After talking with Larry Brooks in NY, plus Craig Berube, I have a different outlook on why the Flyers brought Blair Betts into this already overcrowded camp.
1- he eats up PK minutes (maybe save Mike Richards more?)
2- he can win faceoff draws in defensive zone
3- tougher, veteran 4th line presence
The Flyers have a couple of players in this camp who can make the NHL roster. But with 49 pro contracts, they have to be real picky about who gets No. 50.
“It's certainly an obstacle at times, the 50 contracts," GM Paul Holmgren told me this week. "We're always right around 48. You try to leave yourself a little flexibility when you get to this time of year. Sometimes, it is easier said than done."
One of those contracts remains ... you guessed it, Mike Rathje.
The Flyers appealed to the NHL that Rathe being on LTI and hasn't played in years and won't ever play again, but the league is making them eat the contract. The NHL is counting it as a "live" spot against the 50 maximum.
Betts told us today at Skate Zone he passed his physical for recovery from a concussion and fractured orbital bone via a cheap shot from The Donald (Brashear) in last spring's playoffs.
We had some fun with him and I recounting his first goal as an NHLer in Calgary, through the "old" set of eyes, belonging to the The Chief, Craig "Big Foot" Berube.
I'm calling Chief "Big Foot" because he has this enormous walking boot on the left foot that leaves tracks in the mountains of Montana.
Here's my story about Betts on CSNPhilly.com:
Click Here
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Because there has not been a single scrimmage at Flyers rookie/prospects camps - as originally planned - it's impossible to say who stands out.
All these players are doing are developmental drills and doing through skill sessions.
But this update is significant. Simon Gagne is scrimmaging today with the veterans. Each morning, they go on the ice for about an hour or more and scrimmage. It's half-speed, no checking.
Gagne looks fine to me and he's keeping up with the play. Jeff Carter, just back from NYC as part of the NHL tour, is on the ice, as well, along with Chris Pronger, who was also on tour.
Mark Bell, the troubled, much-traveled forward, has been part of every one of these vets-only player scrimmages in the morning along with Ryan Parent and Scott Hartnell.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
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