Try Backlund; 2 Flyers books for late shoppers
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Try Backlund; 2 Flyers books for late shoppers
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
TAMPA _ Nobody asked me, but....
The Flyers should give goalie Johan Backlund his first NHL start Wednesday in Tampa.
I know, I know. Backlund only has a few months' of experinee in North America, where the game is much faster and the rinks are much smaller than in his native Sweden.
So what?
The way the Flyers are going _ 14 losses in their last 17 games _ it can't get any worse. Besides, the Flyers might actually rally around a young netminder and show more determination in front of him.
Coach Peter Laviolette said he would decide Wednesday morning on his goalie. Backlund was recalled Tuesday from the AHL Phantoms because Brian Boucher lacerated his right ring finger Monday and is day to day.
The choices are Michael Leighton, who is fair at best, or the unknown Backlund.
Roll the dice, Lt. Laviolette. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, the 6-foot-2, 198-pound Swede will give the Flyers a spark that helps them go on a little roll.
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Attention, last-minute Christmas shoppers: If you're looking for gift suggestions, there are two books that would be great additions to anyone's personal library: Orange, Black & Blue, written by Chuck Gormley, and Pelle Lindbergh: Behind the White Mask, written by Bill Meltzer and Thomas Tynander
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you have my word: if backlund starts he will let up 4 goals. the guy cant hang in the AHL, what kind of spark do you expect him to cause? I didnt think they could find a dumber beat writer than TP, but they did. kudos philly.com— ChampAnderson- When you can't score more than two goals a game, it doesn't really matter who's in goal. I'd recommend that Homer sign the ghost of Gump Worsley.— DiTurno
Goaltending is not the problem, in case you haven't been watching...the Flyers have been unable to score at least 3 goals in 14 out of their last 18 games. Unless Johan 'Bob' Backlund scores as well as plays goalie, it's not going to matter. Yeah, there's a reason nobody asked you...— kjuggs77- They might be better off digging up Steve "The Puck Goes Inski" Buzinski— SuPrimeau
- Stack those Gompers!— Dana Kerrigan
- Put a fork in this team. How much more does ANYONE need to see to know that this team is not good and will NEVER turn it around? You can't win games if you can't put the puck in the net. And you can't rebuild when you give away all your draft picks. Homer. Must. Go.— johnnygriswold
- Was it the Phantoms or the Flyers that moved to Adirondack?— rob611
- Comment removed.
- Can we see if Hartnell would be willing to go back to Nashville and trade him for goalie Dan Ellis. While Ellis has lost his starting job to the phenomenal Pekka Rinne, he is still an upgrade over what they have now. The deal would also give the Flyers some cap relief. Also please move Briere back to center where he belongs and put him between Gagne and JVR; let Richards center carcillo and asham, at least that line will work hard and try carter between giroux and powe when he come back, until then go with Kalinski from the phantoms. Might as well try, we have nothing to lose at this point!— efgold
- At the very least, bench Hartnell, his stupid penalties are killing this team.— efgold
Brodeur would have trouble winning on this team. The Flyers are the closest thing to Bubble Hockey...slow, straight-forward skating lanes, predictable, so NOT creative and the fans are pressing the h-e-double-hockey-sticks out of the "boo" button- Goaltending is not the issue at all right now. Both Emery and Boucher have been stable and I'm sure Leighton will be acceptable too. However, I wouldn't mind seeing Backlund in the net for a couple of games, just to see how he does.— Ruffles
- eric, it was the camel clutch! why not put backlund in, you know leighton is not and will not be an nhl goalie. you must sit hartnell for at least two games to try to straighten him out.— egmetzjr
- It doesn't matter who the Flyers put in goal tonight. The lamp will be glowing fiery red!— Phillyflavaless
- Well at least Niitymaki will probably play tonight.— The Truth Hurts
- Why not try a trash can?— JSaq
- oh really Phillyflavaless????— BHite15
