Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
SUNRISE, Fla. _ Flyers center Danny Briere, who has missed the first four games because of a hairline fracture of his left wrist, will make his first appearance of the season Saturday night in Florida.
Briere said he had no problems shooting the puck, but faceoffs still gave him difficulties. Hence, he will play wing.
Earlier, GM Paul Holmgren said Briere was "probably a no-go" for Saturday, but Briere apparently talked his way into the lineup.
Mike Knuble understands he isn’t the player he was during his first stint with the Flyers, but the 40-year-old right wing, who was signed as a free agent on Friday, is looking to contribute in any way.
The Flyers agreed to terms with Knuble following the recent injury to Scott Hartnell, who is expected to miss four to eight weeks due to a broken bone in his left foot.
Knuble was a popular member of the Flyers from 2005-2009 and then signed with Washington as a free agent, where he played the past three years.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren says that defenseman Andrej Meszaros is expected to be out a month after suffering a left shoulder injury in Thursday’s 2-1 win over the visiting New York Rangers.
Meszaros was injured when hit by Ryan Callahan late in the second period and after the game he had his arm in a sling.
Veteran Andreas Lilja has been recalled to replace Meszaros.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
By agreeing to terms with unrestricted free-agent Mike Knuble on Thursday, the Flyers are getting an unquestioned leader and someone who can cause havoc in front, especially on the power play.
The move was made because Scott Hartnell has a broken foot and will be sidelined for four to eight weeks.
Knuble, 40, will sign a one-year, $750,000 deal and have a physical performed Friday. It’s safe to assume he’ll pass, since he was playing for the Detroit Red Wings’ AHL team, Grand Rapids, on Wednesday.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Flyers winger Scott Hartnell, who scored a career-high 37 goals last season, will miss four to eight weeks with a broken bone in his left foot, GM Paul Holmgren said on Thursday.
The loss is more crippling than normal because of the shortened 48-game season.
Former Flyer Mike Knuble will return to the team, a source sad. He will play this weekend in Florida and Tampa Bay. He was with AHL Grand Rapids, the Red Wings' affiliate.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The New York Rangers have owned the Flyers in recent seasons, and that domination is expected to continue Thursday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Since late in the 2010-11 season, the Rangers have won eight straight in the rivalry, outscoring the Flyers by a combined 34-13.
The Flyers have lost three straight to start the season, and they have dropped seven in a row if you include last year's playoffs.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Some folks are saying the NHL is becoming the No Hitting League.
Evidence supported that stance Wednesday when Flyers forward Brayden Schenn was suspended for one game by the NHL because of an illegal hit on the Devils' Anton Volchenkov.
Brendan Shanahan, the NHL's dean of discipline, said Schenn delivered "significant contact to the head" during the Flyers' 3-0 loss in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
NEWARK - Three games. Three losses. Three goals.
After Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to New Jersey, the Flyers are 0-3 for the first time since 1995.
They ran into a hot goalie - the ageless Martin Brodeur - but they have shown an inability to finish plays in all three games.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
NEWARK _ Looking for a spark after an 0-2 start, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette scrambled all four lines during the morning skate Tuesday and inserted newcomer Tye McGinn onto a unit with Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds.
The Flyers, who have scored a total of three goals, play in New Jersey (1-0) Tuesday night.
Here are the Flyers' new-look lines:
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
UPDATE: Zac Rinaldo will miss a minimum of one week because of a lacerated right leg, GM Paul Holmgren said. Tye McGinn will be recalled from the Phantoms.
* * *
BUFFALO - A dozen first impressions on the 2013 Flyers, who are 0-2 for the first time since 2008:
