Monthly Archives: January 2011

January 30, 2011 · 2:35 pm

Are the Flyers Overrated?

Yes, they are, according to a CBCSports.ca and NHLPA.com players poll.

Of the players surveyed, four-percent said the Flyers are the most overrated team in hockey. The vote ranks them fifth behind the San Jose Sharks (10%), Montreal Canadiens (11%) Vancouver Canucks (12%) and the Washington Capitals (35%).

At the All-Star break, the Flyers are tied for first in the NHL in points with 71, while also leading the league in wins with 33.

However, Philly did get some respect. Also ranked was Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger, who brought in 20-percent or third place, as the toughest defenseman in the league to play against. He fell behind Nick Lidstrom (20.3%) and Zdeno Chara (34%).

And in a poll that should make everyone happy, when asked if fighting should be abolished in the NHL, 98-percent of the league said no.

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January 27, 2011 · 6:28 pm

Flyers Bobrovsky Talks Girlfriend, Driving Illegally

Sovsport.ru PHOTO by YEGOR KIPRINA

 

As rare as a prized rookie goaltender is in their organization, the Flyers might want to do more to help Sergei Bobrovsky be happy.

According to Dmitry Chesnokov in a translation of a Sovsport.ru article, Bobrovsky is traveling to Toronto during the All-Star break, in order to see his girlfriend, Olga, who has been refused a visa to stay within the United States.

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January 27, 2011 · 2:43 pm

Making Space: Flyers Waive D-Matt Walker

According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie on Thursday, the Flyers have placed 30-year-old defenseman Matt Walker on waivers. If he clears, Walker is expected to join the Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL.

Walker, acquired in the offseason from the Tampa Bay Lightning as the key return in the Simon Gagne trade, was set to make $1.7 million per season for the next three years. The move could act as a precursor for a roster addition, as Walker’s cap space, matched with the space received from waived goaltender Michael Leighton, gives the Flyers around $3 million of free space.

Joining the Flyers prior to training camp, Walker was hampered with hip injuries which began toward the end of the preseason. The tough blue liner with a right-handed shot needed two separate surgeries on both the left and right hip, which kept him out of the line up for much of the season. Walker played his first game of the year on Jan.18, then played three more after that, before the return of Chris Pronger forced Walker back into a depth position.

 

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January 24, 2011 · 4:45 pm

JVR Practices But Could Remain Out vs Montreal

After missing Sunday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks with a slight groin pull, Flyers winger James van Riemsdyk practiced on Monday  but will likely remain out for Tuesday’s home contest against the Montreal Canadiens, general manager Paul Holmgren told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Dan Carcillo, who missed Monday’s practice for personal reasons, is expected to remain activated in JVR’s spot. Carcillo has two goals and one assist in just 27 games this season.

JVR’s injury was not deemed serious. However, with just one game in the next seven days, thanks to the NHL All-Star break, receiving maximum healing time, while also giving Carcillo an opportunity to contribute, was likely the reason for holding JVR out of the lineup.

JVR has 12 goals and 11 assists in 44 games this season.

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January 23, 2011 · 4:32 pm

Blackhawks’ Turco Disapproves of NBC’s Pierre McGuire

For most hockey fans, NBC’s Pierre McGuire is nearly insufferable. The ice-level color announcer’s constant hyperbole and love affair with particular players makes everyone a bit uncomfortable.

And it seems Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marty Turco is in the same boat.

At some point during the Flyers’ 4-1 victory over the Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon, a cut shot to McGuire giving analysis between benches also featured Turco gesturing slightly in Pierre’s direction before shaking his head in annoyance and disapproval. And it doesn’t come off like a joke.

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January 19, 2011 · 6:19 pm

Flyers Pronger Eying Thursday Return vs Ottawa

Sorry Ottawa, but Chris Pronger is set to make his return on Thursday.

After missing nearly five weeks with a broken right foot that required surgery, the defenseman will make his return to the lineup when the red-hot Flyers face the Senators at the Wells Fargo Center.

Pronger, 36, has admitted that isn’t one hundred-percent, but is well enough to contribute at a high level.

“Hopefully I can get back to where I was when I got hurt,” Pronger told ESPN.

So do the Flyers, not that they need it.

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January 19, 2011 · 2:52 pm

Justified: Flyers Briere Heading to All-Star Game Afterall

It took a sick grandmother, but Flyers forward Danny Briere is heading to the 2011 NHL All-Star Game in Raleigh, NC.

Originally snubbed from the honor due to what was thought to be an early-season suspension for a cross check to the head of New York Islanders’ forward Frans Nielsen, Briere told the media on Wednesday at the Flyers’ practice facility in Voorhees, NJ., that he was officially invited to the Jan. 30 game after Calgary Flames’ captain Jerome Iginla was excused from the event to tend to his sick grandmother.

Briere, 33, is in the midst of his most productive season with the Flyers, ranking seventh in the NHL in goals with 24 and 21st in points with 41. The fourth-year Flyer is on pace for 75 points, 44 goals and 31 assists.

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January 18, 2011 · 1:32 pm

Flyers GM Holmgren gets Contract Extension

According to Anthony SanFilippo of the Delco Times, the contract of Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren has been extended for three years. The deal extends Holmgren through the 2013-14 season. As per team policy, the financial terms were not released.

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January 15, 2011 · 6:23 pm

Flyers O’Donnell Sets Physical Example

After falling on the road to the Boston Bruins, 7-5, just one night prior, the Flyers were looking for more “jam” against the competitive Atlanta Thrashers.

And Sean O’Donnell stepped up and  brought it.

The 39-year old veteran defenseman, who scored a beautiful goal against the Bruins, set the tempo and led by example by making two clean and violent hip checks against the Thrashers’ Rich Peverly and Evander Kane. The Flyers were able to outlast Atlanta in the third period, winning the contest, 5-2.

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January 12, 2011 · 3:03 pm

Pronger Upgraded, Set to Meet Flyers in Atlanta

Watch out Eastern Conference, the first-place Flyers are getting some reinforcement.

According to general manager Paul Holmgren, imposing defenseman Chris Pronger has been cleared by doctors to practice with the team.  But rather than try to fly the 36-year-old veteran to snowy Boston on Thursday, he will meet the team in Atlanta on Friday.

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