J’ded Perspective
Scottie Upshall, who has yet to play a regular season game this season because of a fractured wrist suffered in the preseason, has been cleared to play and will make his debut tomorrow night in Montreal.
“It’s a good feeling to get back into playing some games, getting to put on the jersey again with the guys, and do the whole ritual which I haven’t been able to do in four weeks,” he said. “I’m ready to try it out and I feel great.”
Based on his current practice schedule, Upshall should be alongside Jeff Carter and Sami Kapanen on the Flyers third line.
Upshall, a former first round pick of the Nashville Predators was brought over last season in the Peter Forsberg trade. His up-tempo play had immediate impact on the Flyers, finishing with thirteen points in eighteen games. With Simon Gagne still questionable tomorrow night with “dizziness”, Upshall should give the offense a lift.
Hatcher to miss up to a month
While Upshall is returning, Derian …
What better way to open the 2007-08 campaign than by traveling to Toronto to face the reigning Atlantic Division Champion Raptors?
The Philadelphia 76ers will have a decent test tonight, as well as a way to expose to the NBA what they are capable of. Few know what to expect from this young team. Are they the same group that seems to struggle early each year, or the squad that killed their lottery winning hopes by finishing 17-9 down the stretch last season? One thing is for certain, a huge component of the Sixers from years past is gone. They won’t have the dynamic scoring or floor leadership from a man who has been the face of this franchise for so long. They will no longer be able to lean on the shoulders of Steven Hunter.
Paying attention yet? All kidding aside, the dominant figure they will be without at this season’s commencement is, of course, Allen Iverson.
After Iverson was granted his exile midway through last season, the Sixers appeared to be rejuvenated. Finally able to have the ball …
The BUZZ in Philly
It was no surprise that Aaron Rowand filed for free agency this week. Nor was it a surprise that, despite the Phillies having exclusive negotiating rights with him until November 12, that he plans to test the open market.
Rowand made $4.35 million in 2007 and is reportedly seeking a 4-year deal that could be worth $10 million per season. He is coming off career-highs in just about every offensive category. His biggest impact, however, might be his presence in the clubhouse, where he was one of the most respected leaders on a Phillies team that made the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
Rowand is also a fan-favorite of this blue-collar town, stemming back to when he smashed into the center-field wall chasing a fly ball. At that time, it was a welcome change to an outfield littered with players not willing to make such a sacrifice (that means you, Bobby Abreu). In Pat Burrells defense, he would never get to any fly ball near the wall fast …
The BUZZ in Philly
There are two very simple reasons why the Phillies should not pursue free-agent Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.
Despite having just won his 2nd World Series ring with Boston and 3rd overall, Schilling, who will be 41 when spring training opens, is well past his prime. His fastball no longer reaches 40 mph and his stats during the regular season were less than impressive. Schilling went 9-8 with a 3.87 ERA. There are plenty of other right-handed pitchers who can match those stats.
Yes, his post-season record is very impressive. In fact, at 10-2, it is one of the best all-time. This year alone he was 3-0. But the Phillies shouldn’t be shopping for a post-season pitcher, especially one that will command $13 million a year, which is over half of the allotted amount the Phillies are willing to spend on free agents this off-season ($25 million).
I just sense this could be a classic case of dolling out a lot of money for one of the good-ole-boys who will ride …
J’ded Perspective
Well Colin Campbell has spoken, and the NHL can add Randy Jones to the list of suspended Flyers. Jones was suspended two games for his hit on Patrice Bergeron Saturday in Boston. Bergeron suffered a broken nose and a concussion. He is out indefinitely.
Initially it was feared Campbell was going to give Jones a lengthy suspension due to Bergeron’s injury and the fact two Flyers are already suspended, but he used good judgment in this case.
“While it is my determination that Jones did not intend to injure his opponent, he did deliver a hard check to a player who was in a vulnerable position,” Campbell said. “There have been suggestions by some that this hit was comparable to incidents earlier this season where players received significant game suspensions for blows to the head. These comparisons and suggestions are wrong.”
After the hit, Boston GM Peter Chiarelli and coach Claude Julien both called for lengthy suspensions and wanted investigations into the Flyers. I’m glad Campbell didn’t buy into the Bruins propaganda.
Personally …
J’ded Perspective
Well now that the World Series is over, it’s time to turn our attention to baseball’s Hot Stove. How will the Phillies try to improve to build on last season’s playoff run? Every fan knows the needs, but who are the targeted players? Yesterday the Phillies front office had their off-season organizational meetings and a free agent list was made. Who’s on the list? This is all speculation, but let’s take a look. First up is a future Hall of Fame closer, Mariano Rivera.
While most would think Rivera would be a life long Yankee, there’s no guarantee he’ll re-sign with The Bronx Bombers. Rivera felt slighted this season after the Yankees would not honor his request for extension during the season. GM Brian Cashman said it was Yankees policy not to give extensions during the season, and all free agents would be offered contracts at the end of the season. Then Cashman did a one-eighty and made an extension offer to Alex Rodriguez. After that Rivera made it clear he will test the …
J’ded Perspective
In yesterday’s Flyers game there was good news and bad news. The good news is the Flyers snapped their two-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. The bad news is they might be missing defenseman Randy Jones for a long time.
In the first period of yesterday’s game, Jones checked Bruin’s center, Patrice Bergeron from behind, causing him to go head-first into the boards and lose consciousness. Bergeron was taken off the ice on a stretcher, and was taken to Mass General Hospital. In what initially was feared to be a broken neck, he was diagnosed as a broken nose and concussion.
Jones was given a five-minute major penalty for boarding, a match penalty, and a game misconduct. The league is already reviewing the Jones hit so expect a suspension to come down form Colon Campbell.
If you look at various media outlets you will see the hit described at “vicious” and “ferocious”. That’s just silly. I saw the hit, and while it was irresponsible on Jones’ part, it’s …
J’ded Perspective
The road trip hasn’t started how I hoped it would, with the Flyers dropping the first two games against the Panthers and Lightning. Still atop in the Atlantic Division at 6-3, the Flyers turn to the Bruins to stop the skid.
With the Red Sox hunting down another World Series Championship, the Bruins are on the back burner in Boston. It’s not affecting the Bruins who have had a nice start to the season. At 6-3, the Bruins are in second place in the Northeast Division, four points behind the Senators. Behind the current success of the Bruins has been their goalie, Tim Thomas. Thomas is 4-1 with a 1.20 GAA, tops in the NHL.
Goaltending is the reason for the Flyers hot start as well. After a game off, Martin Biron will be back in net this afternoon. Biron last played on Wednesday against the Panthers where made 38 saves, but allowed four goals as the Flyers lost 4-3. Biron himself admitted he had an off night and just wants to put it behind …
J’ded Perspective
The Flyers start their eight-game road trip tonight in Florida with back-to-back games against the Panthers and Lightning. Back-to-back games means one thing. Antero Niittymaki… Niittymaki is scheduled to make his season debut in net tomorrow night in Tampa.
As the season began, Coach John Stevens said when the Flyers have back-to-back games that Martin Biron will be given the second game off. Biron will return to the ice Saturday in Boston.
Niittymaki was the Flyers starting goalie last season and was a disaster. In 53 games, Niittymaki went a pathetic 9-29-9 with a 3.38 GAA and a save percentage below 90%. He spent the off-season working to improve his skills in hopes he could reclaim the starting spot. His off-season workouts didn’t help. Niittymaki went 1-3 with a goals against average around 4.50 in five preseason appearances.
While most would think 1-3 with a 4.50 GAA is equivalent to a poor preseason, Niittymaki isn’t sure.
“I don’t know if I had a tough preseason,” he said recently. Then he paused. ”I guess you could say …
J’ded Perspective
Speculation has been ongoing about former Flyers center Peter Forsberg and his return to the NHL. Reports out of Sweden are the free agent center is recovering nicely from foot surgery. He has been skating regularly with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League and is eying his return.
Given this news, the rumors of “if” Forsberg will return to the NHL have turn to “when”. The answer to that is mid-November, or at least that’s when a decision will be made where he will play. The question now is where will Forsberg sign? The Red Wings, Avalanche, Stars, Canucks, Senators and Flyers have all been mentioned as the favorites to land the Swedish center.
Forsberg’s return won’t be for money. Forsberg has made enough money for life outside the NHL. When Forsberg returns it will be to win a Stanley Cup.
Mentioning the Flyers and the Stanley Cup in the same breath… That’s different. Do the Flyers have enough to win? According to sources close to Forsberg, he thinks so …
The BUZZ in Philly
The Philadelphia Phillies will begin defense of their National League East crown at home against the Washington Nationals on Monday, March 31st.
They then head on the road to Cincinnati and New York before returning to host the National League Central Champion Chicago Cubs.
Let’s just hope they get off to a better start during their initial 15 games than 2007′s 4-11 debacle.
Other schedule highlights include hosting the American League Champion Boston Red Sox on June 16-18, as part of Interleague Play. Other American League opponents include the Blue Jays (May 16-18) and Angels (June 20-22).
If you’re thinking about a trip to Shea Stadium during its final season, September 5-7 is when the Mets host the Phillies in what will most-likely be a critical series for both teams.
The Phillies’ final week of the season ends at home against the Braves and Nationals.
The countdown to spring training begins!
Jon Buzby is a nationally-syndicated columnist who also writes The Buzz in New York for hotstovenewyork.com. He can be reached through his website at www.jonbuzby.com.
J’ded Persepctive
Flyers goaltender Martin Biron was named the first star in the NHL’s Three Stars of the Week. Over the past week, Biron went 3-0, with two shutouts and 0.66 GAA. In his back to back shutouts over the Thrashers and Devils, Biron made a combine 69 saves. He made another 42 in Saturday’s victory over the Hurricanes giving him an astounding .982 save percentage over that span.
Biron’s outstanding play has been the backbone of the Flyers who have started the season on fire. He is currently ranked first in wins (6), second in save percentage (.952) and shutouts (2), and third in GAA (1.57). In his back to back shutouts, Biron made a combine 69 saves.
Biron will look to continue his hot play Wednesday in Miami where the Flyers start a big eight game road trip.
The Flames Jerome Iginla (3 goals/5 assists) and Blackhawks Jason Williams (2 goals/ 4 assists) rounded out the other stars.
