Flyers struggles continue

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Since the Flyers picked up winger Matt Cooke the team’s fortunes have changed from bad to worse.

In the last 18 games the Flyers have a record of 5-11-2 with only 2 of those wins coming in the last 10 games, the rest of the games are losses. It is a tough road ahead for the team to try and salvage a season from hell. The team’s record dropped from 2 or 3 spots out of a playoff spot to 4th worst record in the league.

So far this season there has been several disappointments and also some positive signs for the future. Let’s start with some disappointments; Igor Grigorenko 22 pts (13 goals, 9 assists), Andrew Raycroft 3.96 GAA .871 Sv% and 4-11-1 record with 0 SO, Carlo Colaiacovo 18 pts (4 goals, 14 assists, -27 rating and rising), Jay Harrison 6 pts (4 goals, 2 assists, -18 rating). Here are a few positives from the season so far; Martin Gerber 2.94 GAA .895 Sv% 16-27-6 record with 2 shutouts, Kyle Wellwood 43 pts (19 goals, 24 assists, 134 hits, 6 PIM), Chris Gratton 27 pts (12 goals, 15 assists, 64 hits, 311 PIM), Denis Seidenberg 28 pts (6 goals, 22 assists, 95 hits, +1 rating), and captain Martin Grenier 19 pts (5 goals, 14 assists, 151 hits, 248 PIM and +12 rating).

Through all the tough times the organization has faced this year they can see light at the end of the tunnel with youngsters maturing on the pro team, solid juniors preparing for their pro careers and also a potential top 10 pick this year in one of the best entry drafts in recent years. Goaltending does not seem to be a problem for the Flyers as it was in the past. Maturing will be the key for this team and once that happens they will become a playoff team once again. It is expected for young gun Wojtek Wolski to be on the pro roster to start next season and he expected to play big minutes for the club.

Philadelphia has 16 games remaining on the season with 6 of those at home. The games include the following teams: Sabres (x3), Jackets (x2), Senators, MapleLeafs (x2), Rangers (x3), Lightning, RedWings, Capitals and Canadians (x2).