In An Eagles Town, Flyers Reaching Out To Fans

In Philadelphia, today is something of a regional celebration. Today, the Philadelphia Eagles report to training camp. From the Jersey Shore to the Poconos, to the South Jersey suburbs, to the Philly suburbs, to the city itself, fans who wear green and chant “E-A-G-L-E-S” are ready for some football.

In normal years, focus intensifies when the local NFL team gathers and begins preparations for the season. This year, after bitterly losing a Super Bowl, it’s already nuts.

Philadelphia is a four-for-four sports town — as we say — but it’s an Eagles town first and foremost, a 365 experience. The Birds have an excellent team returning and are expected to contend again for the Super Bowl.

When I worked at the Philadelphia Daily News, we joked that hockey season started as soon as the Eagles’ season ended. That’s not entirely accurate, of course, but that’s how it felt.

Where does all of that intensity leave the other three teams, including the Flyers? Well, the Phillies are frustrating fans with the inconsistent play from their high-priced lineup. This, a year after a World Series appearance.

In the Sixers’ world, well, Joel Embiid got married in the Hamptons over the weekend. Nobody knows what’s going to happen with James Harden, although public sentiment isn’t behind him.

And the Flyers? This is cottage/Jersey Shore season. The draft is over, Development Camp is over and training camp is seven weeks away. Free agency has slowed down.

Making Connections

The Flyers are going around the area with their community caravan. The events have been drawing fans and fostering goodwill. The Flyers know their fans have been disappointed the past few seasons. CEO Dan Hilferty talked about it and the importance of reconnecting with fans.

He was in Ocean City, N.J., the other day doing just that.

The Flyers were thrilled to see an overflow crowd at the team’s scrimmage at the conclusion of Development Camp in Voorhees. There was genuine excitement and enthusiasm in the crowd as the prospects played a pretty brisk game at the Flyers Training Center.

A rebuild isn’t easy. There will be painful moments, heartbreaking losses and a long road to navigate. The Flyers know this. They hope the fans do, too.

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Flyers, In Case You Missed It:

Tony DeAngelo is gone, signed by the Hurricanes.

Will Ilya Samsonov’s arbitration affect the Flyers and Carter Hart?

Check out the terrific NHL Productions show on the draft featuring Oliver Bonk and Connor Bedard.

Around The National Hockey Network:

Buffalo Hockey Now: Sportsnet’s midsummer power rankings have Sabres in playoff territory,.

Chicago Hockey Now: Taking a look at goaltenders in the Blackhawks’ system.

Colorado Hockey Now: Avalanche to take part in Rookie Faceoff tournament again.

Detroit Hockey Now: Sportsnet’s midsummer power rankings don’t show Red Wings much love.

Montreal Hockey Now: We missed the boat on Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils deserve their lofty preseason ranking.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Players who might deserve a look at Penguins’ training camp.

San Jose Hockey Now: Scouts talk about new Sharks.

Vegas Hockey Now: Evaluating some of the Golden Knights’ biggest decisions.