Flyers throw Philly's hat in ring for All-Star Game

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had two special visitors yesterday in New York.

That's because the Flyers, on behalf of Comcast-Spectacor, sent Rocky Balboa and Ben Franklin impersonators to league headquarters to hand out soft pretzels and officially throw Philadelphia's hat in the ring to host the 2012 or 2013 All-Star Game and entry draft. The rest of the NHL's event applications arrived in FedEx boxes.

"We are excited about the possibilities of potentially hosting the NHL draft and the NHL All-Star Game," Comcast-Spectacor president Peter Luukko said. "While it's still early in the process, we've expressed our interest to the league by submitting a proposal. We know this would be great for our fans and great for the city of Philadelphia."

The Flyers last hosted the All-Star Game at the Spectrum in 1992 and also welcomed the league's best players in 1976. The NHL draft never has been held in Philadelphia.

No All-Star Game will be played this season due to the NHL's work stoppage for the Olympics.

The NHL announced in December that this year's draft will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Montreal hosted the All-Star Game and the draft last season.

A source close to the situation said up to 16 teams have applied for the All-Star Game and draft. An announcement could come as soon as the end of the Olympic break.

Newly acquired forward Ville Leino was scratched from the lineup. He went through his second skate as a Flyer yesterday morning, but coach Peter Laviolette said he wanted to hold off playing Leino.

To do so, Laviolette would need to scratch one of the team's other healthy forwards.

It remains unclear where Leino would fit. The Flyers said over the weekend he could play anywhere but that being a skilled forward, he probably would be better suited on the top two lines.

The NHL is slated to announce the teams and cities for the 2010 NHL Premiere in Europe. A league source said the Flyers will not be participating in the six-team, three-city tour that will open the regular season . . . Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, who was traded to Detroit on Saturday in the Ville Leino transaction, cleared waivers yesterday and was assigned to AHL Grand Rapids . . . Defenseman Danny Syvret, who was eligible to be activated from the Long Term Injured Reserve, is still battling his Grade 3 shoulder separation. Syvret said he has struggled shooting and passing and is doubtful to be ready before the Olympic break starts this weekend . . . Defenseman Ryan Parent had back surgery 22 days ago and could play for the Phantoms during the Olympic break if he is cleared . . . Riley Cote was scratched for the 21st consecutive game last night.