Quick Hits: June 4, 2020
1) It is expected that the National Hockey League will shortly announce two facets of Phase 4 of the return-to-play plan that were still undecided at the point NHL commissioner Gary Bettman laid out the rough details of the plan: length of conference quarterfinal and semifinal series (best-of-five or best-of-seven) and whether there will be a reseeding each round or a fixed bracket format.
2) Kudos to Flyers captain Claude Giroux for issuing a statement on Wednesday related to the social justice protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. While there have been a spate of these from athletes in recent days, Giroux's comes across as one for which he took the time to be as self-reflective as possible before he posted it.
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/tzbSIf9k2B
— Claude Giroux (@28CGiroux) June 4, 2020
3) NHL.com has a good profile on Brandon Wheat Kings left winger Ridly Greig, a candidate for an early-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft. Ridly is the son of Flyers WHL-based amateur scout (and retired former Flyers/Phantom player) Mark Greig.
The younger Greig improved at a steady pace over the course of his draft-eligible season before the cancelation of all CHL seasons due to Covid-19. Although he is far from the biggest player on the ice (5-foot-11, 160 pounds), he plays a very physically involved game and is considered a sound two-way player. He posted 60 points in 56 games this season while playing a responsible game with and without the puck.
Ridly Greig is one of several relatives of Flyers Alumni who are available for this year's Draft. Others include big-framed Spokane Chiefs center Jack Finley (son of 1990s Flyers alum defenseman Jeff Finley), Và¤xjö Lakers wing prospect Eric Juhlin (son of mid-90s Flyer/Phantom and 1994 Olympics standout Patrik Juhlin), UNH-committed forward David Sacco (nephew of Flyers alum forward and longtime NHL coach Joe Sacco, son of former NHL forward Dave Sacco) and Modo junior defenseman Hugo Styf (son of former Flyers draftee Pà¤r Styf).
For more, visit NHL.com's profile, written by Dave McCarthy.
4) Today in Flyers History: June 4, 1975
The back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Flyers announced a major trade on this day. Philadelphia traded speedy center Bill Clement, goaltender Don "Smoky" McLeod and their 1975 first-round pick (Alex Forsythe) to the lowly Washington Capitals. In return, the Flyers received the first overall pick of the 1975 NHL Draft.
The Flyers used the pick on rugged two-way forward Mel Bridgman. The 1975 Draft was the only time in franchise history that the Flyers held the first pick.
5) Flyers Alumni Decades -- 1974: Tune in to the Flyers Alumni YouTube channel at 8 p.m. tonight for the second premiere of the panel discussion on the 1973-74 championship season, featuring hosts Bill Clement and Jim Jackson along with panelists Bob Clarke, Bernie Parent, Bill Barber, Joe Watson and Terry Crisp.
To clarify the answer to a question that has been asked several times, the second premiere is a rebroadcast of the live program that ran on May 22. However, an all-new live chatroom will be featured during the rebroadcast.
Within the next few days, Flyers Alumni Association president Brad Marsh will announce the next season to be covered and a new panel group.