2012 Winter Classic Jersey

An image of a Flyers 2012 Winter Classic Jersey has circulated the internet. This of course is an unofficial mockup from an unnamed source. Nice!!!

The jersey is a throwback to the 1930 Philadelphia Quakers, the first NHL team from Philly. The Quakers only lasted one season, but they are still part of Philly hockey history.


I like it a lot, even if it's just a smoke and mirrors Internet gag-joke.

Flyers Annual Preseason Game

The Flyers will be playing this years annual preseason game at the John Labatt Centre vs the Detroit Red Wings on September 22, 2011. Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, May 28 at noon only on the John Labatt Centre website.

Mike Richards: To Be or Not to Be the "C"

No question, Mike Richards is and will be the Flyers captain. Period.

A little before the season ended the media began planting a seed that Richards should give up the "C". Article after article... he's not vocal enough, no control of the locker room, no heart, etc. The spin was dizzying and it continues today. Blasphemy against the hockey gods. The young core of this team, during his Captain's tenor, has exceeded this fans expectations. Let's take a spoon and swirl it around in the pudding to see what it's made of, shall we?

Announced as team captain September 17, 2008;

3 years on the job.

3 Playoff Appearances

1 All-Star Appearance

Bobby Clarke Trophy (Philadelphia Flyers' MVP) - 2008–09

1 Head Coaching Change

Flyers Team and League Records Set during tenor:
Most points in a playoff season: Daniel Briere, 30 (2009–10)
Most points in a playoff season, rookie: Ville Leino, 21 (2009–10) (NHL record)
Most points by a defenseman in a playoff season: Chris Pronger (2009–10), 18

3rd Team in League History to be down 0-3 and come back to win a series.


1 Division Title

2010-11 Most Season Wins (47) by a Flyer team since 1985 (53)

1 Conference Title

2010-11 Most Points (106) by a Flyer Team since 2002 (107)

1 Finals Appearance

7 Different Goalies Used. That's right seven.

Team Record
W 132 L 85 T 29

Pretty good looking pudding if you ask me. I'd love to put some of these numbers up against other NHL teams, during the same period of three years, to see what their pudding looks like.

With all the obstacles this team has gone through over three years, Richards has been an outstanding leader. Now, when the team is only one or two bounces away from winning a Cup, the media is calling for a new captain. Ridiculous. Preach this nonsense to the bandwagon-ers, not the die -hards. Changing the Captain will not change the look and attitude of this team. It won't win a game here or make the goalie steal a game. I hardly doubt we'll get that bounce in a game to win the cup with a "C" change. I'm not buying it. The failure of this years team is not the captain's fault. The entire organization is to blame.

Those of you who want to strip the "C" from Richards need to introduce yourself to Captain Morgan. He'll keep you happy. It's clearly evident, by some of the garbage out there on this subject, some of you already know him.

Is Bobrovsky the Flyer's Future?

Sergei Bobrovsky had a fantastic rookie season. Kudos for winning your first start, in the first official regular season game need I remind you, in Pittsburgh's new digs. A Flyer moment that will always come to my mind when I watch a game in that house. Yes!

So how good was his rookie season? I pulled up rookie stats of some of the greatest net minders to ever play the game. I think he's off to a good start.

Bobrovsky 28-13-8 GAA: 2.59 SV%: 0.915

George Hainsworth 28-14-2 GAA: 1.47 SV%: N/A
Jacques Plante 31-13-7 GAA: 2.10 SV% 0.926
Glenn Hall 30-24-16 GAA: 2.10 SV%: 0.922
Tony Esposito 38-17-8 GAA: 2.17 SV%: N/A
Ken Dryden 39-8-15 GAA: 2.24 SV%: N/A
Terry Sawchuk 44-13-13 GAA: 1.99 SV%: N/A
Dominik Hasek 10-4-1 GAA: 2.60 SV%: 0.893
Ed Belfour 43-19-7 GAA: 2.47 SV%: 0.910
Martin Brodeur 27-11-8 GAA: 2.40 SV%: 0.915
Patrick Roy 23-18-3 GAA: 3.35 SV%: 0.875

Despite all the numbers, Bobrovsky has talent. Talent, that with a little coaching elbow grease, could prove valuable to the Flyers brass. I can only hope the kid gets some considerable playing time next season. Sending him down to the minors to work on his skills would be tough, now that he has had a taste of the NHL big cheese. I wonder how you say big cheese in Russian?

Joe Paterson Returns as Phantoms Coach

Joe Paterson confirmed Thursday he's been asked to return, along with assistant coach Riley Cote.

Paterson went 25-16-2-2 as the Phantoms head coach after taking over on December 20 from interim coach John Paddock.

The Phantoms got off to a 2-11 start under previous head coach Greg Gilbert. Gilbert was fired on November 8th.

Nikolai Zherdev: Bently Beater???

Nikolai Zherdev has offensive talent. He has heart, desire and ambition. All the tools and skills to survive in the NHL; less one of the most important, discipline.

I was on board with the Flyers when Zherdev was brought in last year. Another guy to put the puck on net, great. I was forgiving of the New York City incident in the middle of the season, he was frustrated. Now this. He has become a Bently Beater! I refuse to let this one go. How on earth could you possibly, logically and of sound mind and body take a metal pole to your Bently! HIT SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR!!!

The lack of discipline on and off the ice may very well be the road to a fine career in a Russian league. The Flyers offered Zherdev an opportunity to showcase himself to the NHL. Redemption. A chance to prove he belongs in the league. Unfortunately, he has once again wasted an opportunity to change his image. Thanks for being a part of this years under achieving Flyers team. You fit right in. Good luck with your future endeavors.

The Details:

Nik Zherdev may be in a little bit of hot water in his native Russia

Reports surfaced in a Russian newspaper, Moskovsky Komsomolets, that the Flyers forward allegedly attacked his wife after a quarrel in a restaurant, damaged her car with a metal pole, and threatened her verbally with death.

"According to eyewitnesses, Nikolay picked up a metal pole from the parking lot and began hitting the car with the pole while shouting expletives at his wife. Fearing for her life, his wife rushed to escape, turning in the wrong direction on the highway. The same day, she went to the police," a translated report in the newspaper said.

Meanwhile, a conflicting report in Sovietsky Sport yesterday shot down any alleged foul play involving Zherdev, quoting the restaurant's owner.

"There was nothing remotely similar to what was written on the Internet took place in front of our restaurant," the restaurant's owner told Sovietsky Sport. "This is such nonsense! I specifically asked the entire personnel, including security guards, but no one saw anything."

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren acknowledged the reports yesterday.

"We are aware of the reports but until we have spoken to Nikolay and have more information, we will not comment," Holmgren said in a statement.

Read more @ Philly.com.

Dan Carcillo Suspended for Two Games

Hmmm... I love the way Carbomb plays the game. However, it comes at a cost ever time he steps on the ice.

The latest case in question; inappropriate conduct directed at the officials during game 4 of the Boston series. It would be nice to see officials receive suspensions like this for inappropriate calls. The officiating during the series was junior league at best. Nothing. No action taken by the league for poor officiating. When will the NHL take a stance on Zebras who make calls to pick up a paycheck rather than for the integrity of the game?

The National Hockey League issued a two-game suspension for Flyers forward Dan Carcillo for actions between periods in Game 4 of the playoffs vs. Boston.

Official release from the NHL:

“Philadelphia Flyers’ forward Daniel Carcillo has been suspended for the period covering two regular season games, without pay, for his actions off the ice following the first period of Game #4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins on May 6, the National Hockey League announced today.

National Hockey League Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy reached the decision following a hearing into the matter on May 13. The hearing was conducted pursuant to article 18.1 (on-ice discipline) and 18.2 (off-ice discipline) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, NHL By-Law 17 and Article 6 of the NHL Constitution as a result of an incident outside of the officials’ locker room following the first period and a verbal confrontation with linesman Brian Murphy at the players’ bench prior to the start of the second period.

“Between the first and second period, while off ice and outside the officials’ locker room, Mr. Carcillo engaged in aggressive behavior and inappropriate conduct directed at the officials,” said Murphy. “While Mr. Carcillo acknowledged in the hearing that he regrets his actions outside of the officials’ room, there can be no defense for his conduct.

“I also reviewed the verbal confrontation between Carcillo and linesman Brian Murphy at the players’ bench prior to the start of the second period and have determined that, while the verbal abuse may have been worthy of a penalty, there is no evidence that Carcillo’s action merit supplemental discipline,” concluded Murphy.

Carcillo will miss his club’s first two regular season games in 2011-12. The forfeited money shall go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

In case you don't follow Carbomb on Twitter... he is in Cabo right now for a little R & R. Maybe he can kick over a few sand castles to get some of the frustration out.

Flyers Sign Free Agent Goalie Niko Hovinen

Prospect Grade: 6.0 D
Selected by Minnesota Wild round 5 #132 overall 2006 NHL Entry Draft

2008-09 Min 1110 GA 54 SO 2 GAA 2.92 W 7 L 12 T 1 Svs 463 Pct 0.896
2009-10 Min 944 GA 47 SO 1 GAA 2.99 W 5 L 7 T 3 Svs 498 Pct 0.914

History
Hovinen has developed in the Jokerit system in Helsinki. He established himself as an important junior national team player in 2004 and split international starter duties for two years, until ailments and fatigue led to a disappointing spring season, which caused him to be left out of the U18 World Championships in 2006. At draft time he was the starter of the Jokerit Jr A squad.
2007-08: The year was especially tough. Although his numbers at the A junior level were somewhat respectable, his SM-Liiga debut did not go well.

2008-09: Starter for the Pelicans in FNL.


Talent Analysis
Standing at over 6'7, Hovinen is a towering presence even in butterfly stance. He is the biggest Finnish goalie of his generation but still its typical member as far as movement goes. Despite his immature but big body he has what it takes to dominate shooters with a butterfly style. He is calm but timid in his style of play: He doesn't lunge toward the puck forcefully enough and surprisingly gets pushed around. His ability to read the game is still undeveloped, which also hinders his puckhandling. Hovinen has fantastic game-breaking ability and possesses tools for development with few boundaries for his potential.

Oh The Humanity!

Wow... the season's over. The hockey gods have spoken. Done deal.

I am having such a hard time adjusting to, "the real life." I ordered NHL Center Ice for the first time this year. I only missed a handful of the 82 game regular season. I am so used to getting geared up to watch a game every other day or so... and smack! No more games. Bummer. I am a stats junkie too. Love 'em. No more analyzing the numbers after a game either. Oh the humanity!

Grand Opening!

Not much here at the moment. Poulation 1.

I have the entire offseason to get this site ready.

Next year we make another cup run and get the job done... BROAD STREET OR BUST BABY!