1) According to multiple reports, Flyers captain Claude Giroux will be a healthy scratch in the opening game of the World Cup of Hockey for Team Canada on Saturday (8 p.m. ET). Also not playing in thee game are reigning Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby as well as Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin. Banged-up Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber, who took a maintenance day from practice on Friday, is expected to play.
Giroux, Team Canada and the Flyers all maintain that the Flyers captain is fine to play. Reportedly, he only experienced some normal soreness after being felled by a knee-to-knee hit from Team USA forward Joe Pavelski in the first pre-tournament game.
That may very well be all it is. Historically, Giroux tends to be a bit of a slow starter.
However, Giroux only played 10:20 (3:37 of which came on the power play) in Canada's 3-2 overtime win against Russia on Wednesday. He seemed to be laboring a bit turning to his right.
2) The Flyers issued a press release on Wednesday that new banners would be raised in the Wells Fargo Center rafters. I had a chance to see them today while doing some on-site work for the 50th Anniversary. They look tremendous!
The new banners at the Wells Fargo Center are very sharp looking. pic.twitter.com/fasJwMevsV
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) September 16, 2016
New Hall of Fame banners look great! pic.twitter.com/JHLE2Cco5A
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) September 16, 2016