Quick Hits: June 18, 2020
1) One season after ranking 26th in the NHL in penalty killing percentage, the Flyers have moved up 15 spots this season and, as a bonus, have also doubled their shorthanded goal output. The improvements actually began last season during Scott Gordon's tenure as interim head coach -- over the final 59 games of last season, the club killed penalties at an 82.7 percent clip -- and were accelerated this season under Alain Vigneault and new assistant coach Mike Yeo. It's not just about numbers, it's also about process and use of personnel.
Over on the Flyers official website, I authored a deep-dive analysis of the Flyers' PK during the 2019-20 regular season. The article includes statistical breakdowns, a review of personnel and tactical adjustments and an array of video examples to illustrate the text.
The PK article is a companion piece to the power play adjustments analysis article that I wrote last month. We also featured a look at how the teamwide buy-in for skating shorter shifts is a subtle adjustment that's been made that has helped to have a real impact on the team's bottom line in various higher-profile areas.
If you enjoy these sorts of hockey-centric articles and would like to see more them on the Flyers' website in addition to team-related news stories and feature-length articles on individual players, your feedback is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Depending on Flyers fan interest in seeing them, I would like to develop deep-dive articles on the team's forecheck, breakouts, faceoff prowess, and the inter-functioning of the goaltending and team defense.
Upcoming articles: In tomorrow's "Therien's Take", Chris Therien will discuss the expanded rosters when teams reconvene for Phases 3 and 4 of the return-to-play plan. How many spots should be added, in Bundy's opinion? On Saturday, we will have a feature on Ivan Provorov.
2) I had the pleasure earlier this morning of sitting in on the runthrough for tonight's "Flyers Alumni Decades: 1974-75 Season" show on the Flyers Alumni's YouTube channel. Hosts Bill Clement and Jim Jackson shared stories, laughs and pearls of wisdom gleaned from the Flyers' second of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with panelists Reggie Leach, Bob "the Hound" Kelly, Terry Crisp and Joe Watson. If anything, this show had even more laugh out loud stories and takeaway bits of first-hand knowledge on learning how to win and then carrying it through to its ultimate conclusion. Tune in at 8 p.m. tonight.
Just finished our runthrough of tonight's "Decades: 1974-75" season show (8 pm ET), for our YouTube channel. Lots of laughs but also some great takeaways on winning, leadership, coaching and being genuine. https://t.co/ubZ3RgrDjr@BradMarshNHL @BillClement10 @JimJPhilly pic.twitter.com/xQ0AR3BUtQ
— Flyers Alumni (@FlyersAlumni) June 18, 2020
3) Tonight at 6 p.m., members of the Flyers organization, the Flyers Alumni Association, the Flyers Warriors and Gritty and Flyers will join forces to give Michael Taraborrelli, a Glenmore resident battling advanced cancer, a Father’s Day he’ll never forget. Michael is a dad, a school teacher, a former Marine, a lifelong Flyers diehard fan, and avid men's rec hockey player and leader. He was diagnosed with a Grade 4 variety of an aggressive form of brain cancer called Gliobastoma.
Flyers Alumni Joe Watson, Terry Carkner, Bob Kelly and Brad Marsh will deliver Flyers swag to Michael, present him with a new big-screen TV (to watch the Flyers' playoff games in style when the season returns), and salute him with stick taps. He will also get a special video message from his all-time favorite Flyers player, Rod Brind'Amour. The USA Hockey Warriors Classic champion Flyers Warriors will also be on hand to present fellow military veteran Taraborrelli with a Flyers Warriors jersey with his name on the back.
Taraborrelli’s teammates from his community hockey league team, the Whalers, are also coming to honor their friend and on-ice compatriot.
4) Today in Flyers History: June 18, 2007
On this day, 13 years ago, the Flyers acquired the rights to impending free agent left winger Scott Hartnell and defenseman Kimmo Timonen from the Nashville Predators and immediately announced they had signed the players to respective six-year contracts. In return, the Flyers returned the 23rd overall pick of the 2007 NHL Draft (acquired by Philadelphia months earlier in the deal that sent Peter Forsberg to Nashville) to the Predators. Nashville used the pick on defenseman Jonathan Blum.
5) June 18 Flyers Alumni birthday: Happy 40th birthday, Antero Niittymà¤ki.