Flyers Alumni Game Roster

The Flyers Winter Classic alumni team roster was announced today and here is the team, along with most common number used with the team and years played with the team.  Skater stats include games, goals, assists, points, plus/minus and penalty minutes.  Goaltender stats are games, wins, losses, ties, goals against average, save percentage and shutouts.

Goalies
#33 Mark LaForest (1987-89, 38 GP, 10-16-4, 3.91 GAA, .873, 1 SO)
#35 Neil Little (2001-02, 03-04, 2 GP, 0-2-0, 3.87 GAA, .838)

Defensemen
#29 Terry Carkner (1988-93, 376 GP, 29-103-132, -25, 867 PIM)
#37 Eric Desjardins (1995-2006, 738 GP, 93-303-396, +143, 396 PIM)
#5 Larry Goodenough (1974-77, 129 GP, 15-56-71, +72, 104 PIM)
#2 Derian Hatcher (2005-08, 203 GP, 9-24-33, -17, 193 PIM)
#2 Mark Howe (1982-92, 594 GP, 138-342-480, +349, 323 PIM)
#8 Brad Marsh (1981-88, 514 GP, 14-96-110, +99, 636 PIM)
#28 Kjell Samuelsson (1986-92, 95-98, 545 GP, 35-106-141, +103, 815 PIM)
#6 Chris Therien (1995-2006, 753 GP, 29-130-159, +125, 583 PIM)
#14 Joe Watson (1967-78, 746 GP, 36-162-198, +191, 397 PIM)

Forwards

Bleeps and Bloops: Random Thoughts

-Never touched on my thoughts about the Flyers/Lightning 1-3-1 debate.  Neither team broke any rules, and it was a one game issue.  It was a boring game but I don’t think any rules need to be added or changed in response to one occasion.

-Reports are floating around that Jeff Carter wants out of Columbus.  Carter’s agent shot down those rumors, but the internet can’t help but wonder if he’ll be dealt anyway.  Carter played on the 2006-07 disastrous Flyers team, but even with that experience, going from a Stanley Cup contender to the worst team in hockey is still a shock.  It’s been a bad six weeks for the Jackets, especially for Carter who has missed 10 games with an injury and still doesn’t have a goal.  He does have a no-trade clause starting in the summer, but Carter just  needs to focus on hockey, winning games and perhaps better play will help turn Columbus around a bit.  Even if he were traded, Columbus wouldn’t get the return they traded to get him (Jakub Voracek, 1st round pick and a 3rd round pick).

Who’s at Fault?

Last night we saw the Tampa Bay Lightning play the 1-3-1 trap, clogging the neutral zone and the Philadelphia Flyers responded by not attacking, sitting back in their own zone, waiting for the Lightning to forecheck.  This caused debates around the internet and on TSN. It happened many times throughout the game and the referees told the Flyers they had to keep moving the puck.  It frustrated players and coaches of both teams, analysts and fans.

Video if you missed it:

Looking Back: Good Decisions

Heading into the 2007 draft, there was not one clear cut prospect like in some years, 2008 (Stamkos) and 2009 (Tavares) for example. In 2007, there were plenty of good players,  but towards the draft it filtered down to three prospects at the top of the class.  According to NHL’s Central Scouting, the top three (in order) were Kyle Turris, Patrick Kane, James van Riemsdyk.  It seemed like those three would be the top choices, but in which order? And to which teams?

Turris, from Burnaby of the BCHL, was touted as a great skater with a combination of skill and hockey smarts.  Kane’s biggest knock was his size (5’10, 160) but was a scoring machine for London of the OHL.  Van Riemsdyk was a big scoring winger from the US National Development Program that hadn’t finished growing yet.

Philadelphia was in the midst of their worst season in team history and Phoenix had finished its’ third straight season near the bottom of the standings.  Chicago finished last place in their division, but with a bit of luck, won the NHL draft lottery, giving them the #1 pick, followed by the Flyers and Coyotes.

Lindros Back in Orange and Black

Today on 590 Radio in Toronto, Eric Lindros officially confirmed that he would play in the Winter Classic Alumni game. He also hinted at a Legion of Doom reunion with John LeClair and Mikael Renberg. The trio only spent three years together, but terrorized the NHL for 305 goals and 666 points.

To remind everyone how dominant the Legion of Doom was, here’s a video from the ’95-96 season.

Decisions, Decisions

All around the NHL, teams will have to make decisions on their rosters before Wednesday’s deadline.  In particular, the transformed Flyers are going to have to make some tough roster choices.

Right now there are 15 locks for spots (8 forwards, 5 defensemen, 2 goalies) on the current team ( Briere, Giroux, Hartnell, Jagr, Simmonds, Talbot, van Riemsdyk, Voracek, Carle, Coburn, Meszaros, Pronger, Timonen, Bobrovsky, Bryzgalov).  Blair Betts is a pretty safe bet. This leaves 6 or 7 spots open with about $7.7 million cap space.

Does first round pick Sean Couturier make the Flyers?

There are six forwards fighting for four jobs.  Two veterans, Andreas Nodl and Jody Shelley, along with four rookies, Sean Couturier, Matt Read, Zac Rinaldo and Brayden Schenn.  Shelley counts towards the cap while he serves his five game suspension, and could possibly be relegated to the 13th forward once his punishment is up.  Schenn has been hampered by an upper body injury, which may have opened the door for first round pick Couturier.  If he’s sent to the Phantoms, Schenn will get a chance to heal up and will get plenty of ice time to continue his development. Couturier has impressed enough to be considered among the final cuts, and it sounds like he will make the opening night roster.  Whether he’s on the roster for nine games, or the entire season remains to be seen.  If he plays 10 games, the first year of Couturier’s contract is used up and if he plays 11 games, his contract counts against the organization’s 50 (the Flyers are at the max).  So it’s possible he will be on the roster for the first nine games and sent back to junior.  

Welcome to Wayne’s World

This guest post was written by John Russo, of the blog Team to Beat.

A wrecking ball, a playmaker, a game changer.

When I think of the Flyers newly acquired winger Wayne Simmonds, I keep repeating those phrases in my head.

As soon as I read that Mike Richards was being shopped, my heart sank. There goes a guy who provides a spark offensively and defensively who can also tally 30 goals. But after reading the return, “… for C Brayden Schenn, LW Wayne Simmonds, 3rd round pick…,” I nearly fell out of my chair. Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers not only managed to pry away a top prospect from the Kings for Richards but also Wayne Simmonds? This city is going to fall in love with him!

Okay, enough of the ecstatic recount of my obvious fandom towards Simmonds. Though Schenn, Ilya Bryzgalov (signed) and Jakub Voracek (acquired from Columbus for Jeff Carter) are three of the most glittery moves made this off season by the Flyers, the biggest impact player may come from the guy now wearing the #17 jersey.

I swear for 60 minutes in the Flyers first preseason game that Simmonds never left the ice. All I heard and saw was Simmonds flying around the ice, hitting people and trying to make things happen. By playing on the third line, Simmonds can give the Flyers 15 hard minutes a game as well as play on the penalty kill. His defense is the best aspect of his game and that will give head coach Peter Laviolette even more reasons to keep Simmonds out on the ice.

2011-2012 Preview: The Philadelphia Flyers

Review of 2010-2011: 47-23-12, 106 Points, 2nd In Eastern Conference, Lost In Eastern Conference Semifinals  4-0 vs. Boston

Additions Via Free Agency: Jaromir Jagr, Andreas Lilja, Maxime Talbot, Jason Bacashihua

Additions Via Trade: Ilya Bryzgalov, Jakub Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn

Subtractions:Nick Boynton, Sean O’Donnell, Brian Boucher, Ville Leino, Dan Carcillo, Danny Syvret, Matt Clackson, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, John-Michael Liles, Darroll Powe, Kris Versteeg

Jaromir Jagr (Photo: Getty Images)

Offense: A season of change in Philly is well underway. Cornerstones Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were both dealt, and coming in on the offensive side from those trades are Wayne Simmonds,Brayden Schenn, and Jakub Voracek. Schenn, a highly touted prospect, is hoping to show his abilities in his first full pro season in the NHL. (He only played 9 games over 2 seasons in LA) Wayne Simmonds brings his multi purpose offensive ability to the Flyers, he can shoot, and he can pass.  He’ll look to get another 30-40 point season this year. Jakub Voracek, a high flying right winger formerly of The Columbus Blue Jackets, has the ability to put up 50-60 points this year if he gets put with the right linemates.  Through free agency The Flyers picked up Jaromir Jagr, a former NHLer who still has some gas in the tank, and the drive to try to win one more Cup. While the years have gotten to Jagr’s speed, he still has the hands that made him famous, he can still pass with precision, and make deking look like child’s play.  He’ll look to add some punch to The Flyers 19th ranked powerplay, which should see improvement this year. The Flyers also added Maxime Talbot who will strengthen the 3rd or 4th line, not to mention, a mouth to replace Dan Carcillo’s.

Opening Acts: A Look into the Future

The Flyers’ prospects met the Capitals for the fifth season in a row, the first of the series at a major arena.  The game, especially in the third, was intense as the youngsters from both clubs battled to leave their impressions in front of the big bosses.  However, at times, it looked like a typical rookie game with some sloppy passing and bad positioning.

Brayden Schenn battles for a loose puck during a faceoff.

Of course the eyes were two big names of the night were Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier.  Schenn got a large ovation during introductions from the estimated 11,000 fans. While he wasn’t spectacular on offense, he was defensively responsible, including helping kill a Capitals 2 man advantage in the first period.  Couturier got an assist on Blake Kessel’s power play goal and also played some penalty kill. However, showed he needs to work on his skating and will have to gain some strength before making the jump to the NHL.  Both will get a longer look when they join the Flyers when training camp opens Saturday.

Newly signed Blake Kessel left his mark on the game, assisting on the Flyers’ first goal and scoring the team’s second, on the powerplay.  Kessel impressed the fans in attendance, earning third star of the game.  He easily stood out the most of all defensemen and showed why he was an Hockey East all-star last season with New Hampshire.

How the Lindros Trade Helped the Flyers

20 years ago, the Quebec Nordiques drafted star Eric Lindros. He refused to play for the club, leading to him sitting out the 1991-92 season.  Lindros played part of the OHL season with Oshawa and was on Canada’s silver medal winning Olympic hockey team in 1992.

The trade was Flyers 1991 first rounder Peter Forsberg, Ron Hextall, Steve Duchesne, Mike Ricci, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, two first round picks (Jocelyn Thibault, Nolan Baumgartner) and $15 million.  At the time, it was an overpayment.  It looks even worse knowing what happened after.  But the Flyers weren’t the only team interested.  The Rangers put together a package of Doug Weight, Tony Amonte, Alexei Kovalev, John Vanbiesbrouck, three first round picks and $12 million.  The Rangers’ package included guys that were key parts, or traded for key parts, of their Stanley Cup run in 1994.  So why would a team who was first in the conference in 1991-92 willing to trade three young future stars, its’ starting goalie, among other assets for Lindros?

Lindros was touted as the “Next One”.  He was going to take the torch from Gretzky, become the next great NHL superstar and lead the league into a new era.  Hindsight showed that Lindros never came close to his potential, thanks mainly to injuries.  But at the time, every hockey fan knew his name.  And remember 1992 was a time before the internet, before fans could read about any prospect.  He was on hockey cards even before he had been drafted, which didn’t happen in those days.  Lindros was that big of a star.