QUICK HITS: AUGUST 1, 2016
1) Congratulations to now-former Flyer Sam Gagner for signing an unrestricted free agent deal with Columbus. I am glad he has a contract in hand and will not have to worry about the uncertainty that comes with tryout arrangements, especially since he has a family. I really enjoyed covering Gagner last season because he is a true pro and is also very personable -- approachable, honest, a good quote and has a good sense of humor. I am sure the other local writers who covered him last season would agree.
Gagner's 2015-16 season with the Flyers wasn't quite what other side was hoping for but he still did a decent overall job and did not rock the boat when he was scratched or when he was sent to the AHL (for the first time in his career).
Although the hoped-for offensive boost was not there, it was not due to a lack of work ethic and he also was not a defensive liability -- even though it will never be his main strength. He was also a good teammate. My lasting memory of Gagner as a Flyer, actually, will not be of the puck skills he showed from time to time. Rather, it will be of him fighting the much larger Alex Chiasson in defense of Scott Laughton. Gagner is not a fighter by any means, but he did what he needed to do after a reckless hit on his teammate.
At a reported $650,000 it's a no-risk, low-cost signing for Columbus. While I don't really see Gagner as a John Tortorella sort of player, there is a potential fit in the lineup if he has a good camp.
2) In Day 2 of the World Junior Championship evaluation camp in Plymouth, Michigan, Team USA Blue will take on Team Sweden, while Team USA White will play Finland. Both games will be streamed on FastHockey with highlights and stats posted later in the day on the USA Hockey official website.
3) Today in Flyers History: 1970: The Flyers sell the contract of Claude Laforge to Denver of the WHL.
1977: The Flyers sign diminutive Bowdoin College standout forward Alan Quinlan as a free agent.
1990: The Flyers sign Mark Freer, Tony Horacek, Brian Dobbin and Dale Kushner.
1995: The Flyers agree to terms on a new contract for goaltender Dominic Roussel. On the same day, the organization signs Todd Nelson as a free agent.
2000: The Flyers sign defenseman Joe DiPenta as a free agent to a two-way contract.
Birthday: Small and acrobatic goaltender Wendell Young, who served as the Flyers backup goaltender during portions of the 1987-88 season, was born in Halifax, NS, on August 1, 1963.
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2016 Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp
The 2nd annual Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp will be held Aug. 19 -22, 2016 in Atlantic City. The Alumni have assembled an excellent group of instructor/coaches this year, including Hockey Hall of Famers Bernie Parent and Mark Howe, along with the likes of Danny Briere and Flyers assistant coach Ian Laperriere.
For more information,
click here.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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