THE FLYERS HIVE Forums

Jlg-28 · Quote #1 September 14th, 2007, 08:34 AM

Source : Philly.com

By Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Staff Writer

Think life as a Flyer is easy? Ask Derian Hatcher what it was like last winter walking around South Jersey.

"I was embarrassed for three months," Hatcher recalled. "I had a hard time going out in public. I had a hard time going to my son's hockey games, standing there, knowing there's someone looking at you.

"I had a hell of a time doing that. I didn't even enjoy walking into Starbucks for a coffee. That's how I am. I was definitely embarrassed."

What eats away at the soul more: being the worst team in the Flyers' 40-year history or being the worst team in the NHL?

Fortunately, this is a new season. There are eight new starters on the Flyers since early February. Eight players who should put the Flyers back on firm ice.

Training camp opens this morning at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. This is one preseason that actually means something.

"I don't say this very often," Hatcher said. "I hate preseason. But I think this year, there's going to be a little more of a focus on [what we look like] because of what happened last year. It's about winning games and winning them the right way."

Last season's disaster fell on former general manager Bob Clarke. His successor, Paul Holmgren, has given second-year coach John Stevens all the tools to reinstall respectability, including two assistant coaches - Jack McIlhargey and Joey Mullen - who have a ton of experience behind the bench.

Stevens' club needs to make a statement in camp that the desire to be competitive is part of the fabric on those new Reebok sweaters this season

"Our work ethic as a team, as an organization has to change," Holmgren said. "I think it did a little bit last year. A new coaching staff is in place now, with both our big team and our minor-league team, the Phantoms."

The dressing room has a stir about it. This might be the most anticipated season since 1996-97, when the Flyers, deep in the heart of the Eric Lindros Era, moved from the Spectrum to their current digs. Greatness was expected that season. Terry Murray's team went to the Stanley Cup Finals against Detroit before losing.

"Just the changes we had over the summer, it's exciting to see," said Simon Gagne. "We don't want to go through another season like that. Homer and his staff put a team together that is going to be fun to play with. You see right away how excited guys are to be back and start camp and then the season."

The Flyers' defense could be the best it has been in a decade with the addition of Kimmo Timonen, among the premier puck-skating defenseman, and stalwart former Edmonton captain Jason Smith. Add maturing Braydon Coburn, Lasse Kukkonen and Alexandre Picard, and there's reason to believe the game will be played at the other end of the ice - away from goalie Marty Biron.

Danny Briere replaces Peter Forsberg as the No. 1 center. His speed and a great pair of hands are a prime example of the new NHL.

"It's exciting seeing all the faces finally coming together," Briere said. "I am going to spend more time with these guys this season than my own family."

Stevens' biggest challenge in camp is creating an identity with this new group and formulating the right line combinations and defensive pairings. Which is why having five games in seven days at the end of camp should give him ample game exposure to figure out his starting lineup.

"[It] gives us an opportunity to see different players play in different situations and see what works best," Stevens said. "A lot of games in a short period of time to utilize a lot of players here. We should get a good evaluation of who ends up here."

And what kind of season lies ahead.

Pleased to Meet You . . .

Here are the Flyers who were acquired between Feb. 15 and July 1 and project as starters:

F Scottie Upshall: Acquired Feb. 15 (Nashville) as a part of the Peter Forsberg trade.

D Braydon Coburn: Acquired Feb. 24 (Atlanta) for Alexei Zhitnik.

D Lasse Kukkonen: Acquired Feb. 26 (Chicago) in a three-way deal for Kyle Calder.

G Marty Biron: Acquired Feb. 27 (Buffalo) for a draft pick.

D Kimmo Timonen and F Scott Hartnell: Acquired June 18 (Nashville) for a draft pick.

F Danny Briere: Signed as a free agent (Buffalo) on July 1.

D Jason Smith and F Joffrey Lupul: Acquired July 1 (Edmonton) in a trade for Joni Pitkanen.

The following players were released from rookie camp yesterday by the Flyers: defensemen Tysen Dowzak, Maxime Ouimet-Desjardins, Adam Bourque-LeBlanc, and forward Patrick LeBeau.
- Tim Panaccio
Five Things to Watch
As Flyers training camp opens today at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, here are some thoughts to ponder:

1. Who's the captain?
This team hasn't had the on-ice leadership necessary to win since Keith Primeau went out of the lineup in 2005. Sami Kapanen, Mike Knuble and Simon Gagne are worthy candidates. But Danny Briere, Kimmo Timonen and Jason Smith have all worn the "C" themselves. Lots of choices. One selection.

2. Who won't make the team on defense?
There are 12 potential NHL defensemen in camp. Mike Rathje and Denis Gauthier are on the spot. Rathje thinks his ailing back is well enough to play but won't know for sure until it is tested on a daily basis. Gauthier has transformed his body into that of an NFL linebacker and wants to stick around. Between them, they earn $5.6 million, and there's not enough room for both in the starting six. Alexandre Picard and Randy Jones will be pushing them for a roster spot.

3. Who plays with whom?
Where does Briere play? Between Gagne and Knuble? Or between Scottie Upshall and Scott Hartnell? Does Timonen pair with Smith or with Kukkonen, whom he played with overseas? The Flyers need to find chemistry among this new group now and not in April.

4. What's this team's personality?
Last year's club seemed indifferent in camp, and it showed. Several national pundits say the Flyers still are not playoff bound. "We've got to be willing to earn it," said coach John Stevens. "Willing to earn the respect of the league again. We really haven't done anything yet to earn the right to be a playoff team. That is why we're anxious for training camp."

5. The Jim Dowd factor.
He was an efficient checking-line center for the Devils. New Jersey's cap problems resulted in Dowd's coming here on a tryout. He will be pushing R.J. Umberger for a roster spot at center or pushing Umberger or some other player to the wing - or off the roster altogether.

- Tim Panaccio