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 …
