NHL FanHouse

Demoting Lecavalier Doesn't Help As Flyers Crush Lightning

Adam Gretz — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the story lines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Flyers 6, Lightning 2: With only one goal in 11 games, Tampa Bay lightning head coach Rick Tocchet decided to demote his No. 1 center, Vincent Lecavalier, to the team's third line, but not because of his lack of goals. Damian Cristodero of Lightning Strikes quoted Tocchet on Monday morning as saying: "we've got to clean him up," referring not only to his lack of offensive production, but his play when he doesn't have the puck (defense, finishing checks, etc. etc. etc.)

Did it work on Monday night in Philadelphia? Not really.

The Flyers received a pair of goals from Jeff Carter and Mike Richards in their 6-2 win, and led by a lopsided 5-1 margin after just 40 minutes. Lecavalier spent most of the game sandwiched between Drew Miller and Stephane Veilleux, and finished with zero points, five shots on goal and a minus-three rating.

Former No. 2 overall pick James van Riemsdyk finished with three assists for Philadelphia, and now has two goals and 11 assists in 10 games.

The Flyers have won their last two games by a combined score of 12-3.

This all comes on the same day that Philadelphia learned it will be without Simon Gagne for six-to-eight weeks following abdominal and hip surgery.

Monday's Other Games

Brendan Witt scores two goals(!) and John Tavres adds his fifth of the season to help the Islanders win their fourth straight game. [Box Score, Recap]

The Kings rally for four straight goals, including three in the third period, to beat Phoenix. Ryan Smyth tallied two on the night, while Anze Kopitar picked up his 11th of the season. Kopitar now has 24 points, moving him one point ahead of Washington's Alex Ovechkin for the league lead.

The Kings held the Coyotes to just 16 shots on goal. [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- Matt Pettinger signs with the Vancouver Canucks. [Nucks Misconduct]

-- A look at the ridiculous number of injuries throughout the first month of the season. [Jim Cerny's Rink Rap]

Video Of The Day

John Taveres scores to help lead the Islanders to another win.

Tuesday's Key Games

Bruins vs. Red Wings: Two of the best teams in the NHL a season ago, Boston and Detroit enter Tuesday's game still struggling to hit their stride through the first month of this season. Both teams have been decimated by injuries early on.

Maple Leafs vs. Lightning: The Maple Leafs can't catch a break, it seems, as Phil Kessel will not be making his season debut on Tuesday night.

Penguins vs. Ducks: Dan Bylsma spent parts of four seasons as a member of the Anaheim Ducks, and on Tuesday he returns as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins as they open a three-game west coast road trip.

Demoting Lecavalier Doesn't Help As Flyers Crush Lightning originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Pink Slip Index: Which Coach Will Be First to Go?

Kevin Schultz — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Ducks, Flyers, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Panthers, NHL Coaching

In the NHL, coach firings are as common as parking tickets in New York City. Throughout the NHL season I'll be taking a bi-weekly look at five coaches who are the most likely to get fired. Be advised your local coach may be axed at any moment. Consider this fair warning.

We've made it through the first month of the NHL season and not one coach has gotten fired yet. That's got to be some kind of record. This is the NHL! Coaches are fired for lots of reasons and sometimes no reason at all. How is no team displeased enough to have fired a coach yet? And what have you got to say for yourself, Lou Lamoriello? Why is your finger not on the trigger?

As it turns out, a lot of teams have actually surprised us and played well, helping their coach's job security in the process. Before the season I named a few coaches whom I thought were starting the year on the hot seat. More than a few of them have been saved by solid starts. Joel Quenneville and the Hawks are 7-3-1 and atop the Central. John Anderson and the Thrashers started the year 4-1-1 before dropping their last two against good teams and the Kings may have saved Terry Murray's job by grabbing 17 points in 13 games to lead the Pacific.

The good news for me -- I was afraid I wouldn't have anyone to write about -- is that not every team is off to such a hot start. The Ducks have struggled out of the gate, the Flyers and Canucks are both hovering around .500 and Toronto has been an unmitigated disaster losing six of their first eight by two goals or more. So I'd like to take the time to thank those teams for lighting a fire under their coach's respective chairs.

So today, I present to you the first in a season-long series of coaches-on-the-hot-seat rankings. Five coaches. Five teams. Five fanbases that want blood -- sweet, sweet blood. We'll start at number five and head on through to numero uno, my prediction for the coach to get the axe first.

No. 5: Peter DeBoer, Florida Panthers. DeBoer is only in his second year with the Panthers and had some success last year as the team finished ninth in the East, missing out on the playoffs by losing a tiebreaker to the Canadiens. But in the NHL it's all about 'what have you done for me lately' and the Panthers have started this season 2-7-1 and are averaging 2.2 goals per game. Add that to their 29th-best ranking in goals allowed and things are not looking good. Personally, I don't believe the Horton trade rumors, but if they're crazy enough to trade him firing DeBoer will look sane in comparison.

Seat status: STEAMY

No. 4: John Stevens, Philadelphia Flyers. I said before the season that this could be a make or break year for Stevens and the Flyers. They had a talented roster and only improved it during the offseason. However, they've been short on postseason success and are 5-4-1, already nine points behind the division-leading Penguins in the tough Atlantic. The Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup last year after firing their coach down the stretch. That means there will be copycats, and if the Flyers continue to be mediocre Stevens may be sent packing to shake things up.

Seat status: STEAMY

No. 3: Randy Carlyle, Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks have had a lot of success under Carlyle. In four seasons they've won a Cup and made another trip to the conference finals. The last two years have been less successful but nothing that should threaten a coach's job. But the Ducks are 3-6-1 to start this season, with the latest defeat being a 6-3 drubbing by the winless Leafs in front of the home fans. Half the reason Carlyle is on this list is because there really aren't a lot of other people to put here. The other half is because of the random stinkers the Ducks have put forth this season: 5-0 home rout by St. Louis, 4-1 opening-night loss to San Jose. He's not going anywhere yet -- he'll get a fair shake -- but the early news is not good.

Seat Status: TOASTY

No. 2: Ron Wilson, Toronto Maple Leafs. It's been a fun season already in Toronto. The team has started 0-7-1 before showing some life the last two games on, of all places, the road in Anaheim and Dallas. Fans are outraged. The media is making jokes. Wilson has already gotten a vote of confidence from the GM. All key ingredients to canning a coach. However, there's one thing standing in the way: that vote of confidence was actually legit. The problem with this team is not Wilson and GM Brian Burke knows it. The seat is very warm but there will be little action here. Move along.

Seat status: CALIENTE

No. 1: Rick Tocchet, Tampa Bay Lightning. The lame thing about NHL coaches this season is that there's no one you can point at and yell 'DEAD MAN WALKING!' A lot of thought-to-be-crappy teams are good. A lot of good teams are mediocre. A very small handful of teams are very bad. The Lightning are not very bad. But the Lightning are off to a bad start (4-3-3) and are led by a coach who was interim for most of last season and was hired by the previous coach. That latter is the coaching kiss of death, which is why I believe Tocchet will be the first to go this year. And also because anything goes at Cirque du SoLightning.

Seat status: CALIENTE MÁS UNO

Coaches recieving a free pass this time around: Alain Vigneault, Vancouver Canucks. Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators. Paul Maurice, Carolina Hurricanes. Jacques Lemaire, New Jersey Devils (listed simply because his boss is Lou Lamoriello).

The Pink Slip Index: Which Coach Will Be First to Go? originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Theodore Stops 41 to Lead Capitals

Adam Gretz — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Capitals, Flyers

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the story lines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Capitals 4, Flyers 2: It may not have matched their first meeting of the season, but Tuesday's Capitals-Flyers throw down turned out to be an outstanding game with a playoff-like atmopshere. Alex Ovechkin netted a pair of goals, while Alex Semin scored the game-winner midway through the third period (video after the jump) with a rocket of a wrist shot that couldn't have been placed any better.

While the two Alex's were providing the offense, goaltender Jose Theodore played perhaps his best game of the season, stopping 41 shots, including a penalty shot against Darroll Powe midway through the third period to preserve a 3-2 lead.

Tuesday's Other Games

Guess which team has the most points in hockey at the present time? Thanks to their 3-0 win in Edmonton, it's the Colorado Avalanche with a league-best 20 points, and a 9-1-2 record. Wojtek Wolski scored a pair of goals, while Craig Anderson turned aside 25 shots to record his second shutout of the season. [Box Score, Recap]

Detroit picked up its first road win of the season thanks to a four-goal third period in Vancouver. Pavel Datsyuk scored a pair, while Tomas Holmstrom, Niklas Kronwall and Jason Williams also tallied goals. [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- Colorado Avalanche backup goaltender Peter Budaj has been diagnosed with swine flu. [TSN]

-- The best non-Canadian hockey matchups for the 2010 Olympics. [Top Cheddar]

-- It appears as if defenseman Dmirty Kulikov will remain with the Panthers this season. [Litter Box Cats]

Video Of The Day

This is just an absolutely ridiculous shot from Alex Semin. It proved to be the game-winner in Washington's 4-2 win against Philadelphia.

Wednesday's Key Games

Rangers vs. Islanders: It's the first meeting of the season between these two bitter, cross-town rivals. Always a fun meeting, especially at the Garden.

Maple Leafs vs. Stars: Can Toronto make it two in a row? The Maple Leafs, fresh off their 6-3 win in Anaheim, travel to Dallas looking for their first winning streak of the season.

Kings vs. Sharks: In an early-season battle for first place in the Pacific Division, the Sharks welcomes the up-and-coming Kings to San Jose.

Theodore Stops 41 to Lead Capitals originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Booth Taken Off on Stretcher After Devastating Hit From Mike Richards

Adam Gretz — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:20:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Panthers, NHL Injuries, NHL Discipline

For the second time in as many nights, an NHL player was taken off the ice on a stretcher Saturday. This time around it's Florida Panthers forward David Booth, who was on the receiving end of what appears to be a rather borderline hit from Philadelphia's Mike Richards.

Video after the jump.

Richards appears to lead with his shoulder, but it's a hit to the head, and that's never a good thing. He received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for interference, and the play will obviously get some attention from the league. How can a player get five minutes and a game misconduct for interference you ask? Well, let's recall our conservation with former NHL director of officiating Stephen Walkom from a year ago. From Walkom:

"In terms of that call, a year ago the general managers decided that in our rule book we always had a minor penalty for interference," said Walkom. "Someone asked the question one day, 'What happens if a player doesn't play the puck, gets hit, and gets injured ... Shouldn't that be a major penalty? And a game misconduct?' So, the major penalty and a game misconduct were added to the rule book last year. It was approved by the competition committee, the board of governors and the general managers first."

Once the major penalty is issued, the game misconduct becomes automatic. It's all under rules 56.4 and 56.5 in the NHL rule book.

Booth scored his second goal of the season earlier in the game.

So, what do you think, hockey fans? Is this a legal hit with an unfortunate result, or a player that requires further discipline from the league?

UPDATE: Booth has been released from a Philadelphia hospital after suffering a concussion.

(H/T HFBoards for posting the video)

David Booth Taken Off on Stretcher After Devastating Hit From Mike Richards originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hunting Trips With Bernie Parent Available on eBay

Adam Gretz — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, NHL Fans

It seems the Philadelphia Flyers have been hunting (too easy) for a franchise goaltender since Bernie Parent retired following the 1978-79 season. During his 13-year career, Parent helped guide the Flyers to back-to-back Stanley Cups, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP each time.

Thirty years after his retirement, you can spend some time with the Hall of Fame netminder if you're interested in doing some Bambi hunting on a private farm in New Jersey. Hopefully he doesn't wear his Jason-style goalie mask during the hunt because, well, that would just be creepy.

So, what does the $375 price tag get you?

From the eBay ad:

YOU ARE PURCHASING A ONE DAY FULLY GUIDED HUNT ON OUR PRIVATE FARMS IN NEW JERSEY WITH NHL LEGEND BERNIE PARENT. THIS HUNT WILL INCLUDE BREAKFAST WITH BERNIE A MORNING HUNT, LUNCH WITH BERNIE TO INCLUDE A PHOTO SHOOT FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL PICTURES AND AUTOGRAPGHS. YOU WILL THEN BE TAKEN OUT ON OUR EVENING HUNT. YOUR GUIDE WILL TAKE YOU TO AND FROM YOUR STEEL LADDER STAND OR GROUND BLIND IF YOU PREFER, LOCATE, FIELD DRESS AND TRANSPORT ANY DEER YOU MAY TAKE BACK TO THE CLUB HOUSE. BUTHERING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THESE HUNTS ARE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUAL GROUPS, CORPORATE, ETC.

I'm assuming "buthering services" are butchering services, which is a plus, I suppose.

The advertisement claims there's only a limited number of dates available for archery, shotgun and muzzle loader season from October through January.

[H/T Illegal Curve, via Empty-Netters]

Hunting Trips With Bernie Parent Available on eBay originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHL Discipline: No Punishment for Hartnell, Pat Quinn Fined $10,000

Adam Gretz — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Flames, Flyers, Oilers, Penguins

We already talked about the ending to Thursday's Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia game and the Penguins claim that Flyers forward Scott Hartnell took a bite out of Kris Letang's finger. After a conference call with league disciplinary czar Colin Campbell on Friday, it was determined that Hartnell will not face any additional discipline due to a lack of evidence.

Video of the incident, including a new nickname for Hartnell, after the jump.

Neither player would say for sure what happened. Letang insisted that the media ask Hartnell, and when asked, Hartnell said "a lot of stuff happens on the bottom of the pile. He had his hands in my face doing the facewash and we're rolling around. I can't say what happened."

And there's the problem. You can't see what's happening at the bottom of the scrum. All we know is both players went down to the ice and Letang came up with a cut on his hand. Just another chapter in a bitter rivalry that's sure to be a must-watch the rest of the season.

Both players received two-minute minors for roughing.

Meanwhile, Edmonton Oilers head coach Pat Quinn was quite heated following his team's shootout loss to the Calgary Flames when discussing an incident involving Sheldon Souray and Jarome Iginla.

Following the game, Quinn advocated some Marty McSorley-style vigilante justice.

"I don't understand the players of today," Quinn said on Thursday. "If that had happened in the old days he would have got hit over the head with a stick right after. It was a pretty dirty play in my opinion. He poked his feet out and then piled on top of him. Somehow they never deal with that crap and they won't let the vigilante stuff happen to deal with it. It's disappointing."

Emphasis mine, as I'm assuming that's the specific comment that the league took notice of. The NHL, not amused by such comments, slapped him with a $10,000 fine on Friday.

NHL Discipline: No Punishment for Hartnell, Pat Quinn Fined $10,000 originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Penguins vs. Flyers Has the Ending You Would Expect: Chaos

Adam Gretz — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:45:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Penguins

The first battle for Keystone State supremacy this season did not disappoint, as the Penguins pulled out a back-and-forth 5-4 win in Philadelphia, thanks in large part to an own-goal by the Flyers after a wayward Braydon Coburn pass deflected off of Ray Emery's skate to give the Pens a 4-2 lead late in the second period.

As is typically the case when these two teams get together, there was no love lost, and the ending turned into a three-ring circus during the Flyers' desperate attempt to tie the score. After Jeff Carter cut a 5-3 deficit to just one goal with 40 seconds to play, Philadelphia had one last push that resulted in all hell breaking loose in front of -- and behind -- Marc-Andre Fleury.

With less than 10 seconds to play in regulation, Flyers captain Mike Richards drove to the net and collided with Fleury, drawing a goaltender interference penalty in the process.

What followed was a scrum behind the goal involving Kris Letang and Scott Hartnell, resulting in the two falling to the ice and Letang getting his hand cut by something. The immediate reaction from the Penguins bench seemed to indicate that Hartnell took a bite out of Letang's hand.

In his post-game interview, Letang wouldn't say what happened, though, it's not hard to figure out what he's hinting at.

"You can go ask Hartnell," Letang told reporters when asked about the incident.

When asked if he's ever had anything like that done to him before he responded, "No, it's a first for me but I want you to be certain you go ask him and make sure you get the right answer for that."

Watching the game and the replay, it's impossible to see what exactly happened. All we have to go by is the fact both players went to the ice, Letang came up with a cut on his finger, and the Penguins were quite angry following the whole exchange, screaming for the officials to come to the bench and look at Letang's bleeding finger.

If we assume that Hartnell did, in fact, take a bite out of Letang's hand, you just have to go back to last season when Ottawa's Jarkko Ruutu chomped down on Andrew Peters of the Buffalo Sabres (in plain view of the camera's).

Ruutu received a two-game suspension.

Because it's impossible to see exactly what happened in this particular incident -- as of now, no better angle has surfaced -- I'd guess that Hartnell doesn't get anything more than the two-minute for roughing (Letang received the same penalty) he received on the ice.

Regardless of what happened, the ending to this game should be a surprise to no one. Actually, it was probably one of the more mellow Penguins vs. Flyers games in recent years.

The two teams don't meet again until they play in back-to-back games December 15 and 17. Circle those dates.

UPDATE: Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the following:

Hartnell told reporters he did not bite Letang, but added that "a lot of stuff happens on the bottom of the pile. He had his hands in my face doing the face wash and we're rolling around. I can't say what happened."

Penguins vs. Flyers Has the Ending You Would Expect: Chaos originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hats Off to Mike Richards, Happy Birthday Danny Briere

Adam Gretz — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Canadiens, Capitals, Flames, Flyers, Maple Leafs, Senators

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Flyers 6, Capitals 5: After a scoreless first period in Philadelphia, the final 40 minutes of regulation -- and the overtime period -- of the Capitals-Flyers game turned into a defense optional contest.

The two teams pumped in 11 goals during Philadelphia's 6-5 overtime win, including a second period hat trick from Flyers center Mike Richards, giving him five goals in his first three games of the season. Such a number would have given him the early season lead in goals scored, had it not been for Alex Ovechkin continuing his white-hot start by adding a pair of his own, also giving him five on the young season.

After the jump: Video of the day, an unlikely hat trick, Ottawa tops 'The Monster'

The game-winning tally came from Danny Briere at the 3:52 mark of the overtime period on the same day he celebrated his 33rd birthday. Some of the other offensive highlights from the night: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom registered three more assists ... Flyers defenseman Matt Carle had four assists of his own - in the second period ... Capitals winger Alexander Semin scored two more goals ... Through three games, the line of Ovechkin, Backstrom and Semin has combined for nine goals, 15 assists and 24 points.

Flames 4, Canadiens 3: Entering play on Tuesday, former No. 10 overall pick (2002) Eric Nystrom had played 124 games in the NHL and scored eight goals. During Calgary's 4-3 win against Montreal, the 26-year-old winger scored three goals on three shots for the first multiple-goal game of his career. Scott Gomez scored his first goal as a member of the Canadiens in the loss.

Senators 2, Maple Leafs 1: The Maple Leafs dropped their third in a row to start the season, falling to their Provincial rivals. Daniel Alfredsson and Shean Donovan provided the offense for the Senators, while Pascal Leclaire stopped 26 of 27 shots in net. Matt Stajan provided the lone goal for Toronto (his third of the season) and Jonas Gustavsson stopped 26 shots in his first career start. For 59 minutes and 23 seconds, Gustavsson pitched a shutout for the Leafs only to surrender both goals in a 37-second span early in the second period.

Tuesday's Other Games

Carolina tops Tampa Bay in a shootout. [Box Score, Recap]

Minnesota comes back for overtime win. [Box Score, Recap]

Edmonton wins in a shootout. [Box Score, Recap]

Los Angeles takes on San Jose [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- With Andrei Markov on the shelf for a few months, Montreal addressed its power play and depth on the blue line by adding free agent defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeon. He scored 14 goals for Minnesota a year ago. [TSN]

-- Good news for the New Jersey Devils as winger Patrik Elias has returned to the ice. [Fire & Ice]

-- Bad news for the Colorado Avalanche as goaltender Craig Anderson, the man leading their surprising start, missed practice on Tuesday with a "minor groin strain." According to Adrian Dater, the Avs believe he will return to practice on Wednesday. [All Things Avs]

Video Of The Day

Mike Richards pounces on a loose puck and scores his third goal of the game.

Wednesday's Key Games

Another slow night on the schedule as only four teams are in action.

Penguins vs. Coyotes: Phoenix continues its season-opening three-game road trip in Pittsburgh against the Stanley Cup Champions who are looking to win their third in a row.

Canadiens vs. Canucks: Vancouver looks to get in the "W" column for the first time this season against Montreal, while everyone asks what's wrong with Roberto Luongo?

Hats Off to Mike Richards, Happy Birthday Danny Briere originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flyers, Devils Celebrate New Season With Street Fights

Kevin Schultz — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Devils, Flyers, NHL Fans

Sports fans in Philadelphia get a bad rap as one of the worst groups of sports fans in the country. There's the old legend that they booed Santa Claus and there's the factual occurrence of their booing Donovan McNabb. But, as with any sweeping generalization, there's a part based in rumor and legend as well as a part somewhat based in truth. While details are still sketchy about what happened one thing is clear -- Flyers and Devils fans decided to open the season with a bang with some European style hooliganism on the streets of New Jersey and Philly (Note: Fair warning, there are some graphic, NSFW descriptions after the jump).

The Flyers and Devils squared off at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night. As you might expect, a good amount of the folks in attendance came in from Philly for the game. The Flyers won easily by a final tally of 5-2 and even led 4-0 early in the third. And afterward things got really crazy. It was probably due to a combination of excitement for the start of hockey season, alcohol and general douchebaggery that helped to create fan-on-fan royal rumbles on the streets.

I mean, it's sports. There's alcohol. There are dimwits. This is what occasionally happens and to single out the Philly fans for one video (Ed. Note: the video in question has been pulled down by YouTube.) and some rumors is certainly not indicative of the whole bunch. Clearly some Devils fans are a part of the melee, as well. But come on, it's only the first game of the season. Do these guys really have 81 more fights -- not to mention playoff bouts -- in them? Pace yourselves!

But in all serious, there wound up being a pretty scary situation after some people got back to Philly later in the night.

According to The700Level.com, the fighting managed to find its way back to Philly and it was nothing to joke about. This is an account from one of their readers.

When we got back to the The Arena bowling alley in the Northeast, there were cop cars everywhere and a big brawl taking place. These were all Flyers fans fighting. I don't know why. I guess drinking all day had something to do with it? Anyway, some guy comes walking by with his buddy screaming, "Call an ambulance!" He had been stabbed and his intestines were literally hanging out! There was blood everywhere. We were just a little freaked out and didn't want to be stabbed so we left.

Yeah, people, come on. There's no place for that anywhere especially in sports. Think about that word for a moment. Sports. We're talking about sports. Let's hope for the best for all involved.

Flyers, Devils Celebrate New Season With Street Fights originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Backchecking With ... Daniel Briere

Christopher Botta — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, FanHouse Exclusive

We get to know NHL players with five quick questions. Today's subject: Daniel Briere, whose Flyers begin their season Friday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Earliest hockey memory?

Gatineau, Quebec ... playing outside my house on the rink my mom and dad would build for us every winter. We played non-stop from November to March. Great memories.

Favorite and least favorite part of being in the NHL?

The best is when you grow as a team and win as a team. There's an excitement when everyone is on the same page. There's also the friendships you develop. The worst part is easy; I know all about it from last season. Being injured for an extended period of time. There comes a point when you don't even feel like part of the team. It is a terrible thing to go through.

Any superstitions or rituals?

I'm not a superstitious guy. I do like to keep the same routine for game nights. Leave my house around the same time, hopefully get to the arena two and a half hours before the game. Get my equipment ready in a certain order. But I don't do anything really odd.

Hidden talents?

No way. I play golf and I try to help out with my kids' hockey teams. But in terms of a special gift, like music or something? I've got nothing.

Who's the one opponent you'd love to lay a big hit on?

I would have to say Shane Doan, but unfortunately he's probably too big and solid a guy for me to make much of a dent. Shane's a good friend from when I played in Phoenix. We had our share of battles at the poker table. I'd love to get him with a good hit.

*"The Briere Bunch" is an organization run by hockey fans that supports Daniel and his efforts on behalf of children's charities. Visit them at https://www.brierebunch.com/

Backchecking With ... Daniel Briere originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It Appears Jason Allison Does Not Have Superhuman Strength

Adam Gretz — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Maple Leafs, NHL Videos

We all had a good laugh over the weekend when Maple Leafs Forward Jason Allison, in his quest to complete an NHL comeback, ripped Darroll Powe's helmet apart with nothing more than his bare hands. Certainly general manager Brian Burke likes that sort of intensity, but we were curious as to how, and why, Powe's helmet came apart so easily. After all, it's not everyday that you see helmets getting split in half on the ice.

As it turns out, Allison isn't the helmet-crushing beast we thought he was, and the explanation is fairly reasonable and, probably, quite obvious.

Per Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, it was simply a loose screw on Powe's helmet that allowed it to come apart.

No big deal.

I don't know about you, but that's kind of a letdown knowing that Allison doesn't have the ability to destroy helmets on a whim.

And, of course, a tip of the cap goes out to commenter Vance for accurately calling it.

It Appears Jason Allison Does Not Have Superhuman Strength originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jason Allison Rips Darroll Powe's Helmet In Half

Adam Gretz — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Maple Leafs, NHL Videos

Behold, mere mortals, the awesome, superhuman strength that is 34-year-old Jason Allison as he grabs the helmet of Flyers forward Darroll Powe and proceeds to tear it in half as if it were a piece of construction paper.

Video after the jump.

I don't know if this says more about Allison's strength (or desire to inflict bodily harm on Powe) or the shoddy construction of the piece of plastic designed to protect Darroll Powe's brain. Either way, Powe should consider himself lucky that it was only guarding him from the brute force of Jason Allison's steel trap-like grip and not a 95 MPH slap shot.

Allison, by the way, is attempting to return to the NHL for the first time since 2005-06 when he scored 17 goals in 66 games for the Maple Leafs.

UPDATE: And we have our answer. Simply a loose screw on Powe's helmet.

Video: Jason Allison Rips Darroll Powe's Helmet In Half originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'JVR' Makes Major Push for Flyers' Spot

Christopher Botta — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers

FanHouse's Christopher Botta reports from Flyers training camp.

VOORHEES, NJ -- A year in the minors may be the logical next step in the development of James van Riemsdyk.

The young man, though, is giving the Flyers plenty to think about.

More Coverage: The East's Top Prospects

The 20-year-old scored the team's lone goal Wednesday night in a 3-1 loss to the Red Wings and did not look out of place in his 15 minutes of ice time. In the first three days of drills and scrimmages at Flyers training camp before the trip to Detroit, van Riemsdyk was a standout. The week before, he was dominant at the team's rookie camp -- including four goals in a game against Washington Capitals prospects.

"The Flyers are giving me a chance. Look at all the great players they've put me with. This is an incredible opportunity. I'm not going to waste this chance." The second overall pick in the 2007 draft (after Chicago's Patrick Kane, one pick before Phoenix's Kyle Turris), is making a legitimate bid for the varsity. For the first three days of camp, he was placed by head coach John Stevens on a line with center Claude Giroux and converted right wing Daniel Briere. For the exhibition game against the Red Wings, the New Jersey native was to the left of Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell. You can't say the Flyers are not putting their coveted prospect in position to succeed.

On his goal last night, van Riemsdyk said, "The other defensemen, I think they were looking for Hartnell and Carter. They wanted to take away our two biggest scoring threats on the ice. I snuck away and got a lucky shot in." He reviewed his performance as "all right. There were a few times I wasn't in the right place on defense. I have to fix that soon." On the second Red Wings' goal, he took his eyes off Jamie Tardiff alone in front of the net. The Detroit right wing scored.

Those are mistakes Philadelphia management knows they'll have to address with the raw, but powerful and talented youngster. The Flyers are loaded with skilled and gritty players up front; Mike Richards and Simon Gagne are the two best forwards van Riemsdyk has yet to skate with. Adding van Riemsdyk to the mix for the start of the season would be an extravagance, maybe an unnecessary one. If he makes the team, his $1.6 million salary cap hit could also present a problem for the up-against-it Flyers.

All Stevens and GM Paul Holmgren have said on the subject is simply that van Riemsdyk has to earn his spot.

"We're going to continue to get him some games, give him a fair chance in all situations and see how James performs," said Stevens. "To us, it doesn't matter where a player is drafted. Once they get on the ice, they are hockey players."

The 20-year-old van Riemsdyk is a unique case, however. After his selection second overall, the kid they call "JVR" played not one, but two years at the University of New Hampshire. It was the second year that drew some groans from members of Flyers management, who believed a prospect playing less than 40 games a year in the NCAA was not helping his development if he wanted to be a pro.

Still, the product of the U.S. National Development Program held firm in his decision and helped lead New Hampshire to the Elite Eight last season. The amiable, laid-back kid said he went to UNH to alter the school's reputation as the "University of No Hardware." He finished last season with the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate. That club moves this year from across the street at the Spectrum to Glens Falls, N.Y. While a year of development in the minors is still likely, van Riemsdyk may force the Flyers to change their plans.

"This is my first pro camp, a time to prove I belong," van Riemsdyk told FanHouse earlier in the week. "I respect that I may have to go through Glens Falls to get to the NHL, but that's my thinking right now. The Flyers are giving me a chance. Look at all the great players they've put me with. This is an incredible opportunity. I'm not going to waste this chance."

'JVR' Makes Major Push for Flyers' Spot originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse at Flyers Camp Notebook

Christopher Botta — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:41:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers

FanHouse's Christopher Botta reports from Flyers training camp.

VOORHESS, NJ -- After two full days following the Flyers at camp, we present some news, notes, rock-solid lineup projections (riiiiight) and more.

'L' Locked In: Barring injuries, the Flyers' blueline is set. Although the team's season opener at home vs. Washington is three weeks from now, it would not be a shocker to find these defense pairings:

Matt Carle - Chris Pronger
Braydon Coburn - Kimmo Timonen
Randy Jones - Ryan Parent

Free agent signee Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, who played the last three seasons in Columbus, has the inside track as the seventh defenseman. Former Oilers third round pick Danny Syvret, who had 57 points for the Flyers' AHL affiliate last season, has impressed management and could push for a spot.

Openings at Forward: Head coach John Stevens has taken the unique step this early in camp of virtually locking in three pairs of top forwards as linemates:

Simon Gagne - Mike Richards - ___________
Scott Hartnell - Jeff Carter - ____________
__________ - Daniel Briere - Claude Giroux

The tradition of toughness continues with old-school enforcer Riley Cote, middleweight slugger Arron Asham, yappy instigator Ian Laperriere -- signed to a three-year deal in the offseason -- and fearless agitator Daniel Carcillo. If you haven't heard, No. 1 goalie Ray Emery also doesn't shy away from a brawl.

Darrell Powe, a free agent signing two years ago out of Princeton, has emerged as an intangibles performer with blazing speed and a nasty streak -- join the club! -- and has the inside track on an NHL job. Former San Jose first round pick Lukas Kaspar is getting a look, as are young Philadelphia farmhands Jon Kalinski and Patrick Maroon.

If the Flyers cannot find the answers within their prospect pool, NHL veterans Blair Betts and Mark Bell -- in camp on tryouts -- could win contracts. Betts, after four seasons of solid service as a defensive center and ace penalty killer, surprisingly went the entire offseason without a contract offer.

Although no one seems to know how to pronounce it, the name on everyone's lips through three days of camp is Mika Pyorala. Signed with zero fanfare after nine years in the Finnish and Swedish leagues, the 28-year-old center has dazzled with his skill and tenacity. Then again, stories like Pyorala's can be found all over NHL camps this month. He could make the Flyers or just as easily never be heard from again.

No Competition in Goal: Many may view the position as the Flyers' biggest question mark, but the goaltending rotation is set:

Ray Emery
Brian Boucher

Emery went to Calgary in August to work out with personal goaltending coach Eli Wilson in Calgary and other NHL goalies, including Carey Price. "Except for the year I played in Russia, I've done the program in Calgary every summer," said Emery. "It's the best way to get your feet under you and I always pick up something new with technique."

Johan Backlund will be the No. 1 goalie with the organization's new AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms. Adam Morrison, the third round pick this June with Saskatoon (WHL), is the Flyers' best netminding prospect.

ETC: In an intrasquad scrimmage this morning, Jeff Carter picked up where he left off last season. A 48-goal scorer in 2008-09, Carter had two goals in the first 10 minutes of the scrimmage.

Daniel Briere, limited to 29 games last season with groin and abdominal injuries, said he feels "the best I have in four years. I have the explosiveness I didn't have when I came back for the playoffs," he said. Most NHL veterans do not live for the preseason, but Briere can't wait. "It feels like I didn't play last year," he said. "That's probably why I'm so excited."

A familiar surname is in Flyers camp: Tomas Sinisalo, the son of longtime Flyer and current team scout Ilkka Sinisalo, is here on a tryout. Asked if he is at camp because of his connection to the franchise, Tomas said, "I feel I'm here on merit. I played in the Finnish Elite League the last four years." However, the younger Sinisalo is happy to be where he lived the first five years of his life before his family returned to Europe. "This sort of feels like home."

Simon Gagne, who suffered a groin injury at Team Canada orientation camp last month, is back to practicing and is one of 35 players on the Flyers' three-game road trip to start the exhibition season. The team plays in Detroit on Wednesday, against Toronto in London, Ontario (NHL Network broadcast) on Thursday and in Toronto on Saturday. Among the big names on the trip: Pronger, Coburn, Carter, Richards, Hartnell, Timonen, Briere, Emery and top prospect James van Riemsdyk.

FanHouse at Flyers Camp Notebook originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pronger: 'I Don't Play for Second Place'

Christopher Botta — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers

FanHouse's Christopher Botta reports from Flyers training camp

VOORHEES, NJ -- Attention, Eastern contenders: Chris Pronger has not returned to the conference with the intention of coasting through the back half of his 30s.

"I feel better than I ever have," Pronger told FanHouse on Monday after a long day at training camp. "I'm more hungry to win than I've ever been."

By winning, he doesn't mean just qualifying for the playoffs. "I don't play for second place," he said.

More: Flyers Camp Notebook

Pronger is at the stage of his first-ballot Hall of Fame career that if he was an NFL player, he'd find a way to show up a few weeks into training camp. But every morning he's here early, attacking drills with the verve of a rookie. In the punishing skate near the end of practice, Pronger leads the defensemen lap after lap. When his two hours on the ice are over, the defenseman pushes himself through another hour of footwork and lifting.

"He doesn't stop," said Flyers goalie Ray Emery. "When you see a 15-year veteran with an approach like Pronger's, you better believe it rubs off on the rest of the team."

Pronger has no intention of ever pulling a Strahan or Favre in training camp.

"I don't look at it as a job," said Pronger. He turns 35 on Oct. 10 but with his boyish face and haircut -- or maybe it's just that he has all his hair -- he could still pass for 25. "This is fun, but the season is long if you reach your goal. You have to be ready. You need talent and commitment, the team that's in the best shape and stays healthy gives itself the best chance in the playoffs."

Pronger says he never takes a break during the offseason. ("Not even a week. If you do, you end up paying for it.") As Flyers head coach John Stevens installs a more up-tempo, puck-pursuit system, Pronger will need to prove he hasn't lost a step.

"He hasn't," said Flyers wing Arron Asham. "And if he ever does, Prongs will make up for it with his reach and his smarts. As physical as he plays, as much as he has played, that man has a lot of years left in him."

The Flyers are counting it. They traded a truckload of young talent and draft picks to Anaheim to land the Norris and Hart winner of a decade ago. The Ducks received 25-goal scorer Joffrey Lupul, stud defense prospect Luca Sbisa -- inciting worship this week in Anaheim's camp -- and first-round draft picks in 2010 and 2011.

Executives at teams without the guts to make such a bold move whispered that GM Paul Holmgren overpaid. Analysts jumped on board and questioned if Holmgren thought he was getting the Pronger he coached in Hartford 15 years ago. Philadelphia columnists declared that the legacy of the Flyers GM hinged entirely on whether Pronger delivers the Cup to Broad Street.

That's exactly why Pronger is here. The Flyers have plenty of talent up front -- Mike Richards, Simon Gagne, Jeff Carter, Scott Hartnell, Daniel Briere, the on-the-brink Claude Giroux -- but they cannot match up in the division with Pittsburgh's superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The path to the Cup final could also go through Washington, where Alexander Ovechkin resides.

Holmgren saw another solution in Pronger. "He's still one of the best defensemen in the league," said the general manager. "We have a team that doesn't back down, but it was important to get someone who could make life really miserable for our opponents. Chris is going to do that for us, plus he's a leader and he has won."

Pronger minimizes the importance of ring-owners on a roster, pointing out that blueline colleague Scott Niedermayer was the only key player on the Ducks to win a Stanley Cup before Anaheim's championship in 2007. "I will lead every way I can," said Pronger, whose jersey is No. 20 in honor of his father, who wore the number in a senior men's league. "This is still a pretty young team so if something happens during the season where I can lend my experience, I'll definitely help the guys along. But what's more crucial is everyone maintaining their hunger to win, and for everyone to buy into our system and commit to it each and every day."

The workload of the 15-year veteran could be eased a bit because of the deep Flyers blueline, including his likely D mate Matt Carle, minute-cruncher Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn and Ryan Parent. "Thirty minutes would be stretching it unnecessarily," said John Stevens, "but Chris is still going to see 23-26 on a given night. When you're matched up against the other team's top scorers and play both special teams, you're going to play a lot."

Pronger is well aware that he'll be judged on how the Flyers do against the dynamos in Pittsburgh and Washington. "I understand that," Pronger said. "That comes with the territory ... your big guys against theirs. But we've already started to talk about this as a group. This is a different era in hockey. Those days are gone when you could assign an Esa Tikkanen to shadow a star and he'd get the job done by himself. Now you have to handle the big stars as a five-man unit. Even better than that, control the puck, make them work. The last thing goal scorers want to be doing is playing defense."

On the other side, Chris Pronger lives for it.

Pronger: 'I Don't Play for Second Place' originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joe Frazier Visits Ray Emery, Says Hockey Tougher Than Boxing

Christopher Botta — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, FanHouse Exclusive

FanHouse's Christopher Botta reports from Flyers' training camp

VOORHEES, NJ - Former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier visited Philadelphia Flyers training camp on Monday and met with goaltender Ray Emery. The new Flyer is honoring the local legend this season with an image of Frazier on his goalie mask.

Emery presented Frazier with a Flyers jersey, while the boxer presented the goalie with a DVD of "The Thrilla in Manilla" and signed it for him. "That's very cool. Thank you, sir," said Emery, clearly touched.

Frazier, who still lives in Philadelphia, invited Emery to his boxing gym in town -- and that was before he learned the goaltender was a willing participant in hockey fights. "You should come down to my gym," Frazier said to Emery. "I'll show you a few things." Later, the 65-year old former champ told reporters his most important advice: "If you're gonna hit a guy, hit him quick."

In anticipation of the meeting, Emery watched highlights of many of Frazier's biggest matches, including his iconic battles with Muhammed Ali. "I'm a fan, not a boxer," said the first-year Flyer. "It's man against man. I love the skill and the technique."

Emery took boxing lessons in Hamilton, Ontario when he was 15, more for conditioning purposes than the expectation he would fight Martin Biron and Andrew Peters within minutes of an NHL game. "The amount of work you have to put in to be prepared for a 12-round fight is incredible," said Emery. "I have a lot of respect for what boxers do."

Frazier more than returned the compliment, saying, "Boxing is not close to hockey. It is a tough, tough game. In boxing, it's one-on-one. In hockey, you can get hit by two or three guys at the same time. Man, that's rough.

"Hockey is much harder than boxing," said Frazier. "A guy like Ray is much tougher than me. I see these hockey guys after games getting rubbed down and worked on. Sometimes it looks like they're trying to save a leg or an arm. It's crazy out there on the ice.

"For my fights, we used to have one doctor. These hockey games, it's like there's a whole hospital back there."

Emery's mask also includes Philadelphia native and former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, along with the fictional Philly heavyweight champ Rocky Balboa. The goaltender signed a one-year deal with the Flyers after a season in Russia. He is calling the opportunity his "final chance" after his time in Ottawa was marked by disputes with management and a pair of fights with teammates during practice.

Frazier, who said he's putting his boxing gym up for sale, said he has high blood pressure and takes 12 pills a day but, "I'm feeling good. I stay away from the bad stuff, like the alcohol. Well, maybe just a social drink every once in a while. I'm not the wild man I used to be."

Before leaving he said to Emery, "Stay out of trouble, son."

Joe Frazier Visits Ray Emery, Says Hockey Tougher Than Boxing originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Satan Still Lurking; NCAA Doubleheader at Fenway

Adam Gretz — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bruins, Flyers, Islanders, NHL Free Agency, College Hockey

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our daily look at the previous night's action. During the offseason, it's our link dump that looks at some of the storylines and moves taking place around the league three times per week. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Satan Interested In Return To Islanders

There's still a few intriguing options on the free agent market -- Alex Tanguay probably being the best -- including former Oilers, Sabres, Islanders and Penguins winger Miroslav Satan. After splitting the 2008-09 season between the NHL and AHL, the 34-year-old is still interested in a possible return to Long Island, and according Newsday's Katie Strang, he skated at the team's practice facility on Wednesday.

From Strang:

Satan, who played three seasons with the Islanders from 2005-2008, confirmed that his agent, Allan Walsh, has spoken with the Islanders about rejoining the team, but they have yet to resume discussions this week. Walsh first announced the dialogue between the two camps on his Twitter page on July 25, then gave an update three days later, saying, "We are still deep in talks with NYI on Miro." "I know they spoke about it a few times last week," Satan said. "This week I don't think they have talked. Now, it's quiet again."

In three years with the Islanders between 2005 and 2008 he tallied 78 goals to go with 88 assists.

NCAA Doubleheader At Fenway Park

One week after the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers take part in the 2010 Winter Classic, the ice rink at Fenway Park will be used for an NCAA doubleheader. The first game will be a women's matchup between New Hampshire and Northeastern, while the second game will feature Boston University taking on Boston College. [Boston Herald, H/T Puck Daddy]

Loose Pucks

... Sharks Page has an interview with Mike Potenza, the team's strength and conditioning coordinator. [Sharks Page]

... Speaking of the Sharks, the team agreed to terms with goaltenders Thomas Greiss and Henrik Karlsson on Wednesday. [TSN]

... Blueshirt Banter takes a look at the Rangers' big free agent signing, forward Marian Gaborik. [Blueshirt Banter]

... Entering his third year with the team, Flyers forward Daniel Briere is ready to show fans he's worth the eight-year, $52 million contract he signed prior to the 2007-08 season. [Philly.com]

... It looks like virtual advertisements will be coming to your televisions during the 2009-10 season. [USA Today]

Satan Still Lurking; NCAA Doubleheader at Fenway originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHL's Top 50: Chris Pronger (No. 17)

Adam Gretz — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, NHL Fans, NHL Videos

FanHouse's Adam Gretz takes a look at his top 50 players in the NHL. No. 17 is Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger.

You can question how much the Philadelphia Flyers were willing to give up to acquire Chris Pronger at this year's NHL draft (Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa and two first-round picks), and you can also question the sanity of the seven-year contract extension they signed him to a few weeks later (the NHL certainly is).

Something that's difficult to question? How much he and the city of Philadelphia are a perfect fit for one another, and how much better he makes the Flyers, at least for the next couple of seasons.

The NHL's Top 50 Players: See the Entire List

The Numbers: Chris Pronger
Chris Pronger	Goals	Assists	Points	Pim
Career Totals	142	464	606	1,457
Average Per 82 Games	11.4	36.9	48.3	117.2

Draft Year: 1993

"Nobody remembers who was chosen No. 2" -- Alexandre Daigle

Taken second overall by the Hartford Whalers, one spot after Ottawa selected Alexandre Daigle. The Whalers traded him to St. Louis after two seasons for Brendan Shanahan.

Why He's On My List

Perhaps the most hated player in the NHL -- unless he happens to be playing for your team -- he brings intimidating size, brute strength and a cannon of a shot from the blue line to a Flyers team that should now have one of the best defensive trios in the league with Pronger, Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn. Combined with one of the deepest collections of forwards in the league, the Flyers should be a strong contender for the Eastern Conference title - assuming they get compotent goaltending from Ray Emery and Brian Boucher. He's a five-time All-Star, owns a Stanley Cup ring, and has won both the Hart Trophy as league MVP, and the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman. He's also been named as the dirtiest player in the NHL, though, that's probably not a good thing.

Obligatory YouTube Video

A collection of Chris Pronger goals.

NHL's Top 50: Chris Pronger (No. 17) originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHL's Top 50: Mike Richards (No. 23)

Adam Gretz — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, NHL Fans, NHL Videos

FanHouse's Adam Gretz takes a look at his top 50 players in the NHL. No. 23 is Philadelphia Flyers forward Mike Richards.

Listening to Pierre McGuire talk about Mike Richards this season, you might think he was some twisted combination of Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and the incredible hulk all rolled into one 5-foot-11, 200-pound frame. Maybe he's not quite that good, but he is one of the best players in the NHL and the type of cornerstone the Flyers will be building around for years.

The NHL's Top 50 Players: See the Entire List

No team scored more shorthanded goals than Philadelphia's 16 this past season, and leading the way was Richards with a league-leading seven. He's already tallied 17 shorthanded goals in his career, and is the only player in NHL history to have three goals scored in three-on-five situations.

The 2008-09 season was the best of Richards' young career, as the 23-year-old scored 30 goals to go with his 50 assists. Even more impressive is the fact he did it while playing all year with pain in both shoulders that would require surgery following the season.

The Numbers: Mike Richards
Mike Richards	Goals	Assists	Points	Pim
Career Totals	79	142	221	256
Average Per 82 Games	22.1	40.1	62.3	72.1

Draft Year: 2003

As mentioned earlier in these rankings, the Philadelphia Flyers dominated the 2003 draft by selecting a pair of franchise centers in Richards and Jeff Carter (and eventually trading for No. 7 pick Braydon Coburn). Richards was the second of Philadelphia's first-rounders in '03, going No. 24 overall.

Why He's On My List

Not only has he been a point-per-game player the past two seasons, Richards is also one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL and one of the most dangerous penalty-killers in terms of creating offense, finishing in the top-five in shorthanded goals three years in a row. He narrowly lost out to Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk for the Selke Trophy this season, falling just three votes short. It's probably not the last time he'll be nominated.

Obligatory YouTube Video

Richards sets the NHL record for three-on-five goals, scoring against the New York Rangers.

NHL's Top 50: Mike Richards (No. 23) originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reports: NHL Investigating Marian Hossa, Chris Pronger Contracts

Adam Gretz — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Blackhawks, Flyers, NHL Free Agency, NHL Economics

It was only a matter of time until it came to this, but the NHL is reportedly looking into the long-term contracts given to Marian Hossa and Chris Pronger this offseason. Bruce Garrioch originally reported on Friday morning that the league was investigating whether or not the Blackhawks and Hossa had worked out, or discussed, the possibility of an early retirement, which would clear Hossa's salary cap hit off the books in the future. Hossa signed a 12-year, $62.5 million deal with Chicago on the first day of free agency after spending one season with the Detroit Red Wings.

Garrioch quotes an NHL executive as saying that the league is looking to put a damper on these types of deals, and that "they are building a strong case against Chicago to make an example of them. This issue won't just go away. Lots of other GMs are supporting the league here."

One general manager that's probably not supporting the league? Paul Holmgren of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Craig Custance of the Sporting News reported on Friday that Chris Pronger's contract is also being investigated.

According to Garrioch's report, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly claims the reason the league is looking into the Hossa deal is because it will take him into his early 40's, which is something that hasn't happened with the previous long-term signings. Pronger's contract also expires when he's 42, while there's been plenty of confusion as to whether or not it's considered an "over-35 deal." Just as a comparison, Henrik Zetterberg's contract expires when he's 40, as does Johan Franzen's. Vincent Lecavalier will be 38 when his new 10-year extension expires.

All of the aforementioned contracts are structured in a similar manner: front-loaded with ridiculously cheap final years that lower the overall cap hit. Lecavalier, Zetterberg and Franzen are each scheduled to earn $1 million in the final year of their deals, while Chris Pronger's is even more of an extreme -- the final two years of his contract will pay him, roughly $525,000 per season.

Reports: NHL Investigating Marian Hossa, Chris Pronger Contracts originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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