TORONTO -- Danny Briere remembers clearly in his mind.
The Buffalo Sabres were in Los Angeles for a game against the Kings. Ziggy Palffy came across the middle where Adam Mair was waiting.
Mair was one of those guys who could change the course of the game with a big hit, Briere said. I remember him winning a couple games for us that way. He took Ziggy Palffy out with a huge hit. That kinda set the tone for us to win. He did that more than once.
Thats the essence of the 32-year-old Mair, who is in Flyer training camp on a tryout contract. Hes an energy player, known for his hits, his penalty killing, his willingness to drop gloves. Or as Briere said, He plays hard and is hard to play against.
Mair centered Harry Zolnierczyk and Tommy Sestito Tuesday night as the Flyers opened exhibition play against the Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre with a 4-0 shutout victory with Sergei Bobrovsky in net.
To earn a contract, Mair would have to push someone off the roster -- an Andreas Nodl, for instance -- not to mention hed have to beat out Matt Read, Zac Rinaldo, plus Michael Nylander (tryout).
Thats a lot of people to jump over. And mark this down: Read is going to make this team. And hes going to make it as a regular, not a 13th forward. Someone will have to go, further complicating things for Mair.
NHL
The biggest factor is the team being competitive, Mair said of why he took a chance coming here. And being familiar with the conference and division and thinking I could provide a need. You got to come in and play and earn a spot.
Mair said he had three other opportunities, presumably, one in New Jersey where he last played.
I wanted to go to a team that could compete and had an opportunity to win, Mair said. At this stage of my career, that is very important to me. Thats really all I care aboutgetting the opportunity to compete for the Stanley cup again.
If Mair somehow survives the cut and wins a contract, that part will fall in place, but its still a ways off.
Adam is a very smart guy, Briere said this week. He knows his role and I think he understood that. Flyers hockey is his type of hockey ... Im sure he would love to be part of it.
Mair played seven of his best years in the NHL as a Sabre, working on Lindy Ruffs third and fourth lines. He also played on the penalty kill. Given the loss of Darroll Powe, thats one area coach Peter Laviolette is looking to bulk up this season.
His whole career, he has brought some grit and tenacity and hes a good penalty killer, Laviolete said. Versatility. I think that is what everyone remembers about him.
He worked on the PK units against the Leafs in this game and did well. He led the Flyers with three hits after two periods but won just 1 of 6 faceoffs while playing 12:40.
I think he did a very good job in the game, Laviolette said. He was really effective for us, if you think about it. They line killed some penalties.
Mair discounts there being any pressure to produce, but given there were 70 players in this camp when it began and there are still 55, Mair knows he needs to make an impression quickly.
Maybe pressure depending upon the type of player you are, Mair said. There may be certain pressures to produce points. I dont know necessarily that is what I would be putting on.
Just because Mair doesnt have a contract, does not imply the Flyers need to make an early decision on his status.
No more so than anybody else were looking at in those situations, Laviolette said. He is here because theres an opportunity and what he brings. We know what type of player he is. Well see how he does in the games.
Goals: Nifty goal from Rinaldo in the second period on a backhander. Wayne Simmonds had a strong game with a game and several chances. Mike Testwuide and Sean Couturier also scored.
Goalie: Looks like Bobrovsky worked hard on angles over the summer because he was rock solid in this game, finishing with 27 saves in earning the shutout. The Flyers did not have a shutout in the regular season last year.
Correction: Matt Read is Canadian-born, not American, as reported earlier this week. Read is trying to become the first Flyer since Joel Otto to play here after also attending Bemidji State in Minnesota.
Loose pucks: This is the first shutout for the Flyers in any game (preseason, regular season, or playoffs) since Game 4 of the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals on May 22, 2010 (3-0 W over MTL), a span of 108 total games including the remainder of the 2010 playoffs, the 2011 preseason, and the 2011 playoffs.
- General manager Paul Holmgren did not attend the game. Because of the injuries he suffered in his bike accident on Labor Day, he is not permitted to fly yet and wont be flying for a few weeks. He said this was related to his lungs. Holmgren suffered four broken ribs.
- The funny line of night comes from Zac Rinaldo, who played on Matt Reads line with Jakub Voracek. He was speaking about being Italian and how many Italians are on or around the Flyers these days. Rinaldo then mentioned his buddy, Nazem Kadri, who is Lebanese, and plays for the Leafs : He's not Italian, but he thinks he is. I like him."
- Not sure what Joffrey Lupul was thinking to fight Tommy Sestito in the third period, but he did.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net.