BACK WITH A VENGEANCE

22-60. A season riddled by turmoil both in the front office, on the ice and in the locker room yielded a record of 22-48-12 for the Philadelphia Flyers, the worst in team history. But unlike other teams in town, the Flyers did not wallow in their woeful season, did not whine about injuries or make excuses for their apparent failings. Rather, the Philadelphia front office re-built, and retooled the city's most decorated franchise back into contention. The groundwork was layed in February of last season by trading for goaltender Martin Biron, and again in April, by trading Peter Forsberg for Scottie Upshall and Ryan Parent. The rebuilding process continued through the offseason, as general manager Paul Holmgren traded the underachieving and enigmatic defenseman Joni Pitkanen, along with Geoff Sanderson, for ruuged veteran defenseman Jason Smith, and potential star-in-the-making Joffrey Lupol. The also traded the draft pick they received from the Forsberg trade back to Nashville for defenseman Kimo Timonen and explosive wing-man Scott Hartnell. But the big catch was 5'10" 179-pound centerman Danny Briere. The bona fide superstar had been speculated to be a target of the Flyers since mid-season, and they landed him on July 2, 2007. Through all the trades and signings and re-signings the Flyers created a team that, for the first time, could compete in the "New NHL". The combination of athleticism, speed, skill, leadership and out-right tougness has become the talk of this sports-orientated town.
As of today, the Philadelphia Flyers are 11-6, good enough for first place in the Atlantic Division and third overall, in the Eastern Conference. But what is impressive about this team is not the turn-around of record, but the new style and attitude with which the Flyguys are playing. Marty Biron is the goaltender Philadelphia has been searching for since the retirement of the legendary Ron Hextall. Despite having faced 495 shots (second most in the NHL), Biron has been spectacular, posting a 2.23 goals against average, as well as a .935 save percentage, sixth best in the league. The one piece of the puzzle that has been missing from some very good Flyers teams, teams that could have been great, was goaltending. Now with a solid stopper between the pipes, this team has the foundation from which championships are built. (To put Biron's early-season numbers into perspective, Martin Brodeur has a GAA of 2.77, a SV% of .891 and has faced 349 shots. Biron also has 2 shutouts to Brodeur's 0).
The re-vamped defense has not been stupendous, but they have certainly improved, and the determination with which the defense is playing makes the catastrophe that was last season, but a distant memory. Lead by team captain Jason Smith, this unit is fearless, and boast three players with at least 30 blocked shots through the first 17 games. (Jason Smith-55, Lasse Kukkonen-37, Kimmo Timonen-33). And make no mistake about it, there is no action that proves toughness and willingness to sacrifice more than getting infront of a rubber biscuit traveling up too 100 miles per hour. But its just not blocking shots and hitting and protecting the goalie. These D-Men can move the puck. Braydon Coburn can flat out fly. Jason Smith is an excellent passer and has the distinct ability to control the puck, and the game, under pressure. Kimmo Timonen leads the team in ice time and is third on the team in assists. Randy Jones is also a hybrid, mixing his physical play and defensive responsibilities with a touch for creating big plays. The defense has finally achieved balance. There is no Chris Therien or Mike Rathje (let's hope he can't come back. Nothing personal, but that man cannot play). The balance that mixes the muscle and toughness that every defenseman needs with real hockey ability. Sharp passing, steady handling, quick shot release. Once this D gels, it could be the league's top unit.
The offense has also be re-worked. No more are the days of a Legion of Doom type team, depending on one line to dominate the score shhet. This unit, too, has achieved balance. There is a lot of skill in this offense. Danny Briere is a premier scorer. He creates chances on every shift. Simon Gagne is a great finisher, and hopefully the recent concussions don't cut Gagne short, as he is just reaching his prime and developing a complete game. Jeff Carter's unique wrist shot can create a goal from antwhere on the ice, and his more aggressive play this season has yielded great results- 7 goals, 4 assists, +8. Joffrey Lupol is third on the team in points and leads the team in hits, he is a prime example of this team's new approach. RJ Umberger and Mike Knuble's large frames create mismatches against some of the league's top D-men, and the need to keep them out of the front of the net opens up a lot of room for their linemates on the outside, much the way John LeClair was able to do in his prime.
But the embodyment of this team's turnaround, and really the centerpiece of their success is 22-year old assistant captain Mike Richards. Richards was a top prospect when drafted him 24th overall in the 2004 entry draft. After a respectable rookie season in 2005-06, recording 11 goals and 23 assists as a part of the checking line. But a rough sophmore campaign left many wondering if Richards would go the way of so many other highly-touted Flyers prospects and disappoint the organization. But, just like the Flyers marketing campaign, Mike Richards is BACK WITH A VENGEANCE. Through 17 games Richards leads the team in goals (10), points (20), game-winning goals (3), short-handed goals (3), shots taken (48) and face off percentage (52.5). He also contributes to every phase of the game. Along with scoring, Richards is constantly matched up against the opponent's top line and given the unenviable task of shutting down their best playmakers (the Crosbys, the Jagrs, the Lecavaliers of the league). This task carries over in to special teams, as he is the top offensive penalty killer. Not only does his play great short-handed defense, but he creates plays in these situations, as he leads the league in short handed goals with three. Then on power plays he plays the point, as his heavy shot, 20/20 ice vision and overall hockey IQ allow coach John Steven to utilize 4 offensemen on the man advantage. Combine all of these skills with a willingness to sacrifice and lay out to clear a puck or block a shot, the ability to lay a big clean hit on the opposition, the fearlessness he displays by dropping the gloves against some of the league's best fighters are the intangibles that make Richards the face of this team. In Mike Richards there is every quality that has turned this team around, and every quality that will make him the next great captain in Philadelphia Flyers history.
This team has the potential to be great. The potent mix management has created with speed and grit, skill and toughness, youthful exuberance and veteran leadership is developing into a championship hockey cocktail. The season is still young, and we've all seen the Flyers play great in the first half of seasons and nosedive just before the playoffs and get eliminated in the first round. But this team looks different. They feel different. This new energy, new heart. Not to mention, they're entertaining as hell. They're fast, they score, they hit, they fight. What else could we ask for in this city?