Philly Sports Developments for Today

Here are a couple of Philly sports developments on this Wednesday, July 28th.

1. Phillies top prospect, outfielder Domonic Brown, has been called up to the Fightin's as Shane Victorino goes on the DL with an oblique injury.

The much await debut of Brown will be tonight and can be seen in right field wearing No. 9. This move most likely signifies that there will be no trade involving Jayson Werth. The 22-year old Brown batted .327 with 20 home runs and 68 RBI in 93 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

2. 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala made it threw the first round of cuts for Team USA basketball.

Igoudala is part of the final 15 players but the Team USA roster will be trimmed to 12 after a camp in New York City that will be from August 10th to 16th. Chester native Tyreke Evans didn't make the final 15.

3. Flyers winger Ville Leino is recovering well from hip surgery.

Leino, who made a huge contribution in the Stanley Cup Finals run this past year for the Flyers, will be on crutches for two more weeks and is expected to be ready for training camp. Leino had 21 points in the Stanley Cup playoffs, which tied a NHL rookie record.

4. Division I-AA National Champion Wildcats have been selected to finishfirst in the CAA this year.

This comes as no suprise that the Villanova Wildcats are the preseason favorites to win the CAA. Wide receiver and return man Matt Sczcur was selected preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Linebacker Terence Thomas was selected as preason Defensive Player of the Year.

The Day Has Come, Gagne dealt to Tampa Bay

Today, the Flyers have dealt Simon Gagne, the longest-tenured Flyer, to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Matt Walker and a fourth-round draft pick. This is the second time this summer the Flyers and Lightning have been trade partners. Earlier in the summer, the Flyers acquired defenseman Andrej Meszaros from Tampa for a second-round pick.

Gagne finished his Flyers career by playing in 664 regular season games, placing him tenth all-time in Flyers history. Gags scored 259 regular season goals, ninth all-time in Flyers history, and had 524 points, tenth all-time in Flyers history.

In 2000, Gagne scored 20 goals and made the all-rookie team along with goaltender Brian Boucher. In 2001-02, Gagne was named co-Most Improved Player on the Flyers along with defenseman Dan McGillis.

Gagne had his best goal scoring year in 2005-06 with 47 goals, when he was linemates with Peter Forsberg and Mike Knuble. In 2006-07, Gagne scored 41 goals and was named the team MVP for the second time in a row.

The career highlights for Gagne include an overtime game-winner that forced a Game 7 in the 2003-04 Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Also, Gagne played a crucial part in the Cup run made by the Flyers this past season, even after missing four games to have screws inserted to into his right big toe. Gagne scored the game-winner in Game 7 against the Bruins, to seal the magical comeback from an 0-3 deficit.

But his career with the Flyers has always been stunted by the amount of time he would miss from different injuries. In 2002-03 season, Gagne played only in 46 games while dealing with groin and concussion problems. In 2007-08, Gagne missed 57 games and the run to the Eastern Conference Finals due to concussion symptoms. Even this past year, Gagne missed the first 24 games of the season due to abdominal surgery, along with the four games Gagne missed in the playoffs due to the broken right big toe.

Walker, 30, posted 5 points in 66 games last year with the Lightning. The 6'4" 215 pound defenseman originally started with the St. Louis Blues in 1998. Walker has three years left on his deal worth $1.7 million per year.

I wasn't shocked at all to hear Gagne got dealt considering the fact that Gagne has one more year left on his deal worth $5.25 million. The Flyers were over the $59.4 million cap by $2.49 million and now this gets the Flyers under the cap. I also wouldn't be shocked to see another deal to occur to bring in a winger since the Flyers now have depth on defense.

This Week's Philly Sports Headlines

This is the top five headlines in Philadelphia sports this week.
1. The Phillies swept the Reds going into the All-Star break
2. The Sixers sign draftee Evan Turner
3. Flyers sign winger Nikolai Zherdev; re-sign Carcillo
4. Phillies activate Durbin from DL; designate Figueroa for assignment
5. Eagles sign draftee Riley Cooper

Honorable Mention:
Delonte West pleads guilty to weapons charges
Billy King hired to be Nets GM
Rockets match Cavs offer to Kyle Lowry

Will Michael Leighton be the Opening Night Goaltender for the Flyers in 2010?

A day before NHL free agency was about to begin, the Flyers locked up their 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs savior in Michael Leighton. Leighton was rewarded with a two-year deal worth $3.1 million. But should have General Manger Paul Holmgren and the Flyers gone in this direction? Or should have the Flyers looked at a more proven netminder in Marty Turco or Evengi Nabakov.

Leighton could have another stellar season between the pipes in 2010-2011 but most likely he will never get back to the success he had last season. First off, if the Flyers want to stop worrying about goaltending being an issue, they can't rely on Leighton to be in net all 82 games. The journeyman hasn't shown he can with stand a whole NHL season. The most games he has played in a season was 35 games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003-2004.

Sure, Leighton came in the regular season and playoffs after injuries to Ray Emery and Brian Boucher and did what was asked of him. But I am not sure Leighton is the man to be the Flyers full-time goaltender.

The other Flyers on the ice at any particular time can only do so much. It is up to goaltender to make the big save that could save a season or end one. My case and point, Patrick Kane's game-winning goal that seemed to find the net threw Leighton's pads that allowed the Blackhawks to raise Lord Stanley on the ice in Philadelphia.

Look for, sadly, one or two big names to be moved to clear cap space to bring in a goaltender that has a proven track record. The Flyers have a good mix of young and old talent on the roster but the window may be closing soon on a great opportunity. Don't let the goaltender be the reason why Orange & Black fans can't celebrate in June during a Flyers Stanley Cup parade.

Flyers aren't done after the wheeling and dealing they did on the first day of free agency. The roster has three very formidable defensive pairs with the resigning of Braydon Colburn, acquisition of Andrej Meszaros and the signing of Sean O'Donnell. The Flyers also added a little more grit to their team with the signing of winger Jody Shelley. Many Flyers fans may remember Shelley for not having a goal until the last two games of the season. Shelley, as a Ranger, almost single-handily kicked the Flyers out of the playoffs with his physical style of play on the ice and his new found scoring touch.

Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter have been linked for weeks now to possible trades to either free up space to sign a Turco or Nabakov or to lure in a young stud goalie in Jonathan Quick. Look for more fireworks to come with the shaping of the 2010-2011 roster of the Flyers.

2010 Draft Recap for the Sixers and Flyers

The latter half of the previous week allowed to quietly go on a winning streak and try to right the ship. The reason why you ask the spotlight was taken off the Phillies for the past couple of days is because of the NBA Draft held on Thursday night in New York City and the NHL Draft held on Friday and Saturday in Los Angeles.

The Sixers made it official the worst kept secret that their man they were drafting was guard/forward Evan Turner. This comes a week after shipping, Captain Underachiever, Samuel Dalembert to Sacramento for forwards Spencer Hawes and Andreas Nocioni. The trade of Dalembert and the drafting of Turner has sent a message from the new head coach Doug Collins to the rest of the team that the Sixers will be full of hard workers and players that will themselves to victories.

After the LeBron sweepstakes is over and all the big stars like James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, and Joe Johnson decide what their new addresses will be, those teams that will loose on the sweepstakes will take a look at what will take to bring in Elton Brand. In no way, realistically, were the Sixers going to be able to move Brand's $51 million. It was evident that the main players like Chicago and Miami were dumping salary just to make room to make max offers to the before mentioned free agents.

Unlike the major retooling the Sixers have to do their roster, the Flyers just to make a few tweaks to their roster to make a hopeful return to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers as well last week before the draft make a deal aquiring the rights of defenseman Dan Hamhuis and a conditional draft pick in 2011 from the Atlanta Thrashers for defenseman Ryan Parent. During the season, the Flyers made a push to try to acquire Hamhuis from the Thrashers. Hamhuis, before being dealt to Pittsburgh during this weekend's draft, would have given the Flyers three formiable pairs on defense.

But the Flyers management and Hamhuis' agent, Wade Arnott, weren't getting any closer to reaching a deal. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren realized that the Flyers weren't going to be able to reach a deal before July 1st and wanted to make sure they could get value for Hamhuis before they would loose him to free agency. The Flyers were able to acquire a third-round pick in the 2011 draft.

Since the Flyers acquired defenseman Chris Pronger from Anaheim last year, the Flyers didn't have a pick until the third round. But the Flyers were still trying to make deals to address needs on their team. Rumors have been circulating that the Flyers were looking at the Boston Bruin netminder, Tim Thomas, along with the Jonathan Quick from the LA Kings. But the newest name out their is that the Flyers are trying to bring in San Jose Sharks soon-to-be free agent Evengi Nabakov.

I will be shocked to see the Flyers bring back Michael Leighton back after his success in the playoffs. Personally, Leighton had an unforgettable run but the journeyman will most likely not be able to repeat the success he had last year. I would prefer a proven winner like Nabakov or a young and talented goalie like Jonathan Quick. It is very fitting that Patrick Kane's winning goal was a "soft" goal that went between Leighton's five hole. The achille's heel of the Flyers will forever be the goaltender position until they get a franchise caliber netminder.

The Most Annoying Day for Athletes: Media Quotes from Thursday

Captain Mike Richards response to the Flyers being referred to as the underdog in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks.

"We're obviously feeling confident about ourselves, so are they...For you guys, the media and TV, you probably want to label someone the underdog but we feel confident in our capabilities...we got here for a reason."

Defenseman Kimmo Timonen explains how he has prepared for the Blackhawks.

"They were saying that Chicago is a quick team with a lot of skill and their D-men can really move the puck and they can jump into the play ... They were saying to me that they tried to play physical hockey and tried to limit their D jumping into the play. That's going to be one key for us."

Coach Peter Laviolette's response to who he think will win the battle in front of the net, Dustin Byfuglien or Chris Pronger.

"It's certainly something that's going to have to happen ... Our defense has done a really good job, not just Chris, but our defensemen in front of the net and team defense has been really good in these playoffs.

Coach Laviolette's feelings about being asked to take over the coaching duties for the Flyers in the middle of the season.

I'm grateful to [Flyers GM] Paul [Holmgren] and grateful for the opportunity because there's not a lot of jobs."

This Day in the Broad Street Bullies History

On this day one year ago, former Flyer Peter Zezel passed away from a rare blood disorder, hemolytic anemia at the age of 44. Zezel was selected by the Flyers 41st overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. Zezel spent the first five seasons of his 15 year career with the Flyers. Zezel played in 310 games for the Flyers while scoring 91 goals and having 170 assists. In 1986-87, Zezel had his best offensive output for the Flyers. Zezel had 72 points during the season including 33 goals and 39 assists. Zezel spent the rest of his career with six others teams including the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks. Zezel retired during the 1998-99 season after being traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Zezel finished his NHL career with 873 games played, 219 goals and 389 assists, with a total of 608 points.

Do I or Do I Not Touch It?

On Sunday afternoon, after winger Kris Versteeg scored the empty netter for the Blackhawks, I started to wonder will captain Jonathan Toews touch the Clarence Campbell Bowl. Toews decided to stay as far away from the Campbell Bowl as he could while taking a photograph with the hardware.

When captain Mike Richards skated up to the Prince of Wales Trophy on Monday night, Richards was itching at the chance to grab the trophy. Richards was so anxious that he almost forgot he had to pause and take a photograph before leaving the ice.

After the game, Richards admitted that the Flyers season hasn't been a conventional one, so he decided to against the supposed jinx labeled with touching the conference trophies.

Last year, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby decided to touch the Prince of Wales trophy. The Penguins ended up beating the Detroit Red Wings in seven games. In 2008, Crosby decided to stay away from the trophy like it was the plague and the Penguins lost to the Red Wings in six games.

One fact to make Flyers worried could be that in 1997, Eric Lindros decided to touch the Prince of Wales trophy. Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman said publicly that he won't touch the Campbell Bowl. All Flyers fans can remember the Flyers decided to not show up and got swept by the Red Wings.

I can't blame Richards for being excited for getting a chance to lift Lord Stanley because it has been 13 years since the last appearance in the Cup Finals by the Flyers. This might be the only chance that Richards would be able to lift any trophy. The man was living in the moment and letting what the Flyers just accomplished all soak in.

In no way a hockey player really thinks that the main goal of their season is to win the conference trophy. Their goal is to drink out of Lord Stanley during the summer. There is going to be no worries that Richards and the rest of the Flyers will be focused. They will try to bring a parade down Broad Street this summer.

As much as the Flyers are a "team of destiny" right now, they should have been here the whole time. They had one of the best paper rosters coming into the 2009-2010 season in the Eastern Conference. Because of injuries and the under-achieving of the team, the Flyers dug a huge hole for themselves and had to win in a shootout to sneak into the playoffs.

The Chris Pronger deal, last summer, addressed a huge hole on the squad, a shutdown defenseman. Now, with Pronger and fellow defenseman, Kimmo Timonen, has given two shutdown defense pairs, which will be crucial to shown down Toews and Patrick Kane along with Marian Hossa.

If you aren't Flyered up already, well then you might as well start because this series won't be a cakewalk for the 'Hawks. Look for this series to be one the best ever and going either six or seven. Let's Go Flyers!

This Day in the Broad Street Bullies History

On this day in 1997, Eric Lindros netted a hat trick as the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers, 6-3, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden. Lindros scored his first goal in the first period on a wrap around that just barely crossed the goal line, as the Flyers took a 1-0 lead. In the third period, after two quick goals by the Rangers in the period, Lindros responded with a slapper that beat Mike Richter glove side, giving the Flyers a 3-2 lead. Lindros scored his ninth goal of the postseason, as the captain added an empty net goal with time winding down. The Flyers closed up the series with two more victories over the Rangers, winning the series 4-1. The Orange & Black advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals and were promptly swept by the Detroit Red Wings.