My biggest frustration in watching the Flyers season has been that we all know the club is capable of playing at a level where it seems able to compete with any team in the NHL and is equally capable of looking like it would struggle against a determined AHL team. How could the same Flyers team that looked so inept offensively against the likes of Edmonton and Minnesota's third-string goaltender turn around and rally back from two-goal deficits to beat the New Jersey Devils in both ends of a home-and-home set?
At any rate, it was great to see the team show moxie in coming back to beat the Devils in each of the last two games. It doesn't matter that New Jersey has struggled horribly of late, especially in second periods. That's not the Flyers' problem. All the Flyers can do is go out and play the game the way it should be played. Falling behind early is never a recommended scenario, but the Flyers were way overdue to collect a couple comeback wins this season.
Simon Gagne could not have picked a better time to finally break his scoring drought. But he needs to put the puck in the net a few more times before the Olympic break and give himself something to build from down the stretch. The biggest thing lacking in Gagne's game during his drought was his willingness/ability to get into the high traffic areas where goals get scored. He did that twice last night on the game-winning shift in overtime, finding room for himself in the slot. The first time, he missed the net. The second time, he made no mistake.
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Several people have emailed or PMed me to ask if I felt comfortable with the Flyers using Michael Leighton as their starting goaltender in the playoffs. My answer is always the same.
If Leighton can get the club to the postseason, he deserves to start. Do I think he's a "Stanley Cup caliber" goaltender? No. But then again, by virtue of the fact that making the playoffs is still not a lock for this club -- and Leighton's play has been one of the bright spots since he was plucked off waivers -- I don't think that pursuing Marty Turco or another goaltender is the way to go right now. Lack of consistent top-six scoring, not goaltending or defense, has been the club's biggest problem.
There is, however, a scenario under which I'd love to see the Flyers obtain impending unrestricted free agent Turco. If the club can get one of their big salary, no trade clause players to agree to a deal, it's a deal that could help the Flyers. But I don't see that happening, either on the players' end or on the Stars' end.
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Two Flyers draft picks from the 2009 Entry Draft, left winger Eric Wellwood and center Dave Labrecque, are quietly having nice seasons for their junior clubs.
Wellwood, chosen 172nd overall, ranks fourth on the Windsor Spitfires (Taylor Hall's club)with 29 goals and 60 points in 53 games. Labrecque, the 153rd overall pick, is second on the QMJHL's Shawinigan Cataractes with 21 goals and 54 points. Labrecque turned 20 in January, while Wellwood will turn 20 in March.
Both guys are candidates for entry level contracts, and there is certainly room for them on the Phantoms. Beyond that, we'll see.
I will caution, however, that junior stats mean nothing in the pros. Virtually all professional players were junior standouts and having junior success offensively is nearly a prerequisite for obtaining an entry level contract. It's by no means not a predictor of NHL upside.
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I wanted to pass along a nice little story shared with me by a Flyers fan from Alberta by the name of Bill Spence. We often hear negative stories about athletes, and it's good to remember from time to time that most hockey players are good with the fans on a day-in and day-out basis and often go out of their way to make young fans feel special.
With Bill's permission, here is some of his email to me:
[When the Flyers were in Edmonton], I was able to take my 10 year old son and several friends along with their children. As a group we are all die hard fans of the Flyers (the 4 dads all attended the Eastern Conference Final against Pittsburgh 2 season ago). Not only was Scott [Hartnell] gracious enough to get us in to watch the practice he took the time to come and visit with the group and sign some jerseys for the kids. Dan Carcillo wasn't skating and took the time also to come and meet and greet with the group. As the team was leaving the ice they each took a little time out of their busy day and sign jerseys and talk to the kids.
One individual and story stood out the most for the day -- it was Claude Giroux. My friend's boy is 10 and had a Giroux jersey on. When Giroux noticed it, he took special interest in Mathew and not only signed his jersey he took the opportunity to sign his stick and present it to him. Well what might seem like a small gesture on his behalf will leave a mark on that young Flyer fan for the rest of his life, as well as the rest of us that witnessed it.
My wife was curious when we arrived home who had more fun, the kids or the dads? That is a question I am unable to answer. It will be a memory that each of us as fathers will remember with our kids the rest of our lives.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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