Scott Hartnell

Hartnell’s Eventual Return Creates Interesting Decision: Who to Sit?

February 16, 2013

Scott Hartnell’s return to the Flyers lineup is inevitable.

Certainly it’s going to be a huge bonus getting back the team’s leader in goals scored last season with _. But a bit of a dilemma will hit head coach Peter Laviolette when his star left-winger does return.

Unfortunately for the Flyers, the guys for them who are playing their best hockey are the guys who aren’t doing the scoring. And those who need to step their game up and perform better are those relied upon to put the puck in the back of the net.

(Pictured: Mike Knuble battles for a puck on February 11. Chris Young/The Canadian Press/AP)

Back-up Goalie Showdown in the QC

February 16, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers head to the QC to take on the Montreal Canadiens. Habs fans are loud and raucous, so will it affect Brian Boucher? Will Peter Budaj prove to be a worthy back-up for the sick Carey Price?

Jersey Fresh: Flyers Look to Pick Two Points in the Garden State

February 15, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers travel to North Jersey where they hope to slow down a hot Devils team. A win here is two big points closer to the top of the Atlantic Division.

Flyers Leave Room For Improvement At the Quarter Mark

February 10, 2013

John Russo

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After what was looking to be a year without hockey, we found ourselves at the quarter-mark of the 2013 NHL season.

It's already been a fun-filled first three weeks of hockey. Perennial giants are struggling, some super stars are still in search of their scoring touch and even the Chicago Blackhawks have managed to play their first 11 games without a regulation loss.

12 games into the 48-game shortened season, the Flyers find themselves with a 5-6-1 record and 11 points, good for third place in the Atlantic Division.

At that point, they sit behind the first place Devils (7-1-3; 17 points) and second place Penguins (8-4-0; 16 points). It could be much worse, especially since the Flyers were at one point 2-6-0 to start the season.

(Pictured: Ilya Bryzgalov and Zac Rinaldo after the Flyers won, 4-3, in overtime on Saturday. Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Failure to Develop a Blue Line May Have Cost the Flyers JvR

February 3, 2013

Matt Bernot

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Saturday night against Carolina, the Flyers dressed Kimmo Timonen, Luke Schenn, Braydon Coburn, Nicklas Grossmann, Kurtis Foster, and Bruno Gervais as their defense.

All six shared one thing in common -- not a single one of them were drafted by the Flyers.

In fact, the Flyers have a consistent issue with things like that. Since the lost season of 2004-05, the Flyers have not gotten more than 150 games played from a defensemen they drafted and only one home grown defensemen has played more than 200 games in a Flyers uniform since that time, Randy Jones, an undrafted defender.

(Pictured: Braydon Coburn and Kimmo Timonen. Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Knuble Brings Grit, Leadership to Flyers

January 25, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers have brought back a familiar face to their organization.

Grizzled veteran Mike Knuble, who turned 40 last July, agreed to a one-year, $750,000 deal with the Flyers. It has been four years since Knuble was last a Flyer, and he will look to continue his long career back in Philadelphia.

Knuble's signing came as a result of losing Scott Hartnell for most of the season. Hartnell broke his foot on Tuesday and will miss 4-8 weeks according to general manager Paul Holmgren.

(Photo: Mike Knuble playing for Washington in 2011. Photo by Kevin Dietsch)

UPDATE: Scott Hartnell Out 4-8 Weeks With Broken Foot

January 24, 2013

John Russo

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The bad news from yesterday has spread into tonight.

Flyers LW Scott Hartnell will be out 4-8 weeks according to general manager Paul Holmgren. Holmgren said Hartnell has a broken foot.

Battered Flyers Host the Rangers in a Must-Win Game

January 24, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers look to end an eight-game losing streak against the Rangers as well as get their first win of the season. Game is in Philly at 7 PM.

Scott Hartnell's Injury the Latest Bit of Bad Luck for the Flyers

January 23, 2013

John Russo

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Forwards are dropping like flies for the Flyers, and Scott Hartnell could be next on the list.

The Flyers left winger was injured late in Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the devils. With 6:53 remaining in the game, Kimmo Timonen fired a slap shot that hit Hartnell in the left foot, hobbling him.

Giroux Fails to Lead By Example In Loss

January 23, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers have gone into full disappearing mode, and the epidemic has spread to the team's leader.

Before the season started, Claude Giroux was slated to be ready to lead the Flyers, getting endorsements from half the veterans on the team. But in the third game of a young but short season, the captain was completely absent from the game, leaving people wondering what happened to Giroux.

In the Flyers 3-0 loss to New Jersey on Tuesday, Giroux's poor play rubbed off on the rest of the team, including two of the Flyers' young, budding forwards Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier.