Wed Sep 24 14:08:42 2008

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2008-09 Philadelphia Flyers Preview

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(Sports Network) - Last season, the Flyers delivered one of the quickest turnarounds in NHL history, going from a league-worst 56 points to 95 points and a playoff berth. With a six seed, the club upended Washington in a seven- game classic, knocked off top-seed Montreal in five before bowing to Pittsburgh in the conference finals.

All this was done despite losing streaks of six games in December and 10 games in February, missing top scorer Simon Gagne for all but 25 contests, and lingering questions about the ability of their head coach.

John Stevens has his work cut out for him, because this year, Philly will sneak up on no one. Sure, the Penguins were hit hard by salary cap issues, the Rangers underwent another roster upheaval and the Islanders look like they will be propping up the rest of the Atlantic Division, but the Devils have always presented a problem while the Capitals and Canadiens surely haven't forgotten their early-round playoff ousters.

Now that the sage advice of Terry Murray is no longer available, replaced by Craig Berube, there will be renewed questions on whether a less-than-seasoned coaching staff can push the club to greater things.

In addition, Mike Richards, who was signed to an unprecedented 12-year contract extension during the regular season, has been named team captain -- a sign that the club has committed to turning its recipe for future success over to the youngsters.

FORWARDS - Until their slump around Thanksgiving and their inexplicable inability to score during their 10-game slide last February, the club was clicking at a pace between 3.25 and 3.5 goals per game. They finished with 248 scores, best in the Atlantic and fifth in the Eastern Conference, and should be on pace to equal or top that this year.

In some quarters, the thinking is that the Flyers made the best non-move in the Eastern Conference to bolster their offense, simply by getting a presumably-healthy Gagne back in the lineup. Although Sami Kapanen retired to Finland, R.J. Umberger (13 regular-season goals, 10 playoff tallies) had to be let go as a salary cap casualty to Columbus, and Vinny Prospal wasn't going to re-sign, everyone else on the top three lines have returned.

Along with expectations that Gagne will come close to his 41-goal season in 2006-07, Danny Briere looks to improve upon his 31-goal, 72-point performance from a year ago. Additional expectations will be laid upon Richards, coming off a career-best 28 goals and 75 points.

Ageless wonder Mike Knuble will be counted on to provide something close to the 29 goals (15 on the power play) from last season and big things are also on the horizon for fourth-year sniper Jeff Carter (29 goals in 82 games).

Joffrey Lupul hit the net 20 times despite missing 26 games, and if Scott Hartnell (24) and Scottie Upshall (14) can keep pace, the Flyers will again boast one of the most balanced scoring attacks in the NHL. Fourth-liners Arron Asham, Steve Downie, Glen Metropolit and possibly Jim Dowd will also be expected to chip in.

DEFENSE - A big part of the team's resurgence came as Stevens stressed more defensive discipline. Although their goaltending tandem was left to fend for themselves at times with a young defense corps, a drop off from 303 to 227 goals against is a testament to the system in place, where every skater is charged with some defensive responsibility.

Now that Jason Smith has departed as a free agent to Ottawa and Derian Hatcher will begin the season on injured reserve with right knee troubles, the only experienced backliner on the roster is Kimmo Timonen.

General manager Paul Holmgren made moves to bring in Ossi Vaananen from Europe and Steve Eminger from the Capitals to create more depth at the position and create a stronger batch of younger defensemen who have time to develop for the future. Journeyman Bryan Berard will also get a shot to crack the lineup in camp. The Flyers could use his fluid skating style and talent for offense, particularly on the power play.

Still, Martin Biron, Antero Niittymaki and new addition Jean-Sebastien Aubin are protected by the spirited and fearless Braydon Coburn (36 points, plus-17) and Randy Jones, along with prospect Ryan Parent -- who may get his full chance to prove his worth this season with a strong camp.

GOALTENDING - Biron is the clear starter and number one, but he's still dogged by concerns that he's not a Stanley Cup-caliber backstop. Niittymaki is the backup but dogged by concerns over his glove, his shootout record and his health after it was learned he'll miss 4-to-6 weeks after hip surgery.

Biron, who is coming into the final season of a two-year deal, finished 30-20-9 with a 2.59 goals against and five shutouts in 2007-08. He recorded back-to-back blankings twice, including the final two games of the regular season as the Flyers' playoff future was in doubt. In the postseason, he recorded nine wins and a GAA of nearly three, but that figure ended up inflated due to the Penguins' onslaught of offense in the conference finals.

It's expected that the fiery Quebec native will get at least 60 starts, while Aubin comes in as an insurance policy on a one-year deal should Niittymaki falter or if he continues to be troubled by his hip. Like last season, Biron is being counted on to start the season strong and to erase any mistakes his young defensemen commit.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE - Based on past history, Flyers clubs which make a tremendous leap beyond expectations one year usually have faltered the next.

Even if Gagne plays a full season, Briere evolves into a two-way player in the franchise mold, Richards and Carter continue to mature, the young defense learns quickly, there are no major injuries or mental lapses and Biron shows his usual flashes of brilliance, the missteps will be there.

It also remains to be seen whether or not John Stevens can evolve into a bona- fide NHL coach capable of the kind of leadership which takes the team to the next level.

Nonetheless, the club showed resilience far beyond their years at times last season. With a conference whose power structure is ready to be rebuilt, Philadelphia is at the least a playoff team that will challenge for the high seed that comes with a division title. A season ending with at least 42 wins and 95 points is easily within reach.