If John Stevens were more like Andy Reid in Philadelphia, then the return of Danny Briere would also spell the end of Mike Richards' success between Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble.
Fortunately, Stevens doesn't allow ego get in the way of making the right decisions at the right time for the team he coaches.
So, assuming Briere is on the ice tomorrow at the WAC when the Tampa Bay Lightning come to South Philly, the wingers will be Joffrey Lupul and Andreas Nodl.
That's the unit Stevens used today at Skate Zone and that's where he wants Briere tomorrow.
“I don’t have the statistics, but that might be the best line in hockey right now," Stevens said of Gagne-Richards-Knuble, when I asked about this at today's practice. "It’s a good fit right there.
"If Danny is able to play we’ll get him back in there and get his legs back under him. It’s something that will evolve, but for now, that’s the way it’s going to stay.”
Briere has missed nine games in succession with a left groin pull. Richards' centered Briere's line during eight of those absences. Under Richards, the line amassed 24 points. That's production and there's no reason to fool with it. Stevens recognizes when things are going good with line combinations.
Now, Jeff Carter missed practice today nursing his sore right shoulder. How ironic that Carter was injured by Joni Pitkanen, of all people, last week. How many checks did Joni ever throw here as a Flyer?
Anyway, Carter says he will return vs. Tampa Bay. He will play with Scottie Upshall and Scott Hartnell.
The next two weeks will see the Flyers play three games against Atlantic Division foes. This is a good time to pick up points and put some distances between themselves and the New Jersey Devils.
And say ... now that Steve Downie is with the Bolts and on their roster, do you think he'll take a run at any Flyers tomorrow? Downie always does the predictable, so I'm thinking something will happen on the ice.
Did we mention Riley Cote (torn oblique muscle) will be back in the lineup? I gotta think Riles will be inching for a fight, just to get those fists pumping again ... maybe even against Downie takes one of his many really bad penalties.
"If something needs to be dealt with, we’ve got guys on the bench to take care of that," Cote told me today. " … If he wants to prove a point, we’ll prove a point back."
**
For more on this and some Flyers stats I have culled on my own, click on my link to CSNPhilly.com:
Click Here 
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»