Contact | Home | Archive | AHL  | ECHL | About Us | Duck Calls | Quick Shots | Audio | Europe | Web Radio

Predictions

EAST

1. WAS
2. BOS
3. PHI
4. PIT
5. CAR
6. MTL
7. NJD
8. TBL
9. TOR
10. BUF
11. NYR
12. FLA
13. ATL
14. OTT
15. NYI

WEST

1. CHI
2. VAN
3. ANA
4. DET
5. SJS
6. CGY
7. CBJ
8. LAK
9. MNW
10. STL
11. DAL
12. EDM
13. NSH
14. PHX
15. COL

Back to Preview Main

EASTERN CONFERENCE

3. Philadelphia Flyers

With a $34M+ contract extension in hand, Chris Pronger hopes to be the proverbial “missing piece” for the Flyers’ Stanley Cup hopes. The club’s drought now stands at 34 seasons without a title. The 34-year-old Pronger brings a Cup ring from his glory days with Anaheim, and is coming off an excellent 08-09 season, having played in every game, scoring 11 goals on 196 shots. He was a key performer in the playoffs, helping the Ducks force a game seven in round two, which they lost to Detroit.

In short, Pronger makes a difference. He was a key component of Anaheim’s Cup run, and he looks to finish his career in Philly. GM Paul Holmgren’s choice was a wise one, and he’ll be rewarded. Ten seasons ago, Pronger became the only defenseman since Bobby Orr to win the Hart and Norris trophies in the same season. The day that Pronger is considered for the top NHL awards is over, but he could be one of the only real difference makers to have changed hands this offseason.

The remainder of the defense is solid, although the club’s proximity to the top of the salary cap won’t help later in the year, when veteran defensive depth might help. At 6’5”, Braydon Coburn gives the Flyers a solid second punch. Kimmo Timonen can move the puck well, but needs to improve his production (only 3 goals and a low 104 total shots, well below usual). The idea of leaving Coburn with Matt Carle and pairing Timonen with Pronger makes sense. Timonen will have lots of room to move with Pronger on his flank. Ryan Parent and Randy Jones look to return after injury problems, to round out a very solid six pack of defensemen.

Offensively the Flyers are legitimately optimistic. While they bid farewell to Joffrey Lupul’s 25 goals (to Anaheim as part of the Pronger deal) and Mike Knuble’s 27 (to Washington via Free Agency), they are looking forward to Daniel Briere’s return after injuries limited him to just 29 games last season. Jeff Carter continues to become one of the game’s brightest stars (46 goals), and Simon Gagne returned to form after concussion problems with 34 goals. Mike Richards scored 30 and lost the Selke Trophy to Pavel Datsyuk despite receiving more first-place votes. For sandpaper, the club picked up Ian Laperriere, a natural-born Flyer if there ever was one.

Sophomore center Claude Giroux looks to his first full season, and James van Riemsdyk (AHL) will press for a job.

An goal, Ray Emery comes to town on the cheap ($1.5M) in a one year deal after a season in the KHL, and Brian Boucher returns for the third time to the club that drafted him in 1995. Something about Emery is intriguing. The raw ability is there, but Emery has a lot to overcome, having been on a Stanley Cup loser then having off-ice problems with cops, and being a problem in the locker room (late or missed Ottawa practices, etc.). Seems that his Cup final appearance will prove to be a valuable education. The rest of his problems are off-ice, and in fairness, they happened two seasons ago. Who’s to say that Holmgren isn’t the last one laughing when we find out that Emery has re-emerged, this time serious about his work, and ready to reap the benefits of a Chris Pronger-led defense?

Top

Home

2010 Western Hockey Network