Tuesday

Fresh Ice Cuts: Playoff Races, Flyers Slump, New Design, Michael Leighton

Welcome to Ice on Broad Street's Fresh Ice Cuts, this is a segment where I can regroup all of my thoughts on Flyers hockey as well as everything NHL.


New Look
The new design is to welcome fans of all teams and those still looking. I am switching my format on Ice on Broad Street to one where I can look around the league in addition to still talking about the best team in hockey. If that didn't give it away, I tend to be as bias as the next die-hard, but I will try not to let it seep into my league wide converstaions. Thanks for sticking with me as I go through my numerous design themes.

Races to the Finish
As the season dies down some teams are left wondering, others left shocked , but a very select few will be called upon to fight for Lord Stanley's Cup. Those teams will embark on a journey that gets better with age. The NHL Playoffs open up next week and hardly anything is solved yet.

Lets run down some races really quick.. The Leafs, Canes, Sabres, Rangers, and Habs still have yet to decide who will RVSP to the dance. As have Phoenix, LA, Nashville, Anaheim, and Chicago in the West. The Flyers and Caps are battling it out for 1st in the East. Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay are arguing over 1st round flight tickets. And the Sharks are streaking in hopes to carry the momentum and shake their bad name.

The biggest story has been the Chicago Blackhawks. The former champions remind me a lot of the Flyers of a year ago. The Flyers, much like the Hawks, had big expectations on their shoulders but a surprisingly cool demeanor. They sit just one point ahead of Calgary but have two game in hand. I expect this team to get in and if they sit in the 8th spot Vancouver better watch out. Chicago has had the Canucks' number the past two seasons knocking them out both times. An upset in the making?

Flyers Slump
With just three games remaining  in their 2010-2011 regular season run the Flyers sit tied atop the Eastern Conference, their best seed in recent memory. So what's the problem? How about a 3-3-4 record over their last ten and a tie for what seemed like a locked up conference title. For some reason hope for this still division and conference leading team is at an all time low. The Flyers will play the Sens, Sabres, and Isles in the next few days, all very beatable teams. The Sabs could be a first round match-up as well.

The Leight Return
Today the Flyers recalled Michael Leighton from the A'dack Phantoms of the AHL. The former Stanley Cup finalist will have to clear waivers before joining the team, but with another year on his contract I doubt any team would want to add an extra 1+ million next season. If Leighton returns he will pick up right where he left off last season in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

I really have no idea what his roll will be on this team. Bob and Bouch have led this team, but have faltered of late. If Leighton is added to the equation he could be the one starting the playoffs. Leighton has been there and knows what it takes, plus a year of conditioning may have done his skills some good. This should get very interesting and quick depending how Bob looks versus the Sens tonight.

Thanks for reading.
Cody Gray, IoBSt Creator.

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