It’s not every day you see the Flyers lead off the Morning Roundup in the summer.

But they do today. They made two notable moves on Tuesday, with the biggest agreeing to terms with recently acquired forward Kevin Hayes on a long-term deal.

It’s seven years and $50 million, an average annual value (AAV) of about $7.14 million. Which is a lot of money for a player that’s only scored 25 goals once in his career. He did have a career-high 55 points last year with the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets.

He’ll be the third-highest paid forward on the team behind Claude Giroux ($8.275 million) and Jake Voracek ($8.25 million) and just in front of James van Riemsdyk’s $7-million cap hit.

The reaction so far from the majority of people think he was overpaid, which I do agree with too. He does have a lot to prove with that cap hit, but if he can be at least a 25-goal a year guy and crack 55 or 60 points, it should be worth it. But the back-end of the contract could hurt the team in the long-term.

Prior to the reported signing, the team traded for another veteran defenseman, Justin Braun of the San Jose Sharks. Braun is a veteran right-hander that should compete for the sixth spot.

The team also released their preseason schedule if anybody cares.

And for all the reaction you need on Chuck Fletcher’s recent trades, listen to a brand new edition of Snow The Goalie.

The Roundup:


For the second straight night, the Phillies and Nationals were rained out. They’ll now play that game on September 24 as part of a split doubleheader.

The two teams will finally get their series started today with a doubleheader, as Zach Eflin takes the mound for Game 1 against Patrick Corbin. First pitch is at 1:05 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Game 2 will see Jake Arrieta pitch against someone to be determined. It was supposed to be Max Scherzer, but he broke his nose by bunting during batting practice.


After a Tuesday morning report via ESPN, the Eagles officially announced one open practice for training camp this year at Lincoln Financial Field with a $10 admission. The money from the practice will go to the team’s Autism Challenge. But the Birds are also one of two teams in the NFL with no free open practices, joining the Seattle Seahawks.

While that was going on, Nick Foles was an answer (or a question/both?) on Jeopardy. What a monumental achievement.


Could the Sixers be in the market for Malcolm Brogdon?

Jordan Brenner at The Athletic:

If both players leave, the Sixers would have plenty of money to make a run at the top free agents—Durant, Leonard, Kyrie Irving. But there doesn’t appear to be mutual interest on that front. They could also try to weaken a rival while strengthening their core by pursuing Middleton or Brogdon.

Says [a Western Conference] exec: ‘I have heard that they have an interest in Brogdon. Offer him a big deal and put a little heat on Milwaukee. Play him as a wing. He’s a tough kid. He can defend. He’s resilient. Doesn’t need the ball in his hands. And he has great leadership qualities.’


Is Phang, the Union’s mascot, now the top mascot in Philadelphia after hanging out with the Wu-Tang Clan? I’d argue hell yes.


In other sports news, Al Horford is going to leave Boston. The Celtics are collapsing. I love this.

The Lakers are looking to reshape the Anthony Davis trade to create a max salary slot.

MLB umpires are MAD about Manny Machado’s one-game suspension. Like 12 hashtags mad.

LaVar Ball returned to the spotlight again and said something weird to Molly Qerim.


In the news, over 16.5 tons of cocaine worth about $1 billion was seized at a Philadelphia port. Still a hell of a drug.

We’re one step closer to getting speed cameras on the Roosevelt Boulevard, which will suck.