With no Philly teams in action, it’s a weird down day. There wasn’t really a ton going on other than the wild NL Wild Card game and preseason hoops.

So maybe we talk hockey? The NHL season begins tonight with four games, including the defending champion Capitals taking on the Bruins. The Flyers start their season tomorrow night in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights.

If you’re a hockey fan, the Flyers are a team that most people are picking to make the playoffs this season. And perhaps make a decent run. They unveiled their opening night roster yesterday with some surprises:

FORWARDS (14)

11 – Travis Konecny RW
12 – Michael Raffl LW
14 – Sean Couturier C
15 – Jori Lehtera C/LW
17 – Wayne Simmonds RW
19 – Nolan Patrick C
21 – Scott Laughton C
22 – Dale Weise RW
23 – Oskar Lindblom LW
24 – Mikhail Vorobyev C
25 – James van Riemsdyk LW
28 – Claude Giroux LW
40 – Jordan Weal C/RW
93 – Jakub Voracek RW

DEFENSEMEN (7)

3 – Radko Gudas
6 – Travis Sanheim
8 – Robert Hagg
9 – Ivan Provorov
26 – Christian Folin
47 – Andrew MacDonald
53 – Shayne Gostisbehere

GOALTENDERS (2)

37 – Brian Elliott
41 – Anthony Stolarz

INJURED (5)

5 – Samuel Morin (D)
30 – Michal Neuvirth (G)
34 – Alex Lyon (G)
38 – Corban Knight (C)
75 – Pascal Laberge (C)

NON ROSTER (1)

33 – Calvin Pickard (G)

Despite being named in a cocaine investigation, Jori Lehterä is on the roster. So is Dale Weise, who cleared waivers yesterday. The Flyers did claim goalie Calvin Pickard off waivers, who is currently a non-roster designation. Pickard isn’t with the team yet and will probably be put on the roster maybe later today when he arrives, which could mean Weise gets sent down to Lehigh Valley.

This might be a season that’s similar to last year’s Sixers squad. Are they there yet in terms of being a Stanley Cup contender? Probably not. But should they compete and contend? Absolutely, or so we hope.

The top six is going to be filthy and the addition of James van Riemsdyk only helps that unit. But there are some obvious questions in defense and especially in goal. Including Carter Hart, who’s now in Lehigh Valley, the team has six possible goalies to work with. That should change next year.

I’m excited for this season. And if the team is a disappointment, then it might be time for Dave Hakstol to go.

The Roundup:


Start your day off with a special Crossing Broadcast, featuring Harry Mayes.

And speaking of RADIO WARS, Eytan Shander is back on the air in South Jersey.


The Eagles continue to get ready for their big matchup against Minnesota. But don’t expect any changes in the secondary, according to Jim Schwartz. He’s firmly behind Jalen Mills and is fine with Avonte Maddox playing safety.

The team also made a small roster move:

In former Eagles news, the Chargers signed punter Donnie Jones, now un-retired, and Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks has been suspended indefinitely due to his insider trading crime.


Phillies president Andy MacPhail spoke to the media yesterday on topics including the team’s late-season collapse and what’s to come in the offseason.


After Markelle Fultz shot his first three-pointer in a win over the Magic, the Sixers made it to China:

This is also a cool piece of art:


In other sports news, the Rockies defeated the Cubs 2-1 in 13 innings in the NL Wild Card game. It was the longest winner-take-all game in MLB history.

Is the Kobe Bryant “no flinch” moment ruined?

Overall baseball attendance was down this year once again.

Dumb people didn’t know Jemele Hill was going to The ATLANTIC and not The ATHLETIC.


In the news, students have reported being attacked on the Broad Street Line.

Ricin poison was found in packages that were supposed to be sent to the Defense Secretary and the President.

Toys “R” Us back?