Quick Hits: Aug. 26, 2019
1) This week on the Flyers website, I was asked to construct a starting lineup -- four forward lines, three defense pairs, power play units and penalty killing personal -- for the Flyers if the season started today. These pre-camp line combinations could change based on what happens during training camp and the preseason -- a rookie forward steps up to claim an opening-night roster spot, preseason injuries alter the outlook, etc.
I did not want to presuppose a rookie in the starting forward lineup. None have a guaranteed NHL spot ahead of camp; therefore, none will be reflected in the projected lines. However,a best-case scenario that would make the forward corps deeper and potentially more dangerous would be a player such as Morgan Frost or Joel Farabee to hit the ground running and authoritatively staking down a spot.
Part one of the series was the easiest to construct. In it, we look at the top forward line.
2) This past weekend, Joel Farabee was the lone Flyers representative at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase run by Upper Deck. This year's event was held in Washington. For the second straight year, Morgan Frost was omitted from the invite list despite being one of the top players in the CHL and the leading scorer on Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. Last year, the Flyers were represented by Carter Hart (who, at the event, was given No. 31 to wear on his Flyers jersey, causing a minor controversy due to the number's "unofficially retired" status in memory of Pelle Lindbergh).
Joel Farabee practicing his goal celebration pic.twitter.com/qGVNHijU1i
— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) August 25, 2019
3) Best wishes go out to mid-1980s Flyers goaltender Darren Jensen, who has taken a turn for the worse in his ongoing battle with cancer. Yesterday, I received the following message from Darren's wife, Michelle, with permission to put the word out about Darren's status.
"Please keep Darren in your prayers! He just received a blood transfusion on Friday after his Hemoglobin dropped to 51 (Normal is between 140-180), and now we’re back in the hospital again, so he needs all the prayers he can get! Cancer sucks! ....I’m a firm believer in the power of prayer, so the more people praying for him, the better!
4) Today in Flyers History: On Aug. 26, 1987, the Flyers ongoing contract squabbles (for the second straight year) with top-pair defenseman Brad McCrimmon came to an end with one of the worst trades in franchise history. The Flyers sent the 30-minute-per-game defenseman to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 1989 1st-round pick (later transferred to Toronto in the trade that brought Ken Wregget to Philadelphia; the Leafs selected Steve Bancroft) and a 1988 third-round pick (Dominic Roussel).
Years later, Bob Clarke admitted that he let his animosity for McCrimmon's agent and personal differences with McCrimmon that dated back to when they were Flyers teammates get the better of him, resulting in a trade that left a hole in the blueline. The hole became cavernous when back injuries kept McCrimmon's Hockey Hall of Fame partner, Mark Howe, out of the lineup for prolonged stretches for much of the remainder of his Flyers career.
5) Aug. 26 Flyers Alumni birthday: Wayne Simmonds (1988).