Flyer’s potential #1 goalie Antero Niittymaki tore the labrum in his left hip on Tuesday. He could be out for 8 weeks which means he would be coming back around Thanksgiving. This gives Robert Esche the goaltending reigns until then. There was speculation that the Flyers would go out and get a veteran goaltender as backup and they still might, but I don’t think it is necessary. Martin Houle is a young decent goaltender that I think should get a couple starts.

The Philadelphia Flyers are excited to provide fans with an innovative way to catch the team’s on-ice action. The Flyers will air their preseason game vs. the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 pm live on the internet since the game is not televised. This broadcast, brought to fans by B2-Networks, marks the first time in National Hockey League history that a game can be viewed exclusively via broadband.

Yeah that apparently didn’t work out. The B2 Network did not work, period. After all the hubbub made how this was going to be history making it did not happen.

“We are always looking to be ahead of the curve and take advantage of what technology has to offer,” said Flyers Vice President of Marketing and Communications Shawn Tilger. “Web casting this game will allow fans to view Flyers games in a whole new light and give them access to a game that is not televised.”

If the Flyers/Comcast Spectacor and the NHL really wanted to take advantage of what technology has to offer all the games would be streamed over the Internet and not have this silly rule of only allowing the games be viewed in the local market. I guess it is more important to get fans in the local markets interested in the games rather than hockey fans from around the world. Hockey is a big international sport, why not play to that?

Here is what B2 Network said about the screw up.

“It is with great disappointment that B2 Networks was not able to broadcast tonight’s Flyers-Capitals game,” said Greg P. Bell, B2 Networks Owner and CEO. “Our company has always stood behind its product and will work harder to improve the science of broadband broadcasting.”

Standing behind a product that doesn’t work, nice. Streaming video over the Internet is not rocket science, a tv tuner/encoder card, some streaming software and a fat pipe is really all that’s needed. No wonder no one takes the NHL seriously.

The game itself also sucked losing by 5 goals to the Caps. Esche gave up 5 goals on 16 shots and ended up being pulled in the second. Martin Houle gave up 1 goal on 7 shots. The Flyers were 1 for 11 on the power play while giving up 3 goals on 10 kills. The Flyers have given up shorthanded goals two games in a row now.
Two fights in the game Richards went with Ovechkin and Hatcher went with Bradley.
Two preseason games left in Jersey tomorrow night and in Washington on Friday.

Marty Murray was also waived and sent down to the Phantoms. I don’t think anyone picked him up. That leaves what, 2 more guys to go?

The Flyers have reassigned 20 players to the Phantoms, Steve Downie was sent back to the Peterborough Petes of the OHL and recently acquired Oskars Bartulis was sent to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL.

This leaves 26 players for the last 3 preseason games, 10 days away from opening season.
Who is left?
Forberg-Gagne-Knuble
Richards-Carter-Calder
Nedved-Sanderson-Umberger
Cullen- Murray- Kapanen
Dimitrakos-Robitaille-Kane
Tapper

Pitkanen-Rathje
Hatcher- Jonsson
Baumartner-Jones
Gauthier-Meyer

Esche-Niittymaki

Expect 4 forwards and one defenseman to be either sent down or traded. That is if everyone stays healthy.

The Flyers have 3 more preseason games, home against the Capitals on Tuesday then in Jersey against the Devils on Thursday and closing out the preseason against the Capitals in Washington on Friday.

Yes, it’s only the preseason, but you have to like the way the Flyers youth is shining bright so far. That trend continued in last nights Flyers 2-1 preseason win over the trusty old devils. Jeff Carter slammed home a bang-bang play off a perfect pass from Mike Richards. So far the much anticipated Carter – Richards – Calder line is living up to all the hype.

Lars Jonsson, also a newcomer to the Flyers this year, tallied an assist in the game. Coach Ken Hitchcock had nothing but praise for the youngster saying, “He brings an element that is necessary in the league, but he brings an element that our team needs. He is great on the power play, he does things not a lot of players can do with the way he’s able to move and keep his head up and find open people offensively.”

The Flyers have the night off in preseason action, but return to the ice tomorrow for a game against the Senators at 7 PM.

The Flyers lose their first preseason/exhibition game to the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 in Moncton, New Brunswick last night.

Mike Richards scored twice, Jeff Carter and Mark Cullen each scored a goal.
Robert Esche played two periods in net allowing 3 goals, Martin Houle played the third allowing 2.

Ken Hitchcock’s view of the game.

“We dug ourselves a hole and then came all the way back and actually had the lead for a little while. There were a lot of good things. Games like this, you get real good evaluations. The first game out of the box, you’ve got to be pretty impressed.”

One really can’t gauge where the Flyers are vs. the Penguins. While the Penguins lineup seemed to be pretty much their top guys, the Flyers had a lot of rookies to look at.

Gagne, Forsberg, Knuble, Hatcher, Rathje, Kapanen, Niittymaki, Pitkanen and Nedved all did not play, I think.

610WIP broadcasted the game at least over the airways, but apparently was unable (I suspect legally) to stream the game over the internet. Uggh so annoying.

So the only part of the game I was able to see or hear was the injury to the Penguins Evgeni Malkin which is below.

Tonight the Flyers have their first preseason game at home against the Devils.

Found this over at OrangeandBlack.net

Too good.

Training camp has opened for the Flyers.
Photos from training camp can be found here, here, here, here.

Some of the lines at least starting out in training camp were

Knuble-Forsberg-Gagne
Carter-Richards-Calder
Umberger-Nedved-Sanderson
Dimitrakos-Murray-Kapanen
Robitaille-Cullen-Ruzicka
Grant-Baeulieu-Meloche
Tapper-Voce-Cote
Ellison-Corso-Downie
Meloche-Pisellini-Grant

Hatcher-Meyer
Gauthier-Picard
Slaney-Timonen
Morrison-Ruggeri
Ouimet-Desjardins
Rathje-Pitkanen
Baumgartner-Jonsson
Jones-Printz
Guenin-Grenier

So far Kapanen hasn’t played defense like Hitchcock had talked about earlier.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have named Peter Forsberg the 15th captain in team history, according to club General Manager Bob Clarke. In addition, Simon Gagne and Derian Hatcher have been named alternate captains. [.continue.]

I was kind of expecting the decision on the C to be held off until midway through training camp. But the Flyers didn’t waste anytime giving the C to Forsberg. Good move? Yeah sure. Surprised? Eh, not really. Do I care? Not too much. I am sure Jes Golbez is thrilled. 🙂

Listen to Forsbergs reaction here.

He is the Flyers first European Captain.