Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Flyers Buy Out D Andrew MacDonald’s Contract

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The NHL’s buyout window opened on Saturday and the Flyers certainly had candidates to free up some cap space in advance of the free agency period.

One day after they acquired defenseman Matt Niskanen from the Capitals for Radko Gudas, they officially placed defenseman Andrew MacDonald on waivers for purposes of a buyout. MacDonald is expected to clear waivers and have the contract bought out, making him a free agent.

After 2 Trying Seasons, Patrick Needs to Prove Himself in 2019-20

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Jeff Quake, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

The moment that the Philadelphia Flyers discovered that they were going to pick second overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, they knew that they would get an exceptional player in either Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier. The New Jersey Devils, who had the first overall pick, decided to go with Hischier, giving the Flyers the option to pick the star center playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings with the second overall selection.

Patrick made the team right out of rookie camp, but unfortunately had a rough start to his rookie season. Just three games into his NHL career, Patrick was hit up high and hard against the boards by then Anaheim Ducks forward Chris Wagner. Right away, Patrick looked shaken up, as he was slow to gather himself on the ice. Slowly but surely, Patrick started to get accustomed to the NHL and although his points didn’t show how lethal he can be, the 18-year-old rookie put up 30 points in 73 games.

Flyers Close 2018-19 Season with Loss to Hurricanes

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It wasn't for a lack of effort, but the Flyers couldn't change the results that have followed them around at the end of the season.

For the fifth straight game and 10th time in the last 13 of the season, the Flyers suffered a loss, 4-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes, a fitting end to a disappointing season. 

Wild Flyers Season Reaches an End

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

On Saturday night, it all finally comes to an end. Game 82 for the Flyers will be played at Wells Fargo Center against the Carolina Hurricanes, putting a wrap on a season that may be one of the wildest in franchise history.

The season will ultimately be known for the failure to meet expectations, to take that next step in the development of a contender, and the massive fallout behind it.

Here’s a look back at the 2018-19 season: the good, the bad and the ugly.

Flyers Call Up D Mark Friedman, Send Down D Phil Myers

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

With one game remaining on the schedule, a rather meaningless one for the Flyers at that, there is always the option to take a look at a prospect who has been working all season to get noticed by the big club and get his feet wet. That opportunity appears to have come for defenseman Mark Friedman.

The Flyers called up Friedman from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms ahead of Saturday's season finale and sent down Phil Myers, GM Chuck Fletcher announced on Friday.

Flyers-Blues: Game 81 Preview

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

There are just two games left on the Flyers schedule, including one final game away from home which the Flyers will play on Thursday.

Just like on Tuesday, there is a lot at stake for the opponent. Dallas had a chance to clinch a playoff spot in Tuesday's game and did convincingly. The St. Louis Blues lost in a shootout on Wednesday night to Chicago, moving them to within a point of the Central Division lead with two games to play for all three teams locked in the battle for the title. Nashville and Winnipeg both sit one point ahead and both will be in action on Thursday night as well, leaving a lot of room for shuffling in the standings with this game.

Game time is at 8 p.m.

Flyers-Stars: Game 80 Preview

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Three games remain for the Flyers over the final week of the 2018-19 season. For the Orange and Black, there's nothing left to play for but pride and to be a spoiler.

For the Dallas Stars, the first opponent on the week, a playoff spot is on the line, and they can clinch it with a win.

Game time is at 8:30 p.m.

Georgiev Posts Shutout as Flyers Fall to Rangers

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers playoff hopes officially ended on Saturday afternoon, making Sunday's game at home against the Rangers a match between two teams whose seasons will end on in another week.

The Rangers have been in that spot for a while now, and handled the Flyers easily on Sunday. Alexandar Georgiev came through with 29 saves in a shutout win as the Flyers fell to the Rangers, 3-0, at Wells Fargo Center.

Flyers-Hurricanes: Game 78 Preview

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By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Five games are left for the Flyers and for now, they are still mathematically alive in the playoff race, though a regulation loss will officially end their hopes, so it really is inevitable at this point.

So begins audition time for many Flyers as they begin the final five on the road facing the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon.

Game time is at 1:30 p.m.

Hart, Couturier Lead Flyers in Shootout Win Over Maple Leafs

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

After a wild overtime where the Flyers appeared to have won the game only to have another quick whistle take it away, Carter Hart was experiencing another first: his first shootout at the NHL level. And he had a lineup of All-Stars coming at him.

Hart never wavered, making four saves in the shootout, including on attempts by Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and William Nylander, as the Flyers got the only goal of the skills competition from Sean Couturier to seal a 5-4 win over the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center.