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Quick Hits: June 2, 2022
1) In addition to relinquishing the now-expired NHL signing rights to draftees Connor McClennon and Marcus Westfält, the Flyers announced on Wednesday that they have presented "Bona Fide Offers" to 2021 draft picks Ethan Samson (6th round, 174th overall) and Owen McLaughlin (7th round, 206th overall).
Essentially a "Bona Fide Offer" is a formal presentation of an opportunity to sign an entry-level contract. The player has (a minimum of, depending on the terminology) 30 days to accept the offer before it's withdrawn for the next season.
In the case of Samson, it's pretty straightforward. If the 18-year-old signs a contract, he is slide-rule eligible to return to the Western Hockey League without burning a season off a three-year term and without it counting against the 50-contract limit for 2022-23.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Samson is a player the Flyers were quietly quite pleased with in the development he showed through his draft-plus-one season. They like his right-handed shot and his mobility. Long-term, they like his two-way and puck-moving upside along with the offensive growth he showed in posting 15 goals and 43 points in 2021-22 for a Prince George team that went 24-39-5.
A year ago, Flyers western Canada based scout Mark Greig was a leading voice in advocating for the draft selection of the BC native. He also came recommended by now Phantoms assistant coach Jason Smith (a Prince George assistant coach in 2020-21) and by Flyers alum Mark Lamb, who has been the Cougars head coach the last three seasons. Samson will turn 19 on August 23.
Things are a little less straightforward with Chester County native McLaughlin. A standout for the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers in 2021-22 (28 goals, 72 points in 62 games), McLaughlin is committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey as a freshman for the University of North Dakota in 2022-23.
However, if McLaughlin were to accept the contract offer and sign an ELC with the Flyers, he would immediately forfeit his amateur status under NCAA rules. There would be other options available to him, such being loaned to a major junior team in the CHL and having his contract slide for the season but being able to pocket his signing bonus. McLaughlin turned 19 on March 26.
2) The Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association. (AAHA) held its 50th Anniversary & Awards Reception on Wednesday evening at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township (NJ) where the first Ed Snider Award was given to four recipients, presented by Mr. Snider's oldest son Craig (pictured below).
The Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association held its 50th anniversary’s & awards reception tonight in Monroe Township (NJ), where the 1st Ed Snider Award was given to 4 recipients, presented by Mr. Snider's son Craig. Congrats to all, especially former colleague Don McKee. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/ADq5tgVeVw
In exchange for dropping a tampering complaint for the New York Rangers hiring Fred Shero to be their new head coach and general manager while Shero was still the Flyers' head coach and the Rangers had not obtained permission to speak to "the Fog," the Rangers agreed to send the Flyers their first-round pick (7th overall) in the 1978 NHL Draft. The Flyers subsequently used the pick to select agitating playmaking forward Ken "the Rat" Linseman.
Today in Flyers History: June 2, 2010
Apart from the Philadelphia Flyers run to within two wins of the 2010 Stanley Cup being one of the most exhilarating - but ultimately heartbreaking - segments of franchise history, the playoffs were also a turning point in the career of Flyers' 2006 first-round draft choice Claude Giroux.
It was during the 2010 playoffs that Giroux, in his second pro season, started to blossom into a National Hockey League star. After posting 16 goals and 47 points during the regular season, the 22-year-old Giroux exploded for 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 23 playoff games.
The biggest performance of his young career came in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks. Giroux assisted on a second period Scott Hartnell power play goal that forged a 2-1 lead for Philly. After the visiting Blackhawks battled back to a take a 3-2 lead on an early third period tally by Patrick Kane, Giroux and company responded just 20 seconds later. The red-hot Ville Leino notched his sixth goal of the playoffs on a setup from Giroux to knot the game at 3-3.
At 5:59 of overtime, Giroux scored against Chicago goaltender Antti Niemi to secure a 4-3 win for the Flyers and complete a three-point effort. The series deficit was now reduced to two games to one with a chance to draw even in Game Four.
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