Nodl has become reliable player for Flyers

WASHINGTON - For a player who posted 90 points in two collegiate seasons, Andreas Nodl wanted to make a splash in the NHL the way most scorers want to - by scoring goals.

Instead, his assignments during his first few NHL call-ups - a limited role in the defensive end - have enabled Nodl, 23, to earn a full-time job.

Nodl wasn't flashy, fancy or even noticeable, just steady. He was even criticized for not showing the offensive side of his game, some calling him Andreas "No-Goal," despite not being paired with top-end talent or given the ice time to produce points.

Now in his third pro season, Nodl has earned the trust of Flyers coach Peter Laviolette for his willingness to do the dirty work.

"I like his reliability," Laviolette said. "He is a reliable player. He does the right thing with the puck. He's strong, he skates and he hits. He seems to have some confidence.

"But I think what you've seen over the last couple games is his offensive game coming out a little bit."

Nodl notched his third goal of the young season on Saturday night, the game-winner in the Flyers' 2-1 triumph over the Islanders on Long Island. He contributed an assist in last night's 3-2 overtime loss to the Capitals.

Nodl's stats become more impressive in light of his ups and downs this season. He was scratched for the first five games, played two games, was scratched twice more, and then missed two games with a shoulder injury. Including last night, Nodl has played just seven games.

"The more games you get into, the more comfortable you get," Nodl said. "The first year I came in the league [2008-09], I thought my defensive game was OK. I think my offensive skills are getting better and better."

Nodl's offensive capabilities are obvious when he is given the opportunity to skate with players like Mike Richards.

"He was drafted for that," Laviolette said. "Ninety points in college in 2 years is not easy to do. But sometimes guys get put into those roles early on and it doesn't work out. They need to play the defensive side of the game or they get put on the fourth line."

The jump in Nodl's stats has spared him from the lineup snags that not only troubled him at the start of the season but have made former No. 2 overall pick James van Riemsdyk a healthy scratch for two games in a row. Highly touted Russian Nik Zherdev was scratched before van Riemsdyk.

"It's pretty cool when a coach believes in you," Nodl said. "It gives you confidence. He told me to shoot the puck more, go to the net more. He said, 'Good things will happen.' "

Nodl knew that if he didn't make a contribution defensively - and on the penalty kill - that there wouldn't have been room for him in the first place.

"Especially on a team like the Flyers," Nodl said. "They have a lot of good players. The top three lines are pretty much loaded. Whatever they wanted to give me, I'd gladly do it. If I play fourth line a couple of games, or first line a couple of games, it's cool, too. Whatever it takes to help the team."

"It's good that he's a responsible player now," Laviolette said. "Because I trust him in all situations." *