Nolan Patrick not listed on Flyers training camp roster

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UPDATED: 3:12 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Flyers began the third phase of the NHL’s four-phased return-to-play plan, with the start of training camp at the Skate Zone in Voorhees Monday morning. 

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Prior to the first workout, the team released its updated roster — and forward Nolan Patrick was left out. Patrick had missed the entire season thus far due to a migraine disorder. 

In an afternoon tweet, general manager Chuck Fletcher said Patrick is preparing for the following season instead.

“Our focus is on getting him ready for the 2020-21 season. We want to be prudent and prioritize his health and safety in the long run,” said Fletcher.

GM Chuck Fletcher on the status of Nolan Patrick: “Our focus is on getting him ready for the 2020-21 season. We want to be prudent and prioritize his health and safety in the long run. We have a short run way here before we jump right into playoff hockey.”

— x-Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 13, 2020

The 21-year-old Patrick — a second overall pick — scored 13 goals in each of his first two seasons. 

Meanwhile, if all goes according to plan with the NHL's resumption, the Flyers will be leaving for Toronto on July 26, followed by their first round-robin game for playoff seeding on Aug. 2 against the Bruins. They’ll then play the Capitals on Aug. 6, and the Lightning on Aug. 9. The first round of the playoffs is scheduled to start on Aug. 11. 

Players pleased with ‘incredible’ safety measures

Flyers forward Kevin Hayes isn’t thrilled about living in what many call a coronavirus-induced “bubble,” but he has accepted it.

“If they say that’s the safest way to accomplish finishing the season, I think a lot of guys will be for it,” Hayes told Zack Hill, the Flyers senior director of communications, last week. 

Hayes said ample safety measures are being taken by the squad as well. 

“I know that the Flyers organization has done their due diligence on making sure that every player is protected and in the safest environment,” he said. “I’ve only been back here for a little bit, but so far it’s been incredible.”

Players have been able to use the Skate Zone in Voorhees for small group workouts. On Monday, practice ramps up for what will hopefully be a renewed hockey season in about three weeks.

“Obviously (it’s) been a hard time with this whole quarantine,” said Hayes. “No one wanted to go through with it. It’s kinda nice to have some normalcy back in my life and in Philadelphia.”

If it’s safe enough for the games to resume, the Flyers will be going in as one of the hottest teams in the NHL before everything was shut down in March. Whether or not they’re able to continue that momentum remains to be seen.

“It’s definitely gonna be interesting with no fans and kinda being locked in a bubble and locked in a hotel, but that’s why we play the game,” Hayes added. “We play to win the Stanley Cup, and this is just another chance to do that.”