Flyers, Coaches Get Needed Time Away from Each Other, Torts Says

The Philadelphia Flyers began a two days of team bonding Sunday, which will include golf and other off-ice activities.

Players will get together for planned activities — watching the Eagles and Phillies is likely part of the plan — without the coaching staff.

“I think sometimes when you want the team to bond, we get in the way,” coach John Tortorella said on Saturday. “So we’ll do our own thing and they’ll do theirs. … I think some of the best team bonding, after a long camp, is to get away from the coaches. And quite honestly, the coaches get away from the players.”

Tortorella said he locker room “needed to change” and added that it wasn’t a knock on anybody who is no longer on the team.

The players and coaches will return to practice Tuesday in Voorhees, preparing for Thursday’s opener in Columbus.

Columbus finished the preseason with a 4-2 win Saturday over Washington. Patrik Laine had a goal and an assist, finishing the preseason with eight points (four goals, four assists).

The Blue Jackets went 4-3-1 in the preseason, while the Flyers were 3-2-1.

Former Flyer Ivan Provorov is expected to start the season on Columbus’ second defensive pairing. The Blue Jackets’ lineup featured South Jersey’s Johnny Gaudreau, Laine, Boone Jenner, and Zach Werenski.

Flyers’ Preseason Leaders

Here were the Philadelphia Flyers’ leaders during their preseason schedule:

Points: Morgan Frost, 4.

Goals: Travis Konecny, Ryan Poehling, Joel Farabee, Cam Atkinson, , 2 each.

Assists: Frost, 4.

Shots on goal: Poehling, 11.

Plus/minus: Noah Cates, Travis Sanheim, Scott Laughton, Rasmus Ristolainen, plus-3 each.

Penalty minutes: Louie Belpedio, Nick Seeler, 7 each.

Goals-against average: Sam Ersson, 1.91.

Save percentage: Ersson, .892.

Breakaways

Tortorella continued to praise Bobby Brink. “He makes plays, he’s an offensive guy, and he sees the ice very well,” the coach said. … Boston College sophomore Cutter Gauthier, one of the Flyers’ top prospects, scored the overtime winner Saturday in a 2-1 victory over No. 2 Quinnipiac. The Eagles are ranked No. 6. … The Phantoms will conclude their preseason schedule Sunday by hosting Hershey at 1 p.m.