[Drew]

source: PhiladelphiaFlyers.com

As the Flyers prepare for four games in four nights beginning on Tuesday at the Wachovia Center against the New York Islanders, Head Coach Ken Hitchcock has less than a week to finalize the roster for the 2003-04 Flyers before opening night on October 9.

After all, common sense should tell you that with an exhibition game against the Phantoms on Friday, the players that won?t be with the Flyers from the outset will be suiting up for their AHL affiliate.

Much has been made of the battle on defense for roster spots. Right now, Hitchcock has four young defensemen all looking to make the team in Joni Pitkanen, Jim Vandermeer, Jeff Woywitka and Dennis Seidenberg.

Hitchcock announced, rather surprisingly as there are four games left in the preseason, that two of the four have roster spots locked up.

?[Jim Vandermeer] is 23, and he plays like he?s 27,? said Hitchcock. ?He moves the puck, is physical and kills penalties. He?s here. He?s on this hockey club.?

The other is Finnish rookie Joni Pitkanen, whom Hitchcock has said has played a level above the other kids this training camp. Pitkanen has not played in a preseason game since September 20 in London, Ontario, due to a mild groin strain, but was back on the ice at the Flyers Skate Zone on Monday and should play on Tuesday night.

Another surprise on Tuesday was seeing tough guy Todd Fedoruk skating on a line with Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte. Fedoruk has replaced John LeClair for the time being.

?I?m looking for the older players to help enhance some of younger players,? said Hitchcock. ?With Roenick and Amonte, Fedoruk is really improving, and I am really hopefully that Tony and J.R. can take him under their wing for a few days help him improve even more.?

The opportunity for Fedoruk seemed to arise due partially to LeClair?s struggles this preseason, as LeClair tries to recover from his various injuries over the past couple of seasons to get back to where he wants to be.

?John has really taken a hard look at where he is, and he really wants to get better. As an older player, he realizes he has more to give,? said Hitchcock. ?He is going to push himself extensively to give it. I think that is a great sign. You don?t lose the time that John?s lost, and then overnight expect to get it back. It is going to take some time. His attitude is terrific in that he?s trying to get it back.?

ERS NOTES
Center Claude Lapointe is out of action with a lower ankle sprain, suffered while walking down the steps of his home on Saturday. ? Keith Primeau has a minor rib injury and will not play on Tuesday. ? Eric Chouinard did not practice on Tuesday because his girlfriend is pregnant with their first child. In other baby news, Sami Kapanen?s wife is also due to give birth any day now. ?They picked the right time of the year to do it,? joked Hitchcock.