*It’s going to be an exciting day around these parts for reasons that will become clear to you later this morning, but it was also an exciting weekend for the Flyers, as the two rookie games against the Rangers took place in Allentown Friday and Saturday. Charlie was there and has some observations to share with you. [PHLY]
*The games were definitely a pretty even mix of good and bad. [NBC Sports Philly]
*While it’s nothing to worry about, really, it does kind of stink that the “bad” mostly relates to the play of the guys we all have the most hopes for. [NBC Sports Philly]
*We’ll put a bow on the rookie games later today, but in the meantime, here are five things you can takeaway from the weekend. [Inquirer]
*You know who was never a disappointment really? Noah Cates. Not last year, anyway. [BSH]
*Garnet Hathaway is a Flyers now, in case you forgot, and this is what we might expect from him as a member of this team this season. [BSH]
*It has been a long road back for Sean Couturier. A really, really long road. And he’s been putting in the work to get himself back to Old Coots ahead of the new season. [Inquirer]
*What else did we learn over the weekend… ah yes: Connor Bedard. He’s good. [The Athletic]
*We also learned when this year’s trade deadline will take place. Let the speculating begin! [TSN]
*Oh, and Mike Babcock got himself fired for being an asshole already. Remarkable. [Sportsnet]
*And finally, Gritty has become totally ingrained in our lives at this point, wouldn’t you say? With some reflection on the Gritty Era thus far, how are we feeling about the omnipresent orange muppet? [BSH]
