Broad Street Bullies: 2007-2008 Flyers Are More Than Just Goons

Bullies, goons, thugs... If you live outside of the greater Philadelphia area and are a hockey fan, there is a good chance that you have used or heard these words in descriptions of the 2007-2008 Philadelphia Flyers. A big reason for that is that the most publicized plays from this season have shown more Flyers hitting opponents and being suspended than goals. While attention should definitely be paid to these specific instances, I believe it is downright unfair to look at this whole team as a bunch of ruthless, talentless thugs.

Heading into the all-star break, this young and scrappy Flyers team finds itself tied for first in the Atlantic Division with the rival New Jersey Devils and with impressive victories over other prominent Eastern conference foes Ottawa, Carolina, and Pittsburgh. In what has been his breakout season, Mike Richards has led the team by stepping up as more than just the young defensive center many believed him to be. He is leading the team with 21 goals and 55 points and is also among the NHL leaders in short-handed goals. The off-season's major additions have also played key roles, as Danny Briere is second on the team in goals and points, despite what he considers a down first half. Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell have also made major contributions, as the steady Timonen was named to the All-Star team and Hartnell ended the first half on a scorching tear. The emergence of the team's young talent, in concordance with the off-season acquisitions, is what has taken the Flyers from cellar-dwellers last year to contenders this year.