Broad Street Bullies: 2007-2008 Flyers Are More Than Just Goons

Bullies, goons, thugs... If you live outside of the greater Philadelphia area and are a hockey fan, there is a good chance that you have used or heard these words in descriptions of the 2007-2008 Philadelphia Flyers. A big reason for that is that the most publicized plays from this season have shown more Flyers hitting opponents and being suspended than goals. While attention should definitely be paid to these specific instances, I believe it is downright unfair to look at this whole team as a bunch of ruthless, talentless thugs.

Heading into the all-star break, this young and scrappy Flyers team finds itself tied for first in the Atlantic Division with the rival New Jersey Devils and with impressive victories over other prominent Eastern conference foes Ottawa, Carolina, and Pittsburgh. In what has been his breakout season, Mike Richards has led the team by stepping up as more than just the young defensive center many believed him to be. He is leading the team with 21 goals and 55 points and is also among the NHL leaders in short-handed goals. The off-season's major additions have also played key roles, as Danny Briere is second on the team in goals and points, despite what he considers a down first half. Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell have also made major contributions, as the steady Timonen was named to the All-Star team and Hartnell ended the first half on a scorching tear. The emergence of the team's young talent, in concordance with the off-season acquisitions, is what has taken the Flyers from cellar-dwellers last year to contenders this year.

In what some hockey analysts have labeled as a potential controversy, the Flyers prefer to consider their goalie situation as an excess of quality. Martin Biron held down the fort for a lot of the first half until he cooled off, and Antero Niittymaki has been stellar since. The situation, on paper, looks like a potentially tumultuous one but the Flyers are confident that it will not only not be a problem, but will actually serve as one of the team's strengths down the stretch run towards the playoffs. A big reason for that is the selfless attitude of Biron, who was in a very similar situation last year in Buffalo. The Flyers plan to ride the hot hand in this situation going forward. The goaltending has been as integral a part of their success as any other thus far, especially considering the quantity of shots they allow per game, and they look for that to continue into the second half.

Getting back to the issue of the suspensions, there is no denying that this team plays with a chip on its shoulder and is not afraid to mix it up. Riley Cote and Steve Downie have taken the forefront when it comes to fighting and making hustle plays that stir up excitement both for the fans and for the team. Both Cote and Downie are not afraid to stir the pot when the team needs a shot of adrenaline, and thus far the rest of the team has responded and even joined in from time to time. Richards, Hartnell, and captain Jason Smith have also been seen dropping the gloves when needed. Does this make the Flyers a team of thugs though? I don't believe so. I believe this is a young team that has taken it upon themselves to assert themselves in the physical aspect of the game; much like the Anaheim Ducks did last season. If you need a reminder, last season ended when those Anaheim Ducks raised the Stanley Cup. This season's Flyers look to emulate that feat and they start the second half of the season in a good position.