So they opened camp for the 2006-07 season more hopeful than optimistic. Still, Daily News staffers predicted they'd finish the 2006-07 season with anywhere between 95 and 102 points. In other words, middle of the road. But after a 1-6-1 start, on Oct. 22, 2006, general manager Bob Clarke resigned and the Flyers fired coach Ken Hitchcock. Paul Holmgren was promoted to become the interim general manager and John Stevens was named the coach.

What followed was the worst season in team history - 22-48-12 for 56 points. No NHL team had fewer points.

That 2006-07 team began with the following roster:

Forwards

Player-Arrived-How

LW Geoff Sanderson-July 19, 2006-Free agent

LW Simon Gagne-June 27, 1998-Draft, first round

RW Niko Dimitrakos-March 9, 2006-Trade, San Jose

C Jeff Carter-June 22, 2003-Draft, first round

C Mike Richards-June 22, 2003-Draft, first round

LW Kyle Calder-Aug. 4, 2006-Trade, Chicago

C R.J. Umberger-June 16, 2004-Free agent

C Peter Forsberg-Aug. 3, 2005-Free agent

RW Mike Knuble-July 3, 2004-Free agent

RW Sami Kapanen-Feb. 7, 2003-Trade, Carolina

LW Randy Robitaille-July 4, 2006-Free agent

LW Boyd Kane-July 13, 2006-Free agent

LW Riley Cote-Aug. 23, 2004-Free agent

Defensemen

Player-Arrived-How

Derian Hatcher-Aug. 2, 2005-Free agent

Mike Rathje-Aug. 2, 2005-Free agent

Nolan Baumgartner-July 1, 2006-Free agent

Randy Jones-July 24, 2003-Free agent

Denis Gauthier-March 19, 2006-Trade, Phoenix

Freddy Meyer-May 21, 2003-Free agent

Joni Pitkanen-June 22, 2002-DFraft, first round

Goalies

Player-Arrived-How

Antero Niittymaki-June 27, 1998-Draft, sixth round

Robert Esche-June 12, 2002-Trade, Phoenix

--

Here are the key transactions that followed, leading to the roster that has so far won two series in the playoffs:

2006

Date: Acquired, team-Lost

Dec. 16: D Alexei Zhitnik, NY Islanders-Traded D Freddy Meyer and pick

Dec 20: LW Mike York, NY Islanders-Traded C Randy Robitaille and pick

2007

Date: Acquired, team-Details

Feb 15: D Ryan Parent and RW Scottie Upshall, Nashville-Traded C Peter Forsberg

Feb. 24: D Braydon Coburn, Atlanta-Traded Zhitnik

Feb. 26: D Lasse Kukkonen and pick, Chicago-Traded Calder

Feb. 27: G Martin Biron, Buffalo-Traded second-round pick (D T.J. Brennan)

June 18: D Kimmo Timonen and LW Scott Hartnell, Nashville-Traded first-round pick (D Jonathon Blum)

July 1: RW Joffrey Lupul and D Jason Smith, Edmonton-Traded Pitkanen, Sanderson and pick

July 1: C Danny Briere-Signed as free agent

Oct. 3: C Jim Dowd-Signed as free agent

Dec. 5: RW Steve Downie-Called up after suspension (drafted, July 30, 2005, first round)

2008

Date: Acquired, team-Lost

Feb. 19: D Jaroslav Modry, Los Angeles-Traded pick

Feb. 22: LW Patrick Thoresen, Edmonton-Signed off waivers

Feb. 25: LW Vaclav Prospal, Tampa Bay-Traded D Alexandre Picard and pick