Quick Hits: September 1, 2018
1) Lehigh Valley Phantoms forward Cole Bardreau has spent the summer in Voorhees, working out at the Skate Zone. The 25-year-old Cornell graduate, who will be entering his fourth full professional season in 2018-19, has yet to appear in a National Hockey League game. However, injuries have played a large part in slowing his climb to the top level. The Flyers organization has been intrigued by the feisty and versatile forward for a number of years.
The numbers game in training camp works against him in terms of competing for an NHL job on opening night but he is a darkhorse to push for an in-season callup. Last season, injuries limited Bardreau to 45 regular season games (11 goals, 19 assists, 59 PIM, +18) but he dressed in 13 playoff games. Bardreau brings speed, deceptive physical strength despite lacking height, kills penalties and has a bit of skill as well. His biggest asset is his motor and the way he gets under opponents' skin on a regular basis. If he can kill penalties and draw power plays for his own team at the NHL level, he could have a fourth-line role.
Bardreau, who has an extensive injury history in his still-young career, was hurt during Flyers training camp last season and his AHL season got off to a delayed start. Shortly after his return, he was involved in one of last season's most memorable fights in the American Hockey League. During an after-the-whistle skirmish in a November game against the eventual Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies, Toronto forward Dmytro Timashov knocked off Bardreau's helmet. Bardreau's face registered an almost-comedic level of surprise (he gave Timashov a "Whoa! You did NOT just do that!" look) and then proceded to pummel the Ukranian forward down to the ice.
The PPL Center crowd went bonkers and Bardreau played to the audience but he'd injured himself in the lopsided fight and ended up back on IR. Once he finally returned to the lineup again, Bardreau enjoyed one of his most effective all-around years as a pro.
3)OHL preseason: 2017 draftee Matthew Strome did not play in the defending OHL Hamilton Bulldogs' preseason opener on Friday night but could be in the lineup on Saturday. Meanwhile, the 2018 playoff runner-up, Morgan Frost's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, held a series of intrasquad scrimmages this week, including the annual Red vs. White game on Friday.
4) SHL preseason: 2018 draftee Marcus Westfà¤lt saw fourth-line duty for Brynà¤s in a 5-1 home preseason loss to Fà¤rjestad on Friday.
5) Today in Flyers history: On Sept. 1, 1988, the Flyers traded backup goalie Wendell Young to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 1990 third-round draft pick. Two years later, the Flyers used the pick on Providence College defenseman Chris Therien, who went on to become the Flyers' all-time games played leader at his position.