When right winger Arron Asham was signed as a free agent two summers ago, many looked at him as just another tough guy in the Flyers' lineup, someone who, while with the New Jersey Devils, slugged it out with Riley Cote in a memorable 2007 fight.

At the time, few envisioned he would be playing on one of the Flyers' top lines. But that's where he'll be tomorrow against the visiting Boston Bruins.

A healthy scratch in the first three games this year, Asham has made the most of his limited playing time and has been moved to one of the team's elite lines - with center Mike Richards and left winger Simon Gagne - in this week's practices.

"He's got more skill than people think," Gagne said after yesterday's practice at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. "He'll be the type of guy who keeps the puck on his stick a little longer, and I'm the type of guy who likes to get open for a one-timer, so it'll be fun to see what the line is going to do Thursday."

Asham is more than a fighter, coach John Stevens said, adding that "Ash has shown the ability to play with offensive guys. He has great hands, good vision, and he's a bigger guy on the line who can get to the net."

Asham is on Richards' line partly to create space for Gagne, who scored 34 goals last season but is without a goal in the first six games.

Last season, Gagne, Richards, and Mike Knuble formed a dominating line. But Knuble signed with Washington in July.

The Flyers hope the sturdy 5-foot-11, 205-pound Asham can be a presence in front, à la Knuble, and give Gagne and Richards more operating room.

"I was used to playing with Noobie and Richie and we had a lot of success in past years," Gagne said, "but Arron Asham is the type of guy who will . . . be in front of the net - and give a chance to me and Richie to make plays and have a little more space on the ice."

The Flyers have used Mika Pyorala and Claude Giroux at right wing on Richards' line. Asham, who scored a goal and was the Flyers' best player in their 4-2 loss in Florida on Friday, is more physical than either of those players.

 "I know what my role is with that line," Asham said. "I'm going to give them the puck, crash the net and work in the corners and kind of be a physical presence out there and make sure no one takes any liberties on Gags or Richie."

The Flyers will have played just one game in an 11-day span before facing the Bruins tomorrow.

"It'll be fun to start playing hockey again," Gagne said.

Minor deal. The Flyers acquired right winger Stefan Legein from the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Michael Ratchuk. The 5-10, 185-pounder will report to the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms.

Legein, 20, was selected by Columbus in the second round (37th overall) of the 2007 draft. He had two goals and one assist in six games this season for the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate in Syracuse.

Legein won a gold medal for Canada at the World Junior Championship and later walked away from Syracuse for a few months last year, saying he had lost his desire for hockey.

Ratchuk, 21, was selected by the Flyers in the second round (42d overall) of the 2006 draft. He has appeared in 85 regular-season games for the Phantoms since turning pro at the end of the 2007-08 season, and has recorded six goals and 15 assists.

Breakaways. Blair Betts (dislocated right shoulder) is making progress but won't return to action until Saturday, at the earliest.

Contact staff writer Sam Carchidi at 215-854-5181 or scarchidi@phillynews.com.