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swflyers25 · 08-21-2006, 08:23 AM

On the NHL | Hitchcock to try giving Kapanen time on defense

By Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Columnist

Sami Kapanen is in Finland, preparing for what many think will be his final NHL season.

Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock is back at the Skate Zone, the Flyers' practice rink in Voorhees, Camden County, after spending much of the summer in British Columbia. He's got a surprise waiting for Kapanen.

The all-purpose winger will train on defense in camp and play exhibition games back there. It won't be a full-time job, but situational play.

It's part of a new strategy that takes advantage of Kapanen's natural talent for moving the puck, creating offensive chances, and skating backward fluidly.

"This is what I'm thinking," Hitchcock said, the wheels spinning in his head like Dr. Evil. "If you use a forward on defense on the power play and on the penalty kill, and late in the game you are down two goals, why not take the chance and put your best transitional player back there on defense? He gives you both offense and defense.

"So we're going to let Kappy do this during camp and in the exhibitions. There are always special situations during the season that come up and you use two forwards on the point. We want Kappy to practice back there. Why not try it for an extended period in camp so he gets it down?"

Kapanen also will play the point on the power play.

Kapanen played capably on defense during portions of the 2004 playoffs. Some said he should have been back there in April in the playoff series against Buffalo. Hitchcock considered the idea during the series but said that because of Kapanen's badly damaged right shoulder, he would not have been effective. Kapanen underwent off-season surgery.

Given that the Flyers still have questionable mobility on the back end as well as problems carrying the puck without turning it over, why not move Kapanen to defense full-time? Because the roster is overloaded with defensemen.

The Flyers have seven defensemen on one-way NHL contracts, including Randy Jones and Freddy Meyer. Kapanen's addition would immediately necessitate a subtraction via a trade or waivers. That carries salary-cap implications.

Additionally, the Flyers have three other defensemen on two-way deals - Alexandre Picard, Jussi Timonen and Lars Jonsson. But two of them could end up among the seven that make the roster. If that happens, it will definitely force general manager Bob Clarke to shed salary.

Hitchcock is hopeful that Jonsson is a hidden gem unearthed from Europe. No one doubts the Swede can carry the puck. The knock on Jonsson is his turnover rate.

Hitchcock compares Jonsson to former Flyer Mattias Timander.

"Jonsson has skill and size, all the tools," Hitchcock said. "It's the mistakes that concern people. We had that issue with Timander, and he got past it. We're hoping the same here."

Snider tribute

Flyers founder and chairman Ed Snider will be honored by the Flyers' Alumni at a tribute dinner Sept. 18 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.

Among the scheduled guest speakers are NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Comcast executive Peter Luukko, and Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello. Tickets start at $400 each and include a cocktail reception, dinner, and one room for an overnight stay. Tables of eight can be purchased for $3,000 and include eight guest rooms. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7:30.

For more information, contact Kathi Gillin at 215-836-0736 or email her at kathigillin@comcast.net.

Big C for Forsberg?

Assuming - and that's the key word here - Keith Primeau is not on the roster at the start of the season because of post-concussion syndrome, the Flyers want Peter Forsberg to take the captaincy. The rationale, club sources say, is that if Forsberg is ready to go in October, he would present a transitional presence of a couple of more years wearing the C, since both he and the Flyers want a contract extension. The idea is to gain time to develop someone such as Mike Richards as the full-time captain in a few seasons. If Primeau is out and Forsberg's foot problems prevent him from starting the season, Kapanen will get the C. Hitchcock would not comment on the scenario.

Loose pucks

Rookie camp is set for Sept. 6-12. The Flyers' training camp opens with physicals on Sept. 14, with on-ice workouts the following morning... . Will hockey make permanent inroads in Carolina now that the Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup? GM Jim Rutherford says season-ticket sales are up 60 percent from a year ago. The club already has sold 15,000 season tickets, about 3,000 shy of capacity... . Following Evgeni Malkin's defection to North America to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, Gennady Velichkin, general manager of his former team, Russia's Mattalurg Magnitogorsk, told Itar-Tass that Americans engage in "sport terrorism." Like the Russians haven't been blackmailing the NHL on the transfer agreement over the years?"Is it not clear that Evgeni left for America at the invitation of the people overseas?" Velichkin told Soviet Sport. "The Americans' arrogance is beyond bounds. This is the theft of the century. They don't care that Malkin is Russia's national treasure." In the purest James Bond sense, that makes Bettman the head of S.P.E.C.T.R.E. (Special Executor for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion), eh?... Strange but true: Thanks to inflated free agency, Kim Johnsson will make more money ($4.85 million) this season than high-scoring Daniel Alfredsson ($4.67 million)... .Finally, the Flyers will spend two days at the U.S. Naval Academy at the end of training camp. Hitchcock wanted to take the club to the Jersey Shore and practice at the Skate Zone in Atlantic City. That's a short walk from the Hilton Casino Resort. Let's see now, that would connect NHL players and casinos at a time when authorities are investigating a gambling ring that allegedly involved former Flyer Rick Tocchet (whose lawyer has said he will be vindicated). "Atlantic City didn't go over too well," Hitchcock said. Really?

On the NHL | Flyers' Top 10

Here are the results of a recent Flyers poll asking fans to rank the 10 greatest games in club history:

1. May 19, 1974: The Flyers defeated Boston, 1-0, to win the Stanley Cup.

2. May 4, 2000: Keith Primeau scored in the fifth overtime period to give the Flyers a 2-1 playoff victory at Pittsburgh.

3. May 27, 1975: The Flyers defeated Buffalo, 2-0, to win their second Stanley Cup.

4. Jan. 11, 1976: The Flyers defeated the Soviet Red Army, 4-1.

5. May 20, 2004:Simon Gagne scored in overtime as the Flyers defeated Tampa Bay, 5-4, in their playoff series.

6. May 4, 2004: Jeremy Roenick scored in overtime, giving the Flyers a 3-2 playoff triumph at Toronto.

7. Dec. 22, 1979: The Flyers won, 5-2, at Boston to set an NHL record for the longest undefeated streak, 29 games.

8. May 28, 1987: J.J. Daigneault scored the winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

9. May 9, 1974: Bobby Clarke scored in overtime at Boston, giving the Flyers a 3-2 triumph in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

10. April 13, 1985: Tim Kerr scored four goals in the second period of the Flyers' 6-5 playoff victory over the New York Rangers.

On the NHL | Youth Movement

Saying his mustache was high maintenance, Ken Hitchcock shaved it off. He looks younger.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/ho...hl/15314021.htm

I have no problem with Peter being the captain. It's obvious when he plays everyone does follow his lead, he sets the tone in the game. I also have no problem with Sami being the captain either. The guy will do whatever, like play defense, it takes to get a W.

**Pitkanen44** · 08-21-2006, 09:41 AM

Foppa would be a good choice I guess, I'd rather see Kapanen with the C though, really. I like the reference to Richards in a few years. Glad their all thinking exactly what we all are.

I can't wait for the season!!!

dralex · 08-21-2006, 09:45 AM

He is the best man for the job i think (in the situtation tey have right now). they have a lot of leadrship though, so its hard to miss.

swflyers25 · 08-21-2006, 12:44 PM

They are grooming Richards to take over in the near future. The guy is a born leader.

**Pitkanen44** · 08-21-2006, 12:46 PM

He hasn't even begun his second year and their already talking about him as future captain.

Love to hear that. That means Clarkie is going to hold on to him for quite a while.

hckyguy14 · 08-21-2006, 01:04 PM

Is he still due to miss the first half of the season?

**Pitkanen44** · 08-21-2006, 01:09 PM

No, their aiming for him to make the first game.

Metalpuck · 08-21-2006, 01:50 PM

Foppa or Gagne and i'm a happy camper.

**TrojanDan46** · 08-21-2006, 07:38 PM

Richards is going to be a great Captain.

Im glad to see they will actually use Sami's full capabilities this year by experimenting with him on the blue line.

Shaping up to be a great season.

**Ryan20** · 08-21-2006, 07:42 PM

Good read. I think we knew after Richards was drafted he'd end up wearing the "C" in the future.

08-21-2006, 08:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
swflyers25 Noob Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Norristown Posts: 210 vCash: 600	Forsberg new captain? Kapanen on defense? On the NHL \| Hitchcock to try giving Kapanen time on defense By Tim Panaccio Inquirer Columnist Sami Kapanen is in Finland, preparing for what many think will be his final NHL season. Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock is back at the Skate Zone, the Flyers' practice rink in Voorhees, Camden County, after spending much of the summer in British Columbia. He's got a surprise waiting for Kapanen. The all-purpose winger will train on defense in camp and play exhibition games back there. It won't be a full-time job, but situational play. It's part of a new strategy that takes advantage of Kapanen's natural talent for moving the puck, creating offensive chances, and skating backward fluidly. "This is what I'm thinking," Hitchcock said, the wheels spinning in his head like Dr. Evil. "If you use a forward on defense on the power play and on the penalty kill, and late in the game you are down two goals, why not take the chance and put your best transitional player back there on defense? He gives you both offense and defense. "So we're going to let Kappy do this during camp and in the exhibitions. There are always special situations during the season that come up and you use two forwards on the point. We want Kappy to practice back there. Why not try it for an extended period in camp so he gets it down?" Kapanen also will play the point on the power play. Kapanen played capably on defense during portions of the 2004 playoffs. Some said he should have been back there in April in the playoff series against Buffalo. Hitchcock considered the idea during the series but said that because of Kapanen's badly damaged right shoulder, he would not have been effective. Kapanen underwent off-season surgery. Given that the Flyers still have questionable mobility on the back end as well as problems carrying the puck without turning it over, why not move Kapanen to defense full-time? Because the roster is overloaded with defensemen. The Flyers have seven defensemen on one-way NHL contracts, including Randy Jones and Freddy Meyer. Kapanen's addition would immediately necessitate a subtraction via a trade or waivers. That carries salary-cap implications. Additionally, the Flyers have three other defensemen on two-way deals - Alexandre Picard, Jussi Timonen and Lars Jonsson. But two of them could end up among the seven that make the roster. If that happens, it will definitely force general manager Bob Clarke to shed salary. Hitchcock is hopeful that Jonsson is a hidden gem unearthed from Europe. No one doubts the Swede can carry the puck. The knock on Jonsson is his turnover rate. Hitchcock compares Jonsson to former Flyer Mattias Timander. "Jonsson has skill and size, all the tools," Hitchcock said. "It's the mistakes that concern people. We had that issue with Timander, and he got past it. We're hoping the same here." Snider tribute Flyers founder and chairman Ed Snider will be honored by the Flyers' Alumni at a tribute dinner Sept. 18 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. Among the scheduled guest speakers are NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Comcast executive Peter Luukko, and Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello. Tickets start at $400 each and include a cocktail reception, dinner, and one room for an overnight stay. Tables of eight can be purchased for $3,000 and include eight guest rooms. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7:30. For more information, contact Kathi Gillin at 215-836-0736 or email her at kathigillin@comcast.net. Big C for Forsberg? Assuming - and that's the key word here - Keith Primeau is not on the roster at the start of the season because of post-concussion syndrome, the Flyers want Peter Forsberg to take the captaincy. The rationale, club sources say, is that if Forsberg is ready to go in October, he would present a transitional presence of a couple of more years wearing the C, since both he and the Flyers want a contract extension. The idea is to gain time to develop someone such as Mike Richards as the full-time captain in a few seasons. If Primeau is out and Forsberg's foot problems prevent him from starting the season, Kapanen will get the C. Hitchcock would not comment on the scenario. Loose pucks Rookie camp is set for Sept. 6-12. The Flyers' training camp opens with physicals on Sept. 14, with on-ice workouts the following morning... . Will hockey make permanent inroads in Carolina now that the Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup? GM Jim Rutherford says season-ticket sales are up 60 percent from a year ago. The club already has sold 15,000 season tickets, about 3,000 shy of capacity... . Following Evgeni Malkin's defection to North America to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, Gennady Velichkin, general manager of his former team, Russia's Mattalurg Magnitogorsk, told Itar-Tass that Americans engage in "sport terrorism." Like the Russians haven't been blackmailing the NHL on the transfer agreement over the years?"Is it not clear that Evgeni left for America at the invitation of the people overseas?" Velichkin told Soviet Sport. "The Americans' arrogance is beyond bounds. This is the theft of the century. They don't care that Malkin is Russia's national treasure." In the purest James Bond sense, that makes Bettman the head of S.P.E.C.T.R.E. (Special Executor for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion), eh?... Strange but true: Thanks to inflated free agency, Kim Johnsson will make more money ($4.85 million) this season than high-scoring Daniel Alfredsson ($4.67 million)... .Finally, the Flyers will spend two days at the U.S. Naval Academy at the end of training camp. Hitchcock wanted to take the club to the Jersey Shore and practice at the Skate Zone in Atlantic City. That's a short walk from the Hilton Casino Resort. Let's see now, that would connect NHL players and casinos at a time when authorities are investigating a gambling ring that allegedly involved former Flyer Rick Tocchet (whose lawyer has said he will be vindicated). "Atlantic City didn't go over too well," Hitchcock said. Really? On the NHL \| Flyers' Top 10 Here are the results of a recent Flyers poll asking fans to rank the 10 greatest games in club history: 1. May 19, 1974: The Flyers defeated Boston, 1-0, to win the Stanley Cup. 2. May 4, 2000: Keith Primeau scored in the fifth overtime period to give the Flyers a 2-1 playoff victory at Pittsburgh. 3. May 27, 1975: The Flyers defeated Buffalo, 2-0, to win their second Stanley Cup. 4. Jan. 11, 1976: The Flyers defeated the Soviet Red Army, 4-1. 5. May 20, 2004:Simon Gagne scored in overtime as the Flyers defeated Tampa Bay, 5-4, in their playoff series. 6. May 4, 2004: Jeremy Roenick scored in overtime, giving the Flyers a 3-2 playoff triumph at Toronto. 7. Dec. 22, 1979: The Flyers won, 5-2, at Boston to set an NHL record for the longest undefeated streak, 29 games. 8. May 28, 1987: J.J. Daigneault scored the winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. 9. May 9, 1974: Bobby Clarke scored in overtime at Boston, giving the Flyers a 3-2 triumph in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. 10. April 13, 1985: Tim Kerr scored four goals in the second period of the Flyers' 6-5 playoff victory over the New York Rangers. On the NHL \| Youth Movement Saying his mustache was high maintenance, Ken Hitchcock shaved it off. He looks younger. http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/ho...hl/15314021.htm I have no problem with Peter being the captain. It's obvious when he plays everyone does follow his lead, he sets the tone in the game. I also have no problem with Sami being the captain either. The guy will do whatever, like play defense, it takes to get a W.

08-21-2006, 09:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Pitkanen44 I'm okay. Russian machine never breaks. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 1,589 vCash: 707	Foppa would be a good choice I guess, I'd rather see Kapanen with the C though, really. I like the reference to Richards in a few years. Glad their all thinking exactly what we all are. I can't wait for the season!!! __________________

08-21-2006, 12:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pitkanen44 I'm okay. Russian machine never breaks. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 1,589 vCash: 707	He hasn't even begun his second year and their already talking about him as future captain. Love to hear that. That means Clarkie is going to hold on to him for quite a while. __________________

08-21-2006, 01:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pitkanen44 I'm okay. Russian machine never breaks. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 1,589 vCash: 707	No, their aiming for him to make the first game. __________________

08-21-2006, 01:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Metalpuck SG Hockey Community Manager Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,346 vCash: 1450 GamerTag: Metalpuck	Foppa or Gagne and i'm a happy camper. __________________ Articles: Captain Keith Primeau: http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/506 Goalie Interference or lack thereof? http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/530 Should visors be mandatory?http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/5...ed-in-the-nhl/ Mike Cammalleri: http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/6...ke-cammalleri/ Jason Arnott: First year as a Pred http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/6...dators-colors/ Calgary: Flame on or burning out? http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/6...r-burning-out/ The Rise and Fall of Nashville: http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/7...ville-in-2007/ EA Sports Community Day: http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/9...nity-day-2007/

08-21-2006, 09:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
dralex All-Star Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,734 vCash: 713	He is the best man for the job i think (in the situtation tey have right now). they have a lot of leadrship though, so its hard to miss.

08-21-2006, 12:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
swflyers25 Noob Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Norristown Posts: 210 vCash: 600	They are grooming Richards to take over in the near future. The guy is a born leader.

08-21-2006, 01:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
hckyguy14 All-Pro Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 228 vCash: 660	Is he still due to miss the first half of the season?

08-21-2006, 07:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
TrojanDan46 Weapon-X Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1,311 vCash: 1308 GamerTag: TrojanDan46	Richards is going to be a great Captain. Im glad to see they will actually use Sami's full capabilities this year by experimenting with him on the blue line. Shaping up to be a great season. __________________ ^^Epik pimped this space...very nice..

08-21-2006, 07:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ryan20 .... Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Reading,PA Posts: 1,311 vCash: 202 GamerTag: Sass20	Good read. I think we knew after Richards was drafted he'd end up wearing the "C" in the future.

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