Timonen, Leino helped sell Flyers to newcomer Filppula

Give former Flyers Kimmo Timonen and Ville Leino an assist on fellow Finnish player Valtteri Filppula's ending up in Philadelphia.

Filppula was acquired Wednesday as part of the deal that sent Mark Streit to Tampa Bay. The soon-to-be-33-year-old center was asked why the Flyers were one of the 16 teams he had on his potential trade list.

"It's a good team, a good organization," he said after joining the Flyers at their morning skate Thursday in Voorhees. "Had a couple of friends who have played here, and they said good things. It was an easy pick to put on the list."

Filppula said Leino told him "good things about the city" and noted that Timonen still lives in the area.

"He's still here, right? That's a good indication that it's a good place," Filppula said. "He's had nothing but positive things to say. He had a great time here and likes the guys. That's a good sign."

Filppula will center the Flyers' second line Thursday against visiting Florida, with Brayden Schenn and Jake Voracek as his wingers. Schenn will change positions for the sixth time this season.

Voracek called him a "good add" and a "skilled player, a very smart player; he moves the puck, good skater. … He's going to help us offensively."

After Thursday's morning skate, Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said Filppula made a good first impression.

"As turbulent a 24 hours as he's had, just in talking with him, he's got a very quiet confidence about him and that's very apparent," Hakstol said.

Hakstol plans to use Filppula on the power play and penalty kill, though he wasn't sure if that would happen Thursday.

''The most important thing tonight is to get him into a mix five on five," Hakstol said.

The Flyers will start the night four points out of the Eastern Conference's last wild-card spot.

"A lot of teams are obviously in the same spot, trying to find a way to get to the playoffs," Filppula said. "Hopefully, we can do it and I can do my part."

Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas was one of Filppula's teammates with Tampa Bay.

"He's a great two-way hockey player," Gudas said. "He knows what to do offensively, defensively. He's great on faceoffs, great in the middle of the ice making plays, and he sees stuff that other people can't see. I'm glad to be his teammate. He's not going to dangle me around anymore, so that's a big plus."

Filppula had 19 goals for Detroit in 2007-08, the season the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. He has been to the Finals three times - twice with Detroit, once with Tampa.

"He's got a lot of experience in the playoffs," Gudas said. "He knows what it takes and what to do in certain situations. He doesn't break when [stuff] goes down."

Filppula said it would probably take him a few games to get acclimated to the Flyers' style of play.

"I'm sure I'll be a little bit nervous," he said about the opening faceoff. "Hopefully, just in a good way. I'm definitely excited now and looking forward to the game. Hopefully, everything goes well and if we got a win today, that would be the best welcome."

Since Filppula scored 25 goals in 2013-14, his production has dropped. He's hoping a change of scenery gets him back on track. He had seven goals and 24 assists when he was traded Wednesday.

"When you get those chances, those opportunities, you've got to produce more," he said. "Hopefully, if I get those chances, I'll be able to do that."

Filppula, who two years ago was on a playoff line with superstar Steven Stamkos, said he tries to focus first on taking "real good care of the defensive side, and when you do that, the offense is going to come that way as well."

Breakaways. The Flyers signed center German Rubtsov to an entry-level deal. He has been tearing up the QJMHL, collecting 20 points in 14 games. ... Jake Voracek is buying 396 hats - the same number thrown on the ice Tuesday by fans thinking Wayne Simmonds had scored a hat trick - for local hospitals, including CHOP. The cost of the new hats is estimated at $8,000.