Curse of Billy Penn

Struggling Flyers out of options - Expect a trade

Last season, the Flyers were eliminated from the playoffs by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.  They came up short, but found the answer...so they thought.  During the summer they added goalie Ray Emery and defenseman Chris Pronger.  All of a sudden, the Flyers were Stanley Cup contenders.

Nearly halfway into the season, the Flyers have the second worse team in hockey.  So much talent, so much expectations, no production!  Coach John Stevens was let go and replaced by Peter Laviolette.  They hoped his "no nonsense" aggressive style would give the Flyers the spark they need.  Since Laviolette took over, the Flyers have gone 2-7-1.  That didn't work, what's next?

It's bad, and getting worse!  When you think they're coming out of it, they go the other way.  Time has now become a factor.  They need to turn things around, and do it soon.  The only feasible option at this point would be to make a trade and shake things up a bit.

Who could be traded?  Most of the big name players on the team - Danny Briere, Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell, Kimmo Timonen, and Chris Pronger - have no trade clauses in their contract.  Mike Richards is in the second year of a 12-year contract and the Captain of the team.  He is the face and future of this team.  Don't expect him to go anywhere!  

The best candidate would be Jeff Carter.  He has another year left on his contract with at an attractive $5-million salary.

It is possible to trade one of the other big names, but their no trade clauses makes it complicated.  The first obstacle would be to convince them to leave.  The second would be to convince somebody to take them.  Briere and Gagne have a history of injuries, making them much less desirable.  Scott Hartnell could be an option; a solid player, no history of injury, with a reasonable $4.2-million salary.

The Flyers have stated that they would like to give Laviolette a chance to implement his system, rather than make a major trade.  In the event a trade is imminent, don't expect anything to happen right away.  The NHL has a Christmas trade freeze in effect until midnight on December 27.   

Don't Miss: Scott Hartnell will be on "Price Is Right"

Don't miss Wednesday's "The Price Is Right."  Flyers' foreward Scott Hartnell and Bruins' center Marc Savard will help host the show along with Drew Carey.  

They will be there to help present a special 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic showcase.  The showcase includes a trip to Fenway Park, including air travel and hotel, two tickets to the NHL Classic game between the Bruins and Flyers, along with other assorted NHL prizes.  Each studio audience member will receive an NHL Winter Classic puck.

Don't miss it: Wednesday December, 23 - 11am ET on CBS

Click here for more on the NHL's Winter Classic

Getting Ready for the Winter Classic - Flyers vs. Bruins at Fenway

Just a few weeks away now!  The Flyers will head to Boston to battle the Bruins in the third annual NHL Winter Classic on January 1.  The Winter Classic Truck Tour was in Philly on December 5, but have since arrived in Boston.  Now their task is to spend the next three weeks preparing.  Take a look at how it has unfolded.

The Winter Classic Truck: A Mobile Rink Refrigeration Unit

The Winter Classic Truck Tour Comes to Philly

Behind the Scenes Promotional Video

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Ray Emery Injury Explains Flyers Slump

The Flyers started out strong!  They were 10-4-1, and their new goalie Ray Emery was hot.  Then came the slump!

Since November 14, the Flyers have gone 4-9.  Emery's performance dropped dramatically, with a 5.31 GAA in his last five games.  Their slump cost John Stevens his job as head coach.

Much of the slump can be attributed to an injury Emery received in the Flyers 3-2 loss to Buffalo on November 14.  It was revealed that he felt a "pop" during the game.  That "pop" turned out to be a tear in his lower abdomen.  It clearly affected his play, hindering the team.  When Emery realized he could no longer contribute, it was time to get it fixed.

Emery underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair the tear and is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks.  This is a set-back for the Flyers, but seems to explain what happened to them!    

Peter Laviolette Has Right Attitude for Struggling Flyers

Peter Laviolette's debut as the Flyers Head Coach was anything but pleasant.  The Flyers lost their fourth consecutive game 8-2.  They have now lost seven of their last eight games.

In his first game, Laviolette got a taste of something that has plagued the Flyers, penalties!  The Flyers are the most penalized team in the NHL.  They take bad penalties, and the take them often.  John Stevens did a fine job as a Head Coach, but may have been a bit mild tempered.  Disciplining his players from taking bad penalties is something he seems to have failed to accomplish.  This may be a an area Laviolette should help in!

Laviolette  is known as being a coach that is tough on his players, demanding them to play to potential, and big on discipline.  If you saw his press conference following the Flyers lopsided defeat, you would have seen that this is a correct description of him, and that he is not prepared to allow such sloppy hockey.

Dan Carcillo took a conglomerate of penalties in the first period - on one single play - that gave the Capitals a 9-minute power-play.  The Caps' took advantage, scoring 3-goals as a result.  Laviolette was quick to dismiss the aspects of the incident, other than the fact that it should never have happened in the first place.  It was a bad penalty, that led to further penalties, putting the Flyers at a severe disadvantage.  Laviolette said the initial penalty was undisciplined, and should have never been taken.  The ensuing penalties would never have followed.  It was clear he was unhappy with the incident, and would not allow that to continue. 

 

You may not have been happy with the outcome of the game, but you had to be happy with Laviolette's press conference!  He is displeased with the penalties, and seems to be the guy to fix this problem.  He said teams that take penalties lose games, and  "We're not going to be killing penalties all night!"   

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Flyers, Fenway, New Years Day - Get Ready for Mummers and Hockey

What comes to mind when we think of New Years Day in Philadelphia?  Mummers...naturally!  Well, this year we're going to get a little twist to our New Years celebration.  The Flyers will travel to Boston to participate in the 3rd Annual Winter Classic, an outdoor hockey game to be played at Fenway Park. 

In a day that everybody tunes in to watch the Mummers, you can bet they will tune in to watch the Flyers play outdoors at historic Fenway Park.  The event has become a big attraction for the NHL, and is arguably the biggest game of the regular season.

It was rumored that the Washington Capitals would be the Bruins' opponent, with the NHL pushing for Alex Ovechkin to play in the spotlight.  NBC, the network covering the event, insisted on the Flyers, who they believe will draw higher ratings. 

On a day filled with Bowl Games and Mummers, will we find time to tune into the Flyers?  Think about it for a minute: the Flyers, playing outdoors, at Fenway Park...there's something special about that!  You don't want to miss it!

 

Chris Pronger Joins Flyers - The Cup Is Now In Sight

Reaching the Eastern Conference Championship Series in 2008, the Flyers had high expectations entering the 2009 playoffs.  It was pure disappointment to go home after just one round!  They may have given the Penguins a run for their money, but the reality was, they never really had a chance. 

When Crosby and Malkin hang out in front of the net, they are going to score!  If you allow this to happen, you are going to lose!  That is what happened to the Flyers, with Malkin and Crosby scoring a combined 17-points in 6-games.  Defense was a weakness - as it had been all year - Hatcher's absence was more than noticeable.

The answer to their defensive situation began when they signed goalie Ray Emery.  Though streaky at times, Martin Biron did just fine for the Flyers, and was not the reason they failed to advance in the playoffs.  So why bring in Emery, who has been surrounded by on and off-ice controversies, forcing him to play in Russia because nobody wanted him?

The Flyers had very little salary cap room, requiring them to free up some space if they wanted to sign a top-level defenseman.  Emery was the answer.  Despite his issues, he is a solid goalie that took the Ottawa Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007.  Because of his history, the Flyers were able to acquire him at a bargain price of $1.5-million.

Biron on the other hand, made $3.5-million last season, and is probably looking for more money.  The Flyers may be taking a chance going with Emery, but it was the only way to make room for a defenseman without sacrificing talent in net.  

With the cap situation sorted out, it was time to find a defenseman.  There had been huge speculation that the Flyers would trade for the rights to Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who will be a free-agent on July 1.  Bouwmeester made it clear that he would not sign before the free-agency period begins, forcing the Flyers to look into another alternative.

The answer was Chris Pronger, a solid veteran defenseman, and former Hart Trophy Winner (League MVP).  He is the answer to the Flyers defensive needs!  Defensively, he can handle players one-on-one, deliver crushing checks (6'6" - 221 LBS.), and can clear the puck out of the zone.  Offensively, he can move the puck, offers crisp passing, and will be involved in scoring.  Something else he brings; he is a leader!

Pronger just may be the missing piece!  Kimmo Timonen has been solid, but one top-level defenseman is not enough when you go up against the best teams in the playoffs.  You can bet the production from Malkin and Crosby would have been diminished with Pronger in their way.

Does one guy make the difference?  Could he be the difference between a short playoff series and a Stanley Cup?  In the Flyers situation, the answer is yes.  The acquisition of Pronger immediately makes them a better team, filling the gap where they once had a huge void, and puts them in a position to be a serious Stanley Cup contender.    

Read more on the acquisition of Pronger, along with terms of the trade at Broad Street Bulletin          

Flyers to Play Outdoor Game at Fenway Park

A few weeks ago, it was revealed that the Bruins' opponent for the NHL Winter Classic - an outdoor hockey game to be played at Fenway Park - was narrowed down to two teams; the Capitals and the Flyers.

With the NHL pushing for Alex Ovechkin, it appeared the Capitals had it all but locked up.  We are now hearing that the tables may have turned.

It is true that the NHL wants Ovechkin in the spotlight for their Winter Classic game on New Years Day.  The problem for that arises with TV ratings.  NBC is covering the game, and they apparently feel that the Flyers would attract more viewers than the Capitals.

Though no official announcement has been made, several sources have confirmed this decision.  Stay tuned for more information.

A few weeks ago, it was revealed that the Bruins' opponent for the NHL Winter Classic - an outdoor hockey game to be played at Fenway Park - was narrowed down to two teams; the Capitals and the Flyers.

With the NHL pushing for Alex Ovechkin, it appeared the Capitals had it all but locked up.  We are now hearing that the tables may have turned.

It is true that the NHL wants Ovechkin in the spotlight for their Winter Classic game on New Years Day.  The problem for that arises with TV ratings.  NBC is covering the game, and they apparently feel that the Flyers would attract more viewers than the Capitals.

Though no official announcement has been made, several sources have confirmed this decision.  Stay tuned for more information.

Derian Hatcher Retires - Takes Coaching Job With Flyers

A full right knee replacement signaled the end of Hatcher's career as a professional hockey player, but it won't keep him away from the game.  He will take over as the new player development coach, replacing Eric Desjardins, who is leaving to pursue business interests.

Hatcher missed the entire 2008-09 season with a right knee injury, and though there was talk of him returning for the playoffs, he would never return to the ice. 

It is unfortunate.  The Flyers struggled defensively this past season, and it became clear how much Hatcher was missed.

With any luck, the Flyers will obtain a key defenseman they desperately need, and the void will be filled.  

Ray Emery to Be Next Flyers Goalie

Former Ottawa Senators' Goalie Ray Emery looks like he's on his way to Philly.  After leading the Senators to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance, he wore out his welcome in Ottawa, eventually ending up in the KHL league in Russia.  He wants back in the NHL - and it looks like the Flyers will take him.

He has great potential, but more issues.  He is constantly surrounded by controversy - on and off the ice.  Is he a good fit in Philly?

Click here to read full article at the Broad Street Bulletin

Two Key Players Back

Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn both skated on Saturday morning and should be ready to go as the Flyers try to avoid elimination today against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 3:00pm. Timmonen missed the last four games with a blood clot in his left foot. He said, “I felt pretty good today, and that's why I'm pretty confident to say I'm ready to go tomorrow.”

Coburn took a puck to his face near his left eye during game 2 and has not played since. “Right now, I'm just kind of dealing with some things with the eye and stuff like that,” he said. “So, every day it's been getting better. Tomorrow we're reevaluating it again.”

When asked if he could play Sunday he said, “Yeah, I think there's a good chance. Everything felt pretty good. It felt like I've been off the ice for a couple of days and wearing the visor is a little bit of an adjustment as well.  But it's something I'm going to have to do right now.”

Flyers coach John Stevens will make the final decision but considering the following quotes, Stevens knows the importance of getting these guys back on the ice.

"Kimmo is an elite player in the league. He's not just a great player, he's one of our leaders. To lose a guy like that, they're not easily replaced. You need a lot extra from everybody in your lineup just to try to close the gap that was left behind when he was out.

"[Coburn] is a big guy, plays in all situations, creates speed, [and is a] good defender. So to get one or both back would be a great lift for us in a lot of ways."

A win today would make the series 3-2 and give the Flyers some momentum. Can they come back and win this series? Every Flyers fan is a believer today!

Say it Ain't So, Forgive Us Billy Penn!

Billy Penn's displeasure seems to still be prevalent as the Flyers have now dropped 3 straight games to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the best of 7 series. Nothing has gone right for the Flyers and the cross state rivals are completely dominating.

Maybe a vigil under Billy's statue will help. Any other ideas? Do we really have to say yet again "maybe next year?" Forgive us Billy Penn, and let us win a championship!