Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers All-Stars & Progress Report

Philadelphia Flyers - Claude Giroux & Kimmo Timonen - UPI image

Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers All-Stars & Progress Report

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All Star Game in Ottawa, Canada

The Philadelphia Flyers will be sending two of their players to the All Star game that will be played in Ottawa on January 29th. Who will be representing the Flyers? Center Claude Giroux and defenseman Kimmo Timonen. The Captains will pick the teams on January 26th, in a draft. Do you like this new format? Please share.

Yes, a Flyers fan could say that Scott Hartnell was snubbed and you can also state that many all star games are popularity contests. A few hockey players got the nod that are having off seasons, yet they were still picked. That’s how the puck bounces, right? Besides, if Hartnell keeps his pace up this year and into next year, he could find himself playing in next year’s All Star game.

The Philadelphia Flyers also added Matt Read and Sean Couturier who will participate in the rookie skills competition. Not bad considering that a total of 12 rookies for the entire league will be going to Ottawa and that the Flyers will be sending two rookies.

The Philadelphia Flyers Progress Report

The Flyers are tied for 5th with most overall points in the standings. They are 2 points behind the New York Rangers in the Atlantic Division with 56 points and 3rd overall in the Eastern Conference.

The weekly power rankings came out this week and ESPN’s power rankings have the Flyers 8th overall, in which they were 6th the previous week, while CBS Sports has the Flyers 7th, who were 6th the previous week.

Claude Giroux, at the age of 24, remains a solid Hart Trophy canidate. In my opinion, Giroux and Hartnell have been the bright spot of the Flyers, with Timonen doing very well, considering his age and without Chris Pronger.

I guess what could be disappointing about the Philadelphia Flyers season this year is the inconsistent play of their goaltender, Ilya Bryzgalov, who signed a 9 year 51 million dollar contract in the offseason. It certainly doesn’t help when one of the best defensemen in the league, Chris Pronger, who is out for the season, is not back on defense.

Overall, I think Philadelphia Flyers coach Peter Laviolette has done a very admirable job with this Flyers team. The trade rumor in the last 24 hours has been dangling 22 year old James  van Riemsdyk, better known as “JVR”. I love the kid, yet we need another solid defenseman. What do you say to this? Thoughts and opinions?