Philadelphia Flyers

A veteran team of thirtysomethings will be juiced by an influx of twentysomethings

By Michael Farber

Team Page | Predicted Finish: 6

During an intrasquad scrimmage in training camp, rookie defenseman Joni Pitkanen motored up the ice with the puck, weaved through traffic and scored. The veterans were impressed by Pitkanen's moves and took hope that the No. 4 pick in the 2002 draft, though only 20, will give the lineup a much-needed injection of youth.

Joni Pitkanen Nick Wass/AP SI RANKING (1 best - 30 worst) OFFENSE 12 DEFENSE 3 GOALTENDING 12 POWER PLAY 13 PENALTY KILLING 6 G.M. AND COACH 10

After watching the fresh-faced and more sprightly Senators bounce his Flyers out of the playoffs in the second round last spring, coach Ken Hitchcock believes young, energetic talent is the key to getting Philadelphia into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1999-2000. "You can't expect 34-year-olds to score like 26-year-olds," Hitchcock says. "Those guys have other roles that are as important, but we have to get more from other people who are capable."

That means increased ice time for right wing Justin Williams, 22, left wing Simon Gagne, 23, center Michal Handzus, 26, and right wing Radovan Somik, 26. Pitkanen, a 6'3", 200-pound puck-moving playmaker who was named the best defenseman at the World Junior Championships last year, will energize a blue line corps that already ranks as one of the league's deepest. "He takes risks," says Hitchcock, "and he gets away with them."

The coaching staff doesn't want to burden Pitkanen, but they expect him to also boost an underachieving power-play unit. Even with snipers Tony Amonte, 33, and Jeremy Roenick, 33, and bruisers John LeClair, 34, and Keith Primeau, 31, up front, Philly scored on just 14.3% of its power plays, 10th in the league. This season the Flyers will sink or swim with one approach -- traffic around the crease, a ton of shots on net.

Another point of frustration was addressed in the off-season: Erratic goalie Roman Cechmanek was traded to the Kings, and 35-year-old free agent Jeff Hackett (15-17-2, 2.86 GAA) was signed to compete with last year's backup, Robert Esche, 25, for the No. 1 job. Philadelphia wants a rock in net. Then, if the young players in the lineup can provide the excitement, the Flyers will contend for the Cup.

Insider

The Flyers, with outstanding size, good speed and tremendous balance, are becoming more like the Devils -- a hard-nosed, difficult team to play against.... If injury-plagued F's Simon Gagne, John LeClair and Justin Williams stay healthy, Philly will be a Cup contender.... New G Jeff Hackett should prove that he's far better than observers have ever given him credit for. This is the first time he'll be playing with a talented team.... Having F Tony Amonte for a full season will help, especially on the PP.

Issue date: October 13, 2003