Clarke, Barber say alumni game will be their last

Saturday's alumni game against the Pittsburgh Penguins will be a farewell of sorts for two of the greatest Flyers in franchise history, Hockey Hall of Famers Bob Clarke and Bill Barber.

After skating at the Flyers' practice facility Wednesday as a tune-up for the game at the sold-out Wells Fargo Center, each said this would be his final alumni game.

Their high-scoring linemate, Reggie Leach, will also play in the game, giving fans one last look at the famed LCB Line.

Clarke, 67, said he will be nostalgic as he plays one final time.

"But the time comes when the younger people have to play in the alumni games, and I'm spending most of the winters in Florida," Clarke said.

Asked if he was sad that this would be his last game, Barber laughed.

"Not when you get out there and know how you feel," said Barber, 64. "Time passed us a long time ago. I think everybody has something biting at them. My biggest problem, personally, is my knees. I need knee replacements on both of them."

People say playing hockey is "like riding a bike. That you never lose it," said Barber, who also spends lots of his time in Florida. "But, believe me, you lose it. Your brain is telling you one thing, and your body is saying: 'I don't think so. Not today.' But it's all good."

Barber said he was excited to be reunited with Clarke and Leach one final time.

"It's pretty awesome to be out there again with these guys," said Barber, who has played hockey only twice since being in the Winter Classic alumni game at Citizens Bank Park in 2012. "I think all three of us feel the same way. It's a special opportunity."

The game will also feature the Legion of Doom Line of Eric Lindros, John LeClair, and Mikael Renberg.

General manager Ron Hextall was asked whether he was exploring a deal to wake up his slumping team. "I'm not going to make a trade to send a message," he said. "I'm [only] going to make a trade to make us better." . . . Defenseman Mark Streit is getting closer to returning from a shoulder injury and may play Saturday in Boston. The Flyers will have to make a roster move to open salary-cap space for Streit's return. . . . Bill Clement and Al Morganti will call the alumni game on the Comcast Network.