Quick Hits: June 14, 2023
1) Yesterday, the Flyers announced the hiring of Patrick Sharp as a special advisor to hockey operations. He will report directly to general manager Danny Briere, with a primary focus on player develop, but also work with the entire hockey operations staff. The role will be similar to the one Briere himself performed under Chuck Fletcher before Briere ascended to the general manager role.
Until now, apart from a side gig as an advisor to the Catamounts coaching staff at his alma mater, the University of Vermont, Sharp primarily focused on a hockey broadcasting career both on national TV and locally in the Chicago market. Returning to Philadelphia brings Sharp full circle to the organization where his pro career began.
The now-retired Simon Nolet was the Flyers' scout who strongly recommended Sharp's selection by the Flyers in the third round (95th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. When the late Jay Greenberg assembled the Flyers at 50 book, he interviewed Nolet about a wide array of topics. One of them was the Flyers' scouting, drafting and later (ill-fated) trade of Sharp.
Nolet: He played college hockey and was a late-bloomer. I think he was 20 years old when we drafted him. Most of these kids are 18 but he was a late bloomer. Played [in the] USHL, played at Vermont. But I've got a good story for you about him from the draft. Ask Clarkie about it. I think I was our only scout who saw him play that year. It's not far, you know, from Montreal to Vermont. But our guys didn't see him. Maybe he was hurt or something, maybe someone else saw him once, I don't remember for sure.But anyway, it's our turn soon in the third round and Clarkie says to us that he's talking with a team and we've got a chance to pick up an extra pick and who are some of the guys we like. So I said, "Well, I like this Patrick Sharp from Vermont. He'll play in the NHL."
Clarkie doesn't say anything, he just looks. Then he says, "You like him? We're taking him."
So right after that, San Jose -- they were the team he was talking to -- said they were gonna take Sharp.
He went on, Patrick, and played with the Flyers for a little while.
Greenberg: Worst trade Clarkie ever made. Sharp for Ellison.
Nolet: Sharp really got good with Chicago. I see him get 30 goals a year and I think "F*k! That was OUR guy!" I didn't know the guy, Ellison, we got for him. He played junior A out west. I think Chappy liked him. I don't know. Good minor league player maybe, too. But that happens sometimes. I don't know what happened with Sharp here. Maybe the coach didn't like him. I don't know.
Greenberg: Yes, as I understand it, Ken Hitchcock didn't like him. Played him on the 4th line.
Nolet: Well, that happens sometimes. Sometimes a team gives up on a kid too early. But I look at him with Chicago. Thirty goals every year; 25 to 30 goals. But, you know, on the other hand, my scout friend tells me, "Simon, stop crying about Sharp. You got [Braydon] Coburn!" [Laughs] So that's true, too. We got Coburn for that Russian [Alexei Zhitnik]. I said, "You're right." He said, "Good! Now stop f-in' crying." And I said, "OK, I won't cry no more." [Laughs]
2) Flyers Daily: In a 47-minute edition of the Flyers Daily podcast, Jason Myrtetus speaks with Flyers assistant general manager Alyn McCauley. They discuss McCauley's promotion from director of player personnel to AGM, the traits of winners, roster construction, player evaluation and much more. Alyn is always an insightful interview subject. Around the NHL, the 46-year-old former Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and LA Kings player is often considered to be an up-and-coming future NHL GM candidate. In addition, Myrtetus gives his take on the hiring of Patrick Sharp to his new advisory role. To listen, click here.
3) Episode 2 of the Flyers new "Liftoff" docuseries on YouTube will go live this week. I've had a chance to preview the episode. The episode focuses on Keith Jones' hiring as president of hockey operations and Danny Briere having the "interim" tag removed from his general manager role. In case you missed the debut episode (entitled "Finding the Winning Formula", the main focus was on Dan Hilferty and his strategic vision for the Flyers.
5) Today in Flyers History: June 14, 1978
The Flyers reached the Stanley Cup semifinal during the 1977-78 season -- the sixth straight season the club advanced at least that far in the postseason -- but general manager Keith Allen realized that it was time to make changes.
Head coach Fred Shero bolted his Flyers contract to become the New York Rangers' general manager and head coach. The Flyers, who had not given Shero permission to speak with the Rangers nor were they aware of their rivals' intentions, filed a tampering complaint with the NHL. The dispute was settled when the Rangers compensated the Flyers with their 1978 first-round pick in return for allowing Shero to break his contract and leave for New York.
That summer, Allen also accelerated the dismantling of much of the Broad Street Bullies rosters from the mid-1970s. On June 14, 1978, the Flyers traded defenseman Tom Bladon, center Orest Kindrachuk and veteran left winger Ross Lonsberry to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, the Penguins sent their 1978 first-round Draft pick to Philadelphia.
The Flyers now owned the 6th (New York's) and 7th (Pittsburgh's) overall picks in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. They would use the selections on rugged and offensively daring defenseman Behn Wilson with the 6th overall pick and chippy playmaking center Ken "the Rat" Linseman with the next pick.
6) Today in Flyers History: June 14, 2019
The Flyers traded hard-hitting defensman Radko Gudas to the Washington Capitals for steady two-way defenseman Matt Niskanen. Niskanen would only play one season with the team (2019-20) but made a significant impact in that lone season. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic but also for personal reasons, Niskanen subsequently opted to retire early rather than play the remaining season of his contract. Now 33, Gudas is still active in the NHL as a member of the Florida Panthers.
7) Speaking of the Florida Panthers, the 2023 Stanley Cup Final came to a merciful conclusion last night as the Vegas Golden Knights skated to a 9-3 blowout to win the series in five games. I had expected a much tighter and more competitive series but it didn't materialize. The Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in their sixth season of existence, breaking the Flyers' record (seven seasons) for the shortest waiting time for an expansion team to win the Cup.