Thursday, April 7, 2011
Posted: 2:05 p.m.
By Tim PanaccioCSNPhilly.com
On the same day that Flyers captain Mike Richards addressed his teammates about their lack of passion and other issues of the day, management got involved, too.
Paul Holmgren can be a scary guy, said Scott Hartnell. Especially, when he gives you that look.
The Flyers general manager, for only the second time this season, also addressed the team during a closed door meeting on Wednesday at Skate Zone.
It was productive, Sean ODonnell said. Everyone wants to get on the right page. This is a game, but it is also a business. Theyve invested a lot in this team and we have a good team here.
We have all the pieces. Its a matter of getting everyone on the right page to go through a run here in April, May and June. It was very productive. It wasnt bad or calling anyone out, it was, guys lets wake up here.
The Flyers no longer control their own destiny, as far as winning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Washington needs either one point on Saturday against Florida or for the Flyers to fail to get four points in their final two games to clinch the East.
At this point, the Flyers figure to be locked into the second seed, but can still clinch the Atlantic Division. They play in Buffalo on Friday and host the Islanders on Saturday.
NHL
That the Flyers coughed up the top spot last week after holding it for 57 consecutive days and could finish as low as fourth, is alarming. That no doubt factored into Holmgrens speech, along with Tuesdays 5-2 loss in Ottawa in which the Flyers were indifferent in how they played.
Holmgren refused to meet with the media to discuss what he said, telling his PR staff that he would not discuss things said behind closed doors.
Coach Peter Laviotte seemed pleased with the meeting.
It was good meeting and I was in here, Laviolette said. It was positive. I think our guys are ready and are focused.
There are huge expectations on the Flyers returning to the Stanley Cup Final and rectifying last years loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Expectations were part of the discussion, as well.
Theres an expectation in this room to be successful, said Laviolette, whose club has lost 13 of its last 19 games. You can break that down any way you want and take it in a single game snap shot, like the Ottawa Senators the other night.
Theres an expectation to be successful and we werent. We move forward now and talk about what we can do. We need to play with a lot more intensity and determination. We do that, well be fine.
He added his team has been flat too many games lately and has lacked fire.
ODonnell said Holmgren, a legendary fighter in orange and black, wasnt angry but
Homer was Homer. He can be an intimidating guy. He doesnt say a whole lot.
Others said that Holmgren reiterated that waiting to flip the switch for the playoffs isnt going to assure the Flyers will be playoff-ready and that the team needed to do it now, not next week.
Since Ive been here, hes given us a talk about four or five times, and every time he has come in here, he instills fear, Hartnell said.
Everyone has seen his fightsback in the day. When he gets fired up, he looks like a scary individual and all his points were straight-on.
A lot of people have been talking in recent weeks after every loss, but as Danny Briere said, talk is cheap if you dont back it up.
It needed to be done, Briere said of Holmgrens address. As the same, its time to stop talking and act it out on the ice. Theres lots of little things that needed to be said and resolved. That was step one. Step two is finish strong and step three is start the playoffs.
Briere admitted there was tension in the room.
It wasnt the most comfortable place to be, he said. Hes Holmgren intimidating.
Chris Pronger had his own thoughts, as well.
Its always good when you hash things out and look for answers when you need them, Pronger said.
Obviously, its no secret we have not played our best hockey of late. Its always good to talk about what needs to be done, but again, talk is cheap. We have to go out and prove it on the ice.
Just two games remain for the Flyers to salvage some momentum before the playoffs.
We want to finish strong and win our last two games, Briere said. Its not just first place that is at stake. Its third and fourth place, as well. I think its good in a sense to get us ready for the playoffs. Buffalo is fighting for their lives, as well. We have to be ready to play a playoff-type game tomorrow because that is what theyre coming with.
What happened with the conference, that is disappointing, no doubt. Were still in control of the division. Id rather be in the position I am now than hoping for someone to lose
Pronger update
Pronger would not give any indication where he is with his rehab for the surgically-repaired right hand.
He said could be ready for Game 1. Or maybe not.
Hes fine and hell be there, said another player.
Pronger was joking and giving writers his usual grief. When he does that, its a sure sign hes in a good mood.
Its coming along, he said. I have no timetable and dont have much else to tell you. Im on my own timetable. When Im out there, youll know.
Loose pucks
Flyers practiced some breakaway drills. Prep for a shootout in final two games?Briere (sore groin) said he expects to play against the SabresBlair Betts (left knee) is day-to-day. However, Betts practicedJody Shelley (left orbital surgery) has been cleared to play.Claude Giroux did not practice. He had a scheduled maintenance day off.Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (collarbone injury) wants play against the Flyers. Buffalo can still finish sixth in the conference. I thought he looked pretty good, had a good practice, said coach Lindy Ruff. He said he felt pretty good. So all that is real good. Miller has taken shots for two days now. ... Friday's game against the Sabres will be broadcast on TCN for TV; on radio, it's 94.1 WYSP.
Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times (Buffalo) contributed to this story.E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
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