Philadelphia Flyers All-Time Roster

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Pride, determination, hustle, toughness, skill, and loyalty—just a few of the characteristics that make up what it takes to be a Philadelphia Flyer.

When you talk all-time rosters, the Flyers boast one of the most impressive lineups in NHL history. Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Brian Propp, Ron Hextall, Eric Desjardins, Eric Lindros, Bernie Parent, and Mark Howe are just a few examples of the tremendous amount of talent the Flyers have had over the years.

So, if you could turn back time, what would the Flyers all-time roster look like? Here is my take:

*Please note, all stats represent totals as a member of the Flyers, not career NHL totals. Who cares what they accomplished elsewhere, right?

Forwards

First Line: The “LCB” Line

Left Wing—Bill Barber

Four hundred twenty goals, 883 points, a plus/minus rating of plus-316, and 3,250 shots registered makes Barber a no-brainer to be selected the Flyers' best left winger of all time.

One of only three Flyers to be elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Barber was a force to be reckoned with and his ability to make players around him better is legendary.

He had 53 goals and 108 points in 129 career playoff games with the Flyers, including 24 points in the Flyers back-to-back Stanley Cup victories. Barber is ranked fifth overall in single-season points with 112, and is one of only five Flyers to ever score 50 goals in a season.


Centre—Bobby Clarke

Clarke exemplifies everything you want in an NHL player; toughness, leadership, skill, ability to intimidate, and a competitive streak that goes beyond what most NHLers can bring to the table.

Combine all of those attributes with Clarke’s 358 goals, 1,210 points, a plus/minus rating of plus-506, and you can see why Clarke gets the nod as the Flyers' all-time first line centre.

Clarke was quite possibly the biggest factor in the Flyers winning back-to-back Stanley Cups (1973-74, 1974-75) and his tenacity was, and is to this day, second to none. In June of 1987, Clarke was the second player in Flyers history elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame and, in my opinion, the greatest Flyer of all time.


Right Wing—Reginald “Reggie” Leach

Admittedly, Leach, by definition, is not the Flyers' best right winger of all time. That said, it was impossible to break up the legendary “LCB” line, a line that combined for an NHL record for goals by a single line with 141 (Leach 61, Clarke 30, Barber 50).

Make no mistake about it, Leach had great career totals as a member of the Flyers, his 318 goals ranks him seventh overall, and his 514 points ranks him 11th.

Again, I felt this line should be highlighted, the sum of its parts speak louder than individual achievement, at least in Leach’s case. If I was to select a right winger based solely on points, I would have selected Tim Kerr, without question.


Second Line

Left Wing—Brian Propp

Best known for his offensive prowess, Propp’s defensive game was just as impressive. His ability to stop the opposition's top lines and his skills on the penalty kill give Propp the nod as the Flyers' No. 2 left winger of all time.

Propp was one of the best two-way forwards in NHL history. With 103 career power play goals as a member of the Flyers, Propp could definitely play the power play. He had a knack for scoring timely goals (55 game winners), and with 369 goals, 849 points, and a plus/minus rating of plus-311, his contributions speak volumes.


Centre—Eric Lindros

There is no getting away from it; Lindros has Hall of Fame numbers and, as such, gets the nod as the Flyers' all-time second line centre. Blessed with speed, skill, and one of the fiercest body checks in the game, Lindros’ career was cut short due to his history of concussions. In 486 career games as a Flyer, Lindros registered 290 goals, 659 points, and a plus/minus rating of plus-188.

Forwards and defensemen alike feared Lindros. When he was “on,” there were few players that could dominate a game like Lindros. He was one of the NHL’s best ever and, at times, as unstoppable as they come.


Right Wing—Tim Kerr

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