Thanks to the guys and gals of the FMB for the heads up on this.
As usual, the Flyers are one of the last of the NHL teams to announce their list of cuts and players who have been assigned to the AHL. Let’s have a look…
Cut: Mark Bell and Adrian Foster
It doesn’t seem like much was expected of Bell and he didn’t disappoint on that, because he didn’t show much and I can’t recall Foster even being on the roster in the last 3 pre-season games. 
Assigned to the Phantoms: Andreas Nodl, Jared Ross, Jon Kalinski, Josh Beaulieu, Rob Bellamy, Matt Clackson, [...]

Problem Number One
The only way to see tonight’s game was through the Maple Leafs’ website. The announcers were an absolute joke. It seems their broadcast team lives off of the scant one or two things the Leafs manage to do right on any given night. Just ask them, they’ll tell you how good their boys are based on these few occasions.
Problem Number Two
The game was in Toronto.
Problem Number Three
I didn’t really see it in the first two pre-season games, but it is apparent that the Flyers are going to have to deal with the same bias, bogus officiating that they [...]

I didn’t write a wrap-up yesterday because I didn’t think there was anything I could write about that would have me go off on a swear filled tangent for about 800 words. So I took the night off, collected my thoughts and hoped tonight would be different.
I don’t need to remind anyone of the old saying where you can put hope in one hand and something else in the other and see which will hold more.
Yes, it’s the pre-season so I’m not going to be critical.
Johan Backlund looked better than I expected. I’m not gonna hate on him for the [...]

It’s time! It’s time! It’s finally time!
Flyers hockey is upon us!!!
It’s not televised anywhere, which sucks a little, but, if you’re from the Philly area, you can tune in to WIP 610 on your AM dial, go to 610WIP.com or you can get it on your iPhone (not sure how, but they said on the broadcast that you can). Don’t have any of that? Try 610 WIP Sports Radio on AOL keyword: Radio.
Check back after the game for analysis, stats and my take on where the boys are heading.
Thanks for reading,
Paul Pickett
Facebook: Paul Ca Pickett
Twitter: PaulakaBFTW

On to my last “scheduled” edition of The Breakdown. I say “scheduled” because when we know what happens in Rookie Camp, I may add another edition.
Tonight, we’re gonna talk about our two new netminders. If you read my interview with our new #1, you know how grateful he is for the second chance that he’s getting from the Flyers organization. He’s settled down, he’s moved forward and here he is…
Ray Emery
6th Season
Last Season’s Numbers: 22-8-0, 1.86 goals against average, .926 save percentage in 36 games with Adlant Moscow Oblast (KHL)
Upside: I’m not gonna pull any punches here, the [...]

I was digging around for some info on Ray Emery for my goalie breakdown tonight when I happened across a little tidbit and was confirmed by the Flyers official Twitter page…
The Flyers have added forward Blair Betts to their training camp roster as a pro try-out. He will wear uniform #11.
So who’s Blair Betts? I’ll tell you who Blair Betts is.
Betts and Fredrik Sjostrom (who signed with Calgary) formed one of the NHL’s best penalty-killing tandems last season. But Betts is coming off a serious facial injury, and no one is rushing to sign checkers and penalty-killers. – via NHL.com
I [...]

Before I get started there’s something I want to say. I’ve been battling what started as a sinus infection on Saturday, but turned into a full blown upper respiratory infection today with bronchitis right around the corner. I hate the change of seasons. So this is going to be one of three things…
1. Long and drawn out,
2. Short with no real point,
3. Long and exactly what I want it to be and what you all expect it to be.
I’m hoping for #3.
So why don’t we cut to the chase and start with the guy who had everyone screaming [...]

I wanted to get this up this afternoon, but life in and of itself wouldn’t let me. So who better to start with than the guy who’s been with the Flyers the longest? 9 years in the league, all of them as a Flyer. A first round draft pick back in 1998, I could only be talking about…
Simon Gagne
10th Season
Last Season’s Numbers: 2nd on the team in goals (34), assists (40 tied with Timonen), power play goals (12) and third on the team in points (74) and plus/minus (+21). 4 points (3 goals, 1 assist) in 6 playoff games.
Upside: He may wear [...]