(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
After a first round playoff exit last spring, a year of optimism and high expectations now lies ahead for the orange and black.
Since the puck last dropped on Wachovia Center ice, the Flyers have said goodbye to several old faces and will welcome in many new ones. They are widely regarded as a serious contender in the Eastern Conference, and here is how they stack up on the whole:
Offense
The loss of scorers Mike Knuble and Joffrey Lupul will not be felt too harshly because of the Flyers’ great depth and balanced scoring. A (relatively) full season from Danny Briere and strong rookie campaign by James van Riemsdyk would go a long way toward replacing the output of the departed wingers.
Claude Giroux is ready to bust out as a young star after showing flashes of brilliance late last season and during the playoffs.
Simon Gagne, slowed by a groin injury this preseason, might be a question mark for quite a while. The team cannot lose him for an extended period of time like it has before.
Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, now wily veterans, may have to deal with the added burden of representing Canada at the Olympics. Will they have enough gas left in the tank come spring?
Richards will again vie for the Selke Trophy after being robbed of it last season, but he and Carter both need to be better on faceoffs.
The bottom lines will feature several players new to the team, like checking center/tough guy Ian Laperriere, Finnish energy winger Mika Pyorala, and PK specialist Blair Betts (assuming he is offered a contract).
The team should also receive an added offensive boost from the blueline with the addition of Chris Pronger. More on that later.
Forward Projections
Jeff Carter: 41 G, 44 A, 85 P
Mike Richards: 27 G, 51 A, 78 P
Claude Giroux: 21 G, 48 A, 69 P
Simon Gagne: 30 G, 35 A, 65 P
Danny Briere: 27 G, 37 A, 64 P
Scott Hartnell: 26 G, 31 A, 57 P
James van Riemsdyk: 16 G, 22 A, 38 P
Offense Rankings: First in Atlantic Division, third in Eastern Conference, fifth in NHL
Defense
It would have been nice to watch Luca Sbisa develop as a Flyer, but the team simply could not pass up the opportunity to add Chris Pronger to the mix.
Pronger brings veteran leadership, solid puck movement, and flat-out nasty play to the Flyers’ blueline. Acquired specifically to get in the face of Sidney Crosby and other Eastern Conference stars, Pronger will contend for the Norris Trophy.
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