Johan Backlund will Return in Pre-season

With only two games left in the preseason, both against the Sabres, Johan Backlund will make his return. On Friday, in Philly, Backlund will dress for the 1st time since backing up Brian boucher in the playoffs and will look to play for the 1st time since his lone NHL start in march.

Backlund has been recoving from off season hip surgery throughout training camp. Friday will be start the 3-way competion between Boucher, Backlund, and Bobrovsky for the Flyers starting job. Last time Backlund started he was battling the same hip injury that forced him to leave the game after only 1 period against the Penguins.

Laviolette commented on Backlund saying: “Is he ready? Health-wise yes. We just want to make sure he gets some shots.” via the Flyers PR.

Backlund will most likely start off the season as the back up with only 2 more pre-season games left to play. Sergei Bobrovsky seems to have broken out as the Flyers number one goalie as of now. Sergei has record of 3-0-1 in the preseason, while Boucher is 1-1-0. Watch to see who gets these last two starts versus the Sabres.

Fresh Ice Cuts: Bobrovsky, Returnings, Cuts, Lappy

Recent Scores: Tuesday - NJD 3 PHI 2, Wednesday - NYI 1 PHI 3

Islanders at Flyers Sept 29th
A night after the Flyers dropped their first game in regulation during this preseason they came back versus the Isles 'B' team. The Isles had a game in Ottawa and Philly, and Philly got the Bridgeport Sound Tigers version. Heading in the Flyers had a record of 3-1-1 in this preseason.

Of the Flyers competing for a spot who played were: Marc-andre Bourdon, Johan Gustafsson, Daniel Carcillo, Darroll Powe, and Sergei Bobrovsky. James van Riemsdyk started off the scoring with an early backhander. Carter later put the Flyers up by 2 with his 3rd and 4th goals of the preseason. Zherdev's scoring streak ended at 3 games, with 4 goals.

Headlines

With the news of Michael Leighton being out for the first month of the season Sergei Bobrovsky has a chance to impress. Bobrovsky won his third game on Wednesday, making 32 saves, and improved his record to 3-0-1. Bobrovsky will challenge Boucher for the starting job and looks to be the favorite heading into the start of the season.

'Red Shirts', Ville Leino and Blair Betts, skated in their 1st preseason game on wednesday. Betts, who got offseason shoulder surgery, played well skating with the 4th line and also the Penalty Kill. Betts looks ready for the season after throwing hit after hit. Leino, who had offseason hip surgery, looked good at first but then after being hit a few times slowed down (understandably). Leino had shown he hasn't missed a beat performing a few nice dangles.

As reported widely earlier this week, Ian Laperriere is out indefinatly will Post Concussion Syndrome. Lappy undoubtably played injured throughout the Blackhawks series last post season, and now after skating for a week in training camp is out with PCS. Post Concussion Syndrome has taken it's toll on Bruins forward Marc Savard who is also out indefinatly due to a hit suffered mid-season last year.

Roster Updates

The Flyers trimmed their roster earlier this week. Of those who left, most were sent to the Adirondack Phantoms. Names included: Pat Maroon, Stephan Legein, Zac Rinaldo, and goalie Nic Riopel. Michael Chaput, the Flyers 1st pick in this year's draft, was sent back to his junior team. Tye McGinn, who was the second player taken by Flyers this year, was sent to the Phantoms to begin his pro career.

Leighton's Back.. injury

Last week's "Fresh Ice Cuts" on Ice on Broad Street mentioned that Flyers starting goalie, Michael Leighton, had to leave the ice right before the shootout against Toronto in the Flyers third preseason game. News came out today that now Michael Leighton will miss roughly a month due to a bulging disk in his back. Leighton intially hurt his back during his offseason workouts.

Now the spotlight turns once again to Brian Boucher. Boucher is the only other goalie on the Flyers to make consecutive starts, or who has two career starts for that matter. Backing him up, for now, will be Russian rookie Sergei Bobrovsky, who has looked great in the preseason with a 2-0-1 record.

Johan Backlund's name a also been banged around the Flyers community. Backlund is currently rehabbing an offseason hip surgery. According to CSNPhilly's Tim Panotchio, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren would not say if Backlund was an option. However when Backlund was re-signed the concensus thought was that he would compete for the starting job.

Brian Boucher got the start in tonight's contest against the New Jersey Devils, the game can be viewed at Flyers.nhl.com. Boucher has shown in his recent past that he is capable and willing to carry the torch for this team. A tough schedule is his biggest obstacle. The Flyers will start off the season playing the Pens 3 times in October. Their first 5 games are against Marc-Andre Fleury (twice), Jaroslav Halak, Craig Anderson, and Dan Ellis.

Fresh Ice Cuts: Shootouts, Zherdev, and Leighton

After 4 preseason games the Flyers sit at 3-0-1.

Devils at Flyers Sept 21st
The opener saw the flyers wear their new away jerseys and win in what's become typical Flyers manor, the shootout. Goals were scored by Powe, Carter, and Briere with captain Mike Richards icing the game off with the shootout winner. Michael Leighton started the game giving up 3 goals on 23 shots and rookie Sergei Bobrovsky came in to save 7 of 7 and stopped 3 of 4 in the shootout.

Leafs at Flyers Sept 23rd
A 'home' game in London, Ontario saw the Flyers go to their second shootout. This one was a battle between Sergei Bobrovsky and Toronto's Johnathan Reimer that saw controversial offseason signing Colby Armstrong beat the young russian goaltender in the 11th round. Bill Guerin and Marc-Andre Bourdon scored their 1st goals as Flyers.

Flyers at Leafs Sept 24th
The Flyers saw their second game against the Leafs in two nights go to yet another shootout. Leighton faced off against the Leafs starter in J.S. Giguere. The flyers came back on the scoring of Nikolai Zherdev, who tallied 2 in the third, and Briere who pack on his 2nd goal on the preseason and scored the shootout winner.

Flyers at Wild Sept 25th
A night after the Flyers battled back to beat the Leafs they went back to work in St.Paul. Nik Zherdev kept his hot hands going scoring the 1st goal of the game, his 3rd of the preseason. While Darroll Powe, who's rumored to be expandable if Guerin is signed, scored his second of the preseason. How would this one end? How else, a shootout. Sergei Bobrovsky played the entire game for the Flyers stopping 26 of 28 shots and stopping all three he faced in the shootout. Zherdev scored the lone shootout goal.

Headlines

Zherdev leads the Flyers with 3 goals and 1 shootout winner. The hot and cold russian has seemed to find a niche in the Flyers lineup. His goals have came against NHL starters JS Giguere and Nik Backstrom.

Michael Leighton had to be pulled before the shootout due to a back injury that he had re-aggravated in the 3rd period of the Flyers third preseason game. There has been no announcement of how severe the injury is; however the Flyers management have been cautious talking saying the injury needs to be further examined.

Black and Blue and Leblond

Even though it was the Flyers 1st game, preseason game at that, the heavyweights were out. New-comers Matt Walker and Jody Shelley were eager to show the Philadelphia fans that they were ready to fight. Here are their fights from Tuesday night's game versus New Jersey.

both via Hockeyfights.com's youtube.

Flyers Preseason: Game 1

New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia
7pm, TCN or NHLNet

The Flyers will pick up the Devils right where they dropped them off. After the Flyers fought for their playoff lives against the New York Rangers, they got a treat in the NJ Devils, who the Flyers had posted a terrific record against in the Regular season. A week or so later and a breakout by Brian Boucher, the Flyers took the series in 5 games.

During the offseason the Devils sealed their future at Left wing, then moved him to Right wing. Ilya Kovalchuk is now in place to be a Devil until his mid-forties. After a short playoff run versus the Flyers, Kovi will be looking to show the Flyers fans why they should fear the Devils.

The Flyers bolstered their blueline adding new faces such as Sean O'Donnell and Andrej Meszaros. Add that in front of the re-signing of Michael Leighton and the Flyers pose one of the best defensive talent in the league.

The Flyers will also be wearing their new Away white jerseys, that were unveiled at training camp over this past weekend, tonight.

Lets Go Flyers!

Leighton talks Growth

CSNPhilly's Sarah Baicker checks in with her latest article via CSN,Leighton will draw on Last Year's Lessons. Here are some quotes from her discussion with the Flyers starting goaltender.

Leighton on feeling after finals loss.

“I stayed off the ice for a while. Obviously, you just want to relax your body. I had a few things I wanted to get better, so I took some time off and relaxed, got a lot of family time in. Then I started working out again, and got back on it.”
“It’s done, it’s over with, it’s not like I can change the result. I look back at it, and it’s still pretty cool to see where we went and what we did. There’s no sense of just erasing that from your mind. You definitely want to keep that in the back of your mind and keep positive.”

Leighton on moving forward.

Throughout your career, you’re always going to gain things. You’re going to get different experiences that you’re just going to keep in your memory bank, and obviously that’s going to be something I’m never going to forget. You learn a lot.”

Leighton goes into a battle for the top spot this week in training camp. His combatants; Brian Boucher and Johan Backlund. With an outside shot to Russian goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

The "second year" goaltender, Leighton, posted a 8 and 3 record during the Flyers playoff run while undoubtedly playing hurt. Leighton will look to build off that and lead the Flyers to their second straight Stanley Cup appearence this season.

Standings

ATL
Flyers 1-0-0 PTS 2
Devils 0-0-1 PTS 1
Penguins 0-1-0 PTS 0
Islanders 0-0-0 PTS 0
Rangers 0-0-0 PTS 0

NE
Bruins 0-0-0 PTS 0
Leafs 1-0-0 PTS 2
Senators 0-1-0 PTS 0
Sabres 1-0-0 PTS 2
Habs 0-1-0 PTS 0

SE
Hurricanes 2-0-0 PTS 4
Caps
Thrashers
Lightning
Panthers



Key:

Flyers 2010-11 Schedule

OCTOBER
Thu Oct 7, 2010 Flyers Penguins
7:00 PM VERSUS
Final: 3-2 Flyers (Recap)

Sat Oct 9, 2010 Flyers Blues
8:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 2-1 OT Blues (Recap)

Mon Oct 11, 2010 Avalanche Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 4-2 Flyers (Recap)

Thu Oct 14, 2010 Lightning Flyers
7:00 PM VERSUS, RIS, CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 3-2 Lightning (Recap)

Sat Oct 16, 2010 Penguins Flyers
6:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 5-1 Pens (Recap)

Thu Oct 21, 2010 Ducks Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 3-2 Ducks

Sat Oct 23, 2010 Maple Leafs Flyers
7:00 PM CBC, CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 5-2 Flyers

Mon Oct 25, 2010 Flyers Blue Jackets
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 2-1 Blue Jackets (Recap)

Tue Oct 26, 2010 Sabres Flyers
7:30 PM VERSUS, TSN2, CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 6-3 Flyers

Fri Oct 29, 2010 Flyers Penguins
7:00 PM TCN-PH(HD)
Final: 3-2 Flyers

Sat Oct 30, 2010 Islanders Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD
6-1 Flyers

November
Mon Nov 1, 2010 Hurricanes Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 3-2 Flyers

Thu Nov 4, 2010 Rangers Flyers
7:00 PM RIS, CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 4-1 Flyers

Sat Nov 6, 2010 Flyers Islanders
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)
Final: 2-1 Flyers

Sun Nov 7, 2010 Flyers Capitals
5:00 PM RIS, CSN-PH(HD)
Final: Final: 3-2 OT Caps

Thu Nov 11, 2010 Flyers Hurricanes
7:00 PM CSN-CH(HD)

Sat Nov 13, 2010 Panthers Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Mon Nov 15, 2010 Senators Flyers
7:00 PM RDS, CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Nov 16, 2010 Flyers Canadiens
7:00 PM RDS, VERSUS

Thu Nov 18, 2010 Lightning Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Nov 20, 2010 Flyers Capitals
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Mon Nov 22, 2010 Canadiens Flyers
7:00 PM RDS

Wed Nov 24, 2010 Flyers Wild
8:00 PM TCN-PH(HD)

Fri Nov 26, 2010 Flames Flyers
1:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Nov 27, 2010 Flyers Devils
1:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

December
Wed Dec 1, 2010 Bruins Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Dec 4, 2010 Devils Flyers
1:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sun Dec 5, 2010 Flyers Islanders
1:00 PM NHLN-CA, CSN-PH(HD)

Wed Dec 8, 2010 Sharks Flyers
7:00 PM VERSUS, CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Dec 9, 2010 Flyers Maple Leafs
7:00 PM TSN(HD), CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Dec 11, 2010 Flyers Bruins
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Dec 14, 2010 Penguins Flyers
7:00 PM RDS, VERSUS, TSN2

Wed Dec 15, 2010 Flyers Canadiens
7:30 PM RDS, TSN(HD), TCN-PH(HD)

Sat Dec 18, 2010 Rangers Flyers
1:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Mon Dec 20, 2010 Panthers Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Dec 28, 2010 Flyers Canucks
10:00 PM TSN(HD), CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Dec 30, 2010 Flyers Kings
10:30 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Fri Dec 31, 2010 Flyers Ducks
8:00 PM TCN-PH(HD)

January
Sun Jan 2, 2011 Flyers Red Wings
5:00 PM NHLN-CA, CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Jan 6, 2011 Flyers Devils
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Jan 8, 2011 Devils Flyers
1:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Jan 11, 2011 Flyers Sabres
7:30 PM VERSUS, TSN2

Thu Jan 13, 2011 Flyers Bruins
7:00 PM RDS, CSN-PH(HD)

Fri Jan 14, 2011 Flyers Thrashers
7:30 PM TCN-PH(HD)

Sun Jan 16, 2011 Flyers Rangers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Jan 18, 2011 Capitals Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Jan 20, 2011 Senators Flyers
7:00 PM RDS, CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Jan 22, 2011 Devils Flyers
1:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sun Jan 23, 2011 Flyers Blackhawks
4:00 PM RIS, NHLN-CA, NBC(HD), CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Jan 25, 2011 Canadiens Flyers
7:30 PM RDS, VERSUS

February
Tue Feb 1, 2011 Flyers Lightning
7:30 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Feb 3, 2011 Predators Flyers
7:00 PM RDS, CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Feb 5, 2011 Stars Flyers
7:00 PM RDS, CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Feb 10, 2011 Hurricanes Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sun Feb 13, 2011 Kings Flyers
7:00 PM NBC(HD), CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Feb 15, 2011 Flyers Lightning
7:30 PM TCN-PH(HD)

Wed Feb 16, 2011 Flyers Panthers
7:30 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Fri Feb 18, 2011 Flyers Hurricanes
8:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sun Feb 20, 2011 Flyers Rangers
TBD NBC(HD), CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Feb 22, 2011 Coyotes Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Feb 24, 2011 Islanders Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Feb 26, 2011 Flyers Senators
7:00 PM CBC, CSN-PH(HD)

March
Thu Mar 3, 2011 Maple Leafs Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Mar 5, 2011 Sabres Flyers
1:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sun Mar 6, 2011 Flyers Rangers
TBD NBC(HD)

Tue Mar 8, 2011 Oilers Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Mar 10, 2011 Flyers Maple Leafs
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Mar 12, 2011 Thrashers Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Mar 15, 2011 Flyers Panthers
7:30 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Mar 17, 2011 Flyers Thrashers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Mar 19, 2011 Flyers Stars
8:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Mar 22, 2011 Capitals Flyers
7:30 PM VERSUS, TSN2

Thu Mar 24, 2011 Penguins Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sat Mar 26, 2011 Flyers Islanders
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Sun Mar 27, 2011 Bruins Flyers
7:00 PM RDS, CSN-PH(HD)

Tue Mar 29, 2011 Flyers Penguins
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Thu Mar 31, 2011 Thrashers Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

April
Fri Apr 1, 2011 Flyers Devils
7:00 PM RIS, TCN-PH(HD)

Sun Apr 3, 2011 Rangers Flyers
3:00 PM NHLN-CA, NBC(HD)

Tue Apr 5, 2011 Flyers Senators
7:30 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Fri Apr 8, 2011 Flyers Sabres
7:30 PM TCN-PH(HD)

Sat Apr 9, 2011 Islanders Flyers
7:00 PM CSN-PH(HD)

Nikolai Zherdev

Nikolai Zherdev
26 years old - November 6th
Right Winger
Scorer
Drafted: 4th overall in 2003 by CBJ
Acquired: Free Agent July 2010

Salary: N/A
Length: UFA July 1st



Zherdev's first season back in the NHL was a rocky one. On the one hand, he notched 16 goals in only 56 games. On the other, he was a healthy scratch for over 20 games including the Flyers final post season match against Boston.

When signed, Z was supposed to be a quick fix to fill in for the departure of Simon Gagne. However after the Flyers traded for Kris Versteeg, his ice time vanished. Now with the Flyers edging on both the salary cap and the expiring contracts of other stars Z's time in the orange and black may be ending just as expected.

I wouldn't rule out the off chance that he will be re-signed and put in a regular spot if Leino isn't re-signed.

James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk

22 years old (May 4th)
Left Winger
Sniper
Drafted: 2nd overall in 2007 by PHI

Salary: 1,654,167
Length: 1 (RFA)



JvR had his coming out party this past post season when he notched 7 goals in 11 games and led the Flyers through the first round. The NJ native projects as a top line winger who can both beat goalies from far out with his shot or in front of the crease with his strength.

This kid is a stud. He will have a chance to prove himself worthy of top line recognition in his contract year. With a huge year JvR could move up in the tax bracket and become a legitimate force for this Flyers team.

Jody Shelley

Name: Jody Shelley
Number: 45
Position: Left Winger
Age: 35 (Feb 7th)

Salary: 1,100,000
Length: 2 (UFA '13)




Shelley will serve as the Flyers 12th forward for the next two seasons. Shelley is one of the best fighters in the league but he is getting up in age which will limit his ability to drop the gloves and his speed.

Shelley could find himself being a healthy scratch next season if Nodl and Carcillo are both back on the team.

Mike Richards

Mike Richards
26 years old - February 11th
Center
Captain
Drafted: 14th overall in 2004

Salary: 5,750,000
Length: 9 (UFA 2020)



The Flyers everything, their success and their demise. Playing in one of the toughest cities for professional athletes Richards has thrived as a captain. He plays the style of game that Flyers fans love and scouts eagerly compare their team's crop to.

Richards will be in the orange in black for all of his career barring his hat company doesn't force him to leave the game. Just kidding, but Rednek Rebellion t-shirts will be on sale this month. In all seriousness Richards and Rednek Rebellion are a deadly duo.

Darroll Powe

Darroll Powe
25 years old - June 22nd
Center/Winger
Grinder
Drafted: N/A (Signed as FA in 2007)
College: Princeton


Salary: N/A
Length: RFA



Darroll Powe will once again face the chance of leaving this organization. Powe has been a great fourth liner and penalty killer, but simply there may be too many quality replacements with higher potentials.

If he is let go, suitors will seek out the soon to be 26 year old who plays with a chip on his shoulder at all times.

Ville Leino

Ville Leino
27 years old - October 6th
Center/Winger
Playmaker
Drafted: N/A (Signed as FA by DET '08)
Acquired: Trade w/ DET in 2009

Salary: N/A
Length: UFA July 1st


The Flyers hardly found a diamond in the rough when acquiring Leino, but they did take a chance on a once euro superstar. Acquired mid season in 2009 Leino's all-offense-no-defense attitude quickly landed him in Laviolette's dog house. But when injuries fell on the team Leino answered the call and just as quickly became a hero.

Last season, Leino set the Flyers post season record for most points. This season he kept his hot hand tallying 19 goals and 34 assists. However, the Flyers are in a tough situation with little money to spend and a huge need for a goalie. The Finish born star could be gone in a flash.

Ian Laperriere

Ian Laperriere
36 years old - January 19th
Right Winger
Leader / Grinder

Drafted: 158th overall in 1992 by STL
Acquired: Free Agent 2009

Salary: 1,166,667
Length: 1 (UFA)


Lappy's career looks to be over after missing all of last season with Post Concussive Syndrome. What a career it was!

No other player has came into Philadelphia and stolen the fans hearts in such a short period of time. Lappy is adored by every Flyers fan and for good reason. His tough play and selflessness led the Flyers through some of the roughest parts of their Stanley Cup Finals run two seasons ago.

Here's to a great career Lappy! Hope to see the leader continue to stay in this organization and find and built the future of this franchise.

Scott Hartnell

Scott Hartnell
29 years old - April 18th
Left Winger
Power Forward
Drafted:  6th overall in 2006 by Nashville
Acquired: Trade w/ NSH July 2007

Salary: 4,200,000
Length: 2 (UFA)


Yet another steal of the Bobby Clarke era, Hartnell was acquired in the deal that also brought the Flyers a first round pick and Kimmo Timonen. Scotty hasn't lived up to the 6th overall pick or has he?

Scotty has become a threat both along the boards and in front of the net and has filled in great in the paint where Mike Knuble left two seasons ago. Hartnell has tallied 20 or more goals in 5 of the last 6 seasons, with a career high of 30 in 08-09.

Hartnell has two years left on his contract but can play with any line 1-4, which will probably keep him around Philly for a while longer.

Bill Guerin

Name: Bill Guerin
Number: 9
Position: Right Wing
Age: 39 (Nov 9th)

Salary: N/A
Length: Try-Out - Released

Status: Healthy


09-10 Stats
G:21 A:24 Pts:45 PIM:75

Claude Giroux

Claude Giroux
23 years old
Center
Playmaker
5'11"
180 lbs
Drafted: 22nd overall in 2006

Salary: Breakdown
Length: 4



Claude Giroux has developed into a force on both ends of the ice over the past year. The former QMJHL star became a scout's worst nightmare as he has developed. Once a lightweight scorer, Claude has developed into a two way forward out of nowhere.

His skating and playmaking may over shadow his defensive awareness and grinder-esk mentality. Giroux's play embodies what a center should be and undoubtedly follows the theme set by captain Mike Richards.

Giroux opted to stick with the team that drafted him by signing a four year deal for clearly lower than what he could have received if he had hit the open market. Truely a selfless player and hopefully a career-long Flyer.

Jeff Carter

Jeff Carter
26 years old - January 1st
Center
Scorer
Drafted: 10th overall in 2004


Salary: 5,272,000
Length: 10 years (UFA 2022)




Love him or hate him, Jeff Carter is one of the top snipers in the NHL. Despite his flaws pointed out most notably in the post season, Carter has developed into a top 3 forward on any team who can play both center and winger.

With an imposing 6'4" 200 pound figure the 26 year old is dominate both in front of the net and in the face off circles. The best aspect of Carter's game is his shot however, the kid has a rocket. And get used to it as he will be with us until the final faceoff of the 2022 season.

Dan Carcillo

Name: Daniel Carcillo
Number: 13
Position: Right Wing
Age: 26 (Jan. 28th)

Salary: 1,075,000
Length: RFA '11

Status: Healthy





Roles: 3rd/4th Line Winger, Pest

Danny Briere

Daniel Briere
33 years old
Center
Scorer
Drafted: 24th overall in 1996 by PHX
Acquired: Free Agent 2007

Salary: 6,500,000
Length: 4 years



If it wasn't Danny Briere this would be a story but Briere stint in Philly has been the story of his career. Briere came into Philly with extremly high expectations after leaving a Buffalo team that had destroyed the Flyers post season dreams just three months earlier.

At first Briere had trouble finding his game, similar to the beginning of his NHL career where he spent time in the AHL refining his game. However, the rookie-looking veteran found his game and has blossomed into a top notch offenseman in the NHL, as evident by being awarded to the NHL All Star game this season.

Flyers fans, especially the female demographic, hope that Briere will complete the final four years of this contract and be back to complete his career in the orange and black.

Blair Betts

Blair Betts
31 years old - February 16th

Center
Defensive Foward
Acquired: Free Agent Signing 2009

Salary: $700,000

Length: UFA '12

What can you say about the story of Blair Betts. After suffering a post season concussion with the New York Rangers in spring of 2009 Betts's career was in a haze. The Flyers took a stab at the long time 4th liner and threw a try out contract his way. Not even a year later and Betts was tallying points in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Now 31 years old Betts is known for being one of the top defensive centers in the league. He can play against any team's top gunners and has the heartless ability to block a shot without even a flinch.

Photo of the Day: 2010 Road Jerseys

Captain Mike Richards sporting the flyers new road uniform. Courtesy of the Flyers website, where the full gallery can be viewed.

Flyers unveil new Road Jersey

Today as part of the Flyers Fan Festivities, the Flyers "unveiled" their new away jerseys. The Flyers are now completely back to their roots as they have cut the modern black jerseys and have added their classic white ones,straight out of the franchise's bullies days.



Here's a picture from their unveiling of the 2010 winter Classic Jersey.



It makes sense to make corresponding home and away jeresys.

You may be disapointed, if you are then think about the risky combinations that other NHL teams have attempted check out the Florida Panthers ridiculous 3rd jersey.


Or the Leafs AHL affilate, no wait that's the Nashville Preds. And it seems they're sponsered by Checkers.

Pronger skates in Rehab

Consider this a follow up on my previous article Pronger to Miss Time (August 11th).

This one holds some better news however. Pronger underwent knee surgery in July, due to an injury suffered in Game 1 of the Eastern Quarter Finals versus Boston. Pronger's timeline for his return was looking to land him right on the heal of the flyers season opener.

The Good News? Recently during his rehab, Pronger skated for the first time since Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Pronger skated for 15 or so minutes at the Voorhees Flyers Skatezone on wednesday.

Tim Panacchio of CSNPhilly got some great quotes from Pronger (the player, not Tpanotch's cat) in his article "Pronger Skates for the first time since Playoffs"

“I didn’t fall, so I have to say it’s pretty good,” Pronger said after the short session, which lasted about 15 minutes. Pronger underwent arthroscopic surgery to his knee in late July.

“I felt OK,” he said. “It’s coming along. I’m not hitting a plateau. It’s getting better every day.”

Pronger is wearing a protective knee brace while awaiting the arrival of a customized version.

“I’ll probably have to wear this for a while,” Pronger said of the brace. “The [customized] one wasn’t ready, so I just went out. I didn’t want to wait any longer for it to arrive. The brace wasn’t completed properly. We had to do some modifications.”

“You just have to get used to it,” he said. “It takes a little time.”

“I’m approaching it as I’m getting ready to play and however long that takes, it takes,” Pronger said. “We’ll see how it goes. I don’t have a timeframe.”

Pronger said he doesn’t expect that his right knee will ever get to 100 percent compared to his left knee, given the multiple surgeries he’s undergone.

“I want it to be as strong as it can be,” he said, adding he has no idea if he’ll play any preseason games.

Chris Pronger to Tim Pancchio (September 15th).

Sean O'Donnell on CSNPhilly's DNL

Guerin on Tryout basis with Flyers

Two time Stanley cup winner, Bill Guerin is on a tryout during training camp with the Flyers. Guerin is on a basis that he can skated with the team and be part of the team, yet he is able to leaver at any point in time. The 17 year vet played his most recent years with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he won his second Stanley Cup. Guerin tallied 21 goals and 24 assists in 78 games with another 4 goals and 5 assists in 11 postseason games.

Here are some quotes from Guerin from the past week.

"Right now I'm just kind of skating and being around the guys. This is a team I would definitely like to play for, but we'll see."
Guerin to Courier-Post.

Excerpt from TSN's 9/14/10 article

"This is a position that I've never been in in my career," said Guerin on Tuesday. "But I'm confident in my abilities still. I know that my birth certificate says almost 40 (in November), but I feel almost 25."

"I have always had a lot of respect for the Flyers organization and their players, and I'm excited to be here," said Guerin. "You know what guys are like, and you gain a lot of respect for guys who play this hard."

"The big thing is they have a lot of character in the room to go along with their talent," said Guerin. "You know, things have to go right. You have to stay healthy, time yourself, and be good at the right times. The skill level is there, the commitment is there, and the character is there. So this team is extremely close (to winning a title)."

Guerin seems very optimistic about this team and his chance of making it. Adknowledging that he is getting older yet doesn't feel like it. Guerin would add extra leadership and experience to a Flyers team geared for a comeback.