FLYERS 2007-08

[BtownJay]

This should tell us everything we need to know about who's not going to be in the top 3 lines if we add Lupul and Forsberg. A 2nd line forward should not get 14 mins of ice time and never see PP or PK time....


Overshadowed by Scott Hartnell's overtime game-winner Tuesday night was John Stevens' benching of rookie Steve Downie because of poor defensive play.

Midway through the second period Stevens yanked Downie off the top line with Hartnell and Mike Richards and replaced him with veteran Sami Kapanen.

Downie saw just one shift in the third period and received just 8:48 in ice time.

"Steve needs to remember he's on the ice with the other teams' top players and he can't take an exorbitant amount of risks," Stevens said.

Downie, 20, had a pair of giveaways against the Kings, one inside his own blue line and another just outside the offensive blue line.

Wednesday he was back on a line with Richards and Hartnell and is expected to start tonight's game against the Rangers there as well.

"He wants me to be more consistent," Downie said of Stevens. "Just bear down on the puck when I'm battling defensively.

"It's a learning experience and I'm always learning. The bottom line is we won the game and that's all that matters. He talks to me all the time about making sure I do all the little things right."

Stevens isn't the only one. Hartnell said he and Richards ribbed Downie about making simple plays throughout Wednesday's practice.

"Everybody makes mistakes, but you sure can pick on the young guys more," Hartnell said. "We told him on the 3-on-2 rushes not to do anything fancy dancy."

With every point a meaningful one, Hartnell said Downie will need to learn quickly what he can and cannot do against some of the NHL's top lines.

"We'll probably play against (Jaromir) Jagr and (Chris) Drury (tonight) and if we do that it's going to be in the back of our net," he said. "We're definitely going to have to smarten up and tighten up at the blue line."

Downie's ice time has gradually been reduced in the past two weeks. After peaking at more than 14 minutes on Jan. 13, Downie's ice time has dropped in each game and he's been averaging just over 8 minutes his last three games.

Third-year forward R.J. Umberger, who sits next to Downie in the Flyers' locker room, said he went through similar benchings from Ken Hitchcock when he was a rookie.

"He needs to realize it's a competitive time of year right now and Johnny does things in the moment of a game that he thinks might work better," Umberger said. "If you're having a bad game Johnny's the type of coach where the next day he forgets about it and you get a fresh start. Steve needs to realize he's going to be a player in this league and take it for what it is."

Contract talks: Flyers captain Jason Smith said contract talks with the Flyers have been "positive" and he hopes to sign an extension with the club in the near future.

"I'm happy here and hopefully I'll be here in the future," Smith said. "The kids (daughters Jordan and Britney) are adjusting well in school.

Everybody's happy."

Smith, 34, is in the final year of a contract that pays him $1.976 million and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

"Who knows how long I can play?" he said.

Smith said he's leaving the negotiating up to his agent and Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren.

Lupul update: RW Joffrey Lupul, sidelined since Jan. 5 with a spinal contusion, underwent an MRI Wednesday and is hopeful he can begin full-contact practices as early as Friday. The Flyers have given Lupul a return date of about two weeks, but he'd like to return sooner. "My conditioning can still get a tad better, but I felt full speed today," Lupul said Wednesday.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/app...801310385/1017

[Rusty27]

Good insight into what's going on with Downie. Seems like something typical for a rookie on a good team with a good teaching coach to go through.

[BtownJay]

Originally Posted by Rusty27

Good insight into what's going on with Downie. Seems like something typical for a rookie on a good team with a good teaching coach to go through.

Agreed. Its gotta be tough on him... how many other rookies end up on the 2nd line after playing only 2 NHL games? I dont' fault Downie at all, he's young and learning, he's going to make mistakes. It sounds as if he's got a great head and isn't stubborn. He knows he makes mistakes, and is willing to listen and try to learn from them. Nothing else i could ask for.

Side note - Forsberg gave his agent the green light to start talking with NHL teams. I'm going to be a bit bummed if he doesn't come here now. All the talk that he said "he has unfinished business in Philly" has gotten my hopes up.

[Rusty27]

Yeah,I have to think he doesn't want a situation like last year in Nashville where he never developed chemistry no matter who his linemates were. He's got to come to Philly!

[BtownJay]

Yep, and he's already got chemistry with Gagne. Could you imagine a line of Gags, Briere and Forsberg? And we are already the #1 PP in the NHL... we'd be even more deadly with him.

[Rusty27]

And I now have my Flyers Forsberg jersey I picked up this Christmas.My Mom found at a Goodwill store. Some rich dude paid $150 for it,wore it once or twice and gave it away I guess. So he has to re-join the Flyers per this Mojo.

[BtownJay]

Oh thats right. I forgot about you getting that jersey. One small potential problem however.... Jason Smith wears #21. I guess the exact number won't matter though.

[Rusty27]

EWW,didn't think about that.Maybe Smith will give it up?
Or hopefully it's not a big deal to Forsberg to get a new number.

[BtownJay]

Originally Posted by Rusty27

EWW,didn't think about that.Maybe Smith will give it up?
Or hopefully it's not a big deal to Forsberg to get a new number.

I truely can't see a conflict between Smith and Forsberg happening over a jersey number. My guess is that Forsberg comes in a takes a new number.

**Tonight vs. Rangers... not much news, which is GREAT. Nitty in net, Biron in on Saturday. Gags and Hatcher had the day off yesterday, but both will play tonight. Hatcher typically takes a few practices off however to rest his legs. Which is fine by me, never make the guy practice. Everyone else but Lupul is healthy. Downie back practising with Hartnell and Richards.

Oh, and really good article here about Coburn. How Altanta gave this kid up for Zhitnik is beyone me.
A star pupil on defense | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/31/2008