Over the past two seasons, it’s been established that Brad Lidge is the closer in Philadelphia with Ryan Madson setting him up.

When Lidge has hit a rough patch or been injured, it’s been Madson that has bumped back to the end of the bullpen and asked to close games for the Phillies.

Those times have been a mixed bag for Madson. He has struggled through closing games. While not expected to be the shut down closer that Lidge has shown himself to be, he is expected to at least hold the position down until Lidge can come back.

In the offseason, the Phillies went out and signed reliever Danys Baez, who has closed a lot of games in his career. Baez has 114 career saves, compared to 15 for Madson, with 10 of Madson’s coming in 2009. Baez has been brought in as a veteran backup at the closer’s spot.

With Lidge coming off an injury, his status for Opening Day in Washington is up in the air. Even though Baez is in camp and ready to go, Charlie Manuel has endorsed Madson as the one to close if Lidge isn’t ready to go.

“I’d say Madson is first in line with that. He’s got a big arm, and definitely the last couple years he’s gotten more experience with it. He has a chance to get even better at closing out games.”

While that endorsement may help Madson’s confidence, it won’t do much for helping him get the job done. Madson has been shuffled between duties during his major league career in Philadelphia. He was a starter, long reliever, set up man closer and back and forth between those spots during the season. He had his best season in 2008, when he was able to stay in the set up role that he is best in.

Madson seems to have closer’s potential and will undoubtedly be a closer full time at one point, shifting him between responsibilities hasn’t helped Mad Dog. If Madson can head into a season knowing what his role is, he’s better off for it. When it is time for him to be a closer, it would be much better for him to know that going into the season.

Baez was brought in to be a veteran presence with closer’s experience in what is shaping up to be a young bullpen. Let Madson stay in that set up role and keep his focus on what his job is. If Lidge isn’t ready to go, put Baez back there and let Madson be the 8th inning guy.

Hopefully Madson proves me wrong and shows that he can go back and forth in his roles in his 8th (really?!) season with the Phillies.

You might like these related articles:

• A Few Reasons Why the Phils WON’T Repeat
• Phillies should go with “closer by committee”
• Lidge is the Phillies’ closer. Period.
• Sensational Starts, and Some Good Old-Fashioned Yankee Hatred
• Best of the Decade – Phillies

As I reported weeks ago (not like it was a shot in the dark) there are reporters all over the NBA world claiming the 76ers are ready to give head coach Eddie Jordan the axe.

And as word has spread the deny game has started from the brass at Comcast-Spectacor. President of Comcast-Spectacor Peter Luukko denied Wednesday that a “predetermined decision” had been made to fire Jordan.

Though, the writing is on the wall and has been for sometime. No one expected the Sixers to be overly competitive, though no one expected them to be 23-40 right now. Eddie Jordan’s famed “Princeton Offense” was dropped months ago. The criticisms started raining down not only from the press but also from GM Ed Stefanski. Who stated that Jordan spent too much time during training camp on installing the “Princeton Offense,” and not enough time on the defensive end.

Then again, Stefanski’s probably trying to save his job too. Word is that Comcast-Spectacor plans on evaluating Stefanski’s position with the team as well. After all he is the man who signed Jordan to a four-year contract with three years guaranteed.

Players are said to be “very confused” and why shouldn’t they be? They’re probably wondering how Jordan has hung on this long. Why an interim coach didn’t take over and give them a shot at salvaging this season. Probably wondering why a big move wasn’t made at the deadline. Wondering if this team will ever get it’s head above water. If they’re ever going to, firing Jordan and Stefanski must be the first step.

You might like these related articles:

• The hope for the Sixers
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• Change has got to come for Sixers
• Hope is lost for Sixers
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Not going to lie, I wasn’t that excited when I heard that the Phillies signed Jose Contreras in the offseason. This is a Phillies team that needed a little help in the bullpen, and adding someone like Contreras didn’t seem to be the addition that was needed.

Contreras has been a solid, if not spectacular pitcher during his 7 seasons in MLB. His best years were with the Yankees  and he’ll most likely not put up numbers like those he put up in New York, but he’s a solid bullpen addition at this point in his career.

Signed to a 1 year, $1.5 million contract, the Phillies signed Contreras as insurance in case Jamie Moyer wasn’t ready for Opening Day and Kyle Kendrick wasn’t able to seize the 5th spot in the rotation. With both Kendrick and Moyer off to great starts this spring, it seems as if Contreras is destined for the bullpen.

However, he’s hit a few rough patches in his first few outings. Even though he pitched 2 scoreless innings in his first outing, the Yankees jumped all over him yesterday, lighting him up for 6 runs in and inning and 2/3. He gave up six hits to go along with three walks and a wild pitch.  While he showed up to camp in good shape, those numbers just aren’t going to do it for this team.

The Phillies have slotted Contreras into the same type of long-relief/spot starter role that Chan Ho Park filled last season. He’ll most likely be used in games that get out of hand early, so as long as he can settle things down when he enters the game, he’ll be alright. Not too many pressure situations await him this season, so he can just settle down and pitch.

While he is listed at 38 years of age, there is really no way to tell how old this Cuban defector really is. With a ton of experience in the Cuban leagues in addition to his time in MLB, Contreras brings a veteran presence to the bullpen.  With a few youngsters potentially making a run at open bullpen spots, it’s always nice to have a few seasoned vets in there to help them out.

It’s only one outing early in spring training, so there’s really nothing to worry about just yet. Contreras knows what he needs to do in the spring to get himself ready for the season, so I’m sure he’ll work on getting things in line. With a little under a month until Opening Day in D.C., he has some time.

You might like these related articles:

• Race for 5th, Version 2.0
• Time for the Phillies to get to work
• Does Moyer have enough left for one more season?
• Moyer & Kendrick to start for the Phillies this weekend
• Which Phillie needs to step up most?

Guest writer Joe Gallagher returns to pick a bone with Ruben Amaro:

A little over two months ago, our Philadelphia Phillies were sitting pretty. They had just won 2 Pennants and a World Series title in two years. They had held a stirring and emotional parade just a year and a half ago. The city was and still is in love with them. They had perhaps the top lineup in all of baseball and a top of the line farm system. They were the envy of every other team in baseball. Then they messed up. They traded one of the top 5 pitchers in all of baseball, a man who almost single-handedly guided them through the postseason, Cliff Lee. They also sold their farm system for Roy Halladay. Halladay then rode in as a White Knight, brandishing an arsenal of crippling fastballs and wicked, knee buckling breaking balls. Roy is supposed to cure all. He is supposed to lead the Phillies to their 2nd World Series title in 3 years. Here’s why, no matter what happens, the Phillies messed up.

Now, this article is not my condemnation of the Phillies acquiring Roy Halladay. I do believe that Halladay is in fact the best pitcher in baseball. He has proved durable, and downright nasty. He outsmarts hitters like Mr. Burns steals money from Springfield. When Halladay is on the mound, there is no doubt that the show stops – all eyes are on him. No, this article is about Ruben Amaro, the Phillies young, headstrong General Manager, whose mistake may cost this team the ultimate prize.

Like I said, this team was the envy of baseball just two months ago. They appeared to be a dynasty in the making with that powerful lineup, solid pitching staff, and phenomenal minor league farm system. Look, I have loved my Phillies all 16 years I have been alive, through the days of Rico Brogna and Tyler Greene and I cannot say I have ever been more pleased in my life. Now, I know that sounds shallow, or stupid, or ridiculous, but I love baseball. For the past 11 or so years prior to 2008, almost every time I saw 11:11 strike the clock I wished the Phils a World Series win. So, to see them in this position was truly unbelievable.

Consequently, when I heard they traded for Roy Halladay on December 15, 2009, I was even happier. But then I heard that Cliff Lee would be sent to Seattle as part of the deal. That excitement quickly turned to a feeling of exasperating emptiness. See, in late July of ’09, Ruben Amaro pulled an all-time heist, acquiring Cliff Lee for a package of prospects nowhere near Lee’s worth. Lee, as I said above, proceeded to make himself very comfortable in Philly, baffling hitters and pitching the Phils through the playoffs with stuff made of legends. You thought Cole Hamels was a cool customer in ’08, well how about Lee’s one handed, practically yawning, nab of the baseball in Game 1 of the World Series? That is a moment I do not think I will ever forget.

But the Phillies did not close the deal. The bats went cold with the fall air and the rest of the pitching staff collapsed. So, Amaro figured he would go out and get the best pitcher available to push his guys over the top. Only problem is, as a result, he got worse. He traded a package of Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor, and Travis D’Arnaud for Hallday. Drabek was considered their top pitching prospect and is supposed to be at least a #2 starter with ace potential. Michael Taylor is a guy I’m a huge fan of but was not going to fit into the Phillies’ plans anytime soon, as the corner outfield positions are locked up and he is already almost 24. D’Arnaud, however, was their only polished catching prospect at this point and with Carlos Ruiz turning 31, the trade left no successor in waiting.

Still, I am not condemning the trade of the prospects. Trading prospects works for me if it can help push the team towards the ultimate goal. I philosophize that you should always seize the moment rather than living your whole life waiting for the future. The problem with the whole ordeal was that Ruben then was so insecure about trading his farm that he decided he needed some retribution. He traded Cliff Lee for Phillipe Aumont, Juan Carlos Ramirez, and Tyson Gillies. These were not the most highly regarded prospects in baseball. Amaro essentially traded a top of the line pitcher for a not-so top of the line collection of prospects. That is the kind of move that gets GMs fired.

Now, sure you might argue that money was the reason for this move. The Phillies could not possibly afford to keep Lee and Halladay together long term. Well, that may be true, but they certainly could have kept them together for one year. Imagine a front line rotation of Halladay, Lee, and a rejuvenated Cole Hamels. Yep, that’s right – downright unstoppable. That rotation also leaves room for injury. You would have not one, maybe two, but possibly THREE aces.

So you say, what about the future? Well then after the Phillies celebrate World (Insert Chase Utley’s adjectival phrase) Champions Part 2 with another smashing parade, they would offer Lee salary arbitration. He would probably decline seeing that he wants his first big contract, which at 31 or 32 years old is very understandable. By declining that salary arbitration the Phillies would be granted two additional first round picks in the next Major League Baseball Draft. With those additional picks, right there is the potential for more talent than the Phillies received for Lee from Seattle. Say he accepts the arbitration, well then you have Cliff for another year at maybe 15 million or so. Still though, there would be no commitments long term. Amazing isn’t it? That Ruben Amaro can make such a vital miscalculation, and he can still be so celebrated.

See, it is widely accepted that Mr. Amaro upgraded his starting pitching with the acquisition of Roy Halladay. But then again how much better can Halladay pitch in the playoffs than Cliff Lee did last year, when every time he took the hill, Scott Graham could be heard somewhere shouting “Put this one in the win column for the Phightin’ Phils’!” But even if you remain adamant that Halladay is a better pitcher than Lee, which overall I will concede that he is, ever so slightly, you cannot rationally argue that Ruben Amaro succeeded in making the team’s standing better. He decimated his farm system and may have cost the Phillies two maybe three World Championships. I say three, because if he was willing to trade Drabek, Taylor, and D’Arnaud now. Remember the reason they did not acquire Halladay this past July was that they were unwilling to part with Drabek. He could have pulled both trades and had Halladay, Lee, and likely another parade in ’09. It truly baffles me.

The karma of the deal can be spotted if you look to Lee’s middle name: Phifer. Disambiguated it is: Phillie Lifer. Not anymore. Sorry, Ruben you may have your true love, Roy Halladay, the best pitcher in the game, but amazing you screwed up the standing that I and so many other Phillies fans have cherished for so long: the envy of baseball.

Our only hope now is that “Amaro’s Folly” turns out the same as the famed “Seward’s Folly” (the acquisition of Alaska from Russia, which was met by much criticism) – with success. The fact of the matter is, however, even with a World Series win, a costly blunder was made. And at that point success won’t come because of Ruben Amaro, it will come in spite of him. I leave you with the only words I can find nestled in my limited vocabulary that adequately describe the issue, “UnbeLEEvable.”

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Signing off, saying you stay gritty, Philadelphia – I’m Joe Gallagher.

You might like these related articles:

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• Catching up with the Phillies – August upon us
• Does Moyer have enough left for one more season?
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• Let the Roy Halladay Era commence

Whether Flyers fans are comfortable with it or not, Michael Leighton is the starter going into the playoffs.

If someone, at the beginning of the season, told you that Michael Leighton would make a glorious return to Philadelphia and be penciled in as the starter heading into the postseason, how would you react?

Would you laugh like the rest of the NHL and possibly joke about the Flyers’ instability at the goaltending position since Ron Hextall?

Would you cry at the fact that the Flyers playoff hopes rest on the shoulders of a man who had 17 career NHL wins coming into the 2009-10 season?

It’s not easy to know how you’d react in hindsight, but you certainly wouldn’t feel all that comfortable knowing that prior to this season Leighton had played in 69 NHL only coming away with 17 wins, a 0.882 career save percentage, and a 3.51 career goals-against average.

Even Leighton’s early season didn’t show any signs that he would miraculously come to life as a goaltender with the Flyers. He played 7 total games for the Hurricanes early this season, and the results were less than spectacular. He was only credited with 1 win and 4 losses in the 7 games but came away with 0.848 sv% and a 4.29 GAA.

It couldn’t just be that he plays well in Philly either. He played 4 games for the Orange and Black back in 2006-07 resulting in 2 wins, 2 losses, a 0.882 sv%, and a 3.69 GAA.

You can’t even claim that he was brilliant immediately when Boucher went down just before Christmas. Leighton has developed slowly into form between the pipes. Since his first ice time for the Flyers this season, he has gradually improved his positioning, his rebound control, his glove hand, and his composure in net.

To say that his rebound control and positioning are great would be a complete lie, but they are improved.

Does this have something to do with Holmgren’s offseason decision to finally give goaltending coach Reggie Lemelin the axe? It seems as though Jeff Reese has been working miracles. Leighton has gone from league laughing stock to top five in both save percentage and goals-against average by the Olympic Break. That’s a huge difference in just two months for the waiver wire pick up.

Right now with a 0.924 sv% and 2.29 GAA, he may not be in the top 5 of both categories anymore, but he is certainly giving the Flyers a chance to win games. Last night was no exception as he held the Leafs to just 1 goal on 28 shots against resulting in a 3-1 win for the Flyers.  He is now just 4 wins away from tying his total career wins before Christmas last December.

You have to realize by now that Head Coach Laviolette’s system and an elite defense are another big chunk of what has created this monster. Perhaps the best defense in the NHL is walling at the point, funneling attackers to the walls for bad shots, lifting sticks in the slot, clearing bodies from the crease, getting pucks deep into the offensive zone, and knocking those “juicy” rebounds off to the corers out of dangerous areas in front of Leighton.

Leighton owes steak dinners to each of Pronger, Timonen, Carle, Coburn, Parent, Krajicek, Bartulis, and Syvret at the end of this season. There’s no question about that.

Still, the Flyers under Laviolette believe in a team game. Defense is played as a team and offense is played as a team. Everyone knows their role, and everyone carries it out. Perhaps, Leighton owes some steak to forwards like Laperriere and Betts dropping in front of zooming pucks, or Richards and Gagne for back-checking to break up odd-man rushes, or maybe even Briere for pressing on the fore-check. Every little bit helps. Leighton is a reflection of the team he has in front of him, and the team in front of him is among the NHL elite regardless of their current record.

Goaltending in the NHL is about two things: the strength of the team in front of you, and how comfortable they are with how you play in net. Organizations don’t necessary look for the best goaltender when planning a team but, instead, look for the netminder the team feels the most comfortable with. Maybe that’s why the Flyers haven’t had a steady goaltender since Hextall?

So, how do you feel about Leighton? Is this a Cinderella or a ticking time bomb?

You might like these related articles:

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Lukas Pither of the Barrie Colts is in the middle of a spectacular year in the OHL. The Flyers have signed the undrafted Pither to an entry level contract, and he will play with the Phantoms next season.

When Luca Sbisa was shipped off to Anaheim along with two back-to-back first round selections, many were worried that the Flyers gave up too much for an aging Chris Pronger. Even though that doesn’t appear to be a fair statement based on Pronger’s play so far this season, it does not change the fact that the Flyers lost their first round talent for three straight seasons.

With vanRiemsdyk’s rookie season nearly over, the Flyers are without a first round prospect in the pool. Claude Giroux is also with the Flyers, Steve Downie is in the middle of a tremendous season for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Luca Sbisa is in Anaheim’s system.

That leaves the Flyers with two choices:

1. Hope that the players from later rounds develop into solid complementary talents at the NHL level.
2. Find hit or miss undrafted players and bring them into the system.

The Flyers are relying on a little bit of both and have found a few players they liked enough to add including Luke Pither, Shane Harper, and Tyler Hostetter.

NHL Ready Prospects

1. James vanRiemsdyk -- LW
Age: 20
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 1st round (#2) in 2007
Potential: Elite scorer

If there were ever any questions about Riemer, I’m fairly confident they have all been answered. Many wondered why he was even selected 2nd overall behind Patrick Kane instead of Kyle Turris who went 3rd.

The Flyers' prize for enduring the Forgotten Year, James vanRiemsdyk, is finally making his presence known to all of the doubters at the NHL level.

As Kyle Turris continues his development in the AHL, there’s obviously something the Flyers’ scouting staff liked in JVR. He’s also a very different player from Turris. Though both are clearly talented forwards, vanRiemsdyk has the potential for so much more with his large frame.

Unlike Giroux, who is one of the most dangerous passers the Flyers’ organization has ever seen, vanRiemsdyk does not rely on one specific skill to make his mark offensively. Instead he is the perfect offensive mix. He is not overly physical, but he does not shy away from contact. He wastes no movement on his skates, but he can work well through tight traffic. He isn’t a sniper of Jeff Carter’s caliber, but he can certainly find twine. He isn’t going to thread a pass through sticks and legs to the far side like Giroux, but he is a crafty passer in his own right. He is big enough to stand in front of the net and fast enough to speed by players on the outside. There are not many flaws to his game.

Everyone already knows about his Calder race with other rookies such as John Tavares, Matt Duchene, Victor Hedman, and Tyler Myers, but they may not realize that vanRiemsdyk is averaging roughly 7 or 8 less minutes of ice time per game than them. He is also sometimes left out on the powerplay thanks to the depth the Flyers have at forward. With 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 59 games, he is averaging the second most points-per-game than among rookies.

With big names from the recent draft performing well such as Tavares and Duchene, it might be hard for Riemer to sneak iont the top three since Buffalo defenseman Tyler Myers may be a lock at this point. Even so, the Flyers organization is impressed with what JVR has done at the age of 20 even if he was expected to spend another developmental year in the AHL.

2. Claude Giroux -- C/RW
Age: 22
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 1st round (#22) in 2006
Potential: Elite playmaker

What can’t Claude Giroux do? Well, he can’t score goals. Though I’m partially kidding, I wonder if having Giroux practice with his linemates standing behind the net would help him score more. All he has to do is thread a nifty pass through the crease and goalie to his teammates instead of trying to score a goal, and he would suddenly be an offensive machine.

Though he's small, Claude Giroux knows how to use leverage and speed to his advantage when on the attack.

Granted, it is not like he isn’t an offensive machine already. Though he has not broken out into point-per-game form just yet like many had hoped, he is still a little fire-cracker of offensive explosion. In 61 games with the Flyers this season, he has 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points.

He hasn’t let his small frame get in the way either. Though he’s not afraid to throw a check here and there, his incredibly nifty stick-work gets him out of situations along the boards. Practically every game he will make a move or an incredible pass that will leave you gawking at the television. Even the nonchalant no-look behind the back pass to JVR for a 3rd period goal the other night against Tampa Bay seems like child’s play to him. He has as much talent, vision, and brains as any elite playmaking center in the NHL. Once he puts it all together and gets more ice time, he will be a devastating force for the Flyers.

3. Ville Leino -- LW/C
Age: 26
Acquired: Trade with the Detroit Red Wings
Draft: Undrafted
Potential: Versatile secondary scorer

You know those young players that have an incredible break-out year overseas and come to North America hoping to be star players? Names like Janne Pesonen, who had an incredible 2007-08 season in the Finnish league (SM-Liiga) before signing with the Penguins, Fabian Brunnstrom, who tore up the Swedish Elite League (SEL) also in 2007-08 before signing with the Dallas Stars, Jonas Gustavsson, who was labeled the best goaltender outside the NHL in 2008-09 before signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Mika Pyorala, who as a two-way forward had a great offensive year in the SEL before signing with us this past offseason, should all come to mind. Pesonen is now in the KHL, Brunnstrom works in and out of the Dallas line-up, Gustavsson has had a mediocre season with the Leafs, and though Pyorala was a decent depth two-way forward, he is now in the AHL.

Leino looked good in his debut with the Philadelphia Flyers the other night wearing number 22 and sporting an awesome beard. He even scored a goal in his first game wearing orange and black.

Leino, only a year younger than Pesonen, had one point less than Pesonen in the SM-Liiga in 2007-08 before signing with the Detroit Red Wings. He had a great 2008-09 season with Detroit’s AHL team in Grand Rapids before jumping into the NHL late that season. He had a great surge in 13 regular season games with Detroit, and many pronounced him one of the favorites to win the Calder Trophy this season.

It didn’t work out as he hoped.

He struggled as Detroit struggled. Some of his problems such as skating and back-checking became more apparent without a healthy Detroit roster covering them up. He became a healthy scratch and was eventually traded for next to nothing to the Flyers in order to free up cap space.

He still has every offensive talent a forward could need, especially around the net. He will never likely be a star, but he’s got the makings of a solid depth forward if he can work on his skating. He’s not afraid of the crease, and in Laviolette’s system, he will either work on his skating or get left behind. He has the chance of becoming a very versatile secondary scorer as soon as the Flyers have an offseason to work with him.

He also happens to have an awesome beard growing. He was playing the other night and wearing number 22 as Powe was out with a minor injury. He looked good and was willing to work hard. He seems to really want to earn a spot on the roster, and he helped his cause by scoring a goal in his orange and black debut.

4. Ryan Parent -- D
Age: 22
Acquired: Trade with the Nashville Predators
Draft: 1st round (#18) in 2005
Potential: Smart shut-down defenseman

Ryan Parent is certainly not an offensive contributor in any world, but he does bring a very important and often underrated skill-set to the Flyers. While he has played 83 NHL games, he has only contributed 7 total points off of 6 career assists and a goal that he had the other night against the Florida Panthers. Even so, he is a very positionally strong defenseman who works well funneling dangerous threats inside out. He has very good stick-work, and when he does retrieve the puck, he always makes the safe play first.

Parent has finally returned from back surgery and scored his first NHL goal in his first game back.

Since he has limited offensive potential, he will always be a cheap option on the backside. Though offensive capabilities are something most NHL defensemen need in the new NHL, Parent will have a role as a shut-down defenseman. He is more than capable of pulling his weight even if his ceiling is only as a second pairing blueliner.

Unfortunately, he has also suffered a number of injuries throughout his career. This year was his second opportunity to play his first full NHL season. Back surgery sidelined him this time, and the rest of the season will be a huge test for him.

5. Oskars Bartulis -- D
Age: 23
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 3rd round (#91) in 2005
Potential: Middle pairing puck-moving defenseman

Bartulis is a very composed player. He thinks thing through from the blueline but is quick enough to get the puck out of danger. He is very fluid, calm, and direct when moving the puck whether he is passing or skating it up ice. He doesn’t have tons of offensive potential but has a great shot from the point on the powerplay. He will be someone on the back-end that a team can count on to be safe while getting the puck up ice.

Bartulis has been a welcome surprise for the Flyers this season and even got the chance to play for Team Latvia at the Olympics.

It has been a great season for Bartulis, who had an outstanding outing with Team Latvia at the Olympics despite not earning a medal. He wasn’t expected to make an impact on the Flyers’ blueline this season, but he has been a welcome surprise. Even though he has a team worst minus 10 rating, he has survived through a carousel of partners on the blueline. With the acquisition of Lukas Karjicek, who fits the mold of a more offensive-defenseman instead of just a puck-mover, and the return of Parent from back surgery, Bartulis may have been shifted down to the 7th defenseman despite his recent minor groin tweak. With a relatively healthy blueline at the moment, he can take his time recovering, but the Flyers would love to have him back soon just in case someone else gets hurt on the back-end.

Like Parent and Braydon Coburn, Bartulis would have been a restricted free-agent (RFA) this offseason. With his outstanding play at the blueline, Holmgren locked him up to a three year deal at a bargain price, so Bartulis could be here for a while as he progresses as a defenseman.

6. Jon Kalinski -- LW/C/RW
Age: 22
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 6th round (#152) in 2007
Potential: Versatile utility and energy forward

There was a point last season when not only was Jon Kalinski’s hockey career in danger, but his life was on the line as well. The story about Kalinski’s injury has been all over articles, and even on TV during hospital commercials on CSN. He has made a very solid recovery and does not seem to have lost a step at all. He even earned another call-up this season when the Flyers were hurt by injuries early in the year. In 10 games during this year’s stint, he earned 2 assists, and in 2008-09, he played 12 games earning a goal and 2 assists.

Kalinski is a heart and soul forward who has already seen NHL action as a call-up in times of need.

His offensive numbers aren’t astronomical. They never have been and they never will be, but at the same time, Kalinski provides an energy and work ethic that can’t be taught. He is, first and foremost, an energy player who can line-up wherever he is asked, do whatever he is asked, and make it look fun. He is a heart and soul type of player, who can be effective at the NHL level immediately if the need should arise.

Before Blair Betts was brought into training camp this past summer in hopes of earning a roster spot with the Flyers as a fourth line center, it was Kalinski who was penciled in for the role. Now with Betts locked up long-term on a bargain contract, it will be hard for Kalinski to make the jump as a fourth line center. Even so, he has the versatility to play wherever the team needs him. He has a legitimate shot at making the team next season if it isn’t too log-jammed.

On The Verge

1. Patrick Maroon -- LW
Age: 21
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 6th round (#161) in 2007
Potential: Top line power-forward

When Patrick Maroon was drafted in the 6th round back in 2007, there were plenty of people who skimmed over his name and forgot it a second later. He was an American skater from St. Louis and a long shot to ever get a chance at the NHL. Fortunately for the Flyers organization, Maroon never wanted to be that name forgotten to the draft log.

Maroon has re-awakened his game after a mid-season injury gave him the chance to rest. He has a legitimate shot at the NHL next season.

Maroon, when he was drafted, was one of the most gifted stick-handlers coming out the of the United States, but he had a severe conditioning problem. There are plenty of stories online detailing his incredible effort to get in shape and to make a name for himself. He worked hard on his conditioning and skating. Eventually he found himself with the London Knights of the OHL. In one season, he became a star leading the Knights in scoring and into the playoffs.

He ventured to the AHL the following season where he worked on his skating some more. He had a great year for his first professional season scoring 23 goals and adding another 31 assists for 54 points in 80 games with the Phantoms. Still, as a 20-year-old he finished fourth on the team in scoring.

He went through a slump early this season, but after returning from an injury, he went on an offensive fury. He has brought himself back up to third in scoring even though his goal totals are low.

Maroon provides an excellent weapon in front of the net to bang home the trash. His stick-work and hand-eye coordination are already NHL caliber. He has the makings of a Mike Knuble type of forward who can press the issue in the corners, on the end wall, or in front of the net. He is the type of player that the Flyers could use, but after an injury set him back in preseason, he failed to make the roster. All through the early portion of 2009-10 he seemed a little slower than normal but was just feeling the aftereffects of his offseason injury. Another chance to rest midseason seems to have revitalized him. He was expected to make the Flyers roster even before vanRiemsdyk, so he has a legitimate shot of being a top nine winger by next year.

2. Andreas Nodl -- RW
Age: 23
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 2nd round (#39) in 2006
Potential: Third-line two-way forward

Andreas Nodl has had a hard time finding consistent offense. He isn’t doing poorly at the AHL level with 8 goals and 15 assists in 45 games played with the Phantoms this year, but his offensive potential has yet to materialize.

In his short professional career, Nodl has gotten very good at digging out pucks trapped in corners.

Even so, Nodl has many other qualities to his game that would be helpful to the Flyers. One thing Nodl has become an expert on is board-work. He has strong defensive capabilities, but his board-work and forechecking are excellent. If his offense never materializes, he has the potential to be a very good utility forward on the third line. He has the speed to create turnovers and work ethic to make offense happen, but he is not necessarily a gifted finisher.

He had an incredible start to his professional career making the Flyers’ roster at the on-set of the 2008-09 season even before Giroux, but eventually his lack of offensive production became evident. The organization decided that he could use some developmental time at the AHL level. He scored his first NHL goal on December 23rd, 2008 just before the Christmas break but was sent down before the next game. He also got a 10 game stint with the Flyers this season registering an assist.

3. Joonas Lehtivuori -- D
Age: 21
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 4th round (#101) in 2006
Potential: Middle pairing puck-moving defenseman

After a let-down season compared to his 2nd full year in the Finnish league, Joonas Lehtivuori made the journey the Phantoms in order to slowly work toward the NHL. Instead of more frustrations, Lehtivuori figured out how to play a North American brand of hockey rather quickly, and while other defensive prospects like Marc-Andre Bourdon and Kevin Marshall have struggled for parts of the season, Lehtivuori’s experience playing against men in the SM-Liiga eased his transition. The transition seems to have been much harder on Bourdon and Marshall, who have both ventured over to the Phantoms from the Quebec junior league in Canada.

Joonas Lehtivuori races against Team USA's Patrick Kane to the puck up ice on a fast break.

Lehtivuori has almost immediately become the Phantoms’ best defenseman in the absence of Bartulis. He is the only defenseman on the current roster with a positive plus-minus at plus one, and he is second on the team in production from the blueline registering 4 goals and 11 assists in 48 games.

He has quickly become the veteran presence that the Phantoms’ needed even as a rookie. His abilities to move the puck calmly while finding the safest path up ice have been exactly what the Phantoms needed, and even though he is not a prototypical powerplay quarterback with a booming shot and a nose for the net, he earns his keep in other ways. Lehtivuori feels comfortable managing the game on the ice and keeping the tempo at his speed. That play-management ability is something the Flyers see every game only from Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen.

4. David Laliberte -- RW
Age: 23
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 4th round (#124) in 2004
Potential: Secondary scorer

On November 2nd, 2009 in his second game of an 11 game stint with the Flyers, David Laliberte did something that no Flyer has done since Eric Lindros: score a goal in each of his first two NHL games. The first one was scored against Michael Leighton then of the Carolina Hurricanes, and Laliberte added an assist for good measure. He then scored against Tampa Bay in the following game putting himself among some very elite company.

Former QMJHL winger David Laliberte patterns his game after Simon Gagne.

Oddly enough, he patterns his game after the only person on the Flyers’ roster who had the opportunity to play with Lindros: Simon Gagne. Unfortunately for Laliberte, he does not have the blazing speed necessary to pull off what Gagne can do in any given game, but he can put up some offensive numbers. During his final year in the QMJHL, Laliberte scored a massive 50 goals and added another 48 assists for 98 points in 68 games. Needless to say, he has some offensive skills.

During his first professional season he split time in both the ECHL and AHL before becoming a full-time AHLer for the Phantoms in 2008-09. Without the speed of Gagne, he has to rely on his stick-work in traffic to get by, but he has an opportunity to make an impact on the Flyers if he continues to improve.

Need More Time

1. Joacim Eriksson -- G
Age: 19
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 7th round (#196) in 2008
Potential: Consistent starting goaltender

The new sensation of the Flyers’ prospect pool, Joacim Eriksson, is tearing up the Allsvenskan over in Sweden. The Allsvenskan is the second tier of Swedish hockey, but it is not like the AHL. The relationship between the Allsvenskan and SEL is more like if you took the NHL and split it into two leagues; one league of playoff teams and another made up of the rest. Then the best of the NHL-B and the worst of NHL-A would go to their own playoff for the right to play in NHL-A next season. So, to say Eriksson is only tearing up a secondary league in Sweden is a little unfair.

Eriksson has had a remarkable season in the Allsvenskan and has surpassed Ed Belfour's club shutout record.

Eriksson was a member of the Brynas system and stuck behind elite goaltending prospect Jacob Markstrom. Because Markstrom was on the Brynas SEL team, there was no room for Eriksson without relegating him to a back-up position. He was then loaned to Leksand of the Allsvenskan where he has been incredible. He beat Ed Belfour’s club record by securing 8 shutouts this season and is 2 away from tying a league record.

All season long he has been in the upper-echelon of goaltending, often being the number one in both GAA and SV%. Though he has fallen back a bit, he is still in the top three among goaltenders, all of which don’t see nearly as much rubber as he does. He will likely play in the SEL next season. He needs more time before he is NHL ready, but he’s definitely someone to keep an eye on.

2. Kevin Marshall -- D
Age: 20
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 2nd round (#41) in 2007
Potential: Mean shut-down defenseman

The physical shut-down defenseman Kevin Marshall had gotten off to a slow start in the AHL. Even so, it is his first professional season, and you cannot fault him for getting out of the gate slowly. He has started to progress as the games come off the schedule, but he still has a bit to go.

Marshall was a major impact player during a summer prospect scrimmage against the Capitals' prospects even though vanRiemsdyk got all the glory because of his incredible offensive display.

Though he doesn’t have much in the way of offensive instincts, he has managed 2 goals and 2 assists in 56 games. He does have a very hard slap shot from the point but probably won’t get the opportunity to use it much at the NHL level. His responsibilities are, first and foremost, as a shut-down defenseman. He plays his position very well, and while he is similar to Parent in a lot of aspects, he is unafraid to get a little mean along the boards or in the corners. This will only work to Marshall’s advantage as he grows in the AHL.

With a deep blueline on the Flyers already including Pronger, Timonen, Coburn, Carle, Parent, and Bartulis, who all could possibly be in the organization’s long-term plans, there is certainly no rush on pushing Marshall through his progression. He will work in the AHL and get better. Since he already has a defensively responsible skill-set, he could probably play a fairly safe NHL game sooner than most, but Bartulis and Lehtivuori are closer only because they seem to be less frazzled by outside influences and are calmer with the puck.

3. Marc-Andre Bourdon -- D
Age: 20
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 3rd round (#67) in 2008
Potential: Mean power-play quarterback

Last year at this time Bourdon was rounding out the finishing touches of an incredible QMJHL season from the blueline where he scored 18 goals and added 42 assists for 60 points in just 54 games spent with two different teams. He became one of the most important players for the Rimouski Oceanic during their Memorial Cup run and even won the award for the best QMJHL defenseman of the 2008-09 season.

Bourdon was the offensively gifted defenseman drafted after Luca Sbisa in 2008 that made Sbisa less of a hard loss to swallow. Even so, he has to work on his puck-moving game before he can become an effective professional defenseman.

Since then, things have been rough for Bourdon. He, like Marshall, got off to a slow start playing in the faster-paced AHL. The competition was bigger, tougher, and faster. In the end, Bourdon’s skating issues caused him some problems. Though he he has the third most points among defensemen on the team with a goal and 13 assists in 55 games, he has the third worst plus/minus rating with a minus 12.

If Bourdon is ever going to make it to the professional game he has to work on being more careful with the puck like Bartulis and Lehtivuori. He is an offensive juggernaut when given the right opportunities, but he needs to figure out how to put himself, and the puck, safely into those situations. He has a ton of talent and, like Marshall, can bring some tenacity to the back-end. With a stacked blueline, there is no rush on Bourdon either, so he has plenty of time to iron out the wrinkles in his game.

4. Stefan Legein -- RW
Age: 21
Acquired: Trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets
Draft: 2nd round (#37) in 2007
Potential: High-energy secondary scorer

There has been plenty of discussion about Stefan Legein’s little “vacation” from hockey. He had all the talent to be a professional ice-hockey player and even got to win a World Junior Championship gold with Team Canada. He just suddenly got tired of all the pressure and felt overwhelmed.

After a return to hockey and a change of scenery, Legein is starting to look like the player Columbus hoped he would be when they drafted him.

The story has been beaten to death, and while there is obviously a little apprehension when discussing the future of a player who once hung up his skates, you can only go off of what he has done since being traded to Philadelphia. Columbus decided to part ways with Legein, and Philadelphia may have reaped the rewards.

Before coming to Philadelphia, Legein had only 3 goals and an assist at the professional level in 32 games after coming back out of retirement. Since his change of scenery, he has seemed more comfortable. He has definitely given the Phantoms’ offense a jolt with 21 goals this season. He is a former 43 goal scorer in the OHL, so he certainly knows how to set-up a meeting between rubber and twine even if he has certain draw-backs as a passer. He is also a hard-nosed locker-room guy who will fight for any pucks on the ice. He’s a hard worker and plays much like Darroll Powe.

The organization will take some time with Legein to be sure that everything is in order. He has a real opportunity to be one of those hard working energy players that become fan favorites in Philadelphia.

5. Eric Wellwood -- LW
Age: 20
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 6th round (#172) in 2009
Potential: Two-way secondary scorer

Eric Wellwood is in the middle of a dream season for a defensive specialist with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. Not only is he playing with easily the most talented line-up in possibly the entire CHL, but he is keeping the pace offensively. That’s not an easy task for a defensively responsible forward working on the kill instead of the powerplay. Even so, his incredible offensive outburst during the 2008-09 postseason scoring 21 points off of 10 goals in 20 games made the Flyers take an extra long look at him.

Wellwood has gotten the opportunity to celebrate a lot of goals this season. He has 31 in 61 games played for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.

It is certainly paying off now. Wellwood has 31 goals compared to his 16, 34 assists compared to his 18, and 65 points compared to the 34 he had last season in the same amount of games. He has certainly taken his game to a whole new level and hopes to continue his play with the Phantoms next season since he has already signed a contract.

Though he has a far more skilled brother with the Vancouver Canucks in Kyle Wellwood, he is a much harder worker. He also has something his brother will never have: incredible speed. Eric Wellwood won’t necessarily look for body contact, but he can breeze by for a break away after stealing the puck on a penalty kill. On top of that, he has the talent to finish.

Though his offense may never translate, he can at worst become a Blair Betts type of player at the NHL level with a little more offensive abilities. Every team could use more players like Betts anyway.

6. Jonathan Matsumoto -- C
Age: 23
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 3rd round (#79) in 2006
Potential: Third-line center

Jonathan Matsumoto has done nothing nothing but produce offensively since leaving Bowling Green State University for the Phantoms. In 232 games played with the Phantoms, he has 72 goals and 86 assists for 158 points including the 21 goals and 26 assists he has this season. He was the leading scorer among forwards for the Phantoms last season and leads the team in production this season. Still, Matsumoto has not seen one NHL game.

Matsumoto has been one of the most consistent forwards for the Phantoms in the last couple of years.

He has watched Giroux and vanRiemsdyk quickly leap-frog him into the NHL. Even Nodl, Kalinski, and Laliberte have become regular call-ups before him without producing nearly as much at the AHL level. So why does Matsumoto seemed trapped with the Phantoms?

Part of the reason is the depth at center the Flyers have. There is not a very large need for Matsumoto with Giroux, Richards, and Carter clogging up the middle. On top of that, he does not have the skill-set to be a role player, energy guy, or even a relief scoring winger like the other players that have been called up before him. He is a skilled center who is decent at everything he does. He doesn’t necessarily excel at anything to make him a role player, but he is not talented enough to beat out the big three hogging up the center positions at the NHL level. With it looking more and more like Carter, Richards, and Giroux will be here long-term, Matsumoto may be stuck if he does not end up a complimentary winger.

7. Simon Bertilsson -- D
Age: 19
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 3rd round (#87) in 2009
Potential: Balanced hard-hitting defenseman

Simon Bertilsson is a puck-moving defenseman with a very specific skill-set. He is smart, mobile, mean, and even has a decent offensive upside. He’s more of a balanced defenseman who can hit pretty hard, and his game is sort of like another Swedish defenseman, Niklas Kronwall. He certainly does not let his hard-hitting or his puck-moving abilities get in the way of his defensive capabilities. Bertilsson is a very balanced defenseman.

Bertilsson is the kind of defenseman that is smart, can move the puck, can provide offense, can play a solid defensive game, and also just happens to like to skate through walls.

Unfortunately for Bertilsson, the 1 goal and 4 assists he has in his 51 game SEL career is not indicative of his true offensive potential. It is important to remember that he is a boy playing amongst men in the Swedish Elite League. When competing with the U-20’s in the junior league at the age of 17 before getting SEL time, Bertilsson scored 9 goals and added another 22 assists for 31 points in 30 games. He definitely has some skills.

He was hoping to be a major part of Team Sweden in the World Junior Championships this year, but an injury held him off of the final roster. It has also cut into the amount of games he could be playing with Brynas in the SEL this year.

Bertilsson also happens to be from the same system as Eriksson. Though Eriksson is playing with Leksand right now, if Markstrom vacates his starting position for North America, both Bertilsson and Eriksson could be reunited in the SEL next season. There’s a slight chance that either or both could head to the Phantoms next year, but the odds of that happening are slim.

8. Denis Bodrov -- D
Age: 23
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 2nd round (#55) in 2006
Potential: Smart shut-down defenseman

Professional hockey has been a tedious task for Denis Bodrov. At one point, General Manager Paul Holmgren was doing everything possible to get him over to North America. It didn’t work out, and Bodrov continued with his career in the KHL. Suddenly locker room dramatics became apparent. Because of this, he was traded off a team that included his brother to another organization where his problems began to translate into poor on-ice performances. It was only a matter of time before he was let go, and his contract was effectively ripped up.

Bodrov is finally getting the opportunity to leave Russia and all of his problems behind him. This season with the Phantoms is his fresh start.

There is obviously more to the story that the media is not hearing. There was also some very telling shenanigans going on where Bodrov and some state officials marched on Mytishchi Atlant’s stadium to take possessions in the form of motor vehicles. Why did this happen? It turns out Atlant was refusing to pay the overdue contract balance as well as the remainder of the contract rightfully owed to Bodrov.

While his court battle continued overseas, Bodrov turned to the only place he had left to go: the Flyers. Holmgren saw Bodrov finally fall into his lap and got him set-up with an AHL contract on the Phantoms since Holmgren was flirting with the 50 contract NHL limit. Bodrov was a little out of shape but has since performed well with the Phantoms.

Bodrov is the type of player that won’t let his size get in the way. He is a very smart shut-down defenseman, who could have a solid NHL career ahead of him if he does not let other issues throw him off track in North America like they did in the KHL.

Long Way To Go

1. Luke Pither -- C
Age: 20
Acquired: Signed as a Free-Agent
Draft: Undrafted
Potential: Secondary skilled scorer

Luke Pither is one of the two newest members of the Flyers organization signed just this past Tuesday. It’s easy to decipher Holmgren’s rationale behind Pither even though he is a long-shot prospect. With the graduation of Giroux and vanRiemsdyk to the NHL level full-time, the forward position of the prospect pool is looking a little thin on talented, game-breaking scorers. There’s absolutely no question that Pither is a game-breaker. He was originally a top 5 draft pick to even get into the OHL even though he failed to get drafted by the NHL.

Pither is currently 3rd in the OHL in scoring and will join the Phantoms next season.

There are some cautions there though. He has his faults, and they are not talent. The real question is whether the Flyers can correct these very fixable problems when no one else has been able to so far. Pither has been described as an unbelievable offensive talent who disappears as the slightest hint of physicality. He needs plenty of open space to work and doesn’t do so well in traffic. He’s also quite a bit less than reliable on the backcheck to help out defensively. These are all correctable problems, but he has to want to learn these parts of the game before any amount of time with the Flyers’ organization will help him correct them.

He has incredible speed, an incredible shot, and incredible puck-handling. In open space, he is a terror. If the Flyers can harness that into something useable then this could be a steal of a signing. He started out with the Kingston Frontenacs but moved onto the Guelph Storm midseason during his second OHL year. He was misused there for a number of years before heading to the Belleville Bulls in the middle of the 2008-09 season. There he put up an incredible 42 points off of 19 goals in 23 games. This year, now with the Barrie Colts, he has continued his unbelievable offensive dominance and is third in the OHL in scoring with 34 goals along with 55 assists for 89 points in 62 games.

Pither will be added to the Phantoms’ roster next season where the Flyers can get a better look at him.

2. Shane Harper -- RW
Age: 21
Acquired: Signed as a Free-Agent
Draft: Undrafted
Potential: Secondary skilled scorer

Shane Harper is the other undrafted free-agent prospect that Holmgren liked enough to give him a chance with the Phantoms, but Harper also comes with a cool story about his journey through youth hockey. The California native grew up in the L.A. area playing roller hockey until he was six. He then changed over to ice hockey where he actually became good friends with Wayne Gretzy’s son. Birthday parties with the Great One and the Great One’s son must have been a thrilling experience for a California kid whose parents had no interest whatsoever in hockey.

Harper's play with the Everett Silvertips this season has earned him an NHL contract with the Flyers despite never being drafted.

Another interesting thing to realize about Harper is that he has not missed a game in two full seasons along with the entirety of this one. He was a healthy scratch for the first game of the 2007-08 season but has not looked back since, becoming the all-time leader in games played for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. This season he also tied a team record for goals in a season with 39 though there are quite a few games left to go. He also has 35 assists this season in the 66 games that he’s played putting him at 74 points on the season and 17th in the WHL in scoring.

He’s not as offensively gifted as Pither, but he is a much more balanced player. He has a ton of offensive talent and is one of the best stick-handlers in the WHL this season. He also has a very fast, accurate snipe of a shot that is able to catch goaltenders off guard and possesses a good work ethic. He will also be joining Pither and the other Flyers’ prospects in the AHL next season.

3. Adam Morrison -- G
Age: 19
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 3rd round (#81) in 2009
Potential: Average starting goaltender

Without a 1st or 2nd round pick in 2009, the Flyers used their first selection in the draft to pick up a promising WHL goalie in Adam Morrison. He had very good numbers as a back-up in 2008-09, and the Flyers hoped his talent would lead to greater things in 2009-10.

Morrison backed up Capitals' prospect Braden Holtby last season, and despite a great performance early in this season, he has taken a nose-dive back to the back-up position.

Well, the organization got its wish for at least half a season. For half the year, Morrison was spectacular in net. He was among all of the goaltending leaders in the WHL in both GAA and save percentage. Unfortunately, that’s where things started to go south for the 19-year-old. He wasn’t performing well even though the team continued to help him earn wins.

The Saskatoon Blades had acquired an undrafted goaltender earlier in the year, who had been struggling on the Prince Albert Raiders, to be the back-up goalie. Steven Stanford slowly climbed his way up to the starting position, and though he doesn’t have spectacular numbers, he is still winning games. Morrison’s numbers have taken a severe nose-dive, but he is young. He has plenty of time to regroup and come back out next season as a stronger goaltender. He certainly has the talent to do so, but he seems to be a streaky goaltender who relies a lot on his own confidence.

4. Dave Labrecque -- C
Age: 20
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 6th round (#153) in 2009
Potential: Secondary skilled scorer

The Flyers picked up center Dave Labrecque late in the 2009 out of the QMJHL because of his offensive explosion in 2008-09. Almost out of nowhere because of more playing time, Labrecque scored 13 goals and added 48 assists for 61 points in 59 games. He had developed into a very talented playmaking center with some great skating for the Shawinigan Cataractes.

Labrecque is another talented offensive weapon who will look to better his overall game in the AHL next season.

This year Labrecque has 4 less points in the same amount of games, but he is improving in other areas. This offseason he focused on his goal-scoring, and it seems to have paid off. He jumped from 13 goals to 22 goals and has become a more balanced offensive weapon.

Labrecque is still growing, but he’s going to have a hard time jumping into the fray at the AHL level immediately. He had a very impressive camp this past offseason with the Flyers, but his defensive liabilities are not something the organization can just ignore.

Like Pither and Harper, Labrecque is a talented scorer who is going to take a little work before he can hopefully emerge as an NHLer. He is another forward that will also likely join the Phantoms next season.

5. Nicola Riopel -- G
Age: 21
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 5th round (#142) in 2009
Potential: Average starting goaltender

Nicola Riopel seemed to be a QMJHL late bloomer when he stumbled on the best season that any QMJHL goaltender has ever had. The Flyers, thin at the goaltending position, decided to take a chance on the athletic Riopel in the 6th round. I mean, why not? He only had a 2.05 GAA, 0.930 save percentage, and 43 wins over the course of 59 games played in 2008-09.

Riopel is an extremely athletic and quick goaltender dominating the highest scoring league on the planet.

Well, Riopel joined the Phantoms early this season and performed poorly the back-up while the Phantoms were struggling. Johan Backlund, a free-agent the Flyers brought in on a one-year deal to see if he had what it takes to survive in North America, ended up the AHL starter. Backlund’s performance meant that the raw Riopel was not seeing a large chunk of the workload.

Because of this, Riopel was sent back down to the Moncton Wildcats in the highest scoring league on the planet and is doing well. In fact, to say he is doing well might be a gross understatement. In 21 games since his return, he has an absolutely unbelievable 1.93 GAA, a 0.920 save percentage, and 18 wins.

Since it’s looking more like Backlund will not be returning to the Phantoms next season, it’s very possible that Riopel could end up the starter in the AHL. He will need to work out some of the kinks, but he definitely has the talent and athleticism to handle an AHL position after he gets in rhythm. If he can dominate the highest scoring league in the world, like he has been for two years straight, there may be nothing completely out of reach for Riopel.

6. Andrei Popov -- RW
Age: 21
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 7th round (#205) in 2006
Potential: Power-forward secondary scorer

Andrei Popov is another surprise for the Flyers’ organization. They picked him up as a long-shot in the last round round way back in 2006. The following year he had his debut with Chelyabinsk Traktor of the Russian league, which would soon become the famous KHL.

Popov hit a massive offensive explosion during his fourth season in Russia's highest league but has slowed down considerably since an injury benched him for 6 games.

Popov got off to a really slow start offensively. The power-forward suffered from poor offensive outputs for three straight seasons before 2009-10 rolled around. Suddenly, and without warning, Popov hit an offensive explosion nobody seemed to expect. He was averaging nearly a point-per-game at the beginning of the season and was keeping up with many of the KHL stars.

Things slowed down to a grinding halt though when Popov was injured. He spent some time out of the lineup to heal, but when he returned, the offense had disappeared. He slowly floated down the KHL leader boards and was overtaken by two other players on his team despite missing only 6 games.

Even so, 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points in 48 points is a career year for Popov by a large margin. He has tripled his career high in goals and more than doubled his career high in points. He’s got the potential to be a viable power-forward at the NHL level even though his skating could use some work. The unfortunate reality is that it may be hard to ever get Popov to the States so that the Flyers can get a better look at him. He would likely top out on the 3rd line with the Flyers, but in the KHL, he has the opportunity to be a high-paid star.

7. Tyler Hostetter -- D
Age: 19
Acquired: Signed as a Free-Agent
Draft: Undrafted
Potential: Offensive defenseman

The Flyers signed the Pennsylvania native Tyler Hostetter after he was skipped over in the 2009 draft.

As the 153rd ranked North American skater in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, it is odd that Tyler Hostetter did not get picked up. He is a really good skater, can move the puck pretty well, and is unafraid to join the rush. Like many offensive defenseman though, his one draw-back is his reliability in the defensive zone.

The Flyers managed to sign him to an ELC after the draft in order to secure another depth defenseman at the AHL level with some NHL potential for next season. It was a good signing, but like Matsumoto, at some point Hostetter is going to be fighting a numbers game with other talented, young blueliners competing for ice-time and eventually an NHL role.

That hasn’t stopped Hostetter from working hard with the Otters in the OHL. He has improved on his offenisve production even though he is a defenseman. In 57 games played he has scored 2 goals and added another 23 assists for 25 points. He will likely be with the Phantoms next season.

You might like these related articles:

• Flyers Prospect Camp And More
• Ratchuk gone; Legein added to prospects
• Important Flyers updates to close out ‘09
• Fans Making A Flyers Draft Preview
• Line shifts, roster shake-ups, and prospect updates for Flyers

For the second consecutive season, the biggest news in Spring Training will come down to who the 5th spot in the rotation will belong to when the Phillies head north.

Last season, the race was between Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ,  and Chan Ho Park. With Chopper moving on to the Yankees and Happ solidifying his spot in the middle of the rotation, there was bound to be a new competition for the last spot in the rotation.

The race is primarily between Kendrick and Jamie Moyer, with a few other long shots in case neither of those two perform.

Kendrick made his spring debut against the Yankees yesterday, following in the footsteps of his new role model, Roy Halladay. Kendrick has been working out with Roy and has even started to sport the same facial hair style. If he pitches like Halladay, the Phillies will be in good shape. In his two innings of work, Kendrick gave up one hit to go along with one strikeout. Not a bad debut.

Jamie Moyer made his spring training debut this morning in a B game, going three innings. He gave up three singles, no runs or walks and three strikeouts. He threw 31 pitches and got 23 of them over for strikes. An impressive start for the old goat.  I’m actually surprised to see Moyer throwing off of a mound at all this early in camp. After his offseason surgeries, I thought he wouldn’t be ready until closer to the season opener. At this stage in his career, Moyer knows what he needs to do in order to be prepared for the season, so he should be alright. Granted, he knows this is a competition and will do everything he can to show he can still ptich.

Obviously, the Phillies want the Kendrick of a few years ago when he came up from Reading and won 10 games his first year and 11 the next. After losing out last year and starting out in Lehigh Valley, Kendrick came back late in the season and won a few games for the Phils down the stretch. If he can develop his other pitches, he’ll be a sold pitcher for the big club.

Moyer had an up and down season last year. While still winning 12 games, he was bumped out of the rotation to make room for Pedro Martinez and sent to the bullpen. Jamie pitched extremely well out of the bullpen and made a few spot starts until getting injured late in the season. After a few complications from surgery, Moyer seems to be back on track to be ready for Opening Day in a month.

It’s hard to tell what the Phillies would prefer out of this race. While they have a lot of money committed to Moyer, the team has been known to eat money when it comes to under performing players.  (Adam Eaton, anyone?) Plus, the Phillies want to see if Kendrick can come back to the major leagues and pitch at a high level. If he can, he’ll be a valuable part of the rotation for the next few years.

At the end of spring training, if Moyer and Kendrick have pitched pretty similar, I see the 5th spot going to Moyer. Keep Kendrick around in the ‘pen for long relief and spot starts. His confidence would get shattered beyond repair if he has to start in Lehigh again. Keep him around with the big club in case Moyer falters.  Jamie probably knows that this should be his final season, so he’ll be going all out to make it successful.

By the end of the season, I think Moyer will have made more starts than Kendrick, but it will be close.

You might like these related articles:

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• Moyer & Kendrick to start for the Phillies this weekend
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• Phillies want Halladay, but do they need him?

While the Phillies first exhibition game was a 13-6 win over the Florida State Seminoles yesterday,  the Phillies start playing the big boys today.

In the Grapefruit League opener, the Phillies play the New York Yankees at Bright House Networks Field at 1:05 P.M. Now, besides being the spring training opener, the game will also serve as Roy Halladay’s Phillies’ debut. An entire city of baseball fans has been waiting for this day all winter. To finally see Doc in red pinstripes will exciting.

This game will be a World Series rematch for about an inning, maybe 2. After the first couple of innings, the fringe players and spring training invitees will begin to filter in. The regulars may play a little longer as this is against the Yankees, but most of them will be out of the game by the 3rd inning most likely. Hell, as all of the beat writers just Twittered, even the starting lineup will be watered down:

SS Rollins, 3B Polanco, CF Francisco, RF Werth, LF Mayberry, 1B Ransom, 2B Castro, DH Bocock, C Ruiz with Halladay pitching.

Interesting to see Cody Ransom playing for the Phils against the Yanks after opening last season as NY’s Opening Day 3rd baseman when Alex Rodriguez was injured.

Even thought this may be the first game, it will hopefully be the beginning of a long journey that will end in late October for this team.

It’s been a long 4 months, but Phillies baseball is finally back.

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It took a week or so for the Flyers to get used to a new kind of coaching under Laviolette, but the team seems to have sparked due his energetic system.

It’s easy to go and blame contract clauses and shortage of usable assets for the Flyers’ lack of movement on trade deadline day. While everyone wanted a shiny new toy to throw into the locker room, no team really got anything special in one of the slowest Trade Deadline Holidays in recent memory.

Not much happened among the competitors today and yesterday other than Pittsburgh getting a serviceable winger and Washington getting a decent defenseman for some minor assets.

The biggest change in the Eastern Conference is likely the Devils getting Kovalchuk, which happened even before the Olympics. We all know how the Flyers handled that situation.

It takes a special kind of person to see that changes need to be made to a roster to have the best shot at winning in the postseason, but sometimes it takes a calmer hand to realize that giving up too much may not be in the best interest of the team. It takes a real man to claim he’s willing to stand pat.

Holmgren stood pat, and all we can do now is wait for the rest of the season to play out.

After a dominating third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning last night, you kind of had the feeling that there wasn’t much that needed to be changed on this team.

Obviously with Emery done for the season, you would like a starting goalie with a little more pedigree, but last night was Leighton’s fifth straight game giving up only two goals. The defense seems comfortable with him. He isn’t great, he has some flaws, and he certainly has the ability to make quite a few people nervous, but it is what it is. I’m not saying you should feel completely comfortable with Leighton, but our offense and defense are world class.

I’m not saying that we’re the favorites, but really, those teams that you may think have the best shot at the Cup have their own problems to deal with as well.

You want to know what Laviolette’s system and a world class team has turned Leighton into? Here you go:

Goals Against Average

• Tuukka Rask (BOS) – 2.15 GAA
• Ryan Miller (BUF) – 2.16 GAA
• Mike Leighton (PHI) – 2.18 GAA / Miikka Kiprusoff (CGY) – 2.18 GAA
• Antti Niemi (CHI) – 2.26 GAA
• Jimmy Howard (DET) – 2.28 GAA

Save Percentage

• Thomas Vokoun (FLA) – 0.931 SV%
• Mike Leighton (PHI) – 0.930 SV% / Ryan Miller (BUF) – 0.930 SV%
• Jimmy Howard (DET) – 0.927 SV% / Evgeny Nabokov (SJS) – 0.927 SV%
• Tuukka Rask (BOS) – 0.926 SV%
• Miikka Kiprusoff (CGY) – 0.925 SV%

Leighton has 13-3-1 record in 19 games played and is not only tied for second with Ryan “USA’s Hero” Miller in save percentage at 0.930 but is also tied for third in GAA at 2.18. In 77 games played over his career before his return to Philadelphia this season, Leighton has 18 total wins with a 3.63 GAA and a 0.878 SV%.

I’d say that Laviolette’s system and our elite team is a major part of that, and though I’m not completely confident in Leighton, there is a lot to work with when your team can turn a guy like him to a legitimate goaltender.

You also have to look at what other teams wanted in return for a goalie. Montreal asked for Carter for Jaroslav Halak. It’s also likely they asked for one of Giroux or vanRiemsdyk for Carey Price. For Thomas Vokoun, Florida wanted Carter as well.

That wasn’t about to happen.

Our deadline moves were simple. Ryan Parent is now healthy and will help out a lot. Lukas Krajicek was claimed off waivers to add even more depth. Because of that, our defense is arguably the best in the entire NHL. We did all of this without sacrificing any forward strength. Hell, we even gained a former Calder Trophy favorite for rookie of the year from Detroit for almost nothing in Ville Leino. If one of our forwards goes out, we have a competent replacement waiting in the wings.

In the end, the hiring of Peter Laviolette may be the best trade deadline move we could have done.

We also signed a couple of prospects to add to our pool of forwards. I will update them later tonight.

For now, the Flyers look to play the Florida Panthers tonight at 7:30.

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Forward James vanRiemsdyk is not only looking to become an elite hockey player from New Jersey, but he is also an American with hopes for a gold medal some day.

Here I am on a Tuesday morning working on an top prospect article for the Flyers’ top 20 prospects with Mike & Mike in the Morning playing on the TV in the background. For those who have never heard of the show, it’s normally some of the best programming ESPN has to offer even though quality ESPN programming has become hard to find in recent years.

Well, this morning there was a big deal about the NHL. I was in shock. ESPN should not be talking about hockey. That’s not something it never does outside of when a three second clip of some incredible, miraculous goal gets beat out in the top 10 on Sports Center by a couple of mediocre dunks that any NBA player can make in any game.

The talk this morning was about how the NHL is going to capitalize off the incredible atmosphere that the Gold Medal Game against Canada created.

Even though Team USA lost, it was the most watched hockey game in the United States since 1980. It pulled in more viewers than any NBA Finals game since 1998, more viewers than any MLB World Series game since 2004, and every NCAA Final Four Basketball game since 1998. Not including NFL related football, it was the 2nd most watched single sports event this year falling just shy of the BCS National Championship game.

That’s just in the United States.

As far as Canada is concerned…well last Sunday was arguably their most important game in Canadian sports’ history. To say the majority of the country tuned in would be a gross understatement.

Everyone in the world watched last Sunday’s gold medal game, and even though the United States lost, nothing can be taken away from that one incredible game.

So where does the NHL go from there? How does it become more popular from one incredible event?

ESPN wants them to take out the fighting because it’s so much more destructive and violent than any other television program kids will see. Fighting cheapens the game of hockey, but if there is a fight in the stands at an NBA game or a massive player brawl on the field at Miami University, ESPN won’t fail to show non-stop live coverage until everyone has had their say.

Fighting is not the reason nobody watches hockey, and in fact, to say nobody watches hockey is a bit of a severe misinterpretation of reality. Hockey is a culture that you either get or you don’t. There are no tweeners. There are no casual viewers. You either watch your local team or you tune in if something important happens. People won’t just pick up hockey a random hockey game to watch a superstar play like some might pick a football game out of their weekend selection.

Mike and Mike feel that is what needs to change. They feel the NHL needs faces; it needs names. Give me a name, and I’ll draw you a picture with words, you self-proclaimed journalists.

They talk about how there are no “story lines,” but who is at fault there? Story lines are written by the players, but they’re told by story tellers. The journalists are the ones that convey the story. There’s far too little actual journalism at ESPN and far too much sensationalism. Hockey gets lost in the fold.

If you really want to believe that hockey isn’t on ESPN because it’s not marketable, you really need to re-assess reality. ESPN has created Danica Patrick and midnight poker tournaments. What makes hockey so inferior to the garbage ESPN wastes it’s coverage on?

This is Trade Deadline week. It is practically a hockey holiday. Mike and Mike failed to mention that too.

Mike and Mike want to blame hockey for not marketing American stars like the Cherry Hilly native Bobby Ryan, or Zach Parise playing just north in New Jersey, or even the best goalie in the NHL, Ryan Miller. Unfortunately, what they don’t seem to realize is that these players exist just as much as the Brett Favres, the Kobe Bryants, and the Derek Jeters. Hockey players do exist. The stories are waiting to be told, so tell them. Don’t sit idly by making up excuses to look like you have some insight about what is wrong with the hockey world.

There is nothing wrong with hockey that can be fixed by people who know nothing about it. Mike and Mike couldn’t name you half of Team USA, but they know they exist. Find out who they are. If you really care enough to make it a point of emphasis on your show, then do something about it instead of playing the role of the Californian trying to tell the Philadelphian how to cook his cheesesteak.

I hope I do enough. I love sports. I love hockey. The gold medal game, despite the loss, was something spectacular. For Canada, the winners, it was one of those moments you will be able to tell your kid exactly where you were when it happened.

Don’t make excuses for hockey. We’ve proven we can survive without ESPN. It would be nice, however, if there was anything real about the way you talk about hockey. Mike and Mike, you are not journalists, you are not storytellers.

Any publicity is good publicity? I hope that’s true. I truly hope, for the future of hockey, that all the leaps and bounds USA Hockey has gone through as an organization over the past decade, to create a team worthy of skating on the same ice as the Canadians, have not gone to waste for your grand sense of self-righteousness. I hope kids everywhere begin to pick up their hockey sticks from Houston, TX to Duluth, MN and from Los Angeles, CA to Cherry Hill, NJ. I hope they do it just to spite you.

Lost in all of this was Team USA, which is slowly becoming one of the biggest hockey countries in the world. That’s right. USA Hockey has a group of young talent unlike anything it has ever had before. We will have our say. USA Hockey will not be denied whether ESPN will acknowledge its existence or not.

I wanted to beat the Canadians this time just like every other American on the planet, but they worship hockey. They celebrate hockey. As a country, we can never do that if people like you undermine sport; not just hockey, all sport.

Listen to the sounds of Vancouver, of a nation, as they celebrated, and tell me how different it was from New Orleans or even all of America in 1980. Tell me the difference. Tell me a story.

(Sound bite @1:15)

After all, in the end sports is just a story.

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