Flyers' rookie camp commences

READY OR not, the puck drops on the Flyers' regular season in 26 days. Their annual rookie camp commences today with off-ice activities and continues with on-ice sessions through the weekend, culminating with a scrimmage against Washington's rookies.

Here are five things to keep an eye on this weekend:

1. Defense: The Flyers have been salivating for a peek at prospects Robert Hagg, Shayne Gostisbehere, Samuel Morin and Travis Sanheim working together in a competitive environment. Hagg and Gostisbehere got a taste of limited AHL action with the Phantoms at the tail end of last season. Morin and Sanheim, the club's last two first-round picks, are likely heading back to junior hockey. In the last 18 months, defense has gone from the Flyers' seriously lacking position on the depth chart to their position of strength. We will get an early glimpse at which of those players may be able to make an impact in training camp.

2. Anthony Stolarz: Before he can compete for the Phantoms' starting goaltending job with veteran Rob Zepp in the big-boy camp, Stolarz will need to test his surgically repaired hip. Stolarz, 20, underwent surgery in May to have his hip "cleaned out" and has been working regularly on-ice with goaltending coach Jeff Reese. The Flyers' second-round pick from 2012 is embarking on his first professional season after aging out of junior hockey last spring.

3. Taylor Leier: Many eyes will be focused on Scott Laughton, the first-round pick who many think has the inside track for a full-time Flyers roster spot, but don't sleep on Leier. Last season was a big step for Leier, who collected 79 points in 62 games for the defending WHL champion Portland Winterhawks and represented Canada at the World Junior championships. Leier is turning pro now and could make a surprising impact teetering that line between the AHL and NHL.

4. Mark Alt: This time last year, Alt was the focus of many stories heading into his rookie season - for both his bloodlines and his hockey pedigree. The University of Minnesota product is the son of Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame offensive tackle John Alt. After an up-and-down rookie season in which he posted 26 points from Adirondack's blue line, the 22-year-old is one of the oldest players in camp and hoping to make a mark in preseason games.

5. Tryouts: Two wingers - Nikita Jevpalovs and Louick Marcotte - are trying to earn AHL contracts after graduating from junior hockey. Marcotte, 20, teamed up with Red Wings first-rounder Anthony Mantha to score 100 points in 67 games last season in Val d'Or (QMJHL). Jevpalovs, 20, netted 52 points in 61 games for Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL). One more player on a tryout, defenseman Beau Rusk, will turn heads with his massive 6-5, 230-pound frame as an 18-year-old.