NHL Referee Mitch Dunning Hospitalized After Collision During Flyers vs. Avalanche
NHL referee Mitch Dunning was taken off the ice on a stretcher during Monday's game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche after a first-period collision with a player.
Dunning was transported to the hospital as a precaution but is reportedly communicative and able to move all his extremities, according to a NHL Public Relations' statement.
The incident occurred during the contest between the Flyers and Avalanche at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
While skating backward, Dunning collided with Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson, who was skating at high speed near the offensive zone blue line. The impact sent the official backward, causing him to hit the ice.
Flyers Waive Ryan Johansen for Contract Breach; Agent Says Center Has 'Severe' Injury
The Philadelphia Flyers placed veteran forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers on Tuesday for the purpose of terminating his contract.
The team said the termination was "due to a material breach."
Johansen's agent Kurt Overhardt said in a response that the forward "has a severe hockey injury that requires extensive surgery which has been scheduled."
Overhardt claimed Johansen "has worked in good faith" with the Flyers.
Johansen was traded to the Flyers by the Colorado Avalanche in March, at which point he had one season and $8 million remaining on his contract. The Flyers took on $4 million of that salary in the trade.
Philadelphia is currently over the cap, per Puckpedia. The team would be able to create over $3 million in cap space by terminating Johansen's deal.
Overhardt, the CEO of KO Sports, Inc., said the agency has "been in contact with the NHLPA and will defend Ryan and protect his rights."
The NHLPA said in a statement: "The Philadelphia Flyers' actions raise significant concerns. We are currently reviewing the matter."
Johansen's team "is expected to grieve this termination," and the Flyers are expected to "present their case if asked to do" so, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Johansen had recorded 13 goals and 10 assists, totaling 23 points in 63 games, for the Avalanche last season. He was averaging about 13 and a half minutes of ice time per night prior to the trade.
But Johansen did not play for the Flyers following the deadline deal, and The Athletic's Kevin Kurz reported in March that Johansen was dealing with a hip injury.
General manager Danny Briere confirmed in April there was a "medical" reason Johansen had not returned to the ice.
"All I can tell you is I don't expect him to be back," Briere said in April, per Jon Bailey of Philly Hockey Now. "I don't know, exactly, the situation. We're dealing on the medical side with him. The thing for him is getting him back to be able to play at this time. He doesn't think he can play hockey. I wish I had a better answer for you. We need to get him better to figure out if there's even a remote chance of him dressing for the organization."
Johansen was selected as the No. 4 pick of the 2010 draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has since played 905 NHL games while totaling 202 goals and 578 points in 13 seasons for the Jackets, Nashville Predators and Avalanche.
Travis Konecny, Flyers Agree to $70M Contract Extension Ahead of 2024 NHL Season
Travis Konecny isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
The Philadelphia Flyers signed the veteran forward to an eight-year extension worth an average of $8.75 million per season, the team announced Thursday.
"I couldn't be happier to sign again with the Flyers," he said in a statement. "There's such a bright and exciting future with this team and I can't wait to be a part of it for the next nine years and see what we will accomplish."
Konecny, 27, led the Flyers in both goals (33) and assists (35) last season, his second straight campaign exceeding both 30 goals and 30 assists. He was an All-Star for the second time.
"Travis Konecny is an integral part of the fabric of our team and we are thrilled to have him under contract for the long-term," general manager Daniel Brière said in a statement. "Travis has grown into a significant leader on our team and he truly embodies what it means to be a Flyer. His work-ethic, combined with his tenacity and talent makes him a central figure for what we are building towards, and his determination for our future success speaks volumes about his commitment to our team and city."
It was a major commitment from the Flyers, though Konecny has continued to progress as a player in recent seasons:
Konecny has spent his entire eight-year career with the Flyers. This deal might ensure he never plays for another team.
It's been an exciting summer for the rebuilding Flyers, with top prospect Matvei Michkov surprisingly joining the team for the upcoming season. Expectations are higher in Philly than they have been in quite some time for the Flyers, largely surrounding Michkov's huge potential.
But keeping Konecny for the long term is a solid development for the team as well.
Why Flyers Fans Should Be Excited About Matvei Michkov Playing in the NHL Next Season
Editor's note: Michkov is reportedly expected to join the Flyers next season. This article was originally published in May.
Russian forward Matvei Michkov was discussed as a high-level prospect in the 2023 NHL draft even before he embarrassed opponents with one of the best age-16 performances seen at the IIHF U18 World Championship, where he earned the MVP award in 2021.
As his draft approached, concerns about his KHL contract and questions about a timeline for his arrival to the NHL knocked him down some boards.
With rumors circulating that he may come to the NHL as early as the 2024-25 season, it seems the Philadelphia Flyers got a steal when they chose Michkov, an undeniable top-three talent, at No. 7 overall.
Who is Matvei Michkov?
Michkov is the best prospect outside of the NHL.
His KHL contract is with SKA St. Petersburg, though he was loaned to HC Sochi for the 2023-24 season after playing 27 games with them the season before.
In 48 regular-season games—despite missing significant time due to pneumonia—Michkov finished with 41 points (19 goals and 22 assists). That's the second-best KHL season from a 19-year-old, right behind Kirill Kaprizov and tied with Evgeny Kuznetsov, though Michkov did it in one fewer game.
Russian outlet Sport-Express reported on May 19 that Michkov would "continue his career in Philadelphia" during the 2024-25 season and that he would be terminating his KHL contract (h/t Jake Modugno of Flyers Nation).
The Flyers were, understandably, quick to downplay reports. It's a complicated and sensitive situation, as a player leaving the KHL always is, and even more so with the current geopolitical situation.
If Michkov does choose to play for the Flyers this fall, his KHL rights will remain with SKA St. Petersburg.
Breaking Down Michkov's Game
Let's be clear on one thing: Michkov is an elite offensive talent, and though this claim might ruffle some feathers, he's probably the best offensive talent the Flyers have seen since Eric Lindros.
He finished in the top 30 in KHL scoring on a poor team as a 19-year-old, despite missing a significant chunk of games in the fall with pneumonia. His ceiling is high, but so is his floor. If he isn't succeeding for you—well, it might be time to take a step back and evaluate whether you're putting him in a position to succeed.
His hockey IQ and ability to read the ice are two of his best assets. He can problem-solve at the game's top speeds, and he's a creative playmaker with the hands to support his vision.
His puck skills are excellent, but don't pigeonhole him as just a playmaker. He also has excellent finishing talent, with an arsenal of shots—a one-time, a wrister, you name it—that he can use to plague goalies.
His skating could be better in terms of pure mechanics, but it certainly isn't hindering his ability to be a threat every time he steps onto the ice.
Michkov's approach to the game is overall well-suited to the current style of play driving success in the NHL, and that will only improve with regular time in the league.
John Tortorella is a divisive coach, but you can say for sure is that his focus on accountability and physicality, if applied appropriately, should help to address any lingering concerns anyone has about Michkov in those areas.
How Could he Fit with the Flyers?
Short answer: Who doesn't need a high-scoring forward?
Long answer: It depends on several factors, but if he does come over, I don't anticipate seeing Michkov get sent down to 'earn his reps' in the AHL as many other young NHLers have.
When head coach John Tortorella was hired, he said he would play the kids, and he's done just that. Michkov won't be any different, because his skill set is already up to the standards of the current NHL and he would be taking a risk coming over to the NHL in the first place. The Flyers will want to honor the leap of faith the move requires.
At present there is no guarantee Michkov comes to the NHL this fall. All reports have pointed to somewhere around the end of June is when news—should there be any—may break about him signing his ELC, or at least him leaving the KHL.
In terms of a contract, the Flyers can't throw money at Michkov to entice him to come over. Entry-level deals are standard, and he'll likely get the max: Three years, $950,000 average annual value, plus whatever signing or performance bonuses the team can and wants to throw at him. They can't buy out his KHL contract themselves, not directly.
What they can do, if allowed to work out his ELC signing, is make it clear that he has a place in the lineup if he wants it; if he comes over and earns it. It isn't difficult to imagine him winning a top-six spot out of training camp, nor is it out of the question to think he would be a legitimate Calder Trophy candidate.
Michkov would be a valuable infusion of offensive talent to the Flyers' lineup, particularly if they find him an exceptional center to play with.
This is no shade to Sean Couturier and Morgan Frost, of course—both are very good players—but with Michkov's high-level hockey sense, he would fit best with someone whose vision and hockey IQ operate on the same level.
Frost may work out in this spot as an intelligent player, but it's never a bad idea to add a top-end center if you can do it. The question is, as always, whether that's possible.
NHL Rumors: John Tortorella Doesn't Intend to Leave Flyers amid Late-Season Struggles
The Philadelphia Flyers may have lost their playoff spot, but they aren't going to lose head coach John Tortorella, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
Tortorella "is not leaving the bench," according to Dreger.
"He still has the fire...no question about that," Dreger wrote.
The Flyers have lost eight consecutive games, most recently a 9-3 Tuesday blowout by the Montreal Canadiens that Tortorella described as the team's "rock bottom."
Philadelphia is now 0-6-2 and has been outscored 42-18 since March 24 in a skid that has left them out of a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Tortorella signed a four-year contract with the team in 2022, per ESPN. The Flyers have a 67-70-24 record in two seasons during his tenure.
The Flyers aren't out of the playoff race yet. The team heads into Wednesday's slate two points back of the Washington Capitals for the second wild card in the East.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings are also vying for that spot, however. And after missing a chance to win those two points against the lottery-bound Canadiens, the Flyers are faced with a daunting must-win Thursday matchup against the league-leading New York Rangers.
Tortorella took some responsibility for the Flyers' declining playoff chances when speaking with reporters after Tuesday's loss to the Canadiens.
"We're not as gifted as some teams," Tortorella said (h/t Sportsnet.) "We have a process that we're going through, we can't forget that, we're still building here. I appreciate all the work they've put in to put us in this spot to play these kinds of games, but we just have not been able to elevate our game.
"It's my responsibility to put them in that spot and try to get them to elevate the game. Have not done it."
Although the young and rebuilding Flyers exceeded expectations by occupying a playoff spot as recently as two weeks ago, this isn't the first time Tortorella has faced controversy during his second season with the team.
Tortorella was ejected from a March 9 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, then fined and suspended two games for his reaction to the ejection.
He then made Sean Couturier a healthy scratch before a March 19 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, just over four weeks after the Flyers named him team captain.
Now scrutiny will fall on the Philadelphia coach once again as the Flyers fight against the odds to recover from the ongoing skid and make their first postseason bid since 2020.
Flyers' John Tortorella Suspended 2 Games After Viral Video of Ejection vs. Lightning
The Philadelphia Flyers will be without head coach John Tortorella for the next two games.
The NHL announced the coach was suspended two games and fined $50,000 for yelling at an official and refusing to leave the bench area during Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning:
There was surely some frustration in place, as Tampa Bay cruised to a dominant 7-0 victory.
The Flyers are now 4-5-2 in their last 11 games and hanging onto third place in the Metropolitan Division with 74 points on the season. They are four points ahead of the fourth-place New York Islanders, although Philadelphia has played three more games than its closest challenger.
Saturday's contest became ugly, as the Lightning had six different goal scorers in the blowout win. Victor Hedman led the way with two goals and one assist from his defensive spot, while goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped all 25 shots.
But it was Tortorella who stole the show by refusing to leave the bench area.
The veteran coach has always been known for a fiery demeanor, and it was on full display in the loss to Tampa Bay.
"Well, I think he was just trying to make a point that we felt like we might not been getting our fair shake," Philadelphia associate coach Brad Shaw, who took over for Tortorella, told reporters. "But you know, it's an emotional game at times, and we all get elevated blood pressure."
Philadelphia will be at home during its next two games without its head coach. It faces the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.