Two Happenings Around NHL of Interest to Flyers’ Fans

As July becomes August, we’re a month closer to the NHL season — if it’s really only one day closer.

Anyway, there are a couple of stories around the NHL of interest to Philadelphia Flyers fans.

In Pittsburgh, the Penguins are trying to decide whether they want to sign or trade forward Jake Guentzel. Philadelphia Flyers fans know Guentzel. In 26 career games against the Flyers, Guentzel has 10 goals and 16 assists — a point a game. He’s also a plus-5 against the Flyers.

Guentzel turns 29 in October. The Flyers aren’t the only team he terrorizes — he scored 36 goals last season and 40 goals in 2021-22. That’s a pretty nice complement to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

The Penguins are having salary-cap issues, thus the discussion about Guentzel.

In Nashville, forward Aiden Fink was selected with retiring general manager David Poile’s final draft pick. The moment was special as the draft was held in the Predators’ home arena.

Thank you for everything David 💛 pic.twitter.com/QYdDtV0rlj

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 29, 2023

“I didn’t really know it was a big deal until my dad sent me the video of David Poile’s last pick,” Fink said, as reported by Nashville Hockey Now. “It’s a special pick and I may be a special player for him.”

Fink will attend Penn State in the fall. The Nittany Lions are a growing hockey power in the loaded Big Ten. Last season, Michigan and Minnesota made the Frozen Four.

College hockey is fast paced with plenty of talent that one day will be in the NHL. In the Philadelphia region, many games are shown on the Big Ten Network.

With Penn State football so popular around here, there must be some carryover to cheer on the Nits in hockey. If so, keeping any eye on Fink’s career could be interesting.

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Coming at 10 a.m. Tuesday: Updates on Ivan Fedotov; and Cutter Gauthier at Summer Showcase.

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Flyers, In Case You Missed It:

The questions we didn’t ask about the Flyers.

Flyers fight to bring goalie Ivan Fedotov to NHL through appeal to IIHF.

Flyers prospect Alex Bump seeks transfer from the University of Vermont.

Around The National Hockey Network:

Boston Hockey Now: What would Patrice Bergeron do? A way to judge Bruins’ play.

Buffalo Hockey Now: Looking back at some of the Sabres’ first-round draft failures.

Chicago Hockey Now: Blackhawks prospect Frank Nazar scores four goals against Sweden in Summer Showcase.

Colorado Hockey Now: More evidence of Nathan MacKinnon’s 5-of-5 dominance last season.

Detroit Hockey Now: Red Wings forward Klim Kostin happy to earn more money than NBA mascot.

Montreal Hockey Now: Canadiens general manage Kent Hughes keeps finding value on roster.

Nashville Hockey Now: Predators draft pick Aiden Fink ready to make an impact at Penn State.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils sign Kevin Bahl to two-year contract extension.

San Jose Hockey Now: Former NHL goalie MikeMcKenna has misgivings about Sharks signing Mackenzie Blackwood.