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Flyers Notes: Deal isn't essential, Laviolette says

Flyers Notes TAMPA, Fla. - The Flyers are still trying to add a player before today's 3 p.m. trade deadline, but head coach Peter Laviolette says the team can challenge for the Stanley Cup without a deal.

"Over the last 25 games, we've found more consistency," Peter Laviolette said. (David M Warren/Staff file photo)
"Over the last 25 games, we've found more consistency," Peter Laviolette said. (David M Warren/Staff file photo)Read more

Flyers Notes

TAMPA, Fla. - The Flyers are still trying to add a player before today's 3 p.m. trade deadline, but head coach Peter Laviolette says the team can challenge for the Stanley Cup without a deal.

"I think if we continue to play hard and execute, we can beat anyone that we have to beat," Laviolette said before last night's game against Tampa Bay.

"Over the last 25 games, we've found more consistency on a lot more nights than not," he said. "We're playing with a style, and an identity, that I think is conducive to winning."

The next six weeks, Laviolette said, "will determine our seed and our place in life - and our right to play for the Cup, really. We've got to get there before we can actually try to win it."

An NHL source said the Flyers had Ottawa's Matt Cullen, Los Angeles' Alexander Frolov, and Columbus' Raffi Torres among the forwards on their wish list, along with Nashville defenseman Dan Hamhuis. Atlanta winger Colby Armstrong also has drawn the Flyers' interest.

"My gut feeling is that we're going to get something done," a Flyers official said.

The club source said the Flyers were content with the goaltending duo of Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher. Still, with Ray Emery out for the season, the Flyers have made overtures for another goalie.

The New York Islanders' 40-year-old Dwayne Roloson and Marty Biron are available, but the source said the Flyers felt neither would be an upgrade.

Vancouver backup Andrew Raycroft is also available.

"The trade deadline is unsettling for everybody," Laviolette said. "It presents possible change, and change sometimes is hard. But it happens every year at the trade deadline, so it's just something you have to deal with."

Clearing waivers

Defenseman Danny Syvret and winger Riley Cote cleared waivers and can be sent to the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms

Parent returns

Flyers defenseman Ryan Parent, the subject of trade rumors, replaced the injured Oskars Bartulis in the lineup last night. Parent, 22, who is returning from back surgery, played his first game since Dec. 23, another contest in Tampa.

Parent was paired with Braydon Coburn.

Bartulis suffered a groin strain while playing in the Olympics for Latvia. He is listed as day-to-day.

General manager Paul Holmgren said Bartulis had soreness when he returned from Vancouver. Holmgren said an MRI showed no damage.

After a slow start, Bartulis had improved dramatically in recent weeks. He was plus-7 in his last 13 games.

- Sam Carchidi