Tyson Foerster and Egor Zamula spotlight the action on Day 2 of the 2021 Philadelphia Flyers rookie camp.

Yesterday, Morgan Frost and Wade Allison were headlining day one of the 2021 Philadelphia Flyers rookie camp. A stellar opening at the rookie camp made for a wonderful moment between the two teammates at the press conference for ‘post-session:

Kirill Ustimenko, Brian Zanetti and JR Avon continued their momentum from the 2021 Flyers Development Camp. Philadelphia AGM Brent Flahr was impressed with Zanetti, while Avon remained ready to play. Ustimenko showed the brilliance, making a desperate save against Allison up close.

Today, other items on the Flyers list have been worked out ahead of the day two session. Carter Hart and Felix Sandstrom grabbed the first job between the pipes. Sandstrom is a goalkeeper who could play the role of Alex Lyon in previous seasons. Don’t let anyone fool you; there is deep competition between Sandstrom and Ustimenko.

Here’s what happened on day two of rookie camp:

NHL pre-session training

Like yesterday, the Philadelphia Flyers took to the ice before the start of the second rookie session. I listed ten names on the first day, noting that there were more. Today there were 22 players, per Jordan Hall. They include yesterday’s players and the following:

• Carter Hart
• Felix Sandström
• Elliot Desnoyers
• Adam clendening

Hart is looking for a rebound season. His replacement, Martin Jones, is local but was not in goal this morning.

Desnoyers spent 2020-2021 as an assistant captain on the Halifax Mooseheads. Clendening is a graft in the Flyers system. He played nine games last season in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters (a branch of the Columbus Blue Jackets.)

Linus Sandin

Sandin was a great teammate during the camp. Whether he’s showing off his offensive skills or pressing defensemen, his attention to detail helps the Philadelphia Flyers rookies raise their level of play.

Offensively, he and Morgan Frost looked good in 2v2 drills. Frost carved out of the middle of the ice, finding Sandin in the high slot against Jackson van de Leest and Cooper Zech. The streak ended with a goal on Sandin’s stick:

Last season, Sandin accepted a one-year entry-level contract with the Flyers. In doing so, he has appeared in 26 games, recording ten points (6G, 4A.) This season marks the last of his current contract before he becomes a restricted free agent. Currently, Sandin looks like a leading forward who is not far from a recall to the NHL roster, similar to Maksim Sushko in 2020-21.

Best defensive prospects

In a nutshell, Zamula showed poise on day two of rookie camp. Locking the puck in the corner, he moved away from Linus Sandin. Avoiding a forward check to create space is what you want to see from a young defenseman, especially one who is arguably ready for the NHL (along with Cam York.) Following a spinning move, Zamula has placed a cross pass on a teammate’s board:

Zamula or York’s implication as “arguably ready for the NHL” leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of some analysts. It’s reasonable; they both have little samples with the Philadelphia Flyers. After 2021-2022, the Flyers will scramble to rebuild their defensive unit. Zamula or York have the best chance to substitute if Keith Yandle does not get an extra time. Expect that battle to remain relevant in the AHL this season.

Between the two, Zamula is defensively superior. York produces more at the blue line. On the left side, Philadelphia will need to refuel with a defensive back after this season, which works in Zamula’s favor.

Both players know what to expect at the NHL level, which makes them more comfortable in their abilities.

Find Foerster

It doesn’t matter if it’s the 2021 Philadelphia Flyers development camp or the rookie camp; Tyson Foerster has been electric during all offseason sessions.

During the 2v1 drills, Foerster showed patience with the puck, sending a perfect single pass to Samu Tuomaala for a goal. Tuomaala receives consistent praise for her speed, but comparably Foerster deserves her flowers for improving her skating. He’s particularly tough to knock down the puck, but has received criticism for not making an explosive first step. Unsurprisingly, he proves his opponents wrong in no time.

Additionally, Foerster showed off his rocket fire. Morgan Frost scored the assist on the play. The water bottle bounced off the top of the goal. Check out the action, courtesy of Jordan Hall:

Foerster is in good health. He hopes to stay with the Flyers; “I hope I can stay with the Flyers, but if I don’t, I hope Lehigh,” Foerster said.

Plus, Tanner Laczynski is cleared and ready for rookie games this weekend against the New York Rangers.

Photo credit: Alex McIntyre