Philadelphia Flyers: 10 Things We've Already Learned About Them This Season
The Philadelphia Flyers came so close to lifting the Stanley Cup last season, for the first time since 1975. Going into 2011, expectations in Philadelphia are as high as they've ever been.
The Flyers have a reliable offense, and a good defense, but the issue that has plagued them for a decade remains. Do they have a solid number one goaltender?
Sergei Bobrovsky might be the answer, the Russian has impressed so far, but it is way too early to determine is future place on this team.
The season is young, but the Flyers have already given us clues to what this season could look like.
1.) Sergei Bobrovsky Can Be a No. 1 Goalie
1 of 10Sergei Bobrovsky's debut for the Flyers was spectacular, and his cool, calm demeanor in net against an offensive machine in Pittsburgh was impressive for a young player.
When speaking about his debut, Sergei told the media, "I wasn't too nervous, I was ready for this."
Facing one of the best teams in the NHL in your debut game, the Pittsburgh Penguins, also a rival to your team, Bobrovsky demonstrated he just loves to play the game, and doesn't care who is shooting at him.
The Flyers goaltending situation is still a mess, and even though Brian Boucher was surprised not to start the opener in Pittsburgh, the starting goaltending controversy won't be a locker room issue.
Boucher is a great teammate, and the Flyers know they have to play a solid defensive game no matter who is in net.
2.) The Flyers Defense Is One Of the Best and Deepest in the NHL
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With all the goaltending issues surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers, something that hasn't been given enough attention is the great play from their defense.
Having to play not knowing who your goalie is going to be on any given night is frustrating. Building chemistry and understanding is very difficult when every night there's a different guy in goal.
The Flyers' great defensive play has helped them stave off the ill effects of a serious goaltending issue, a problem that would break most NHL teams.
Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Andrej Meszaros, Braydon Coburn, and Matt Carle make an exceptional group of defenseman.
The Flyers will continue to have goaltending issues all season, but if the defense can consistently play at a high level, they will win a lot of games, even when they hit scoring droughts.
3.) Chris Pronger's Health Should Be Handled Carefully
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Chris Pronger is the Flyers' MVP. A physically dominating presence on defense, Pronger is among the best defenseman in the NHL.
Pronger has been recovering from offseason knee surgery, and is nearly ready to begin playing his normal minutes.
On a team with many goaltending uncertainties, Pronger is the pillar of consistency in front of goal.
He needs to be on the ice, because without Pronger, the Flyers are a much easier team to play against, and will be far less physical too.
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4.) The Flyers Dominate Season Openers at Home
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Philadelphia is 24-12-5-1 all time in home openers, and since moving to the Wells Fargo Center in 1996, they are 7-4-1-1.
Last season they beat the Washington Capitals at home 6-5 in a very exciting overtime game.
Getting off to a good start is key in the NHL, as it's one of the toughest leagues to play catch up in.
The Flyers open their 2011 home schedule tonight vs. Colorado, and Chris Pronger may make his season debut as well.
Pronger's return will likely be short, in order to see where his recovery is at, and how up to speed his play is.
Most of his energy will probably come from the emotional crowd reaction he'll receive when he steps on the ice. The Flyers and their fans know their tall defenseman is the heart of the team, and is the most important player to they Stanley Cup quest.
5.) The Flyers Need More Discipline
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The Flyers are the most penalized team through the season's first two games. Although it is only two games, the Flyers need to be much more disciplined on the ice, and not put themselves in unwanted pressure.
The Flyers have been shorthanded 15 times, killing of 13, for a very nice 86.7 percent penalty kill.
Philadelphia has committed 19 minor penalties so far, most in the NHL.
Scott Hartnell has racked up 21 penalty minutes, tied for the most in the league.
The Flyers cannot be taking too many penalties, their goaltending is not stable enough, and it will tire their players faster.
6.) The Atlantic Division Will Help Them in the Playoffs
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The NHL's Atlantic division is arguably the most difficult division to play in, with so many quality teams from top to bottom.
The New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the New Jersey Devils are all tough matchups for the Flyers.
But playing these teams many times every year will help the Flyers gain confidence against several of the NHL's better teams.
The Rangers and Islanders did not make the playoffs last season, but they both improved in the offseason, and the Rangers have the NHL's best goal tender, Henrik Lundqvist.
The Flyers will be battle tested heading into the playoffs, and their brutal division schedule will give Philly's young players time in high pressure moments, before the postseason.
7.) Simon Gagne Will Be Missed
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Simon Gagne's presence will be missed on offense.
This Thursday, Gagne returns to Philadelphia, where he played 10 memorable seasons, many of them riddled with injury trouble.
Despite being hurt a lot, Simon Gagne ranks ninth on the Flyers all-time goals list.
He was traded to Tampa Bay on July 19, for Matt Walker and a fourth round draft pick.
Gagne's void on the offensive lines will be missed, but the time for the younger Flyers players like James van Riemsdyk to become stars themselves is now.
Van Riemsdyk played a career-high 21 minutes vs. St. Louis Saturday.
8.) The Flyers and Penguins Will Prove A Lot to Each Other Quickly
8 of 10The Flyers and Penguins play each other three times in October, and their meetings have been fierce and emotional.
This matchup is quickly becoming one of the league's most passionate rivalries.
The two teams met in this year's season opener on October 7, and the Flyers beat the Penguins 3-2 on the night Pittsburgh unveiled its new Consol Energy Center.
These battles will shape the battle for the Atlantic division crown, and will help shape any needed tiebreakers necessary at season's end.
9.) Andrej Meszaros Will Be a Solid Defenseman
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Andrej Meszaros was given a four year contract with a $4 million cap hit per year this summer from the Flyers, and he will surely help the defense which is battling injuries.
Philadelphia looked at several other possible defenseman before settling on Meszaros, including Toronto's Tomas Kaberle, and free agent Dan Hamhuis.
With Chris Pronger recovering from offseason knee surgery, and the uncertainty with the amount of games he'll be at 100 percent, Meszaros will become a first pair defenseman.
10.) Philadelphia Is a True Stanley Cup Contender
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The Philadelphia Flyers are eager to bring the Stanley Cup back to the City of Brotherly Love for the first time since 1975, and they have the talent to do it.
If the Flyers can find a reliable goalie, they will be immensely tough to beat.
Offensive stars like Danny Briere and captain Mike Richards are young and in the prime of their careers.
With one of the most solid and deepest blue lines in hockey, the Flyers are a real threat to return to the Stanley Cup Finals, and win it this time.
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