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Discuss the game in our Flyers forum - Rich Hofmann: Flyers' Briere thinks kiddie core learned from last season
- Meet the 2009-10 Flyers
- Betts, Flyers finally reach 1-year deal
- Flyers putting their trust in goalie Emery
- Flyers and NHL season: How we see it
- Flyers preview: 5 things to watch
- 2 p.m. Friday: Live Flyers chat
- DN Flyers Blog: Frequent Flyers
- These Flyers are faster, deeper, and hungrier
- Pronger is Flyers' catalyst
- Flyers putting their trust in goalie Emery
- Meet the 2009-10 Flyers
- Penguins raise Stanley Cup banner to rafters
- Flyers and NHL season: How we see it
- Betts 'relieved' after signing with Flyers
- Flyers preview: 5 things to watch
- Betts, Flyers finally reach 1-year deal
- Ovechkin helps Capitals to opening win
- Flyers aim for quick start; Betts signed; Caps to win Cup
- TONIGHT'S GAME
- Shanahan leaves the Devils
- Ovechkin, Caps roll in opener
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Flyers preview: 5 things to watch
With the drop of the puck tonight in Carolina, the Flyers will begin a season with high hopes and expectations. Here are a few things to look for:
1. Will Ray Emery be the answer for the Flyers in net? It was apparent last year that Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki were not. The Flyers rolled the dice by signing Emery from Mytishchi-Atlanta of Russia's Kontinental league. But it is a gamble that could pay off tenfold and could make GM Paul Holmgren look like a genius. The Flyers have an entirely new goaltending unit (with backup Brian Boucher and goaltending coach Jeff Reese) and are looking to make a fresh start.
2. Can this team stay disciplined? The Flyers took stupid penalty after stupid penalty last season and it cost them. In their first three preseason games, it looked as if that trend would continue. Coach John Stevens has cracked the whip and will need to continue to stay on guys - especially Dan Carcillo - to make sure they stay out of the box with silly infractions. Lucky for them, the penalty kill is greatly improved with the addition of Blair Betts and Ian Laperriere, but undisciplined hockey does not translate into playoff runs.
3. Will the young guns step up? James van Riemsdyk will be relied heavily upon during his rookie season. He might not have all the tools, like the Islanders' John Tavares, but he could challenge for the Calder Trophy. Van Riemsdyk will be used in front of the net on the power play. Claude Giroux, Darroll Powe and Danny Syvret will also have a big say in how this team performs.
4. How will the Winter Olympics affect this team? The Flyers could have as many as six to eight players skating for their respective countries in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, which requires a 2-week NHL break in February. All of those possibly involved - Chris Pronger, Simon Gagne, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Kimmo Timonen, Matt Carle - play huge roles for the Flyers.
5. Is the power play better? We know that the penalty kill is better. But the power play struggled this preseason. Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen should gel on the back end but the Flyers need a distinctive No. 1 unit of forwards to go with them.
