As the first week of training camp comes to an end, could the Philadelphia Flyers be in for some surprises on the roster?
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After the first week of training camp, teams normally get a good idea of what they have in camp. A good baseline of the players who have done well and bad.
This year for the Flyers, the latter is definitely the case.
Most of the players signed in the offseason to fill out the depth roles have struggled badly. And, that may be an understatement.
Noah Juulsen, Dennis Gilbert, and Lane Pederson were brought in for depth. But, after one week, those three may now be on the outside looking in.
The three struggled to find their footing in practice and Juulsen had a rough first outing in the Flyers preseason opener.
With the trio struggling, the door has opened for some other Flyers to take advantage and they certainly have.
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Rodrigo Abols
Even at age 29, Abols has been one of the bigger surprises in Flyers training camp. Far from a prospect, that has not stopped him for ceasing an opportunity to become a full time NHLer.
Abols was a stand out in the Flyers scrimmage last Saturday and following it in the preseason opener. Scoring the Flyers first goal of the preseason before adding a goal in the shootout.
If he does make the roster, it will be as the 12/13 forward. A valuable spot for new head coach Rick Tocchet who would have an NHL capable center and winger in Abols.
Oh yeah, did I forget to mention the Russian factor again? Abols speaks Russian and had this teaching moment with Matvei Michkov last year.
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Jack Nesbitt
Jack Nesbitt has been turning heads in the first week of training camp. The 12th overall pick from this year’s draft is trying to make it back to back seasons a Flyers 1st round pick makes the team.
Last season, the talk of training camp was Jett Luchanko. This year, Nesbitt is trying to raise that same noise in hope of earning a roster spot.
Luchanko earning a spot last season was a little easier as the Flyers were so thin at center. With four centers – Sean Couturier, Trevor Zegras, Noah Cates, Christian Dvorak – already in line to be in the opening night lineup, Nesbitt’s spot is a tad harder. Not to mention Luchanko in the mix as well.
While it could be viewed as a long shot for Nesbitt to make the team, it is a great first showing in a Flyers uniform. A great first impression on the team that traded up 10 spots to draft him.
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Nikita Grebenkin
One thing the Flyers have done since drafting Matvei Michkov is bringing in players to assist in making him more comfortable. A “Russian Factor” per-say to help aide with his transition to the NHL.
Nikita Grebenkin, part of the package the Flyers received from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Scott Laughton, is turning heads in camp. Building off an impression debut in the organization with the Phantoms last season.
After being acquired, Grebenkin finished the season 3 goals and 4 assists in 11 games with the Phantoms. That success late in the season has certainly continued in training camp so far.
Grebenkin is playing on a line with Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov early in camp. Something that could be a line we see on opening night.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
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