1) It would have apropos if the National Hockey League had scheduled the home opener of the Philadelphia Flyers' 50th season with the Pittsburgh Penguins as the opponent: the same fellow expansion franchise the Flyers faced off against in the first-ever home game in team history.
Given the rivalry that has grown in the last quarter century or so -- before that, it was hopelessly lopsided in the Flyers' favor and, as such, not much of a rivalry -- and the fact that the Penguins are the defending Stanley Cup champions, having the first meeting of their respective 50th anniversary seasons across the parking lot from the former site of their first-ever game against one another would have made both historical and current-day sense.
It wasn't to be, nor was a home opening game against St. Louis, LA (the Flyers open on the road against the Kings, however) or Dallas (the successors of the Minnesota North Stars). Hard as it may be for current-day fans to fathom, the Blues were the Flyers' biggest rival in their early days. Oh, well.
Instead, the Flyers will play their home opener against the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 20. At least it will be a meeting with a strong opponent who only comes to town once per season. Before playing the home opener, the Flyers have inter-conference road games in LA (Oct. 14), Arizona (Oct. 15) and Chicago (Oct 18). The first in-conference game is a home game against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 22.
There will also be a host of special festivities on opening night, including the presence of all living Flyers Hall of Fame inductees and a variety of 50th anniversary related content. The 50th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the season -- even on off-days-- in various forms. There will also be a series of "Heritage Nights" -- Goalies Night, Tough Guys Night, Captains Night, Playoff Heroes Night -- a Flyers Alumni vs. Penguins Alumni game at Wells Fargo Center and an array of surprises.
Something that gives me pride as the content writer for the Flyers' 50th Anniversary is that every single player in franchise history is going to be recognized in one way or another with special content created especially for the anniversary season as well as on behalf of the Flyers Alumni.
Stay tuned. It's going to be a lot of fun. Here is the Flyers' full schedule for the 2016-17 regular season.
2) Vincent Lecavalier announced his retirement today as an active player. As a result, the Flyers are free and clear of any cap hit on him for next season.
3) Congratulations to former Flyers defenseman Kerry Huffman for being named as a Lehigh Valley Phantoms assistant coach.
