With a schedule that included only four games in the first twelve days of the season, it almost seems like we have been easing our way into the 2011-12 Flyers campaign. In reality, though, there have been some intense and entertaining games for this refurbished group of Flyers along with much needed practice time. To claim seven out of a possible eight points to start is quite impressive. Here are some early observations:
GIROUX GREATNESS
With Richards and Jeff Carter elsewhere, the off-season expectation was that Claude Giroux will take an even bigger bite of the team. Early on, he certainly seems ready to follow through.
Girouxs combination of skill and tenacity is truly special. He will be on the ice whenever this club is looking for offense and one has to believe, if he stays healthy, he is on his way to career high numbers that could contend for league leadership in certain categories. He has arrived.
RICHARDS RETURN
Of the many intriguing storylines surrounding the first two weeks of the season, the return of former captain Mike Richards ranked right at the top of the list. There was a lot of speculation about the response he would get from the Flyers faithful.
When his likeness was put on the center ice scoreboard with a thank you for his service, the fans responded with a loud and enthusiastic standing ovation. When he touched the puck or made a play for the Kings, he was booed. Thus, the fans thanked him for his time in orange and black and then treated him the way they treat many opposition players. Theres nothing wrong with that.
Many in the media expected a more negative response. Perhaps, they forgot that while Richards didnt necessarily make many friends among those who covered the team, he was still a favorite of many fans. For six years, he poured a lot into the teams performance and helped lead two trips to the conference finals, and one journey to within a couple of wins of a Stanley Cup.
Its easy to get caught up in all the off-ice rumors and conjecture. In the end, the fans ovation represented an appreciation for what Richards did on the ice in his tenure here. Thats the way it should be. The fans got it right. Richards supplied his own response by setting up the game winning goal in overtime for his new club.
NHL
THESE KIDS CAN PLAY
Every training camp, a player or two emerge as surprises. They go from either being considered simply a prospect, or even unknown altogether, to making a strong run to make the club. Some even make the final roster. But often, their stay in the NHL isnt long and by December they are back in the minors or gone completely.
At least two players this season grabbed spots under thee circumstances. Rookies Matt Read and Sean Couturier have made their NHL debuts after limited professional experience in Reads case and none at all for the 18 year-old Couturier. However, neither of these two looks to be a short term proposition.
Read has shown versatility instantly. The coaching staff has demonstrated its confidence in him by already giving him time on the point of the power play. The 25-year-old Bemidji State product looks nothing like a rookie.
Couturiers performance has been even more eye-opening. Hes just 18 years old and yet the first-round draft pick exhibits uncanny ice awareness and hockey sense. There simply are not many teenagers who become regular penalty killers for an NHL team.
If these two rookies continue their early season performances, the Flyers depth up front has been dramatically enhanced. Brayden Schenn, one of the games top prospects, is lurking in the minors as well.
KEEPING IT REAL
It is very easy to get caught up in the 3-0-1 start. Some fans may be thinking that this team has already jelled into a well-oiled machine. At times, through the first four games, it would be hard to blame them for coming to that conclusion. There have been some very impressive moments.
However, logic tells us there will be some growing pains for this club. When you basically replace half of the roster in a team sport like hockey, there has to be an adjustment period at some point. There will be some bumps in the road, and they will probably come in the first couple of months of the season.
The good news is that it is quite obvious that there are some very talented and promising pieces to the puzzle in place. By the time the spring rolls around, this has the makings of a team that could do some serious damage. So, enjoy the process of watching them come together, even when there may be some adversity.
SCHEDULE HEATS UP
We should get a nice idea of where this team is in its early development over the next couple of weeks. After a rather leisurely first 12 days of the season in terms of workload (four games), its time to get busy.
The Flyers will play seven games over a twelve day period starting Tuesday in Ottawa. There will be no more than one day off between games during that stretch, and the first back-to-back situation of the season. The team will finally feel like they are in a regular season rhythm. Lets see how they respond
E-mail Jim Jackson at jjackson@comcastsportsnet.com.