Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 1d

Christian Dvorak is unsurprisingly being leaned on by his former coach in Arizona, Rick Tocchet.

But will the marriage Dvorak and the Flyers last more than just a few months?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Christian Dvorak playing key role for Flyers early. But will he remain for the season?

Dvorak can provide secondary offense, play center or wing, play both special teams and is a responsible 200-foot player that coaches trust.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 3d

For the Flyers to be better this season, a whole lot of things are going to have to go right.

They'll also have to avoid what looks to be a pretty significant list of things that could go wrong.

My column before tonight's opener:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

For the young Flyers, defining — and achieving — success this season could be challenging

First-year coach Rick Tocchet said he doesn't have a timeframe on when things will come together.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 3d

“It’s nice when you can come to a new place and be yourself. They don’t try to put us in boxes.”

Rick Tocchet wants Trevor Zegras to simply be himself. Will it lead to a career resurgence for a player that was once one of the young faces of the league?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Can Trevor Zegras help Flyers become relevant again?

If Zegras thrives, he could give a huge boost to a franchise that is pining for relevancy within the local sports scene.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 4d

Can Trevor Zegras help Flyers become relevant again?

My piece on the Flyers' big offseason acquisition on the eve of the season opener ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Can Trevor Zegras help Flyers become relevant again?

If Zegras thrives, he could give a huge boost to a franchise that is pining for relevancy within the local sports scene.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 4d

Bump turns 22 next month. Flyers management basically said they expected him to make the roster. He didn't. I stand by my point that he was disappointing, and that Luchanko should be back in juniors.

Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 5d

Jett can't play in the AHL, Bob.

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 5d

🔔 Zegras gets his chance at 1C
🔔 Luchanko and Grebenkin make the team, but will they play Thursday?
🔔 Defensive depth a major concern

And more analysis of the opening night Flyers' roster ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Flyers depth chart 3.0: Zegras the top center; Luchanko makes the cut; Bump, Andrae fall short

Philadelphia has settled its key questions ahead of Thursday's season opener against the Panthers.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 7d

The Flyers may be a better team this season. Trevor Zegras, Dan Vladar and Christian Dvorak all looked decent in camp, to varying degrees.

But the inability of younger prospects to push for depth roles was disappointing.

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www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Why Flyers training camp was underwhelming in one important way

The young prospects expected to compete for several open spots in the lineup didn't make an impact. What does it indicate about the future?

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 7d

Flyers training camp is over.

And in one important aspect, it was decidedly underwhelming.

My column ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Why Flyers training camp was underwhelming in one important aspect

Flyers training camp was underwhelming in regard to the lack of impact from young prospects. What does it indicate about the future?

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 10d

It's not a reach to suggest that the Flyers rebuild depends on Riley Armstrong.

My in-depth feature on Armstrong's background, how he landed in Philly and formed a bond with Danny Briere, and how he's trying to turn the Flyers prospects into pros:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Why the Flyers’ Riley Armstrong is crucial to their rebuild: ‘It’s a huge job’

The Flyers have restocked their pool of prospects. It's up to Armstrong and his staff to help them develop.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 11d

Flyers officially assigned the following players to the Phantoms today:

F – Denver Barkey
F – Alex Bump
F – Alexis Gendron
F – Devin Kaplan
D – Emil Andrae
D – Helge Grans
D – Hunter McDonald
D – Ty Murchison
G – Carson Bjarnason
G – Aleksei Kolosov

Anthony Richard placed on waivers.

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 12d

Tyson Foerster on making his preseason debut after recovering from his elbow infection/surgery:

“For me, it’s just full go. I’m sure the trainers are going to be watching me, but for me it’s full go.”

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 13d

Jack Nesbitt is headed back to Windsor. He left a good impression.

The other top prospects still in camp? They're having some struggles, particularly in Saturday night's preseason loss to Boston.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

One Flyers prospect makes an impression, but others struggling to have an impact

Jack Nesbitt, selected by the Flyers with the 12th pick in the 2025 draft, had a successful first month skating as a legit NHL prospect.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 14d

One top Flyers prospect, now headed back to his junior club, left a great impression.

But a pair of other highly rated prospects are struggling to make an impact this preseason.

More 🔗

www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

One Flyers prospect makes an impression, but others struggling to have an impact

Jack Nesbitt, selected by the Flyers with the 12th pick in the 2025 draft, had a successful first month skating as a legit NHL prospect.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 14d

Jack Nesbitt, Spencer Gill reassigned back to their junior teams today, per Flyers

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 16d

“I think we all know the future of this team is probably going through him."

On Matvei Michkov's camp so far, including his budding relationship with Rick Tocchet and how Tocchet might utilize him when the season begins:

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www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

Matvei Michkov, Rick Tocchet build their relationship through ‘hockey language’

Plus, the Flyers explore new tactics on the power play, which ranked among the league's worst last season.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Kevin Kurz

Mark Lazerus @marklazerus.bsky.social · 17d

Following their acquittal, the return to the NHL of Carter Hart and Michael McLeod seems imminent.

I visited Carolina and Vegas — the two likeliest landing spots — to see how the teams are handling the possibility.

The two trips went... differently.

My story:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

As Hockey Canada players’ NHL return nears, how will they be embraced by their new teams?

The players carry significant baggage, and signing them could come at a cost for teams that goes beyond finances.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 18d

We're just one week into Flyers training camp, and the competition for roster spots and responsibilities is heating up.

Here's what we've learned about the camp battles so far:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

Philadelphia Flyers training camp battles 2.0: What we’ve learned so far

With observations from preseason games and insight from coach Rick Tocchet, we can begin to evaluate some of the ongoing roster battles.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 19d

The Flyers lost more than just one of the greatest players in NHL history over the weekend. They lost a true ambassador.

"His spirit was relentless. He just wanted to be a part of things. He did fight through tremendous pain towards the end."

🔗

www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

Bernie Parent, Hall of Fame goalie and beloved Flyers legend, dies at 80

Parent backstopped the Flyers to a pair of Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 20d

Bernie Parent, Hall of Fame goalie and beloved Flyers legend, dies at 80

My full story/obit on a franchise legend:

🔗

www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

Bernie Parent, Hall of Fame goalie and beloved Flyers legend, dies at 80

Parent backstopped the Flyers to a pair of Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 20d

Roster for tonight's Flyers preseason opener

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 21d

🔔 Cam York impressing
🔔 Top two centers could be set
🔔 A surprise prospect is getting noticed

And more of what I've seen through three days of Flyers camp

🔗

www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

What I’m seeing at Flyers camp: York standing out to Tocchet, surprise prospect impresses

Alexis Gendron, a seventh-round pick in 2022, has been the most pleasant surprise so far.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 22d

Rick Tocchet has mentioned both days how much he's like Cam York so far. Mentions today that he could be a possibility for the power play, which, of course, Torts didn't use him on at all last season.

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 23d

From the absence of the infamous rope test, to an infusion of young talent, to management challenging this year's team to be better, there was a different feel for the Flyers as they opened up training camp today.

More
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www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

‘A lot less NASCAR laps’: Flyers note changes, expectations as camp practices begin

There’s a different feel to training camp with Rick Tocchet taking charge.

www.nytimes.com

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Kevin Kurz @kevinkurznhl.bsky.social · 24d

The Flyers open training camp today -- which makes it coach Rick Tocchet's first day with the full group, too.

“There’s some differences in some system stuff we’re going to have to go over. But the foundation that I see has already been set."

More 🔗
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Rick Tocchet’s view of the Flyers — ‘That crest is everything’ — and his Year 1 priorities

Tocchet has put much thought into how to get the best out of Matvei Michkov and his other new players.

www.nytimes.com

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