Your new Stanley Cup Champions … the Philadelphia Flyers!!! 2021-07-31 (Images courtesy of Doug Waite, EHE Vegas Golden Knights GM) 28 July 2021 – a day that will be etched in the memories of Flyers fans forever! Years of pain washed away with the triumph of a Stanley Cup win. It wasn’t easy. This Flyers team didn’t make it easy – three game sevens having been in comfortable positions – they were even twenty seven seconds away from immortality in game 5 of the Stanley Cup final, however none of that matters. These names will be etched in on the Cup forever. Before we talk about all the heroes that made this possible we must firstly tip our hat to a few fine gentlemen … Mr Dan Bacon and the Dallas Stars. Favourites from the start of season and they lived up to that billing. A third cup final in three years is no easy feat and people wouldn’t be surprised if was four in four. A great comeback in game 5 really changed the dynamic of the series and it looked like you were going to run home with back-to-back championships from there. Unlucky but congratulations on a great season and to the Houston Aeros for their Calder Cup win. Mr Cole Bates and the Ottawa Senators From the day Cole re-joined the EHE and took on the mantle of the rebuilding Senators it was like a Phoenix reborn. The transformation of that team is nothing short of fantastic so kudos on delivering a playoff calibre roster from very little in a short period of time. Also double kudos on the comeback from three games down in the Eastern Conference finals. That decision to start Petr Mrazek was nothing short of inspirational. Mr Mārtiņš Auzins and the New York Rangers The tinker tailor GM of the EHE. We never know what players will turn of the Rangers each year but we do know that the team will be competitive. It’s exciting watching what you do and we look forward to many future playoff battles. Mr Justin Hill and the Tampa Bay Lightning Ryan O’Reilly may have made the difference but there’s no doubting that Justin has built a formidable franchise. I’m sure it won’t be long before they make their own Stanley Cup appearance. Our Flyers Heroes – names etched in history forever ... Of course every player and staff made a significant contribution in the capture of the Cup but we wanted to note that a few names that really made this happen. GM Tommy Barr Tommy has changed the entire make-up of this organisation since his hire and developed a playoff calibre roster without sacrificing too much of its future. Special mention must go to his aggressiveness at the trade deadline – each of those additions made a valuable contribution in the Stanley Cup run … Alex Killorn – 28 points – Stanley Cup game winner Calle Jarnkrok & Ondrej Palat – 11 points each in primarily checking roles Joonas Donskoi – 6 points performing 4th line minutes Kevin Labanc – Only 3 points but scored the game winning goal in the Eastern Conference Final Sean Couturier – Conn Smythe winner Couturier took the team by the scruff of the neck offensively and defensively. Not only did he set Playoff scoring records (17 goals, 25 assists – 42 points), he did whilst being responsible defensively (+18, 2:50 SH mins per game). The Flyers have locked up Couturier with their Franchise Tag and we look forward to Sean leading the team to future Stanley Cup glory. What the future holds?! We know that keeping a Stanley Cup winner together is a tough ask in the cap world. This year will be particularly challenging considering the upcoming expansion draft. We’ve laid out how we expect the Flyers will treat the upcoming draft. Method : 7 – 3 – 1 Forward : Couturier, Zibanejad, Vrana, Bratt, Strome, Voracek and one of Labanc or Jarnkrok Defence : Spurgeon, Sergachev & Sanheim Goalie : No available goalie for protection (Flyers need to expose Francouz) The Flyers also have a number of pending unrestricted free agents (Perron, Palat, Killorn, Koskinen & Donskoi). We would expect that the team would like to have all 5 back in the fold but they are unlikely to come to terms with any of these players before UFA hits. The team can only hope that the allure of another Stanley Cup run drives these players into re-signing once they see all their options. Other rumblings - Mika Zibanejad Zib didn’t look himself during the playoffs (15 points, 10) and there are rumours that he isn’t enjoying the City of Brotherly love. Will the team look at moving him out?! One to keep an eye on. - Travis Sanheim There is potential that the Flyers may actually protect Faulk in the upcoming expansion draft. He had a great season and looks like a great contract for the next two years. That would lead the team to expose or trade Sanheim so another interesting story to follow. Finally, I just want to say what a year it has been. The glory days have returned and we look forward to a long summer of celebrations. Thank you Flyers. G. Ritty Cole BatesThank you for the kind words Tommy. "G.Ritty" - Love it. Haha. Bravo and congrats on your cup win!Your new Stanley Cup Champions … the Philadelphia Flyers!!!Flyers shock the favourite Dallas to take the coveted Lord Stanley’s Cup.• 1 teams Like this 3 years Harald Geisslerjoonas donskoi says thank you that he was able to play in 2 of the best franchises this year and of course that he was able to win the cup:)Your new Stanley Cup Champions … the Philadelphia Flyers!!!Flyers shock the favourite Dallas to take the coveted Lord Stanley’s Cup.• 1 teams Like this 3 years Martins AuzinsAwesome write up, really enjoyed this one. You made all the right moves this year and it paid off. Hat off to you for having the cojones to do it. Time to step it up, people!Your new Stanley Cup Champions … the Philadelphia Flyers!!!Flyers shock the favourite Dallas to take the coveted Lord Stanley’s Cup.• 1 teams Like this 3 yearsTommy Barr Thanks bud. Appreciate it. 3 years 0 teams Like this Travis ChorostkowskiWell done Tommy!!Your new Stanley Cup Champions … the Philadelphia Flyers!!!Flyers shock the favourite Dallas to take the coveted Lord Stanley’s Cup.• 1 teams Like this 3 years
