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Flyers Notes: Big move at trade deadline unlikely for Flyers

CALGARY, Alberta - Having recently acquired defensemen Pavel Kubina and Nick Grossman, the Flyers are not expected to make a big splash at Monday's trade deadline, said a source close to the situation.

Paul Holmgren continues to have exploratory talks with Columbus about winger Rick Nash. (Matt Slocum/AP file photo)
Paul Holmgren continues to have exploratory talks with Columbus about winger Rick Nash. (Matt Slocum/AP file photo)Read more

CALGARY, Alberta - Having recently acquired defensemen Pavel Kubina and Nick Grossman, the Flyers are not expected to make a big splash at Monday's trade deadline, said a source close to the situation.

In fact, it wouldn't be surprising if they stayed pat, the source said.

General manager Paul Holmgren continues to have exploratory talks with Columbus about winger Rick Nash, but the Blue Jackets want several top young players (and draft picks) that the Flyers do not want to move.

As for adding a veteran faceoff man, the odds are slim, said the NHL source.

"You never say never because someone could all of a sudden decide to be a seller - and someone becomes available at the last minute," the source said.

The Flyers are comfortable with the team Holmgren has assembled and believe they can make a Stanley Cup run if everyone plays to potential.

Slumping Flyers

Danny Briere and Matt Read were trying to end long scoring slumps Saturday night in Calgary.

The line of Claude Giroux, Scott Hartnell, and Wayne Simmonds has been leading the way lately, "but besides that, it's been slim pickings," Briere said before the game.

"We're all trying to find ways to score more goals."

Briere did set up Jaromir Jagr's winning goal in Tuesday's overtime victory in Winnipeg, but he entered Saturday goal-less in his last 15 games - his longest drought since 1998-99. Read began the night with just one goal in his last 14 games. Despite the slump, Read was tied for the NHL rookie lead with 16 goals.

In the last three games before Saturday, Briere was centering Read and Jagr.

Early in Saturday's game, Jagr was back with his old linemates, Giroux and Hartnell. Briere was with Max Talbot and Simmonds (nine goals in last 11 games).

In three games on Briere's line, Jagr scored a total of three goals and averaged 15-plus minutes per contest.

Jagr enjoyed playing on Briere's line, but said he likes the increased playing time he receives on Giroux's unit.

"I'm not complaining . . . but you don't know when it's going to be your next shift," Jagr said of playing on the second unit. "That's why I try to shoot a little more, so I have a chance to score."

Clement an author

Former Flyer Bill Clement has released his autobiography, Everyday Leadership: Crossing Gorges on Tightropes to Success. The book, which includes a foreword by Wayne Gretzky, recounts many of Clement's successes, but also centers on having to rebuild after complete financial and emotional defeat.

"This book is as much about my failures as an everyday leader as it is successes," said Clement, a member of the Flyers' Stanley Cup champions in 1974 and 1975 and now one of the club's broadcasters. "My ego, my emotions, and my mouth have all helped me plunge off the tightrope. Instead of writing a 'how to' book on leadership, I wanted to create a balance by including examples and stories that explain 'how not to.' "

The book is available at www.BillClementSpeaking.com, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Bill Clement Foundation, which is dedicated to helping find a cure for multiple sclerosis and to serving those with Down syndrome.

Breakaways

Center Sean Couturier returned to the lineup after missing one game with a body bruise. . . . Ilya Bryzgalov started his fifth straight game in goal.