Flyers officials study draft presentation to prepare for 2014
While general manager Paul Holmgren and his staff are making final prospect projections and kicking around trade scenarios for Sunday's NHL draft in Newark, N.J., some Flyers officials are closely watching the behind-the-scenes aspects of the event, taking notes for when it is held in Philadelphia next year.
While general manager Paul Holmgren and his staff are making final prospect projections and kicking around trade scenarios for Sunday's NHL draft in Newark, N.J., some Flyers officials are closely watching the behind-the-scenes aspects of the event, taking notes for when it is held in Philadelphia next year.
The Wells Fargo Center will host the 2014 draft, and it will go back to a two-day format. The NHL will announce the dates in a few weeks, and a league official said June 27 and 28 are expected to be the 2014 dates.
"We have people going . . . to Newark to look at the setup and the various things," said Peter Luukko, president of Comcast Spectacor, the Flyers' parent company. "We're looking at the logistics, the TV setup, what's done for the media and the fans - lots of different things."
The Philly draft will be free to fans. Season-ticket holders will be invited, and there will be a lottery for other tickets, Luukko said, adding that he wants to make sure tickets are available to youth hockey leagues. The Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation has more than 3,000 players.
"It's a great summer party for the fans," said Luukko, adding that the draft would pump "millions" into local hotels and restaurants. "It's going to bring people from all over the world."
It will be the first time Philadelphia has hosted the event, and Flyers officials expect capacity crowds of around 20,000.
"It shows we're not just a hockey town, but a real hockey town," said Luukko, who is also trying to lure an All-Star Game to Philly. "And the Frozen Four is coming, so it's a real evolution of a hockey hotbed."
The Frozen Four, matching the nation's best collegiate teams, will be at the Wells Fargo Center April 10 and 12. In addition, the Wells Fargo Center hosted the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010, and the city staged the Winter Classic in 2012.
Shawn Tilger, the Flyers' senior vice president of business operations, said he has been "brainstorming" with NHL officials and plans to meet with them Friday to get some suggestions on next year's event. He said the Flyers want to make the week leading up to the draft - and that weekend - "all about the fans by hosting a lot of hospitality events around the city."
Tilger will be at Xfinity Live at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, when a party will be held for this year's draft. TV analyst Steve Coates and former Flyer Todd Fedoruk will host the event.
As for Sunday's draft, the Flyers have the No. 11 overall pick. They have a need for a young, physical defenseman.
Rasmus Ristolainen may be available and could fill that need. Holmgren said Ristolainen might be NHL-ready.
The 6-foot-2, 189-pound Finn also plays with a nasty edge and is regarded as a solid two-way performer.
The Flyers are also intrigued by defenseman Ryan Pulock, a 6-1, 211-pounder who has a 100-m.p.h. slapshot.
Then again, they may trade up in an attempt to draft Darnell Nurse, a rugged, 6-4, 195-pound defenseman who is Donovan McNabb's nephew.