Team Grades 2006-2007
All players graded on a scale, the scale being they play for a crappy team.
Derian Hatcher D Grade C+
Amazingly Hatcher played OK this year, after having a brutal season in 2005-2006. Late in the year he found a niche as a power-play specialist.
3 Mike Rathje D Grade F
By injuring himself early in the year, Rathje had a better season than last years campaign. The guy is slow and injured, so he will surely be released.
5 Braydon Coburn D Grade C
This guy shows tons of potential and he is only 22 years old. A great trade to pick him up for the ancient Zhitnik.
6 Randy Jones D Grade D
Jones probably only played the season with the Flyers due to injuries to other defenseman. He had an inconsistent year. Hitchcock loved this guy, but he has never shown me anything special. He may spend next year with the Phantoms.
8 Geoff Sanderson LW Grade C
Dude is still fast and had a good start to the season (he was the Flyers best player before he got hurt), but was just brutal when he returned with poor passing and turnovers galore. I think he ended up relegated to the 4th line. I would try and trade him for something, but no one wanted him at the deadline. He won’t be back.
9 Scottie Upshall RW Grade B
Another great pick-up. Only 23 years old and a pretty good player already. He may be injury prone (he did miss games with the Flyers).
11 Ryan Potulny C Grade C-
Another guy who probably would have spent the season with the Phantoms if not for injuries on the Flyers. He is only 22 and will probably spend next year with the Phantoms.
12 Simon Gagne Grade B+
Proved he could still score without Peter Foresberg as he notched 40 goals. Best player on the team. Will they make him captain or does that go to Kappanen.
14 Denis Hamel Grade F
Why did they pick up this clown off of waivers? Does nothing. Will be gone and not even missed.
15 Stefan Ruzicka Grade C
Should have spent the season with the Phantoms, but this guy showed some skill when given the chance. He is terribly soft and makes some dumb plays, but is only 22. He may not get any tougher though. He may or may not make the team next year, but will eventually play in the NHL
17 Jeff Carter C Grade C
Inconsistent season for Carter who eventually looked to turn it around towards the spring. Obviously he will be back.
18 Mike Richards Grade C
Also obviously back, but this guy is forever getting hurt. Was great on the penalty kill though. Seems destined to be a top defensive forward not unlike Dave Poulin, scoring 12 goals a year, 5 of which will be short handed.
20 R.J. Umberger C Grade D
Umberger sucked this year on defense. Maybe they gave him responsibilities he can’t handle or maybe he is playing out of position (should be a winger) , but this dude was weak and his offense does not cover his shortcomings. Will be back next year.
22 Mike Knuble Grade B-
This guy played well. Will be back without the cage so Jim Jackson can’t blame the headgear when he loses the puck in his skates.
23 Denis Gauthier D Grade I
Probably the biggest question is whether he returns or not? Was out for long stretches this season so you have to give him an incomplete for the year. Still hits pretty good. If the Flyers sign a top defenseman he may be moved.
24 Sami Kapanen RW Grade C
Moved more into a leadership role this year. Versatile (playing point on the power play) and worth keeping around for those two reasons alone.
27 Dmitry Afanasenkov LW Grade B
Another good pick-up, this time off waivers. Seems to be blossoming as an offensive one on one type player, which the Flyers lack. A pleasant surprise and clearly mismanaged in Tampa where he was made to play the checking role.
28 Lasse Kukkonen D Grade C-
Dude blocks shots, but I did not see anything special from this guy. Will be back becasue he is young and better than the alternatives.
29 Todd Fedoruk LW Grade C
Assumed the leadership role once he arrived. Was tentative when fighting and got KTFO by Orr. Hit a lot and scored some points. Needs to regain his fighting mojo or retire. But he may not have a choice with all those steel plates and concussions.
30 Antero Niittymaki G Grade D
Weak goaltending this year from Nittimaki, who got hurt, lost the starting job to Esche and then failed to win it back. May play in Europe instead of being a back-up next year.
33 Riley Cote LW Grade C
Finally got a shot with the big club late after initially making the team out of training camp. Hit and tried to get dudes to fight. I think Stevens wants to carry a goon, so he may be back if Fedoruk retires.
42 Robert Esche G Grade F
Sucked and whined about Hitchcock. Sucked but got along better with Stevens. He is gone to be a back-up somewhere else.
43 Martin Biron G Grade B-
Good pick up and played fairly well. Seems susceptible to long and high shots from the point though. Wanted to be a starter and the Flyers are committed to him.
44 Joni Pitkanen D Grade F
Not a total bust like Calder, but he regressed this year. Will skate all around and give the puck away and make tons of bone head decisions. Best move all season was taking a Fedoruk punch on the chin in practice.
45 Alexandre Picard D+ Grade D
Again a player who should have spent the season with the Phantoms. Was fairly inconsistent on offense, not so great on defense. Has a good shot from the point and is also only 21 years old. May spend next season with the Phantoms. Had the best Flyers fight this season against the Rangers Ward.
55 Ben Eager LW Grade C+
This guy is entertaining. Good for getting under the opponents skin, hitting and occasionally fighting. Takes a lot of stupid penalties and misconducts though. Could really blossom into a good forechecker, though I think he lacks the hands to become a true power forward like Tocchett.
61 Mike York LW Grade F
Useless. The Bill Root of 2006.
Players that may make the team next year:
Claude Giroux
This scored 112 points in 62 games. Still kind of small (listed as 175lb). He will play for the Phantoms on Friday. Will go back to Junior if he does not make the team.
Steve Downie.
This guy will most likely make the team. A skilled dude that likes to fight and is a bit crazy. Only question is his size. Currently scoring a ton of points in the OHL playoffs.
Ryan Parent
Currently playing with the Phantoms. Apparently he is a speedy stay at home defenseman.
Any thoughts?
So on Easter Sunday they rolled away the rock that opens the tomb known as the Flyers locker room and the corpse that is the Flyers team was still in there, ready to play the last 3 periods of the 06-07 season before it can finally be laid to rest. Permanently. 