Kids dominate skeleton crew Flyers

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The kids were at it again, taking it to a Flyers team that didn’t dress many starters. The Flyers are also in the middle of three games in three nights and four games in five nights, so there’s a fatigue and –since this is the preseason– lack of skill factor here as well. But it was still fun to watch Anthony Duclair’s snipe for the first goal, or Ryan Haggerty burn past Andrew MacDonald for the second goal. I actually watched the full game, first time this preseason, so hey, that’s cool too.

• Duclair is forcing management to keep him around, and that’s a very good thing. The Rangers will need to trade someone if he sticks around, but that shouldn’t be a big deal. The nine game rule doesn’t apply to Duclair, since his contract doesn’t slide anyway.
• Kevin Hayes is still a bit raw, but man the kid is big and skilled. He forced a ton of turnovers last night. I think he will benefit from a little time int he AHL, just to get adjusted to the new speed of the game, but he looks like the coup that everyone thought.
• Haggerty had a strong game as well, but I think Duclair has passed him this preseason. Then again, there aren’t many who Duclair hasn’t passed.

• J.T. Miller had a decent game, but had a horrid turnover that led to the Flyers first goal. I’m ok with growing pains as long as he’s learning and he shows he’s finally figured it out. Boy was he pissed after that goal. Doesn’t matter, he’s locked up a spot on this team.
• Jesper Fast had two goals. Yea, he’s staying. He’s earned that 4RW spot at the very least. If Lee Stempniak doesn’t step it up, Fast will take his spot at 3RW.
• One thing that John Giannone pointed out on the broadcast: Martin St. Louis was in Miller’s ear about that turnover. Leadership. Doesn’t matter if he has the C or an A, guy’s a leader and a great locker room presence.
• The Marc Staal-Dan Boyle pairing seems to work well together. Always a good thing, but I guess that was expected. That’s a strong second pairing, and it’s a top pairing on at least half of the other NHL clubs.
• You know who had an ‘eh’ game? Chris Kreider.
• Tanner Glass impressed me last night. Made a smart pass to Hayes before Fast’s second goal, laid a nice hit on Zac Rinaldo in the first after he chirped Duclair. But, he made a poor decision to fight Zack “Enjoy the minors (thanks Brass)” Stortini and took a bad boarding penalty. I caught a lot of heat for my post expecting him to be a train wreck, but no one wants me to be wrong more than me.
• I didn’t notice Dylan McIlrath that much, but he played 21:43. That’s probably the best compliment you can give a player of his skill set.
• Derick Brassard went 13-3 on face offs. That’s not the norm for him, but if he worked on that in the offseason then it’s another reason why he’s worth the contract.
• Dylan McIlrath wasn’t noticeable, but he’s not supposed to be noticeable. He played 21:43 in a lineup that included Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal, and Dan Boyle. That says something.
• Matt Hunwick impressed me again while paired with McIlrath, but AV isn’t too impressed yet. I think he’s a solid option as the 7D, but so is Conor Allen.

The Rangers are in Philly tonight for the back-end of the home-and-home. There will be cuts made today and tomorrow as well. The competition for the open spots is heating up, and it’s been a while since I’ve been so high on so many kids at camp.