Robert Esche was a key part of the memorable 2003-2004 team. Courtesy Flyers.NHL.com

Crashing the Crease: Unsung Heroes Part 2, Robert Esche

Between 2000 and 2010, the Flyers have been notorious for losing control of the so-called “goaltending carousel” and sending it spinning out of control in an endless search for a sure hand between the pipes. However, during that period the Orange and Black have gotten admirable goaltending that, in retrospect, may have gone under-appreciated at the time. Over the next few weeks, Crashing the Crease will take a look at these unsung heroes. The second mainstay in the Philadelphia crease between 2000 and 2010 — and the second goalie featured in the Unsung Heroes retrospective — is none other than …

"I don't know if I can fit goalie pads down the chimney..." (image via dreamstime.com)

The Fifth Day of Claudemas: Five guys we’d love to see in Orange and Black

Here we are in December with little to do in this tough lockout time. What’s a blog to do? Well, it looks like a 12 Days of Christmas-themed series of posts is the way to go. But, we realize that all of you hockey fans aren’t into Christmas, so we’ve named it after the man nicknamed Orange Jesus and called it Claudemas. On the fifth day of Claudemas, Flyers Faithful gave to me…five players that we’d love to see in Orange and Black. Every year, due to the influence of Ed Snider and the hustling of Paul Holmgren, the Flyers …

Petr Sykora

New Life for Silver Foxes

It is tough to find things to like about the lockout. With no hockey to be played, players are left to go as hard (or as soft) as they please in order to maintain an NHL physique. However, this lack of games can actually be a silver lining to some of the more resilient silver foxes of the National Hockey League – if play were to resume. This gives the Flyers some options to fill out the roster in free agency that they might not have considered if the full season were still intact. So what might those choices be? …

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Then and Now: Jon Sim

Jon Sim became a member of the Philadelphia Flyers’ organization during the 2004-2005 season, when he became a member of the Philadelphia Phantoms in exchange for Peter White. After he played in 10 games alongside Keith Ballard, Kiel McLeod, and Fredrik Sjostrom for the Utah Grizzlies in their final season in the American Hockey League, Sim joined the 2005 Calder Cup winners for the final 63 regular season games of the title year. He recorded the second-most points for the Phantoms with 35 goals and 26 assists for 61 points, four shy of R.J. Umberger’s total. The difference was Umberger …

http://thehockeyguys.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Homer.jpg

Homer’s Do’s and Doh’s Final: Carter Trade v. Gagne Trade

Paul Holmgren became the interim General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers on October 22, 2006. That interim title was removed only weeks later on November 11. Holmgren was able to take a team that finished last in the National Hockey League, and rebuild it to make a deep run all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals the very next season. Yes, some of Holmgren’s moves have been amazing, but he’s also a guy who has gotten this organization into some hot water with the salary cap and was forced to make deals that were head scratchers to say the least. If you enjoyed …