Stevens given 2 more years

August 18, 2008

The Flyers sign coach John Stevens to an extension keeping him under contract for the next three seasons. Flyers had also signed Ken Hitchcock to a three year contract back in 2006 only to fire him about a month later. But I don't see that happening this time, at least not this season. That's not to say Stevens won't be on the hot seat this season, he will be, at least with the fans.

Praised is heaped on Stevens for taking the last place Flyers of 2006 to the Conference Finals in 2007. While I agree that is nothing to sneeze at, we should also remember that 42 of the 48 losses the Flyers suffered in 2006 came while Stevens was behind the bench. Firing of Hitchcock didn't do any good, for that season. The horrible decisions made at the GM position put the team in a pickle for the 2006 season. Later some great moves at the GM position put the Flyers in the position to make a run for it in 2007.

It was the player's dislike of Hitchcock that most likely ended his coaching career in Philly. I suspect we won't see that happen this time around with Stevens’s style of coaching. The players like him, but there are some fans that are not convinced. That nice little 10 game losing streak last season didn't help.

For me, the jury is still out on Stevens.

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Bundy on the Radio

August 17, 2008

Chris Therien will be taking over the color analyst job on 610 WIP for the Flyers broadcasts on AM radio for this upcoming season. He will be replacing another former Flyer Bryan Propp who was on AM with Tim Saunders for 7 seasons.

Its been a couple years since I had to catch the games on the AM. Because of my distance from Philly and WIP's policy of not streaming the games online I usually caught the game on NHL Radio. NHL Radio basically streams the AM radio feeds from NHL.com site. Worked great for me when I worked the night shift, I could still pick up the games.

One interesting thing about the radio streams from NHL is that they cut out the commercials during the commercial breaks. Most of the time this just led to dead airtime. However there were some things heard that one who was listen to the AM station would normally not hear. The intermission interviews are typically done right after the period ends during the commercial break. So with the Flyers NHL AM feed I would always hear the interview twice, live and then when its actually replayed during intermission. I would also hear clips from the previous period as they setup for the highlights recaps. There was that rare occasion when the mic was left open during the commercial breaks and I got to hear some interesting gems. The chatter was typically related to the game, but I do remember at least one one occasion either Propp and/or Saunders were scoping out a female fan or two. Defintely more interesting then any commercial AM would play.

Hey Bundy, leave the mic open during the breaks, let the Fans listening on NHL Radio hear some good stuff.

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First Annual Cote Carnival

August 16, 2008

First Annual Cote Carnival is tomorrow!
Looks like tickets are still available, at least for another 17 hours.

Admission covers food, drinks and entertainment. There will be player and alumni appearances with the opportunity to receive autographs, and participate in silent auctions and raffles. A small donation will be required for autographs.

Nintendo Wii Game Room by Best Buy
"Best of Philly" DJ Benja Styles will be spinning.
Split Decision Will be performing.

"I wanted to send out an invitation to everybody to knock out MS. Multiple sclerosis is a growing epidemic world-wide and millions live with this disease. I’ve seen first-hand how this disease affects people through my sister who was diagnosed 8 years ago. I have a great opportunity in the position I am in to give back and help bring awareness and ultimately to knock out this brutal disease. So let’s all drop our gloves and fight to help the MS community." - Riley Cote, Philadelphia Flyers.

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The Chief back with the Flyers

August 7, 2008

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that Craig Berube has been named assistant coach, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren. In addition, the team announced that John Paddock has been named head coach of the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms.

"Craig will bring new energy to the Flyers' coaching staff," said Holmgren in making the announcement. "His knowledge of, and experience with, many of our young players will be invaluable."

Good deal.
Berube fills the assistant coach vacancy opened with Terry Murray taking the head coaching job for the LA Kings. I agree about the bringing energy part. A little bit more 'fire' behind the bench I think is a good thing.

John Paddock gets promoted to head coach of the Phantoms with Berube moving up. Paddock has won 3 Calder Cup Championships as head coach with 3 different teams. Looking at his stats, looks like he will make a good head coach for the Phantoms.

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Flyers sign Asham

August 4, 2008

Back in early July the Flyers signed free agent Aaron Asham to a 2 year contract. I think Asham is a great 4th line guy to have. I always noticed Asham on the ice, particularly when he played for the Islanders. He had a few fights with Richards, a few with cote. He brings a little more toughness to the Flyers.

Asham vs Cote last november

Cote and Asham on the 4thline, sweetness.

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Bulldozing History

August 3, 2008

Spectrum

Comcast-Spectacor announced awhile back that the Spectrum will be gone next summer. The building the Flyers called home from 1967-1996. The building the Flyers raised their first Stanley Cup in. The building the Phantoms raised their first Calder Cup in. The building the Flyers beat the Soviet Central Red Army team in back in 1976, becoming the first NHL team to do so.
Ed Synder, how dare you.

"This will be a wonderful opportunity for thousands of our fans, who used to attend our games at the Spectrum or watch them on TV, to come back one last time and see the Flyers in our old home," Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider said.

Oh wow, a preseason game. We get to watch the Flyers play a game in the Spectrum that is pretty much meaningless except for the 2-3 players that might be fighting for a position. Maybe I should be thankful to get that much.

I have always thought it would be a wonderful idea for the Flyers to play at least one game each season at the Spectrum. Have a throwback night against maybe Buffalo or Boston with the old school jerseys and such. Fans would love it, but there's not a chance of that happening now. Its all about the money. If NHL hockey was played for the 'fans' the Flyers would still be in the Spectrum, I think. Ask any Flyer fan that has watched hockey in both arenas. The ones I have talked to have told me the Spectrum is a better place for a fan to watch hockey.

The Phantoms will be moving, but to where? Lehigh Valley, Jersey, Balitmore? Having the team right across the parking lot from the Flyers was so dam convenient. With the Phantoms moving out of the city possibility out of state doesn't help the Flyers in any way, it probably hurts them.

And for what, a hotel and what looks to be a hybrid indoor/outdoor mall? -sigh- 'retail entertainment'? What the frack is that?

If you want to see the history that the Spectrum has checkout http://rememberthespectrum.com/

Look, I understand this is how things work, Comcast-Spectacor is banking on making more $$$ then what the Spectrum makes for them now. Everything 'old' eventually goes away. It doesn't mean I have to like it.
Progress, don't you love it?

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Delta Dental Ice Team Tryouts

July 30, 2008

Every few couple months or so I get people contacting me asking about the Delta Dental Ice Team Tryouts. Unfortunately since this is just a fan website and does not represent the Flyers in any official capacity, I am not privy to any advance info about the tryouts. That and the Ice Girls never return seem to return my calls. -ha ha-

At any rate the Flyers have announced tryouts on Sunday August 24 at the Virtua Health Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ. Check out their site for more info.

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The Selke

July 29, 2008

As mentioned on Mighty Mike's Blog, Mike Richard came in 5th place in the voting for the Frank J Selke Trophy. The Selke is awarded to the forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.

Two Flyers have won it in the past. Bob Clarke in 82-83 and Dave Poulin in 86-87.

I did notice that Patrick Sharp came in 4th beating Richards in the voting for the Selke.
sigh, I never did like that trade sending Sharp to the Blackhawks for Matt Ellison who then the Flyers shipped to Nashville for future considerations.
Last season Sharp outscored all of the Flyers, even Briere by 5 goals.

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Joffrey Lupul signed 4 year extension

July 22, 2008

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed right wing Joffrey Lupul to a four-year contract extension. Lupul had one year left on his contract. Lets hope he stays a little healthier this season.

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John Stevens Coach of the Year

July 21, 2008

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach John Stevens has been named Coach of the Year by The Hockey News.

"John is the coach that we deemed did the best job in the regular season and post-season," said The Hockey News Editor-In-Chief Jason Kay. "John did a great job in leading a great turnaround, but also the style that he employs, such a calm demeanor behind the bench, is an example of his leadership. The way that he carries himself showed with the product on the ice, particularly in the playoffs, the way that team stuck together and held together when a lot of people didn't anticipate they would do as well."

Good for him.
With him being a coach in Philly those positive comments Jason makes above can turn into criticisms with in a year or so. That is if the Flyers don't make it close to if not to the conference finals this upcoming season.

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