Turkey day notes

November 23, 2006

Happy turkey day everyone, I apologize for the lack of updates. I knew my class load this year was going to cut into my free time and the past few weeks have been hectic. Let’s review what has happened over the past week or so.

Coach John Stevens has been signed to a 2 year contract by the Flyers. While some say it stabilizes the coaching situation you have to remember a couple things. First off interim was never put in front of his title. There was never any speculation, that the move was temporary. And second like a 2 year contract means anything anyway. Just ask Ken Hitchcock who was signed to a 3 year contract in September only to be fired in October.

Speaking of Hitchcock he will be back in Philadelphia behind the bench coaching on Black Friday, not for the Flyers but for the Columbus Blue Jackets coaching his first game for that team. Good luck to Hitch, starting Saturday.

The game against Columbus is a 1pm start on Black Friday which is decent since I had no plans on going out and dealing with the nuts that shop on that day. No matter how good the deals are.

Injury report for the Flyers.
Jeff Carter is out six weeks from November 7 with a fractured left tibia which means a return mid December
Todd Fedoruk is out until the end of November with a fractured orbital bone in his face. He won’t be able to fight for at least a month after that.
Peter Forsberg has a stiff lower back and is listed day to day, although his skates are still bothering him and I don’t know how they are going to fix it.
Denis Gauthier is out 10 weeks from November 12 with a left should injury which would be mean a mid January return.
Alex Picard suffered a concussion on November 18, no time table on his return.
Mike Rathje is listed tay to day with Piriformis syndrome. He has taken all the cortisone shots he can this year. Dude should hang it up seriously for this year. He isn’t helping the Flyers either on the ice or against the salary cap. It is obvious by how much faster the Flyers defense looks when he is scratched. The game against the Senators is the perfect example.

Let’s talk about the game against the Senators. Can we get some more Finland defensemen? While Pitkanen has really looked bad this year pairing him with Timonen I think really does something. Those two and Jonsson looked pretty decent back on D. Actually having defensemen that can skate faster then a dump truck is a nice thing to have.

Even Pylon looked decent. Pylon was +2, got his first point of the season and managed to get first star of the game of which he didn’t deserve. He has been getting praise in recent games and is even not dead last in +/- anymore in the league. He is ranked 692th in the league. There are 5 other Flyers in the last ten positions in that stat Pitkanen, Calder, Nedved, Gagne and Richards, that has to change. That stat with Gagne is a big change from last year. Last year he was very solid defensively not so much this year.

A couple stat changes from last year. So far this year the Flyers have 1 shorthanded goal, last season they scored 19 of which Richards had 3 of his 11 goals. This year 0. Joni Pitkanen had 13 goals last year, this year 0. Last year the Flyers didn’t give up a shorthanded goal to near halfway through the season gave up 6 total, this season 5 already.

At least the Flyers get a point against the Senators, Flyers 11 points out of the playoff hunt. Still not playing with any desperation, the Senators are not playing like a playoff team and well, neither are the Flyers who have now lost 6 straight at home.

But back to Pylon, yes he has seem to be doing better but he has not proven himself against teams that the Flyers HAVE to beat and I don’t think he can. The Senators really did have the speed or pressure that the Sabres create and that’s the point. For years Clarke tried to build the Flyers to beat the Devils. Well now the Flyers need to be built to beat the Sabres and I don’t see Hatcher in that picture.

In other hockey news former Flyer Donald Brashear was suspended for 3 games while Brian Sutherby and Scott Mellanby each got a one game suspension for instigating a fight in the last 5 minutes of a game. Coaches were also fined $30,000 and $10,000 respectively. Bullshit rule, never liked it and every time it comes up I will bitch about it. The rule created in reaction to the Flyers/Senators brawl, because fans just hate those things.

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TSN Power Rankings November 13

November 14, 2006

From the rooftops, people have cried that the Flyers are too slow for the new NHL. The solution? Naturally, to bring Todd Fedoruk back into the fold.
Key Injuries: RW Mike Knuble (finger), C Jeff Carter (tibia).

TSN Power Rankings November 13

Still in 30th.
Speed (except for Pylon and Rathje) are not killing the Flyers this year. A lack of drive, passion and the will to win is.

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Penguins down Flyers 3-2

November 14, 2006

The Flyers have dropped 6 straight now losing last night to the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Randy Robitaille and Geoff Sanderson scored for the Flyers.

The power play remains beyond pathetic going 0 for 5. The Flyers did not get many if any shots on the power plays.

Rathje was worse then Pylon on defense again. Kyle Calder was minus -2. Geoff Sanderson, Mike Knuble and Randy Robitaille was plus +1.

Antero Niittymaki got the start in net again and was stellar even with giving up 3 goals.

Coach John Stevens

"I’m very frustrated with this. We should be able to come in here and know how we’re going to compete and let them react to us. Our forecheck was nonexistent until the third period."

"I am having trouble understanding this, to be honest with you. We've got to play for 60 minutes."

Glad I am not the only one that doesn’t understand the Flyers issues. They played a solid game against Buffalo and I thought maybe the Flyers have turned the corner. But then they come out flat the first 40 minutes of the game. Seven shots in the first period THREE shots in the second? What kind of crap is this?

The 4 of the 6 game losing during the streak have come from teams mid pack in the conference from 7th to 11th. Ed Snider has already said the team doesn’t compete. What else can he do? If this lack of play keeps up I expect (hope) he decides to visit the locker room after a loss and do some yelling and berating while throwing some equipment. Maybe that would help them realize the situation they are in.

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Antero Niittymaki were the 3 stars.

Peter Forsberg, Jeff Carter, Denis Gauthier and Boyd Kane were out with injuries.

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Forsberg and Gauthier update

November 14, 2006

Flyers Athletic Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach Jim McCrossin on Tuesday gave an update on center Peter Forsberg. Forsberg has missed the last two games due to a mild right ankle sprain, and was in Cleveland on Monday getting fitted for an orthotic brace for his ankle.

McCrossin also had an update on defenseman Denis Gauthier who had successful surgery today. Gauthier is expected to be out 10 weeks.

Jim McCrossin: "I spoke with Peter today, and yesterday he was fitted with an orthotic brace. Peter skated and he said it actually felt very good. Some minor adjustments had to be made and they were made overnight. Peter was going back out to skate again today and we decided we are going to touch base when I get into Anaheim.

I did speak with Dr. Brian Donley from the Cleveland Clinic a few times last night after our game and Dr. Donley was very pleased on how the orthotic brace angulated Peter’s ankle. Peter is happy, Dr. Donley is happy and I’m happy."

When will Peter be joining the team?
"Peter will get into Anaheim about 7:05 this evening [Pacific Time]. He’ll participate in the morning skate, as far as we know."

What is the status of Denis Gauthier?
"Denis Gauthier had successful surgery today performed by Dr. Peter DeLuca at Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia to repair his labrum in his left shoulder. Dr. DeLuca feels like he’s going to make a real nice recovery and hopefully be back with us soon."

How soon?
"He’s going to start rehab tomorrow."

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Fridge back in Philly

November 13, 2006

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired left wing Todd Fedoruk from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fourth round draft choice in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft as well as future considerations

Fedoruk played 4 seasons with the Flyers before being traded to the Ducks for a 2nd round pick in 2005. The Flyers had 2 enforcers with him and Brashear and decided to move him. That was before the new NHL. As an enforcer he is a better deal now.

November 23, 2005 He was suspended by the NHL for three games without pay for his attempt to injure penalty on Phoenix Coyotes center Petr Nedved. Well that should be interesting.

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Sabres over Flyers 5-4 OT

November 13, 2006

The Flyers pick up their first point in 5 games as they lose to the Sabres in Saturday night 5-4. Even with the lost I think the game could really be a turning point for the Flyers. The Flyers competed and came within 3 minutes of beating the Sabres, a team with only 1 regulation lost this season. The Flyers playing without Forsberg, Carter, Knuble and Gauthier. The energy and emotion the Flyers played with has been increasing the last few games and if they can sustain the intensity they played with saturday night they will win more games then they lose and get back on track.

Coach John Stevens

"I don't know if we lost or just ran out of time. We felt if we play like that every night, we're going to win a lot of hockey games. Is it something to build on? For me it is. That's supposed to be the best team in the league. We stood up for each other. We showed affection for the group, and I saw effort in areas that had been lacking. I was proud of the team effort."

3 fights in the game with Mike Richards vs. Nathan Paetsch, Ben Eager vs. Adam Mair and Triston Grant vs. Andrew Peters

Randy Robitaille scored twice for the Flyers, Alex 'dont call me Captain' Picard scored his first NHL goal with Petr Nedved picking up his 400th assist, R.J. Umberger also scored for the Flyers.

Simon Gagne and Randy Robitaille both picked up 10 minute gross misconduct penalties after the game for arguing the too many men on the ice call with 30 seconds left in the game. According to the rulebook, the gross misconduct cost Gagne and Robitaille a $200 fine and possible disciplinary action by the Commissioner of the League. The call was questionable overall the officiating in the game was what one comes to expect, meh.

Flyers only had one power play and scored on it which ties them with the Senators for last in the league. Flyers are 7th in the league on the penalty kill, they killed 3 out of 4 Sabres Powerplays.

Pylon led the Flyers in ice time with 28 minutes and was actually plus +1. It was the other pylon that made the mistakes costing the Flyers the game.

Antero Niittymaki got the start in goal and looked average. The outcome could have been different if he didn’t let in the softies. Of course the same could be said about Sabres goalie Martin Biron.

Randy Robitaille, Daniel Briere and R.J. Umberger were the three stars.

other news....

Marty Murray who was signed during the summer for his second stint with the Flyers was claimed off of waivers by the Los Angeles Kings. Murray never saw any action this year with the Flyers since he was sent down during preseason. Murray played 11 games for the Phantoms picking up 2 goals and 11 assists.

Flyers Chairman Ed Snider has said that interim General Manager Paul Holmgren will be GM for the rest of the season.

Ed Snider

"Paul has been working very hard and I felt that it was important at this time to provide him with some stability in his position which will help him with the tasks at hand."

Denis Gauthier will be out 6 to 8 weeks with a shoulder injury. He will have surgery on his left shoulder on Tuesday to repair a torn labrum. Goat had surgery on his right shoulder over the summer break. Out until after Christmas.

Peter Forsberg out with the flu but listed as having an ankle sprain on the Flyers website will visit a foot specialist in Cleveland to fit Forsberg with a custom brace.

Monday night the Flyers head to Pittsburgh to start a 4 game road trip which they will face 3 teams from the Western Conference.

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Islanders beat Flyers 3-1

November 10, 2006

The Flyers have now dropped 4 straight losing to the New York Islanders last night in Philadelphia 3-1.

Simon Gagne scores the only Flyers goal on the power play with less then 3 minutes remaining in the game. Nedved picked up his first point of the year. For the Islanders Yashin scored twice and Park once picking up the game winner.

Antero Niittymaki took the loss in goal stopping 17 of 20 shots. DiPietro picked up the win for the Islanders stopping 32 of 33 shots.

Two fights in the game with Richards going with Asham and Eager going with Witt. It was good to see some emotion in the game, although they need to bring it right from the start instead of waiting until they are down 2-0.

The Pylon led the Flyers in ice time with 24:02 and his play actually did not hurt the Flyers, this time. Eager’s ice time was up to 9:28 and I was glad to see it. He needs more of it.

Coach John Stevens

We put a big push on in the third period, but why are we in this situation to begin with? That was the message for tonight, the push has to come in the start of the hockey game when we have 60 minutes to something about it.

That is an issue right now with the Flyers. They only bring the desperate play when down by a couple goals. Hey Flyers, if you don’t start winning NOW there won’t be a post season. The desperate play has to be there from the start of the game EVERY game, at least until they are back to .500.

Last season it took till January 19 for the Flyers to lose their 11th game, this year November 9, 70 days.

There has been a lot of talk about the Flyers making trades to help them out from rock bottom. Every game they lose the pressure to make a trade any trade grows. It might get to a point of making a trade a dumb trade just for the sake of shaking things up, thinking Bruins Joe Thorton type dumb trade. Which means no one is safe.

The Flyers play the Sabres in Philadelphia on Saturday, the west coast road trip next week can’t come soon enough.

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Philly’s Hottest Flyers Fan

November 9, 2006

The Flyers have looked quite bad on the ice this year, so how about looking at something better like Philly's Hottest Flyers Fan. 93.3 WMMR is running the Philly's Hottest Flyers Fan contest. Go vote for the Hottest Flyers Fan.

If I had to vote for just one and it would be tough I think I would have to go with Lisa P.

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Flyers call up 3

November 8, 2006

Besides Petr Nedved the Flyers call up Matt Ellison, Ryan Potulny and Martin Grenier.

Ellison was acquired last year from Chicago with the Flyers sending them Patrick Sharp.
I never liked that trade. While Sharp wont ever be a top line center he had attributes the Flyers could use.
He can skate, hit, score and fight. It seems that with the loss of him and Sims halfway through last season along with Handzus, Brashear, Savage and Radivojevic the Flyers have lost some grit.

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Jeff Carter out for 6 weeks

November 7, 2006

Flyers website
Flyers Strength and Conditioning Coach Jim McCrossin announced on Tuesday that forward Jeff Carter will be out of action for approximately six weeks due to a broken bone that was revealed following an MRI today.

McCrossin: "Jeff had an MRI today performed on his left ankle which revealed that he sustained a fracture of the distal end of his left tibia. The injury is located on the inside of his left ankle area. He should be out for approximately six weeks.

Over the past couple of days the inflammation in Jeff’s ankle had subsided. He has been able to walk better, but he still had point tenderness over his ankle. Speaking with our medical staff we felt it was warranted to get an MRI and investigate his injury a little bit closer. The MRI did reveal a crack.

His ankle won’t be placed in a cast. He was placed in a walking boot. This way we will be able to treat him. We have him on bone stimulation right now and we will be able to maintain his conditioning."

Flyers have also sent Stefan Ruzicka and Martin Grenier back down to the Phantoms.
Ruzicka had played until last game with Forsberg and Gagne. He was with the Flyers for 8 games had 1 goal 1 assist and was minus -1.
Grenier played 2 games with the Flyers and was minus -2.

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