forwards

Any one who has ever played pick-up hockey understands the process of dividing the sticks.

For those of you unaware of the practice, it is a simple way for a group of people to decide teams without having to go through the process of selecting players.

Each person places their stick into a pile at the center of the rink and one person closes their eyes and tosses the sticks into two separate piles with the result being two randomly selected teams.

While the practice works wonders for amateur players, it’s most likely universally believed that the same practice should not be instituted in the professional ranks.

However, after taking a look at the line combinations for the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, it’s hard not to wonder how they came to be.

While head coach Peter Laviolette probably didn’t select his lines by picking the player’s sticks out of a pile in the morning skate, one wouldn’t have been surprised if that was the case.

Several writers have started to say that the Philadelphia Flyers need to rethink their plans to add a defenseman at the trade deadline.

Some believe that even with that kind of addition it still wouldn’t be enough to help the Flyers compete with the top teams in the league. Especially the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.

They’re absolutely right.

Even if the team does bring in a serviceable defender to sure up their shaky d-corps, the team still may not be good enough to contend.

That’s exactly why the team may be looking to strengthen the forward group as well.