FLYERS: Laviolette Downplays Leadership Issues

FLYERS COACH DOWNPLAYS LEADERSHIP ISSUES

…There’s no doubt in my mind the Flyers miss Chris Pronger and Jody Shelley on a consistent basis in that locker room. When their both back, maybe the team’s in-game focus will increase, but it seems to me like veterans Mike Richards, Kimmo Timonen, and Danny Briere aren’t having as much effect as Pronger and Shelley clearly did earlier in the season.

I’ve said time and time again: Chris Pronger is the Flyer the team can LEAST afford to lose, and, unfortunately, my point is being very much proven over these last few games.

FLYERS: Panaccio’s Week in Review

PANACCIO’S FLYERS WEEK IN REVIEW: JAN 31-FEB 6

…Pretty interesting that the Costa Rica Line (Briere, Hartnell, Leino) is a -3 as a whole since the All-Star Break. They haven’t looked all that dominant since the lay-off, save Leino’s two-goal performance against Nashville on Thursday.

FLYERS: Briere Not at Practice; Rolly Had No Traffic in Front of Him

From practice today, via @SWhyno :

…Well, that’s not good. My guess: a maintenance day. Remember, Briere didn’t have an All-Star Break, per-se.

And, from last night, courtesy of @BroadStBull:

 

…Ya think? Roloson played a great game, but there’s no doubting he saw nearly every shot the Flyers threw his way. That has to change, because that’s not the way the Flyers play hockey – let alone a way in which this team can be successful.

FLYERS: All-Star Game Recap

TEAM LIDSTROM BESTS TEAM STAAL, 11-10

-Claude Giroux (Team Staal) had 1 G and 1 A for 2 points and was a -1. He had 2 SOG in 13:16 of ice time.

-Danny Briere (Team Lidstrom) had 2 G and 2 points and was even. He had 4 SOG in 15:02 of ice time.

-Former Flyer Patrick Sharp (1G, 2A) was the game’s MVP.

-Team Lidstrom Co-Head Coach Peter Laviolette did NOT have to use a timeout.

FLYERS: Danny Briere and Claude Giroux are Awesome

HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE: FLYER ALL-STARS MAKE UNCONVENTIONAL FAMILY WORK

…Briere and Giroux are two key components for the Flyers not just for this season, but for the foreseeable future. Good thing Homer locked ‘em up. Hopefully they each can get on the board later this afternoon in the NHL All-Star Game.

FLYERS: Briere and Giroux’s Locker Room Stalls for All-Star Game

Danny Briere (Team Lidstrom):

 

Claude Giroux (Team Staal):

 

…Photos courtesy of the Flyers’ Official Twitter Page: @NHLFlyers

FLYERS: NHL All-Star Game Assistant Captains Announced

ALTERNATE CAPTAINS NAMED FOR ALL-STAR GAME

…I am not a fan of Mike Green. He’s not a defenseman, and he came across as an arrogant prick on the HBO 24/7: Pens-Caps series. To be honest, I’m not all that excited for the actual game itself, just for the Fantasy Draft. Hopefully Danny Briere and Claude Giroux can end up on the same team. Then again, I’m just hoping both are saved the embarrassment of being picked last – although neither would deserve it.

FLYERS: Carchidi Writes an Open Letter to Campbell

DEAR COLIN CAMPBELL: WHY? WHY? WHY?

…I am FAR from a fan of Flyers beat writer Sam Carchidi, but there are times when I do enjoy reading his work. Although I feel the whole All-Star situation is COMPLETELY overblown at this point, today was one of those days. This letter had me laughing a few times, just based on the fact that essentially everything Carchidi says to Campbell is true. He even rips him about this past year’s Winter Classic. Give it a read, and feel free to let me know what you think.

FLYERS: Briere Snubbed from All-Star Game

NHL NOTEBOOK: THE PROBLEM WITH THE ALL-STAR GAME

…Listen, there’s no way that Danny Briere should’ve been left out of the All-Star game, but it happened. I’m not Briere, so perhaps my frustration about the situation isn’t as high as his, nor do I care as much, so I’ve already gotten over the fact. While it would be nice to see a slew of Orange and Black representing Philadelphia in the All-Star Game in Raleigh, the reality of the situation is that the Flyers still don’t get the respect they deserve from the National Hockey League. Many other franchises and fans in this league hate the Flyers, and that leads to disadvantages for the club when it comes to fan voting, etc. But like I’ve said since the rosters were announced earlier this week: I’d take a first place TEAM over a group of All-Stars anyday.

FLYERS: Three in the Top-50 for Fantasy – NHL.com

MIDSEASON TOP-50 FANTASY HOCKEY RANKINGS

…I’m not really all that much of a fantasy hockey guy – I prefer Fantasy Football – but it’s cool to see three of the Flyers players in the top-50 amongst the entire league. Mike Richards (29th), Jeff Carter (34th), and Danny Briere (43rd) all make appearances. While I don’t really keep track of my fantasy team, I always only draft Flyers players, so I guess I’m doing well in my league because I know I have all three of those men on my team.