Bleacher Report - Articles by Darren Scott

Philadelphia Flyers a One and Done Playoff Team

Darren Scott — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:36:37 -0400

The 2009 Philadelphia Flyers are a good team. But that's it, a GOOD team. As of this date, April 5, 2009, the flyers sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race with four games remaining. They are ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes by percentage points and and two points ahead of their intra-state rival Pittsburgh Penguins for 6th.

Here are the facts. The Philadelphia Flyers will make the 2009 playoffs, but don't expect a repeat of their Eastern Conference finals effort in the 2008 playoffs. The team this year doesn't have the same intensity as last years team.

So, what makes this team a "good" team as opposed to a "great" team. First, the team has balanced scoring. The flyers are the only team in the National Hockey League to have three players score 30 or more goals in a season, with Jeff Carter leading the way with 44 goals.

However, the problem this team faces is having someone to carry the team when they need it. Their captain, Mike Richards, leads the team with 78 points which is good for 15th in the league. Nothing to get too excited about.

Second, the team can't seem to string a few wins together. Over the past two weeks the team would trade back and forth between wins and losses. If you are going to make a long run in the playoffs, you want to be playing like the Carolina Hurricanes.

Over the past two weeks the hurricanes have won their last eight games and have played themselves into contention for a home playoff series.

Finally, look at what the teams battling with the flyers did at the trading deadline. The flyers decided that the team they had at the deadline was good enough. At the time of the deadline, the team they had at the deadline was good enough.

However, when teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and New Jersey Devils make serious moves to better the squad, "standing pat" at the trade deadline only hurts your overall goal.

I expect this team to clinch a playoff spot in their next game. They only need one more point to clinch.

However, their first series in the playoffs won't be too favorable. They will face either the Carolina Hurricanes or the Pittsburgh Penguins. Two teams that are hot and dangerous for the playoffs.

Phillies: A Pitching Disaster Waiting to Happen?

Darren Scott — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:39:53 -0400

For years the Philadelphia Phillies have been searching for a viable pitching rotation.

In 2007 the club made several moves to help the bullpen, but those moves seemed to help the starting rotation. Once Brett Myers was moved to the bullpen and named the closer, it appeared that the rotation began to find its stride.

The club decided to call up Kyle Kendrick from Reading (AA) to fill Myers' spot in the rotation. Kendrick was a big surprise, going 10-4 with a 3.47 ERA. Coupled with All-star Cole Hamels and the ever-young Jamie Moyer, the Phillies' rotation stabalized and led them to the division crown.

After an off season of searching for a starter to take the place of Freddie Garcia—one large bust that the Chicago White Sox still owe the Phillies for—the Phillies decided to promote within and bring Myers back to the rotation after trading for "Lights Out" closer Brad Lidge.

The media assumed that Hamels would be the No. 1 and Myers would be the No. 2—makes sense since Hamels, who went 15-5 with a 3.39 ERA, was one of the most dominant pitchers in 2007. However, the Phillies believed Hamels was not a No. 1 and named Myers the No. 1.

From the start of the season, Myers has struggled. He went 3-9 with a 5.84 ERA through the first three months of the season before the Phils sent Myers down to Lehigh Valley (AAA).

Now, the club is left with a hole in the rotation. And, the Phillies hope to find another gem in the rough like Kendrick. The club called up J.A Happ to fill in for Myers while he gets back on track.

It appears that the Phillies are pressing the issue with Myers. He has never been a dominant starting pitcher. Last year, it appeared Myers would be more dominant as a closer than anything else. But with such a small market for starting pitchers, the Phillies feel that Myers still has potential to be dominant.

That said, they need to do something about his situation. He still has some market value and can possibly make a move at the deadline to help push them to the division title again. Also, with Tom Gordon starting to fall apart there appears to be some room in a very good bullpen for Myers to potentially be a set up man for Brad Lidge.

As of right now, the team is slipping from the lead and needs some of their pitchers to step up and win. The Marlins have been on their heels all season, and their division rivals, the Mets, are starting to surge behind interim manager Jerry Manuel.

Is Mike Richards Ready to Lead the Philadelphia Flyers to Excellence?

Darren Scott — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:34:28 -0400

For years, the Philadelphia Flyers would have a revolving door at the position of captain. Since the retirement of Eric Desjardins, the Flyers have had a number of captains, including Keith Primeau, Peter Forsberg, and just recently Jason Smith.

Every captain brought a particular feature to their leadership, but for whatever reason have not been long term.

Now, the team feels that they have found their long term solution. Forward Mike Richards, a former first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, has been projected to be one of the best leaders in Flyers’ history.

He has drawn comparisons to Bob Clarke, former player and general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers. The questions surround whether Richards can lead this team.

After the season that Richards had in 2007/2008 where he went on to score 28 goals and notch 47 assists with an astonishing two five on three short handed goals, the Flyers believe he is ready to lead the team after deciding not to sign former captain Jason Smith.

He is an all around team player. He is just as great with his defense as he is with his offense and has proven himself to be able to match up with some of the leagues best players.

In the playoff series against the Washington Capitals, Richards publicly attacked Alexander Ovechkin for the number of dives he was taking in the series.

Then in the playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Richards defended and antagonized Sidney Crosby and held him in check for the entire series.

Richards appears to be ready to lead this team to greatness. Although young, he is wise above his age and has the respect of his teammates, the fans, and the organization.