On The Fly: Philadelphia Flyers 2009-2010 Season Preview

Welcome to "On The Fly," the Philadelphia Flyers 2009-2010 season preview. Moves have been made and Flyers fans are showing much optimism as we look into the future of the Franchise. The Flyers will start their 2009 Training Camp on Saturday, September 12, 2009.

59 players will report to camp at the Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey. The first pre-season game will be against the Detroit Red Wings on Sept. 16 at the “Joe” and then face the Toronto Maple Leafs at the John Labbatt Center in London, Ontario on the 17th.

Some losses to the 2008/09 Roster
Luca Sbisa, Joffrey Lupul, Mike Knuble, Scotty Upshall, Martin Biron, Antero Nittymaki as well as a few draft picks
 

Key Additions to the 2009/10 Roster
Chris Pronger, Ray Emery, Brian Boucher, Dan Carcillo, Ian Lapperiere, Ryan Dingle, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen

Breakdown:

The Flyers have lost some key offensive weapons in Knuble and Lupul as well as a bit of youth in Sbisa and the draft picks. This is not a concern to players, fans, or management.

Goals can be made up by a healthy Danny Briere, more minutes given to Claude Giroux as well as the offence from Chris Pronger as he Quarterbacks the power play from the blue line.  The Adirondack Phantoms are not lacking in potential prospects players gaining experience with the AHL affiliate.

The Flyers have also brought in a whole new look between the pipes with Ray Emery from Russia as the No. 1 and a top back up in Brian Boucher who had 23 wins last season and has played with the team before. Management has also added age, experience, depth and size on the blue line with the addition of Pronger as well as a gritty veteran in Ian Laperriere who is just as effective in the locker room as he is on the ice.

Possible Offensive Line Mates 

Gagne       Richards     Giroux
Hartnell      Carter      Laperriere
Carcillo       Briere          Nodl
Cote            Powe        Asham

Possible Defensive Pairings

1> Pronger   /   Timonen
2> Coburn    /   Carle
3> Jones      /   Parent
 

Health Concerns / Injury watch
Danny Briere—has had the offseason to build strength considering he finished last season having played in just 29 games for the Flyers, recording 11 goals and 14 assists. After a torn abdomen, two groin injuries and an eye surgery it is time for Danny to continue earning his eight-year, $52 million dollar contract with a no trade clause.

With some loss on offense this year the Flyers need to be able to count on Briere for at least 30 goals this season.

Simon Gagne - Dropped out of the Team Canada Olympic tryouts in Calgary, AB. after just 1 day of intense skating with the top squad in the world. Gagne underwent a hip surgery during the off season but claims it is a minor groin injury and said that he just wants to be ready for the start of the NHL season. Gagne has had his dealings with multiple concussions over the years and it is imperative that he is in good health if the Flyers want to get past the Pens in the post season!Bottom of Form

Top Phantom Prospects:

In Goal - Michael-Lee Teslak, Johan Backlund

Defense - Danny Syvret, Kevin Marshall, Michael Ratchuk, Joonas Lehtivuori, Marc Andre Bourdon

Offense – Patrick Maroon, JVR, Garrett Klotz, Jonathan Matsumoto, Darrell Powe

It is almost time to lace them up and hit the ice after yet another prolonged offseason! I really like the direction the Flyers are headed so lets see what happens this season both on and off the ice.

Ryan Coome

Armchair G.M.