Report Card

Flyers Season End Report Card

This is my annual season end report card on each one of the Flyers. The opinions I am going to express are opinions of my own. I am not bashing the Flyers in any way, I have been a Flyers fan since I've been 4 years old, I'm 20 at the moment. I am able, unlike many hokcey fans, and am able to give a un-biased opinion on hockey, so here are my opinions on each and every one of the Flyers. If you have a beef with what I say, E-Mail Meand plead your case. So here goes.....

John LeClair (A+), 82 GP, 51 G, 37 A, 89 Pts.

John was once again a bright spot on the Flyers team. He recorded his third straight 50 goal season, the first U.S. born player to do so. He was a first line all-star this year. Even though he had a less than average playoff stint. He was the MVP for the team for a second straight season.

Rod Brind'amour (A), 82 GP, 36 G, 28 A, 74 Pts.

Rod Brind'amour had a great year when Eric Lindros was in the line-up playing on the second line and had an even stronger game when Eric was absent from the line-up. Probably the MOST under-rated player in the NHL he was 4 goals shy from 40. On pretty much any other team Rod would be the #1 centerman. Rod was on the Canadian Olympic team, didn't shine too much, but after the break he picked up where he lead off before the break.

Eric Lindros (B), 63 GP, 30 G, 42 A, 72 Pts.

Eric once again missed 20 games with an injury this season, this time it was a concussion. He did manage to average over one point a game during the season, but he still would have ended up with only 93 points if he played the full 82 game schedule, but with his style of play the coaching staff, and myself, don't expect him to play a full season ever in his career. I feel that the Olympic heartbreak took a lot of the drive away from Eric, he didn't seem himself in the few games he played after the Olympic break, and he carried that into the playoffs.

Chris Gratton (B), 82 GP, 22 G, 40 A, 62 Pts.

When Chris came to Philadelphia I knew that he would not repeat his previous 30 goal season on a Flyer team with centers like Brind'amour and Lindros, it was hard for the coaching staff to shuffle him around the lineup. He could not play the wing, and when he was put as the second line center he seemed to find his stride. One reason he was brought into the lineup was to help Lindros with the intimmidation out on the ice. Gratton showed flashes of toughness, but not as much as he did last season. In the playoffs he did score a few goals, but he didn't prove his toughness, or heart in the playoffs.

Alexandre Daigle (B-), 75 GP, 16 G, 26 A, 42 Pts.

After being brought into Philadelphia in a trade involving Vaclav Prospal and Pat Falloon. Alex got off to a tough start. He had many scoring chances in his early games but couldn't put the puck in the net. He had a few games where he was a scoring machine, but he was very inconsistint in his games in Philadelphia, and he was invisible in the playoffs. Hopefully next year he will be able to pot 30 goals and have a career year. He brings much needed speed to the Flyers lineup.

Trent Klatt (B-), 82 GP, 14 G, 28 A, 42 Pts.

This year I feel that Trent took a step back from last season. The Flyers bringing in players such as Daigle didn't help much either, but Trent had a quiet season. He was bounced around the line up but couldn't find his place. During the playoffs he had ice time with Lindros and LeClair, but was still unproductive. But 42 points for a second or third line player is still pretty impressive, but he didn't have the type of season he had last year. But overall, not a bad season.

Mike Sillinger (B+), 75 GP, 21 G, 20 A, 41 Pts.

Bob Clarke stole Sillinger from Vancouver before the trade deadline, and brought much needed speed to the Flyers lineup. He excelled on the third line with Daigle and Forbes, and he earned power play time. He missed some games in the playoffs, but when he was in the lineup he was getting his chances, but was denied by god himself, Hasek. I'm looking forward to next season where Mike could possibly score 30 goals playing on the third line. But he is another centerman, in a lineup that only needs four centermen.

Eric Desjardins (C),77 GP, 6 G, 27 A, 33 Pts.

I feel that Eric was a big dissapointment this season. He is the Flyers #1 defenceman, get's oodles of power play time, and only managed to get 6 goals this season, on 151 shots. He had a +/- rating of only +9. I feel that Eric just couldn't get into the groove this season, which he seems to do every season. He was on the Olympic team, which I questioned, and he seemed to burn out at the end of the season. I feel that he should have sat out a few games near the end of the season. In the playoffs he was a non issue. He was missing the net, and screwing up passes. I think the best thing for Eric will be to just sit back and relax all summer, and come back strong next season.

Dainius Zubrus (C), 69 GP, 8 G, 24 A, 32 Pts.

After showing promise late last season, and in last year's playoffs. I expected Dainius to have an even better sophmore season. In the games he played, he primarily played on the first line, had lots of power play time, and only managed 8 goals. Even though he did suffer an injury, but the fact is that he only averaged less than half a point a game.

Dan McGillis (B), 80 GP, 11 G, 20 A, 31 Pts.

After being brought to Philadelphia in a sudden trade for Janne Niinimaa at the trade deadline, I felt that it was a bad trade. But as I watched Dan play I soon began to realize that Bob Clarke had made a great trade. He is only 3 years older than Janne, he has showed more offensive spark that Janne had this season and is much more physical and defensive minded than Niinimaa had. During the playoffs Dan was one of the best players on the ice for the Flyers. He was leading rushes, and making great plays at the blueline. I am looking forward to having a full season with McGillis next season..

Paul Coffey (D+), 57 GP, 2 G, 27 A, 29 Pts.

Paul should just pack it in and retire, in his 57 games he was very unproductive, only managing two goals, and he is the career points leader for defencemen. He hasn't really lost his speed but he doesn't have the moves in him still. I feel that he should have been used in the playoffs against Buffalo, because he can still move the puck, but other than that he can't play the defensive role anymore. He just doesn't have the strength to compete anymore in the corners and infront of the net.

Shjon Podein (C+), 82 GP, 11 G, 13 A, 24 Pts.

Shjon didn't have a terrific year, but he didn't have a bad year. I, and probably the coaching staff probably felt that he could have had a better year. It was hard for Shjon to find a place in the line up every night. He usually played a fourth line role, so 11 goals isn't too bad, but with only a +9 rating i did expect more out of Shjon this season. For more than half the season he was playing on the second line.

Colin Forbes (C+), 63 GP, 12 G, 7 A, 19 Pts.

Colin showed some promise this season playing a third line role all season. I expect that he will be used more next season. That is all I can say about Collin.

Chris Therien (B), 78 GP, 3 G, 16 A, 19 Pts.

I liked Chris' play this year. He blossomed as one of the Flyers top defencmen. He potted 3 goals this season, a career year for him. He started handling the puck more this season but I was most impressed with his defensive play this season. He was always battling in the corners, and clearing the front of the net. Next season he should be one of the top defensemen. I feel that Babych, Coffey, and Samuelsson should be gone next season, and he should be one of the untouchable defencemen on the team.

Petr Svoboda (C), 56 GP, 3 G, 15 A, 18 Pts.

Petr didn't do any worse, or any better from last season. But I still feel that he is capable of more offense on the blueline. He did manage to get a gold medal at the olympics and had a strong playoffs but didn't manage to get any points. Next season I just hope he manages to get 10 goals and I and the coaching staff will be thrilled.

Dave Babych (F), 53 GP, 0 G, 8 A, 8 Pts.

By far the winner of the Flyers LVP (least valuable player) This guy drove me insane when I watched him play. The guy could not hit the net at all, he was slow, and terrible in the corners and clearing the net. He took ice time away from Paul Coffey, who should have had his spot in the line-up. I hope that was the last time I will ever see him in a Flyers uniform again.

Joel Otto (D-), 68 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 Pts.

Joel had a terrible year, offensivly and defensivly. On the offensive end, he only managed 7 points which is a joke for any player that is an important player on a team. Defensivly he was a -2, which is terrible for a defensive centerman. Joel lacked toughness and heart in my mind. Only 78 penalty minutes, he should have many more than that for his role. Hopefully Joel will earn his 2.3 million dollar salary next season.

Luke Richardson (B-), 81 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 Pts.

People will probably disagree on this one with me. When Luke was broght into Philly he was not even supposed to think of offence. He was brought in here strictly for a defensive role, and I felt that he did that well, but he was still a -1. And 2 goals for a defenseman who's purpose is to play defence isn't bad.

John Druce (C), 23 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts.

I gave John a C, because he played average. He is a guy who is brought into the line-up to fill up space, and 3 points and a 0 +/- rating isn't too bad.

Kjell Samuelsson (D-), 49 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 Pts.

I think it's time for Kjell to retire. He is closing in on 40, and doesn't seem to have the speed, nor the strength anymore to compete on the Flyer blueline. He has also had lagging injuries during the season, and he is taking a spot that a young Flyer prospect could occupy.

Dan Kordic (C), 61 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 Pts.

What can ya say about Dan, his job is to fight, and to play on the checking line. I gave him a C because he didn't do a bad job, or a great job. The only bad thing about him is his -4 rating playing a defensive roll.

Sean Burke (B)

When Sean was brought into Philadelphia he had immediate preassure on him to win. During his short stint with the Flyers this season he didn't actually play that bad, in the Playoffs most of the goals scored on him were not his fault. Sean has to work on his scrambles and his rebounds. Once he is down on the ice, he isn't the greatest goalie. Unfortunately he will most likely not be back in Philadelphia next season. Hopefully Clarey gets something in return for him.

Ron Hextall (B)

Ron had a great regular season, once again his stats were amongst the top in the leauge among goalies. He has to work on his save percentage though, it was under .900. Ron will be back next season, due to his 'no trade' clause in his contract, but he will see limited time next season because either Mike Richter or Curtis Joseph will be the number one guy next season.