The Flyers looked as if they were on the last leg of a long road trip Monday night in the 5-2 loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Instead, it was just the first of a six-game road trip.

Despite taking seven out of a possible eight points on the homestand, the Flyers had a hard time coming out strong in the first period and were forced to play catch up game after game.

The Flyers put an end to that trend when Wayne Simmonds gave them the early lead just 38 seconds into the game. Luke Schenn earned an assist in his first visit to Toronto since being traded to the Flyers

The Flyers started the game hot. They just couldn’t finish it.

In a span of 30 seconds, the game turned in the Leafs favor. After numerous failed clearing attempts by the Flyers, Colton Orr knocked in a rebound right behind Nicklas Grossmann and Matt Frattin made it 3-1 less than three minutes in the second period.

Neither goalie would make it through the second period. James Reimer was replaced by Ben Scrivens due to injury and Ilya Bryzgalov was pulled in favor of Brian Boucher.

Peter Laviolette’s time out didn’t spark the team so his next option was to pull the goaltender. Bryzgalov stopped just ten of the 14 shots he faced but the defense in front of him left him out to dry.

The Flyers had plenty of chances to inch their way back in the game with seven minutes of power-play time in the second period. That included a five-minute major when Tye McGinn was boarded face-first by Korbinian Holzer. They had six shots but mustered up only one decent chance.

James van Riemsdyk put the icing on the cake for Toronto when he absolutely burned Luke Schenn on a breakaway to score his eighth goal on the season. JVR finished with four shots, a goal and almost 19 minutes of ice time against his former team.

The Flyers need to forget about this game quickly since they head to Winnipeg to take on the Jets tomorrow night.

JVR used with permission © Bob Fina/InsideHockey.com

Unless you were disconnected from the world today, or at the Phillies game, you probably already know that the Flyers traded James van Riemsdyk to Toronto for Luke Schenn.

It seems as if this trade was in the works since February, when it was rumored the teams would make the swap surrounding the trade deadline. For some reason, neither team pulled trigger.

Four months later, JVR is now a Maple Leaf and Luke Schenn joins his brother Brayden to become the first set of brothers to wear the orange and black since the Sutter twins.

While the trade seemed inevitable, it was only less than a year ago the Flyers signed JVR to a six-year, $25 million extension. It was also a year ago to the day Paul Holmgren shocked the world and traded Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, who also were at the starts of their long-term deals.

They say it is a business but the Flyers really take it to heart don’t they?

The ink was barely dry on his contract and the Flyers were already shopping JVR.

Sure, JVR didn’t live up to his potential…yet.
» Continue reading “JVR Traded To Toronto For Luke Schenn”

Inside Hockey/Bob Fina

James van Riemsdyk signed a six year deal last August in hopes of staying in Philadelphia for the majority of his career.

It only took about five months, however, until trade rumors starting swirling around the power forward, who was limited to just 43 games due to multiple injuries.

JVR survived the trade deadline but his name is, yet again, involved in even more chatter. It’s no secret that the Flyers are interested in prying Rick Nash out of Columbus and while the Flyers have a plethora of young players that the Blue Jackets or any other team would be interested in, JVR is the one that seems to be brought up time and time again.

As a young player, it has to be hard to hear your name involved in trade rumors but according to Columbus beat reporter Aaron Portzline, JVR wouldn’t mind packing his bags to join the Blue Jackets.

“Have it on good authority ‪#Flyers James van Riemsdyk would be more than willing to come to ‪#CBJ if such a trade came to pass” Portzline tweeted.

Now, before Flyers fans start bashing the kid, let’s put it in perspective.

If you found out your team was shopping you, would you be thrilled to stay? Also, JVR clearly didn’t want to take the route Jeff Carter took and hide out.  That didn’t work for anybody.

JVR obviously wants to stay in Philadelphia but if they don’t want him, he isn’t going to beg.

JVR used with permission © Bob Fina/InsideHockey.com

In the latest twist in this whole JVR soap opera, TSN is reporting that James van Riemsdyk does not, in fact, need hip surgery.

Paul Holmgren confirmed to CSNPhilly.com that this is true, despite telling us just days ago that JVR’s surgery was delayed because of an infection in his foot.

The Flyers initially reported after they were eliminated by the New Jersey Devils that JVR was getting surgery for a torn labrum. Then there was an inaccurate and ridiculous rumor going around that JVR was delaying surgery because he doesn’t want to be traded.

Now, he only needs rehab. Call me crazy but something doesn’t seem right.

The Flyers may not be playing playoff hockey in the summer months but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your orange and black fix.

On July 11, all of the baby Flyers will be taking part in the annual Trial on the Isle down the shore in Stone Harbor, N.J.

In previous years, Flyers prospects such as Claude Giroux and James van Riemsdyk took part in bike races, paddle-boarding and even softball. This year is going to have a different look to it but fans will still have the opportunity to watch and get autographs.

If hockey isn’t your thing  you can still soak up the sun while watching shirtless athletes run around and play sports.

Flyers, Jagr Close to New Contract

Out of all the gambles Paul Holmgren made last off-season, Jaromir Jagr was perhaps the biggest reward.

When the Flyers signed 40-year old Jagr, nobody thought he would put up 54 points in 73 games and play on the top line with Claude Giroux. He was no doubt a huge part why Giroux emerged as one of the NHL’s biggest stars.

Jagr made it clear that he wanted to play in the NHL next year after the season ended but he didn’t commit to a Flyers return. It seemed that Jagr wasn’t thrilled with his diminishing ice time as the season went on and wanted to play for a team where he was needed.

The Flyers must have reassured Jagr that he will continue to receive top line minutes because CSN Philadelphia is reporting that the Jagr is close to signing another 1-year deal before the NHL draft.

While Jagr exceeded expectations during the 2011-12 season, his nagging groin and leg injuries clearly held him back as the games piled up. It’s hard to believe that Jagr has another full season left in his tank but if anybody can do it, it’s Jaromir Jagr.

Inside Hockey/Bob Fina

It’s been over a week since the Flyers were eliminated and we last updated. Both equally suck so apologies on being MIA. Luckily during our hiatus, there was little to no news on the Flyers.

Claude Giroux advanced to the final four in the NHL ’13 cover bracket. He beat out Kings center Anze Kopitar who is too busy playing his way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Scott Hartnell sadly didn’t make it. You can vote for Giroux here.

Paul Holmgren finally released the list of players who needed surgery. Here is the list:

• Giroux needed surgery on both of his wrists to repair torn cartilage (right) and remove bone spurs (left). He should be fully healed after six weeks.
• Wayne Simmonds had surgery to fix his broken left index finger. This sort of explains why he was basically a no-show for most of the playoffs. Simmonds’ recovery time is 4-6 weeks.
• James van Riemsdyk will have surgery next week to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. JVR was visibly ailing when he returned from his foot injury in the Penguins series. He should be fully recovered in six weeks.
• Matt Carle didn’t really show any signs of pain but he had surgery to repair a torn stomach muscle. He is expected to make a full recovery for next season. Whether or not Carle will be in a Flyers uniform is another story.
• Last but certainly not least, Kimmo Timonen will also have surgery next week to remove a disc fragment from his lower back. It seems as if Timonen is always laboring through injuries so hopefully he will be as close to 100% healthy as he could possibly be by training camp.

That pretty much wraps up what has been going on in the last week. In case you shut down once the Flyers were eliminated, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and the LA Kings are just win away from going to the Finals.

Inside Hockey/ Kris Mendoza

Less than 48 hours after being bounced from the Stanley Cup Playoffs four games to one to the New Jersey Devils, the Philadelphia Flyers cleared out their lockers Thursday and reflected on the season.

Paul Holmgren and Peter Laviolette also met with the media and had some interesting things to say.

Here are some of the highlights:

Paul Holmgren

• The biggest quote of the day came when Homer told reporters Ilya Bryzgalov is responsible for stopping the puck, not entertaining the media and fans, saying it isn’t “Comedy Central.” Homer said it in a jokingly manner, well, as jovial as Homer can possibly be. He expects Bryz to perform much better in 2012-13 after having a season in Philly under his belt.
• Holmgren wouldn’t commit to naming a new captain for next season, stating that Chris Pronger is still the Flyers’ captain, even though he is still experiencing concussion symptoms. Homer said he would like to stay optimistic and believe that Pronger could return.
• With several players potentially filing for free agency, Homer said he expects to re-sign Matt Carle at a discount and that while they would love to bring Jaromir Jagr back, he knows that there are many teams that would want him, meaning his salary is likely on the rise.
• After shipping them out of town last summer, Holmgren said that he hopes Mike Richards and Jeff Carter win the Stanley Cup with the LA Kings, who are facing the Phoenix Coyotes in the Western Conference Finals. He did make sure to add that he is happy with the trades and he doesn’t regret it.

» Continue reading “Flyers Clean Out Lockers, Reflect on Season”

Inside Hockey/ Bob Fina

The Philadelphia Flyers were embarrassed out of their own building after the Devils completely owned them to take Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 4-1.

The two biggest questions this postseason have been whether Ilya Bryzgalov is capable of stealing games and if the Flyers can get out to a good start and play a full 60 minutes.

Both of these questions were answered.

The Flyers came out guns blazing completely outworking the Devils from puck drop. Matt Read gave them the early lead with an angle shot just 2:53 minutes into the first period.

It looked as if the Flyers would finally play a full 60 minutes like they have been talking about for so long.

Then the second period happened.
» Continue reading “Flyers Fail to Show Up, Devils Take Game 2″

Inside Hockey/ Bob Fina

It was déjà vu for the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Just like Game 1 of the quarterfinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Flyers overcame an early deficit to win it 4-3 in overtime. Jakub Voracek got the tally in round one but Danny Briere showed why he is “Mr. Playoffs” when he put the puck in the net not once twice in overtime.

That’s right, twice.

Briere kicked the puck past Marty Brodeur but even the Flyers on the bench knew that it wouldn’t count as he tried to sell it to the crowd and referees. The guys in Toronto got it right and overruled the call on the ice on account that it was a distinct kicking motion.

There aren’t many second chances in the game of hockey but it takes a lot to stop Briere once the calendar turns past April. He scored the game-winning goal on a slap shot from the point with a little help from James van Riemsdyk who screened Brodeur in front. This time it counted.
» Continue reading “Briere Scores Twice in OT, Flyers Win Game 1″

Inside Hockey/ANTHONY FIORE

Both teams split the regular-season series, with one of the Flyers’ losses coming via a shootout. The Flyers have home-ice advantage but it might not mean much considering both teams won twice in the other’s building.

These two teams have met four times in the postseason, the most recent being in 2010 when the Flyers beat the Devils in five games on their way to Finals. This was the series that Ian Laperriere became a lifelong fan favorite and Danny Carcillo shocked the world, and himself,  by scoring the overtime winner in Game 3.

While the division rivalry may have simmered between the Devils and Flyers now that the Penguins and Rangers rivalries have heated up, the underlying hatred for each other is still there. Scott Hartnell told reporters Friday that “it is easy to build hatred for the Penguins but the Devils are close behind.”

With that being said, the Flyers have to finally play real playoff hockey. That is, playing actual defense, stopping pucks without all of the extracurricular activities that went on during the Pittsburgh series.
» Continue reading “Flyers-Devils Preview”