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Quick Hits: June 19, 2020
1) Flyers rookie right winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel is among the growing number of players who have returned to the Delaware Valley to work out at the Skate Zone during Phase 2 of the NHL's return-to-play plan. He arrived last week and, after being tested for Covid-19, skated for the first time last Friday.He had his first full week of training this week.
Aube-Kubel has had a remarkable season, in that he was in the doghouse at times early this season at the AHL level with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and then made the most of a call-up opportunity with the NHL team.
“I feel like in the NHL, it’s easier if I focus on one task and focus on one job and do simple stuff,” Aube-Kubel said on Thursday to Flyers senior director of communications Zack Hill.
The Flyers' coaches stay on Aube-Kubel -- Alain Vigneault has often been measured in public praise for the player -- but the earned a regular spot in the starting lineup on merit. The rookie, who turned 24 on May 10, has averaged 11:17 of ice time in 36 games, including periodic second power play unit and penalty killing duties. Aube-Kubel's combination of speed, aggressive forechecking and physical play, along with his occasional offensive contributions, have been a boost to the Flyers' fourth line.
"Ever since we called him up, he's played better. It's my sense he's improving. We see the speed, the size the physicality, going into the tough areas. Can he put it all together and become an effective NHL player [on a sustained long-term basis]? Time will tell," Vigneault said on Feb. 21.
During the regular season, Aube-Kubel was on the positive side of the individual Corsi (50.3 percent), Fenwick (53.1 percent), standard plus-minus (+1), power plays created vs. penalties taken ratio (9-to-5, +4), and takeaways-to-giveaways ratio (13-to-9). Production wise, he even posted a five-game point streak (2g, 3a) between Feb. 25 and March 5.
Despite his strong run with the big team Aube-Kubel said that he feels he hasn't truly proven himself yet in the NHL. He can't take for granted that he's in the Flyers' lineup to stay.
"It’s hard to say that because I only played half a season. For sure, I’ll see after the playoffs. Hopefully we make a statement in those playoffs and I get my spot for next year," Aube-Kubel said.
2) Yesterday evening, members of the Flyers organization, the Flyers Alumni Association, the Flyers Warriors and Gritty and Flyers surprised Michael Taraborrelli, a Glenmore resident battling advanced cancer, with early presents for Fathers' Day.
Michael is a dad, a school teacher, a former Marine, a lifelong Flyers diehard fan, and avid men's rec hockey player and leader. He was diagnosed with a Grade 4 variety of an aggressive form of brain cancer called Gliobastoma.
Flyers Alumni Joe Watson, Terry Carkner, Bob Kelly and Brad Marsh and members of the Flyers Warriors saluted Taraborrelli with stick taps. They also presented him with assorted Flyers swag (including an autographed Claude Giroux jersey) a new big-screen TV. As an added surprise, he received a special video message from his all-time favorite Flyers player, Rod Brind'Amour. The Flyers Warriors will also be on hand to present fellow military veteran Taraborrelli with a Flyers Warriors jersey with his name on the back.
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