter account that he will report back to the Quebec Leauge’s Rimouski Oceanic – the same franchise that produced Sidney Crosby. His contract with the Flyers will slide until at least 2014-15.

come back in Rimouski today. thanks to the flyers organisation for this camps. #fun #philly great fans great city

— Samuel Morin (@morin055) September 18, 2013

It was a bit of a head scratching move, considering neither Paul Holmgren nor Peter Laviolette ruled out Morin sticking around longer in camp before Tuesday night’s preseason game. There was no harm in bringing Morin to Lake Placid, N.Y., with the team for experience sake.

Nonetheless, Morin logged 45:36 in his first two NHL tests – on back-to-back nights, no less – against the Rangers and Capitals. He ended up with an assist, three shots on net, six attempts blocked, two giveaways, two takeaways, three blocked shots and a minus-1 rating. Morin also saw more than six minutes of power play time in the two games.

With his size, fluid skating and maturity, it's safe to say Morin's future is bright.

Also, the Flyers have decided to send Jason Akeson, Nick Cousins and Tye McGinn to the Adirondack Phantoms, seemingly paving the way for Michael Raffl and Scott Laughton.

Here is a full list of cuts, announced by the Flyers:

ADIRONDACK TRAINING CAMP (AHL)

Brandon Alderson

Jason Akeson

Mark Alt

Rob Bordson

Tyler Brown

Carsen Chubak

Doug Clarkson

Nick Cousins

Steven Delisle

Cullen Eddy

Kyle Flanagan

Cal Heeter

Tyler Hostetter

Andrew Johnston

Matt Konan

Maxim Lamarche

Matt Mangene

Brandon Manning

Derek Mathers

Tye McGinn

Mark Nemec

Marcel Noebels

Petr Straka

Zack Fitzgerald

LOANED TO JUNIOR CLUBS

Tyrell Goulbourne – Kelowna (WHL)

Taylor Leier – Portland (WHL)

Samuel Morin – Rimouski (QMJHL)

RELEASED FROM TRY-OUT

Todd Orlando

For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers

Get the full Frequent Flyers experience at PhillyDailyNews.com.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717310 Philadelphia Flyers

Veteran tryout Hal Gill likely to stick around

Frank Seravalli

Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 11:14 AM

Hal Gill has played in 1,212 NHL games - including the Stanley Cup playoffs - throughout his career. On the eve of his first season without a contract in 16 years, he isn’t about to change.

And that’s just fine with Flyers coach Peter Laviolette.

“I don’t think I have to show people what I can do,” Gill said after Tuesday night’s exhibition loss to the Rangers. “I’ve been doing the same thing for a long time. I don’t have a new deke or anything that I’m trying to show anyone.

“I think I can show that I am healthy, ready to go, and have that desire to be a part of a team.”

The Flyers will make approximately 30 roster cuts prior to heading to Lake Placid, N.Y., on Thursday - just as Herb Brooks was forced to do in 1980 - but Laviolette hinted Tuesday that he wants to see more from Gill.

Gill, 38, is with the Flyers on a tryout contract. At 6-foot-7, he isn’t fleet of foot. He won’t dazzle anyone with his skating. And he isn’t going to pile up points. That doesn't mean he couldn't have a role with the Flyers.

“His job is to keep the puck and people away from our net and I think he’s done a pretty good job of that,” Laviolette said. “His best asset is defending. You think back about Hal and his career and what’s most noticeable and it’s him being physical on top-end and high-end players, so I think we’ll get an even better look and read on Hal as camp moves on and you can see those matchups that you’re trying to get.

“I like Hal against somebody on the top line of the opposition.”

Paul Holmgren said the Flyers will take approximately 26 to 28 players to Lake Placid for three days of practices and team-bonding experiments.

Even if Gill goes on the trip, does he fit on the 23-man roster?

With everyone healthy, the Flyers’ top six is pretty set: Kimmo Timonen, Mark Streit, Andrej Meszaros, Luke Schenn, Nick Grossmann and Braydon Coburn. It’s likely that Erik Gustafsson will be the extra guy, though he could play his way into the opening lineup. What about Bruno Gervais, who is also on a one-way deal?

The Flyers will have the contract space and will have salary cap room to sign Gill to a deal if they so desire. It’s just tough to figure where he would play, unless he is willing to start the season in Adirondack as an insurance policy.

Gill posted an assist and was a plus-1 with four hits against the Rangers. He was scratched on Monday in Toronto and had a few rusty moments in his debut against the Maple Leafs in London on Sunday.

“I think in a normal situation when you have a contract you’re just worried about progressing and getting ready every game. In this situation I wanted to speed up the process, but it was good,” Gill said. “I felt good. It’s preseason where you are still learning a new system and timing needs to get there, but it is nice to get out there.”

Despite the tough situation - including living in a hotel while his family is back in Massachusetts - Gill has kept a smile on his face. He’s recognized league-wide as a “good guy” and has many people rooting for him, including his current coach.

“He’s got just a terrific personality,” Laviolette said. “He’s always got a smile on his face. He comes in and is happy to be here. He is in phenomenal shape, lots of experience, been here done that. You know he’s come here to work out and try to make our team. He has come with a great attitude.”

Check back later Wednesday for a list of cuts, as the Phantoms prepare to open their preseason this weekend in Glens Falls, N.Y.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717311 Philadelphia Flyers

Couturier eyes a bounce-back season

Posted: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 5:00 am | Updated: 2:17 pm, Tue Sep 17, 2013.

Wayne Fish Staff writer

PHILADELPHIA – Of all the puzzling aspects to the Flyers last season, the case of Sean Couturier might have been the most curious.

The second-year center was coming off a brilliant rookie campaign, registering 13 goals and 27 points in 77 games, plus a playoff series in which he dominated Pittsburgh superstar Evgeni Malkin.

Then came the lockout, a return to the minor leagues and when NHL play finally started, Couturier didn’t look like the same player.

In 46 games, he managed only four goals and 15 points. At times, coach Peter Laviolette reduced his role a bit, perhaps to light a fire, but to no avail.

Now, still only 21 years old, the former No. 1 draft pick is looking to bounce back to the potential he showed his first year.

Couturier saw his first action of the preseason on Monday night against the Washington Caps and came up with a pair of assists in a 4-3 shootout loss at the Wells Fargo Center.

Assistant coach Craig Berube, running the bench while head coach Peter Laviolette was in Toronto with the other Flyers squad, said before the game he’s pleased by Couturier’s fitness level and attitude coming into this season.

“Couturier’s looked good out there,’’ Berube said. “He’s looked fast, energized.’’

Over the summer, Couturier added about six pounds to his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame.

“He’s heavier but I see a quicker player,’’ Berube said. “He’s more powerful but he looks quicker.’’

Couturier set up goals for linemates Jake Voracek and Jason Akeson.

“It felt good out there, I had some legs, some jump,’’ Couturier said. “I felt good in the battles and we got a couple goals.’’

It should be noted Couturier had only one two-point game all of last season.

This is the kind of quick start Couturier wanted, unlike last season.

“A lot of times, a second-year player, it’s tough,’’ Berube said. “They don’t have as good a second players and there are a lot of players (like that). . .I can name a bunch.

“The one thing I know about ‘Coots’ is that he’s an intelligent player. He knows how to play the game and that’s not going to go away. I think I’m going to see a better player this year.’’

Couturier sounds like he understands the importance of this season. He’s been the subject of trade rumors for the better part of a year and realizes he’s still playing for a job in Philadelphia.

“Last year, it was an up and down season,’’ Couturier said. “Not what I wanted it to be. I wish it had been better but it’s behind me now and I’m looking forward to having a better year.’’

Couturier opened eyes with his strong defensive play his rookie year and that’s where everything starts.

“Obviously last year my defensive game lacked at some time,’’ he said. “I’ve got to be more constant. Offensively as well, I’ve got to be more constant and produce more.’’

The size and speed are critical to getting back to where he was at two years ago.

“I worked out hard,’’ he said. “I feel a lot stronger out there. I feel good. I gained maybe five or six pounds.’’

/n

Morin stands out: Samuel Morin, the defenseman selected in the first round of last June’s draft, was paired with vet Mark Streit for the Washington game and did quite well.

Morin was satisfied with the effort and sounds confident about his chances in this camp.

“It’s a lot of experience I take every game,’’ he said. “I’m trying to make a good impression and try to have a contract.’’

/n

Short shots: The Flyers’ split squad team defeated the Maple Leafs in a shootout, 3-2. . .Ray Emery played the entire game in goal for the Flyers in Philadelphia. The Caps won the shootout on a goal by Joel Rechlicz. . .The Flyers came back from a 2-0 deficit to go ahead 3-2 but Washington tied it with 21.7 seconds to play on a goal by Ryan Stoa. . .Austrian import Michael Raffl, a 24-year-old rookie, also made a good impression on Berube.

717312 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers go camping at a hockey shrine

Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 10:27 am | Updated: 7:59 pm, Wed Sep 18, 2013.

Wayne Fish Staff writer

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – In case the Flyers need a reminder of to get it done, they’re headed to the scene of this country’s greatest hockey achievement.

Not a single Flyer player is old enough to have either lived through or remembered the 1980 Miracle on Ice, the improbable U.S. Olympic gold medal performance.

But starting Thursday, the Flyers will get a first-hand look at the rink where it all happened when they take their training camp north for four days.

General manager Paul Holmgren, an American native who does remember Herb Brooks and the boys, said the plan to come to Lake Placid has been in the works for a couple years but this year the schedule finally broke the right way.

There’s a one-week break between pre-season games and the team’s practice facility – the Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J. – is undergoing renovations.

"We've talked about it for a few years, it just never seemed like the right time to do it,’’ Holmgren said. “This year it just worked out with what's going on at the Skate Zone, the renovation, and the way that training camp broke.’’

A schedule change also helped make the trip possible.

“With the split squad yesterday, we killed two games in one day,’’ Holmgren said. “It makes it easier to plan what we have going this year. It kind of just worked out -- the game that we had last night (Monday) at home was originally (scheduled) for Thursday, but we didn't want to go up against the Eagles, so they moved it to Monday. I wouldn't mind moving two of those games next year, to play two doubleheaders with two split squads.’’

The Flyers will practice on Thursday and Friday, then take off for team-building exercises, followed by one more practice on Sunday.

This will give the Flyers time to get to know one another off the ice, something that really didn’t happen last year during the lockout-shortened camp.

“"I think it's good,’’ Holmgren said. “Peter (Laviolette) and the coaches have some interesting things planned for the players up there. They'll not only put them through the paces on the ice, but some off-ice stuff they can do, which is very important as you prepare for an 82-game season, and hopefully playoffs. I think it's going to be good for us."