Flyers Fall Again?

Last year's season was the usual result for the Philadelphia Flyers. However, no excuses being made, but they suffered numerous long-recuperative injuries in the last half of the season. The list of Flyers scheduled for post season surgeries was staggering.

But if they can stay healthy this year, do they have a shot?

The loss of Keith Primeau has to be overcome. Primeau proved time after time to a team player; to the point where he took a pay cut to help the Flyers meet their cap.

Forsberg has some big shoes off the ice to fill. On the ice, he certainly plays with guts and glory, brains and brawn. However, will the decision to have only one foot operated on over the off season become a problem later?

And Antero Nittymaki, originally going to miss part of the beginning of the season for surgery to repair a torn labrum, opted for a cortisone shot instead. When will this decision come back to haunt the Flyers?

Not to mention a good portion of the team is made up of former AHL Philadelphia Phantoms players. But on the bright side, Philly has an excellent history of turning their farm team players into excellent NHLers.

With the recent tradition of being off to a slow start, the Flyers have always had the heart at the end of the season, when it counts the most. If they can stay healthy..... If those last minute forget-the-surgery decisions don't bite them in the ass..... And if Ken Hitchcock still has that magic of melting players into a team, then this year may not be as disappointing. But that's a lot of ifs. In the meanwhile, expect the Flyers to have a few more rough games before they take their performance up a notch. By Christmas, they are usually starting to run hot and give their fans the gift of a great last half. This year should prove no different.