PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

2005-06 Recap

Record: 45-26-11, 101 pts (2nd Atlantic Div, 5th Eastern Conference)

Playoffs:

1st round lost to BUF 4 games to 2

Goals For: 263 (8th overall)
Goals Against: 253 (17th overall)

Power Play: 18.0% (16th)
Penalty Killing: 79.1% (27th)


2006-07 Preview

Key Additions: LW Kyle Calder (Trade from Chi), D Nolan Baumgartner (UFA Van), LW Goeff Sanderson (UFA Phx), C Randy Robitaille (UFA Min)

Key Losses: C Michael Handzus (trade to CHI), D Kim Johnsson (UFA Min), D Eric Desjardins (Retired), LW Brian Savage (UFA), Donald Brashear (UFA Was), Turner Stevenson (bought out)

RFA left to sign: RW Simon Gagne

Offense: Added speed on the wings in the form of Calder and Sanderson, who will bring grit to the offense that ranks in the top 10 and should continue to do so. Forsberg’s health is always a concern but he seems to have avoided a second ankle surgery that would have kept him out of action until January. The second line in training camp of Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and Kyle Calder has the potential to be a dynamic unit and Richards might surprise with his offensive prduction in that position. Simon Gagne can be counted on for another 45-50 goals on Forsberg's wing. The power play might have some different looks as they try to find a second point man for the first unit, which could be Sami Kapanen.

Defense: Losing the mobile Johnsson will hurt the blue line as the lumbering Hatcher, Rathje and to a lesser extent Baumgartner and Gauthier remain. A lot of the pressure will be put on Pitkanen and Freddy Meyer to make the corps a little more mobile. Hitchcock might even try Kapanen as a full time defenseman at times this year.

Goaltending: Robert Esche and Antero Nittymaki had almost identical numbers and they split time almost equally in 2005-06. Both had their moments but overall were disappointing at the end of the season. One of these goalies is going to have to establish themselves as the number one option if the team is going to move forward.

THE BIG QUESTION: Can Peter Forsberg be healthy enough to play the full season? If not, the key will be to have him ready at the right time, and that is early April. If he is the dominant force he can be, the Flyers have the potential to go deep in the playoffs, if not another early exit is the most likely scenario.

Synopsis: The Atlantic Division is up for grabs, and Philly is as likely as New Jersey or the Rangers to win the division. One of the goalies will have to show the ability in the clutch, but the most important aspect is a healthy Forsberg at the beginning of April.