Thursday Morning Skate: Talkin’ ’bout practice; NHL playoffs set

The Philadelphia Flyers are headed to their respective offseason homes for the summer while 16 NHL teams get ready for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Flyers held their end-of-season media availability on Tuesday. There was a lot to dig into from Alain Vigneault, Chuck Fletcher, and the players.

Welcome to the Morning Skate, our roundup of links on Philly Hockey Now as well as other sites around the National Hockey Now network and hockey world!

Flyers News

• The Flyers are entering an offseason of change with the expansion draft looming. On top of that, a core shakeup could be in the cards after a disappointing season. We look at five Flyers that may have played their last game in orange and black in Monday’s season finale. (Philly Hockey Now)

• Alain Vigneault was talkin’ ’bout ‘practice in his end-of-season press conference. He also touched on a variety of other topics including Canadian restrictions, wanting a “normal season,” and feeling like he let “everyone down” this season. (Philly Hockey Now)

• Chuck Fletcher will be at the helm in this crucial offseason. On Tuesday, he talked about the Flyers’ need to improve. He said that he’ll need to “be creative” as the Flyers can “upgrade everywhere” this offseason. (Philly Hockey Now)

• The Flyers gave out their Team Awards prior to Monday night’s season finale. Who won and who should have won? (Philly Hockey Now)

• Oskar Lindblom was named the Flyers’ nominee for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy for the second consecutive year. He deserves it and more. (Philly Hockey Now)

Around the NHL

• Well now! The Pittsburgh Penguins will have more than a few thousand fans chanting, “Let’s Go Pens,” beginning next week as they begin the playoffs at PPG Paints Arena against the New York Islanders. The NHL has not yet scheduled a date for the series to begin, which only adds more intrigue to what comes next. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

• In the New York Islanders final season at the Nassau Coliseum it only seems fitting that when the building begins its playoff swan song, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be the ones the Isles see across the ice. (NYI Hockey Now)

• It certainly sounds like there is motivation for the Boston Bruins to keep left winger Taylor Hall after acquiring him at the NHL trade deadline. (Boston Hockey Now)

• The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has OK’d an increase of attendance at Avalanche games, starting with Game 1 of the postseason. Now, instead of 4,050 capacity at Ball Arena, 7,750 fans will be allowed in. This goes for Nuggets games too. (Colorado Hockey Now)

• The Vegas Golden Knights took care of business on Wednesday night, wrapping up the 2021 regular season with a 6-0 win over the San Jose Sharks. Vegas must now hope for help from the LA Kings against the Colorado Avalanche in order to win the Honda West Division title. (Vegas Hockey Now)

• Postgame notes from the San Jose Sharks’ final game of the season. Was it also Patrick Marleau’s last? (San Jose Hockey Now)

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Photo: Heather Barry Images