Paul Holmgren didn't believe me when I phone to tell him Lou Lamoriello had deep-sixed Claude Julien.

This has to be exactly what Garth said: Pittsburgh encroaching and overtaking the Devils and staying on their heels. It's a big-time gamble, but Lou has done it before and it's worked with a Stanley Cup.

How many losses would Lou have tolerated from Ken Hitchcock at the beginning of the season, eh?

***

RYAN PARENT after the morning skate:

"I came up here to be with the Phantoms this morning and they told me to practice with these guys. That’s all I know so far.

“It’s a lot to take in in one day. They said grab your stuff and go over to this side (Flyers rink).

“It's great experience any way you look at it. I didn't know what to expect and I had not in awhile, so that was a little tough, but guys made me feel good."

On his NHL time line to play:

"I didn't have a time line set. They will make sure you are ready before you're playing. There will be a point when I know I'm ready and they know. It's a process.

“I talked with Nashville more than Philly [about this] about what I had to do to take that next step and be better.

“It’s klinda tough to sit there. I have never played an NHL game. You don’t kiow what it’s like."

Parent says his hernaited disk is much better. Has some exercise he must do this summer to strengthen his back. Says his back and shoulder are sore from the season, and such, but not a concern. He did pass his FLyer physical.

**


Defensive prospect Ryan Parent practiced with the Flyers today and will make this afternoon's trip to Toronto.

Parent wore No. 77, last worn by Alexei Zhitnik, and was paired with Randy Jones, who suffered an eye injury in practice when a chipped puck got under him.

Derian Hatcher's left hip flexor kept him off the ice which is why Parent will make the trip.

"If Hatch can't play, we'd have to find a defenseman, plus it's a good experience for the kid," coach John Stevens said today.

"[Parent] went to Milwaukee at the end of the year, made a deep run in the playoffs, made a good account for himself. Lots of kids come out junior or college late in the year and play in the National Hockey League and have done very well.

"We gave him opportunity to get involved in practice. He has great feet, great mobility. Good awareness on the ice and he has good puck skills."

More on Parent later today ... I have to catch a mini-jet to the Big T.O.

I think it is a mistake giving him a veteran number like "77" which Paul Coffey and Chris Gratton wore here, as well ... Might put some pressure on the kid.

I also think Stevens is making a mistake leaving some of the injured players behind, such as Denis Gauthier, when the team is having its final "team meal" tonight in Toronto. Gauthier deserves to be there. Rookie mistake by coach Stevens.

**

BTW: Dmitry Afanasenkov says he never heard himself called "The Shark" until the message board on Hockeybuzz.

Shark in Russian, he says, is "AKULA."

"Shark huh?" said Marty Biron, sitting next to Afanasenkov. "I like that. I think I am going to call you shark from now on."

Most people call him, "Affie."

What's it all about, Affie? I like Shark.

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Hextall on Post Free Agency, Cap, Kids' Chances

» Sign a Goalie, That's It.

» My take on Weal signing

» They Are What They Are

» Hextall's Take on the Benchings