On Friday, the day they were supposed to be in Chicago playing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers were gathered at their practice facility for breakup day — the annual ritual of player interviews with general manager Paul Holmgren and head coach Peter Laviolette.
The day also marked the official start of planning for the 2010-11 hockey season, just over 3 months away.
“It was a real roller-coaster ride, getting into the playoffs they way we did,” Holmgren said. “And then the playoff ride — I hope that’s our team.”
With approximately $8.8 million in cap space to play with Holmgren figures to have an active summer — his job is to assemble a roster with three forwards in the Top 30, two defensemen in the Top 20 and a goalie in the Top 10.
“Is it going to be the same team next year?” Holmgren said. “It’s highly unlikely.”
Most players aren’t thinking about next season just yet.
“Waking up this morning was tough,” Scott Hartnell said. “I’m sure it’s going to last a little while longer. I’ll let you know next year if it still hurts.”
