January 17, 2012 · 12:48 pm

Flyers F-Rinaldo Day-to-Day With Upper-Body Injury

The Flyers will be down another forward on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild, as tenacious winger Zac Rinaldo has been officially labeled day-to-day with an upper-body injury according to general manager Paul Holmgren.

The injury is the second in as many days for the Flyers, who lost forward James van Riemsdyk to a concussion on Sunday.

Rinaldo, sitting second in the NHL in penalty minutes with 122, was hit in the face with a puck during Monday’s afternoon practice. Originally stated to be a game-time decision, the Flyers iced Rinaldo, who will be replaced by enforcer Jody Shelley on the team’s fourth line.

Rinaldo has a goal and four assists in 35 games. Shelley has an assist in 14 games

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January 16, 2012 · 1:32 pm

Despite Openings, Hartnell May Be Outside All-Star Call

Considered one of the NHL’s leading injury reserves for the All-Star Game in Ottawa on Jan. 29, Flyers forward Scott Hartnell could still be on the outside looking in despite open spots.

With injuries to selected All-Stars, Minnesota Wild’s Mikko Koivu and Dallas Stars’ Jamie Benn, Hartnell, who is having a career season with 19 goals and 19 assists in 43 games, might still be behind unheralded but buzz-worthy Phoenix Coyotes forward Radim Vrbata, who has 22 goals and 15 assists in 45 games.

Helping Vrbata jump on the All-Star map is his three goals and assist in his last three games.

“There’s no directive to replace a Wild player with another unless he’s a worthy candidate,” said Wild beat reporter Michael Russo. “So I’m not so sure the Wild will have a representative anymore. I’d think Radim Vrbata gets the call or Scottie Hartnell.”

Another option to consider is the promotion of another Wild player in Koivu’s wake. Winger and former Senator Dany Heatley has been tagged as the only other consideration with 13 goals and 17 assists in 45 games. The move would also provide valuable drama to an otherwise drama-less event, as Heatley demanded a trade out of Ottawa in late 2009, causing immense bad blood with the city and its fans.

Florida Panthers forward Kris Versteeg could also be a name on the table, with 17 goals and 22 assists in 42 games.

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January 14, 2012 · 5:13 pm

Pronger Breaks Concussion Silence

It’s been nearly two months since Flyers captain Chris Pronger’s career took a turn for the concussed. On Nov. 21,  he was placed on long-term injured reserve and was declared out for the remainder of the 2011-12 season with concerning and lingering concussion symptoms.

With the injury came a long silence, which was broken on Saturday night on the Flyers’ official Twitter.

“It is very, very tough right now,” Pronger said. “I don’t feel well and it hurts so much not to be playing.”

The heartfelt statement of frustration reaffirms thoughts that the 36-year-old is indeed done for the season, which includes playoffs. Like Keith Primeau before him, who retired because of concussion issues, the  unwavering set of concussion symptoms also puts Pronger’s lustrous career in jeopardy.

Pronger participated in just 13 games and registered 12 points before being shut down because of the injury. Pronger has been described depressed and frustrated by Flyers staffers who have come in contact with the veteran.

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January 14, 2012 · 1:19 pm

JVR Out “Indefinitely” With Concussion Symptoms

Another concussion plagues the Flyers.

According to an official team release on Saturday, forward James van Riemsdyk is ruled out “indefinitely” with a concussion.

“James was hit in the head in each of our last two games,” general manager Paul Holmgren said in the release. “He reported yesterday, not feeling like himself. He will be out indefinitely with a concussion.”

The injury is expected to have been suffered on Tuesday in Carolina against the Hurricanes then re-aggravated on Thursday against the New York Islanders. However, JVR did receive an illegal chicken-wing elbow from Ottawa’s Bobby Butler three games ago on Jan. 8.

Van Riemsdyk only played 10:32 of ice time against the Islanders on Thursday and was extremely limited toward the end of the contest.

With 11 goals and 11 assists in 37 games this season, van Riemsdyk is expected to be replaced by Zac Rinaldo for Saturday night’s contest against the Nashville Predators.

The Flyers’ left-winger has been the subject of rampent trade rumors, which could be halted with the new of this injury. The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 27, at 3 P.M.

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January 13, 2012 · 2:55 pm

Bobrovsky Giving Flyers Reliable Starting Option

In a world in which money equals expectation and investment influences tough decisions, the Flyers are struggling within themselves to find the path to goaltending righteousness.

With a magnifying glass on their seemingly cursed goalie situation, do they keep trying to kick start struggling Ilya Bryzgalov by shoe-horning him into chances? Or do they give second-year goalie Sergei Bobrovsky an opportunity to steal the starting job?

Earning one-goal wins in back-to-back games this week, Bobrovsky has made that decision easier for his club. Despite kicking the beehive of controversy, he has proven to be the go-to guy.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

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January 13, 2012 · 2:52 pm

Report: Flyers Trade With Toronto Not Imminent

The framework of the rumored deal that has the Flyers sending winger James van Riemsdyk to the Toronto Maple Leafs for physical defenseman Luke Schenn, makes financial and positional sense for each team.

But solid theory is about where that rumor stalls.

According to TSN’s connected trade-breaker, Darren Dreger, the Flyers and Leafs have had conversations involving a move and that Leafs general manager Brian Burke deeply covets van Riemsdyk for his size and potential.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

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January 7, 2012 · 4:34 pm

Flyers Briere And Sens Turris Battle In Rare Lightweight Fight

It took a spear to a sensitive area of Ottawa Senators forward Kyle Turris and cross check to the head of Flyers center Danny Briere to set the stage for the unlikeliest of fights.

With less than two minutes left in the second period on Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center and with the game tied at one between the Senators and Flyers, immediately off the faceoff, Briere and Turris agreed to drop the gloves and settle a dispute.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

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January 4, 2012 · 2:40 am

Snider Happy With Winter Classic Despite Flyers Loss

CITIZENS BANK PARK — It wasn’t the conclusion Ed Snider wanted, but even a heartbreaking Flyers loss to the rival New York Rangers on Monday couldn’t damper the chairman’s feelings about the Philadelphia-hosted Winter Classic.

“It was an incredible weekend for the city, for the fans,” said Snider, from the Phillies’ clubhouse in the bowels of Citizens Bank Park. “And I think everyone had a great time until the end. We would have liked to have won the game, but I’m proud at how the team played, we had opportunities to win it and I think we played very well. It’s a long season and I’m not disappointed.”

Pulling in 46,967 fans for the primary event would have been viewed as a rousing success for the Flyers and NHL, who co-hosted the event. But with 45,808 fans also entering the building for Saturday’s Flyers—Rangers alumni game, Snider believes the Philadelphia fans sent the fifth annual Winter Classic weekend to new heights.

“It came off better than I could have imagined,” said Snider. “The alumni game was a sell out and it set a new standard for the league. We are really proud of of our fans.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

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January 4, 2012 · 2:38 am

The Wait is Over for Brayden Schenn

CITIZENS BANK PARK – It took 18 career games, a myriad of injuries to push through and a hockey stage never before seen in Philadelphia.

But in story tale fashion, in the second period of Monday’s Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park, Brayden Schenn earned his much anticipated and highly memorable first NHL goal.

“When it went in I kind of blacked out,” said Schenn, whose efforts were thwarted by a third-period Flyers collapse and eventual 3-2 Rangers win. “I got so excited. It’s good to get it out of the way and it was especially nice with my family in town and I’m sure my brother [Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn] was watching, too.”

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

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January 1, 2012 · 2:04 pm

Lindros Saga Finds Magical Conclusion

CITIZENS BANK PARK — The joyous smile plastered on Eric Lindros’ face after Saturday Alumni Game at Citizens Bank Park was matched only in magnitude by the ear-to-ear grins of a nostalgic Philly crowd, that stood in awe and ovation as their exiled son finally returned home.

“It was just a great experience,” said Lindros, now 38. “It was wonderful to go out for the celebration and the support of the guys when they came out of the locker room, it was really special. It was a fun afternoon.”

Before the eyes of the city, in a game celebrating the history of hockey in Philadelphia in which the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers alumi, 3-1, the long-awaited return of Lindros in his customary Flyers logo, was an iconic and surreal moment for Flyers hockey.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

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