Fan-favorite Scott Hartnell jokes with the other
players during a stretching session in between
practice sessions.
Since the Chris Pronger acquisition there has been something different about the city of Philadelphia. On a rainy Friday afternoon a packed house gathered around a rookie scrimmage between the Flyers and Capitals just to witness former second overall selection James van Riemsdyk tear up the ice on the way to a four goal, five point outing. On Sunday, for the actual kick-off of training camp, the 60 invited players swung open the locker room doors to a crowd of nearly 1,700 fans. The opening day of camp at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ had never seen so many fans.
With do many twists and turns this offseason the Flyers remain a mystery. Everyone knows they will win a lot of games. It is nearly impossible not to with such a talented lineup. The only question remaining is whether or not Lord Stanley will be booking a flight for Philadelphia in 2010.
General Manager Paul Holmgren's master plan seemed to come together on opening day. As the grand architect he supplied a masterful design, but it will lie solely on Coach John Stevens' shoulders to put the pieces in the right place.
In the end, opening day left a number of important questions about the 2009-10 Flyers answered.
Is Mike Richards okay after having shoulder surgeries on each shoulder after the playoffs?
Richards had clearly competed with top notch competition during Team Canada's Olympic camp, but he had yet to seriously take or throw a big hit against the boards. The two-on-two board-work drill has to have at least settled some nerves. He still plays like the captain everyone expects, to say the least.
Is Simon Gagne's hip still bothering him?
Gagne pulled out of Team Canada's Olympic camp after feeling some stiffness in his groin and hip region, the same area which he recently had an operation on. He mentioned that he was not ready for such a high tempo tryout for the Olympic team, but he did not seem to miss a step at camp. He did the same board-work drills as Richards and performed as well as anyone could hope. Barring any set-backs he should not be bothered by the injury going into the season.
How will Chris Pronger look in orange?
Big, mean, and loud. Pronger is ready to play. Everyone already knows that, and unlike other locker room leaders Richards, Gagne, Kimmo Timonen, and Danny Briere, Pronger is easily the most outspoken the Flyers have had since the days of Derian Hatcher. It still remains to be seen who will wear the 'A's, but Pronger will certainly make a case for himself. Letter or not Pronger will be heard on the ice and in the locker room.
Can James van Riemsdyk make this team?
After a stunning display in the prospect camp, rookie camp, and the rookie scrimmage it is van Riemsdyk's roster spot to lose as of right now. He looked as if he stood a good foot above his linemates Briere and Claude Giroux at camp. Now he has to play like it. With his long strides he kept up well both of the Flyers' miniature speedsters. Even if his only job is to stand in front of the net come opening day he will be in a good position to score early and get his confidence up.
Will we see three scoring lines or two stacked offensive lines with a checking line?
Based on opening day Stevens is picking up where he left off last season. The three big pairs of Gagne-Richards, Giroux-Briere, and Scott Hartnell-Jeff Carter will remain together though each will likely have a new winger. Darroll Powe, who played with Giroux and Briere at the end of last season opened camp on a fourth line consisting of Dan Carcillo and Ian Laperriere. Mika Pyorala opened with Carter and Hartnell while Krys Kolanos played with Gagne and Richards. Riley Cote, Arron Asham, Andreas Nodl, Mark Bell, Blair Betts, Jared Ross, and Jonathan Kalinksi were all on lower lines for the start of camp. Patrick Maroon was out of the lineup once again due to a minor injury, and it still remains to be seen if he can have the impact on the Flyers club this season that he hopes to have.
While it does not appear to be as deep a lineup as last year's, it seems that Powe, Carcillo, and Lapierre could create a scary fourth line to contend with. Asham though played well last season and will compete hard for a spot. Betts and Bell of course want to earn a contract, and they are looking for one-way contracts. If they are offered two-way deals they will likely find other homes.
There is enough depth and competition to make sure all three pairs get a solid line-mate that fits their styles. The only question left is to figure out where the pieces fall.
What will the defensive pairings be?
While Stevens remains certain that nothing is set in stone, he chose to start the camp with Pronger and Timonen split up. He did mention at prospect camp months ago that he would try them together, but it seems he has decided to use his defensive depth to his advantage. Braydon Coburn played with Timonen and Matt Carle was paired with Pronger. Ryan Parent was with Randy Jones for the third pairing leaving Ole-Kristian Tollefsen as the odd man out of the top six.
How does Ray Emery look between the pipes?
He has yet to prove his true worth. Emery will remain a mystery right up until opening night is over. His lateral movement and athleticism were certainly on display for the on-lookers during the opening day though.
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