Realignment comin’ For the first time since the end of the 1997-98 season, the National Hockey League will feature only four divisions, and for the first time in 15 years, every team is guaranteed to play in the arena of every other team thanks to the new plan approved by the league’s Board of Governors on Thursday. “This goes into the good news category,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday. “We can begin the process of preparing next year’s schedule.” Here’s a quick and easy infographic from NHL.com explaining the situation: Last week, the NHL reported that the divisions would …
Crashing the Crease: Ilya Bryzgalov Cannot Succeed in Philadelphia
This week’s Crashing the Crease comes to you with a somber tone, as the Flyers’ season appears primed to crash and burn. Some of the same wretched storylines we’re so used to being beaten over the head with are creeping into view: “Should [insert Flyers coach] be worried about his job? Who should the Flyers next goalie be? What major move will the Flyers make to fix this?” Part of the issue, in my mind, is this overly reactive approach from the top down. Don’t get me wrong — I love and respect what Ed Snider did for the city …
Flyers dominated by the Devils in New Jersey
The Philadelphia Flyers were embarrassed at the Prudential Center tonight, as they lost to the New Jersey Devils 5-2. Adam Henrique had two goals in a three-point performance and Johan Hedberg earned the win for Jersey with 23 saves, as the Devils notched their first victory in regulation at home since the last time they faced the Flyers on February 15. Patrik Elias and Andrei Loktionov each had a goal and an assist in the win. Jakub Voracek and Scott Hartnell each had two-point nights for Philly, as Hartnell had the secondary assist on Voracek’s goal in the first period and …
Breaking down the Bullies: buy or sell?
The gauntlet of opponents the Flyers have faced over the last 10 days was supposed to provide some answers about what type of team they really were. Instead, a series of sporadic efforts has left both the organization and its followers with many of the same questions they faced a week ago. Some speak of playoffs, while others speak of prospects. With the trade deadline looming and the end of the season shortly thereafter, is there any way to truly categorize this team as a buyer, seller, or even something in between? After the nightmare on Broadway, the Flyers played …
Atlantic Watch: Penguins on winning streak, Devils snap losing streak, Islanders’ point streak ends
The Philadelphia Flyers lost their first two games this week to stretch their losing streak to three games before they edged out the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday for a pair of points. Philly will have a home-and-home with a struggling Devils club over the next few days, as they look to gain a spot in the Eastern Conference’s top eight. The Orange and Black had the Pittsburgh Penguins beat on Monday, but they let their hated rivals come back for a 5-4 win at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday. Jakub Voracek had two power-play goals and the tandem of …
College Hockey Roundup: Jack Parker bids farewell to the game he loved so much
Monday was a sad day for college hockey as legendary Boston University men’s hockey coach Jack Parker, on his 68th birthday, announced his retirement at season’s end capping a 40-season reign that saw Parker become one the most revered sports icons not only in New England but in all of hockey. College hockey fans, supporters of the Terriers, and BU’s rivals all know the name. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever see another coach like Parker ever again. The man they called “Somerville Jack” was born and raised in Somerville, Massachusetts’ Magoun Square. The hard-nosed working-class Irish Catholic graduated from Catholic …
2013 NHL Draft: Flyers Focus on Ryan Hartman – The Name Says it All
There has been a recent re-emergence of gritty, American leaders marching their teams deep into the playoffs. Last year alone three of the four teams in the Conference Finals were lead by tough, hard-nosed U.S. countrymen: Dustin Brown (LAK); Ryan Callahan (NYR); Zach Parise (NJD). That’s not to say there aren’t many Canadian captains with the same two-way mindset, such as current Flyers captain Claude Giroux. Giroux exemplifies a plethora of characteristics that former Flyers captain and current team Senior Vice President Bobby Clarke possessed when he led the Broad Street Bullies to back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in the 1970’s. …
Around the Net March 12, 2013: In Bob we trade; A look around the NHL, more
Welcome to Around the Net, a weekly look through linkage at the Philadelphia Flyers and other news from around the NHL. Bob, we hardly knew ye A look back at the Sergei Bobrovsky trade: [Broad Street Hockey] [Philly.com] Fool me once,shame on me… A shootout move that didn’t work the second time around: [Puck Daddy] Ya gotta believe!! The Flyers believe they can turn the season around: [CSN Philly] Need tickets? Get your Philadelphia Flyers tickets here. That’s all for today, join me Friday for more links from around the web on the Flyers and the NHL.
Future Flyers Watch: The OHL playoff picture
With all 20 of the teams in the OHL having played 64 or more of their 68 regular season games, the playoff picture is practically set. Of all the Philadelphia Flyers’ prospects currently in the OHL, each player is either already on a team that has clinched a spot for the postseason or they are on a team that is fighting for the final spot available. In the Eastern Conference, Scott Laughton and Colin Suellentrop have helped the Oshawa Generals clinch a playoff spot. The Gens sit third in the conference and sit four points behind the Belleville Bulls, who …
Flyers hang on for 3-2 win, end three-game losing streak
Both the Philadelphia Flyers and the Buffalo Sabres entered tonight’s game at the Wells Fargo Center on three-game losing streaks, but the hosts were able to grab a 3-2 victory to end their skid. Claude Giroux had the game-winning goal just 17 seconds into the second period and Kimmo Timonen had two helpers in the win, while Ilya Bryzgalov had 17 stops for the decision. It wasn’t the prettiest of victories, but the Flyers came out and provided enough of an effort to beat a team as desperate as them to earn points. Although it was their third game in …