Ron Hextall has been busy over the last couple of days, trimming the Flyers roster from 62 players to 29.
With so many players gone, there were plenty of questions, especially surrounding the return of their three first-round picks over the last two years that carry high expectations and anticipation.
"We know these guys," Hextall said. "Unless they showed us in their brief stay that we thought they were going to help us, then we would have leaned toward keeping one. We felt like they weren't going to help us on Oct. 8 and therefore it's best to get back and get developing."
Ivan Provorov returns to the Brandon Wheat Kings, Travis Sanheim returns to the Calgary Hitmen and Travis Konecny returns to the Ottawa 67's. Hextall said he is looking for big years from all three with their junior teams.
He also discussed the conversations with each prospect as he informed them of their return back to juniors. While disappointing for both the players and fans who were anticipating their early arrival and enjoying what they had seen in the two games of the preseason so far, Hextall stuck to the process and made sure the prospects understood the reasoning.
"What I said to every one of them was 'in a year from now when you're sitting in my office, you'll understand why we're doing what we're doing right now,'" Hextall said. "So, in hindsight, they will understand."
Two prospects that make up the "Fab Five" on the Flyers blue line are still in camp. Shayne Gostisbehere and Robert Hagg have survived the mass cuts to be part of the final 29.
"Anybody that's here right now has somewhat of a shot," Hextall said.
Despite that, it doesn't mean either is a lock for the roster, but Hextall had good things to say about both Gostisbehere and Hagg.
"He's made a good impression in the two games," Hextall said of Gostisbehere. "We'll have to see where it goes. He's got some work to do still."
"He made huge progress when he came to development camp," Hextall said of Hagg. "He's done a great job. He's worked hard. He's a smart player. He's earned a few extra days here."
Hextall also offered thoughts on a few other players. Scott Laughton has displayed strong motivation to make the team despite very few open spaces, and has impressed Hextall so far.
"Scotty's showed us quite a bit. I like what I've seen," Hextall said. "He's been a hungry player. He was, to my knowledge, in the best shape that I've seen him in. What I've seen I liked."
On the other end, Hextall offered an interesting take on Brayden Schenn, which certainly makes his future with the team questionable.
"I think Brayden's been okay," Hextall said. "It's training camp, it's early. I think we all know where Brayden is and what he is. We'll see where it goes."
The Flyers return to action on Friday night against the New York Islanders at 6 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
