2009–10 Philadelphia Flyers season

NHL hockey team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2009–10 Philadelphia Flyers season was the franchise's 43rd season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on June 5, 1967.

Division3rd Atlantic
Conference7th Eastern
2009–10 record41–35–6
Home record24–14–3
Quick facts Philadelphia Flyers, Division ...
2009–10 Philadelphia Flyers
Eastern Conference champions
Division3rd Atlantic
Conference7th Eastern
2009–10 record41–35–6
Home record24–14–3
Road record17–21–3
Goals for236
Goals against225
Team information
General managerPaul Holmgren
CoachJohn Stevens (Oct.–Dec.)
Peter Laviolette (Dec.–Jun.)
CaptainMike Richards
Alternate captainsJeff Carter
Simon Gagne
Chris Pronger
Kimmo Timonen
ArenaWachovia Center
Average attendance19,535 (100.2%)[1]
Minor league affiliatesAdirondack Phantoms
Kalamazoo Wings
Quad City Mallards
Team leaders
GoalsJeff Carter (33)
AssistsChris Pronger (45)
PointsMike Richards (62)
Penalty minutesDaniel Carcillo (207)
Plus/minusChris Pronger (+22)
WinsRay Emery
Michael Leighton (16)
Goals against averageMichael Leighton (2.48)
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The Flyers began the 2009–10 season with some major changes, allowing goaltenders Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki to depart via free agency, replacing them with former Ottawa Senators netminder Ray Emery and former Flyer Brian Boucher, and significantly upgrading the defense with the addition of Chris Pronger from the Anaheim Ducks. Pronger came at a price, costing the Flyers Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and the Flyers' first round draft picks in 2009 and 2010. The season began in earnest but soon began to unravel with mediocre play that cost John Stevens his job in December. Peter Laviolette was hired as head coach in order to re-institute accountability and restore success to the Flyers but the results were not immediate, as the Flyers suffered a 2–7–1 stretch after his arrival. This was corrected with an 18–7–1 stretch in the middle of the season. Injuries took a major toll on the Flyers, with Blair Betts, Danny Briere, Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne and Kimmo Timonen missing significant numbers of games, but no position was nearly affected as much with injuries as goaltending with Emery suffering a career-threatening injury. Mediocre play down the stretch forced the Flyers into a do-or-die shootout with the New York Rangers in the last game of the regular season for a playoff berth. Boucher stopped final shooter Olli Jokinen to clinch the seventh seed in the East and a first round match-up with the New Jersey Devils.

In the first round of the playoffs, Boucher and the Flyers consistently outplayed Martin Brodeur and New Jersey and pulled off the upset in five games. However, the victory was costly as Carter suffered a broken foot, Gagne a broken toe in Game 4, and Ian Laperriere suffered a fractured orbital bone by blocking a shot in Game 5. The Flyers faced the sixth-seeded Boston Bruins in the second round, and despite playing at an even level with Boston, the Flyers found themselves in a 3–0 series deficit. Gagne returned from injury in Game 4, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. The Flyers shut out the Bruins 4–0 in Game 5, despite losing goaltender Boucher to injury. A 2–1 Flyers win in Game 6 forced a Game 7 in Boston. Falling behind 3–0 in Game 7, the Flyers pulled off the biggest comeback in franchise history, winning 4–3 on a late goal by Gagne to join the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, 1975 New York Islanders and the 2004 Boston Red Sox as the only sports teams to win a playoff series after trailing 3–0.[2] Not only did they overcome a 3–0 series deficit, they also overcame a 3–0 goal deficit in Game 7.

In the Eastern Conference finals, the Flyers had home-ice advantage as they faced the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens. Michael Leighton became the first Flyers netminder to record three shutouts in a series, and Jeff Carter and Ian Laperriere returned to the lineup as the Flyers won the Eastern Conference Championship in five games and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1997; the Chicago Blackhawks were their opponents.[3] Patrick Kane scored just over four minutes into overtime in Game 6 to eliminate the Flyers and give Chicago their first Stanley Cup since 1961. Ville Leino, acquired in a mid-season trade from the Detroit Red Wings, set the Flyers rookie playoff scoring record and tied the NHL record with 21 points.

Off-season

Off-season acquisitions. Clockwise from upper left: Ray Emery, Chris Pronger, Brian Boucher and Ian Laperriere.

The Flyers began preparing for the season by signing controversial goalie Ray Emery prior to the official start of free agency.[4] Emery, who had spent the previous season in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), signed a one-year contract worth US$1.5 million.[5] Former Flyer Brian Boucher was signed to a two-year contract on the first day of free agency to serve as Emery's backup.[6] As a result, the team's goaltending tandem of the past two seasons, starter Martin Biron and backup Antero Niittymaki, signed with the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning, respectively, as unrestricted free agents.[7][8] The Flyers also signed right winger Ian Laperriere to a three-year contract and lost Mike Knuble as a free agent to the Washington Capitals.[6][9]

Longtime defenseman Derian Hatcher also retired at the beginning of the off-season (after missing all of last season due to knee surgery), replacing Eric Desjardins as the team's player development coach. Desjardins stepped down due to personal business interests.[10] Other staff changes included the Flyers hiring Jeff Reese as their new goalie coach to replace Reggie Lemelin and promoting former Phantoms coach John Paddock to assistant general manager.[11][12]

At the entry draft, the Flyers made a blockbuster trade for Anaheim Ducks' defenseman Chris Pronger, a former Hart Trophy winner as league MVP and Norris Trophy winner as the league's best defenseman.[13] Along with Pronger, the Flyers also received minor league forward Ryan Dingle in exchange for winger Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, first-round picks in 2009 and 2010 and a conditional third-round pick.[13] They quickly signed Pronger to a seven-year contract extension worth approximately $34 million.[14] Nearly a month after signing, the NHL announced they had launched an investigation on Pronger's deal to determine whether it was a circumvention of the salary cap under the collective bargaining agreement. Because the contract is front-loaded, with annual salaries of just $525,000 in the final two years, and expires by the time Pronger is 42, the investigation was launched with the focus on the potential of negotiations between Pronger and the Flyers to retire before contract expiration.[15] However, as Pronger's contract took effect after his 35th birthday, under the terms of the current collective bargaining agreement, his over-35 contract could not be deleted from the Flyers' cap space unless he is placed on long-term injured reserve, and even then it would come back on the team's cap space during the offseason.[15]

Regular season

The 2009–10 season started for the Flyers with the successful return of Ray Emery to the NHL, shutting out the Carolina Hurricanes. However, what followed was inconsistent play of the entire team throughout October though a successful record could be maintained. The last game in October started a five-game winning streak. However, this effort would be largely in vain as a road trip to the west coast and ensuing games at the end of the month saw the Flyers lose six of seven games. After being shut out by the Atlanta Thrashers and Vancouver Canucks in consecutive games, general manager Paul Holmgren relieved Head Coach John Stevens from his duties and hired Peter Laviolette in his stead.[16]

The change behind the bench however only showed little immediate impact. The very first game for Laviolette saw his team being dominated by the Washington Capitals and Daniel Carcillo punching out Matt Bradley, for which Carcillo would be suspended for four games.[17] Up until Christmas break the team showed little improvement with a 2–7–1 stretch from Laviolettes installation on December 4 to December 21.

The team was also marred with injuries up until that point. Simon Gagne had to have hernia surgery and was sidelined for two months.[18] Blair Betts suffered a separated shoulder in early October and reinjured the shoulder a few games after his return in mid-November.[19] Danny Briere suffered a tweaked groin and also missed time due to a suspension and the flu.[20][21] The team also played hurt a lot. James van Riemsdyk suffered an injury to his pinky finger after being hit with a puck but did not miss any games for it. Ian Laperriere, on the other hand, was hit in the mouth with the puck on November 27 and would lose seven teeth but only miss one period of play.[22] Defenseman Kimmo Timonen also suffered a broken toe.[23]

The worst injury, however, was to goaltender Ray Emery, who suffered an abdominal tear and went out of the line-up in early December.[24] A short return came in late January but Emery re-injured and had to undergo hip-surgery ending his season in early March.[25] After continuing the slump with Boucher in net, the Flyers picked up Michael Leighton from re-entry waivers, who had fallen out of favor with the Carolina Hurricanes with a goals against average (GAA) above 4.00 and a save percentage below .850.[26] However, Leighton would turn his season around with the Flyers with an 8–0–1 record in ten consecutive starts after he had been picked up.[27] His season too would end early with a 16–5–2 record after suffering a high ankle sprain in a game against Nashville on March 16.[28][29]

An early season highlight was November 16, when Dave Schultz was inducted in the Flyers Hall of Fame.[30] Another honor was given to James van Riemsdyk, who was awarded Rookie of the Month for November 2009 by the NHL.[31] Throughout December, five Flyers were selected for the roster of their home country in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Mike Richards and Chris Pronger were picked for Canada and Kimmo Timonen was selected for Finland, while Oskars Bartulis and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen were chosen by Latvia and Norway, respectively, though Tollefsen would be traded to Detroit before the Olympics began.[32][33][34] Jeff Carter was later considered by Team Canada to join the squad in the event that Ryan Getzlaf is unable to play.[35] However, Getzlaf did participate in the tournament and Carter did not. Richards and Pronger would earn gold medals with Canada while Timonen gained a bronze medal with Finland.

The Flyers also played in the 2010 Winter Classic in Fenway Park against the Boston Bruins. Though they held the lead up until the last three minutes of the game, they would ultimately lose in overtime to a goal that had been contested by the Flyers as it appeared that the Bruins had too many men on the ice.[36]

Another controversy struck over a shorthanded goal by Simon Gagne in a 7–4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 7. The goal had not been given and, after video review, was not awarded, though video evidence shows the puck in the net. However, this angle had not been sent to the video review in Toronto by the FSN Pittsburgh broadcasting team and the call could no longer be overturned after the puck had been dropped. An internal investigation by FSN Pittsburgh as well as an investigation by the NHL followed and a producer, the son of former NHL player Lowell MacDonald, was suspended.[37][38]

For the first time since 1993, the Flyers stayed put during the 2010 NHL trade deadline period with no trades.[39] With only minor changes throughout the season, the team finished almost entirely unchanged from the way it started the season in terms of players. Only the waiver acquisition of Michael Leighton, the season-ending injury to Emery and the trade of Ole-Kristian Tollefsen for Ville Leino showed significant impact to the roster, besides usual promotions and demotions to or from the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms.

Another key injury knocked Jeff Carter out for five games as a fracture in his left foot halted his streak of consecutive games played at 286.[40] He returned for the last two games of the season.

The Flyers season ended in a dramatic fashion. Wins over the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs kept the playoff hopes alive, it came down to a home-and-home series with the New York Rangers to end the season. The Rangers were trying to clinch a playoff spot themselves and needed to win both games to do so. The Flyers lost the first game of that series at Madison Square Garden 4–3, though it was a hard-fought battle for both teams. This set up a "Win and you're in" situation for the second game at the Wachovia Center, with the winner advancing to the playoffs and the loser being eliminated. Jody Shelley scored early for the Rangers but New York could not extend that lead. The Flyers put continuous pressure on the Rangers with Henrik Lundqvist playing a stellar game to keep the Flyers off the board until Matt Carle put a rebound behind him halfway through the third period tying the game 1–1. Neither team scored again until the shootout, in which a goal by Claude Giroux forced Olli Jokinen to score to keep the Rangers playoff hopes alive. However, Brian Boucher made the crucial save and with that clinching the playoff spot for the Flyers and ending the Rangers' season.

Divisional standings

More information GP, W ...
Atlantic Division[41]
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 New Jersey Devils8248277222191103
2 Pittsburgh Penguins8247287257237101
3 Philadelphia Flyers824135623622588
4 New York Rangers8238331122221887
5 New York Islanders8234371122226479
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Conference standings

More information R, Div ...
Eastern Conference[42]
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 p – Washington CapitalsSE82541513318233121
2 y – New Jersey DevilsAT8248277222191103
3 y – Buffalo SabresNE82452710235207100
4 Pittsburgh PenguinsAT8247287257237101
5 Ottawa SenatorsNE824432622523894
6 Boston BruinsNE8239301320620091
7 Philadelphia FlyersAT824135623622588
8 Montreal CanadiensNE8239331021722388
8.5
9 New York RangersAT8238331122221887
10 Atlanta ThrashersSE8235341323425683
11 Carolina HurricanesSE8235371023025680
12 Tampa Bay LightningSE8234361221726080
13 New York IslandersAT8234371122226479
14 Florida PanthersSE8232371320824477
15 Toronto Maple LeafsNE8230381421426774
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bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and division)

AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

Playoffs

Eastern Conference quarterfinals

The Flyers drew their division rival New Jersey Devils for the opening round of the playoffs as the Devils clinched second place in the conference by defeating the Buffalo Sabres in their final game of the season. Buffalo would have been the Flyers' opponents had the Sabres managed to keep the Devils without a point from that game. The Flyers won five of six games against the Devils during the regular season. The Devils managed to secure the second seed going into the playoffs, thus guaranteeing them the home-ice advantage in the first round against the Flyers and potentially the second round if they get there.[43]

As the season series promised, the Flyers matched up well with the Devils and took Game 1 in a 2–1 decision at Prudential Center. The Flyers had shut out the Devils until there were only three minutes remaining in the game but could hold on to the lead to finish out the game.[44] An equally hard-fought game was the second in the series which the Devils took in a 5–3 victory.[45] With a split in New Jersey, the series turned to Philadelphia.

Game 3 saw an unlikely hero in Daniel Carcillo, who scored the 3–2 game winner 3:35 into overtime giving him his second point of the night in 7:11 of ice-time. He assisted on a goal by Mike Richards in the second period.[46] Game 4 at Wachovia Center saw the Flyers win the game 4–1 on a three-point night by Jeff Carter, who played with a screw inserted in his broken foot.[47] However, that win would prove costly, as Carter broke his other foot on the play for his second goal and Simon Gagne suffered a broken big toe in his right foot.[48]

This would set up situation similar to the 2000 Eastern Conference finals, in which the Flyers, on the strong play of Brian Boucher, took a 3–1 series lead over the Devils, only to see it melt away and lose in seven games.[49] However, history would not repeat itself. Boucher would earn his first playoff shutout in 10 years in a 3–0 decision in Game 5, eliminating the Devils.[50] This was the third consecutive time the Devils would exit the playoffs in the first round. Claude Giroux contributed to all three goals, assisting Danny Briere on a goal in the first period and scoring twice himself in the second. That win saw another injury though, as Ian Laperriere was hit in the face by a slapshot in a situation reminiscent of an incident earlier in the season, which cost him seven teeth. Laperriere was hit above the right eye and suffered a large gash across his eyebrow which reportedly required 50–70 stitches.[51][52]

The series was influenced strongly by the play of Mike Richards, who had four multi-point games in the series that lasted five games. However, the series was also marred with a large number of obstruction penalties called. In five games, there were 72 minor penalties and three game misconducts handed out for a total of 174 penalty minutes between both teams.

Eastern Conference semifinals

The Flyers would meet the Boston Bruins in the next round, who had dispatched the Buffalo Sabres in six games. The Bruins were noted in that series for being perfect on the penalty kill, negating all 19 chances the Sabres had in that series. However, due to the Flyers having started on the first day of the playoffs and their beating of the Devils in quick fashion, the Flyers had more than a week off. While this would provide some opportunity for their injured players to heal, the Flyers were notorious for not responding well to long rests during the regular season. This would show during Game 1 in the series, as the Flyers gave up the first goal less than three minutes into the game and leave the first period down 2–0. However, the Flyers would rally and tie the game at 4–4 in the second half of the third period on goals by Mike Richards and Danny Briere. This, however, would only set up the heroics of Marc Savard, who had returned from missing several weeks with a concussion.[53]

Game 2 was a similar story. The Bruins caught the early lead 5:12 into the game and while the Flyers were able to catch up twice, they could not take the lead and a goal by Milan Lucic with less than three minutes to go in the game would spell victory for the Bruins.[54] In the third game, the Flyers were finally able to take a lead with Arron Asham scoring only 2:32 into the game. The lead would not last long though, as Blake Wheeler and Miroslav Satan would answer in quick succession, 1:34 apart and less than two minutes after Asham's goal, to take the lead. The Flyers were unable to score again and with a lackluster third period by Philadelphia, the game ended in a 4–1 Bruins victory. During the game Mike Richards broke the arm of bruins center David Krejci in a large open ice hit, knocking Krejci out for the rest of the series.[55]

The Flyers were now on the brink of elimination down three games to none. However, on the upside, Simon Gagne returned for Game 4, which turned into a bizarre mirror version of the first game of the series. While the Flyers were able to take a big 3–1 lead, they saw it melt away on a few strange goals. The Flyers would retake the lead again, but Mark Recchi would tie it with 20 seconds left in the game. However, Gagne would put an end to it scoring at 14:40 in overtime to keep the Flyers alive and send the series back to Boston.[56] There the Flyers would dominate, shutting out the Bruins for a 4–0 victory to climb back into the series. However, the shutout was not held by a single goalie, as Brian Boucher would go down with injuries in both of his knees after Flyers defenseman Ryan Parent and Bruins forward Miroslav Satan fell on top of him. This would call Michael Leighton back into action, who had only just returned at that very game from a high-ankle sprain that had sidelined him since mid-March.[57]

Leighton's heroics would continue in Game 6 after making 14 saves in Game 5 to preserve the shutout Boucher had started. He would keep the Bruins off the scoreboard for 59 minutes until Milan Lucic scored and make 30 saves total. However, at that point, the Flyers would hold on to a 2–1 lead to send the series to a deciding Game 7 at TD Garden.[58]

Game 7 would play out very much like the series itself. The Bruins would jump to a 3–0 lead in the first period, with two from Milan Lucic. Two of the goals came on the power play due to infractions for high-sticking on Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere, respectively. This would prompt head coach Peter Laviolette to use up his timeout to rally the team. Shortly after, James van Riemsdyk, who had not registered a goal in the playoffs until that point, scored to make it 3–1. The second period was all Flyers, as Hartnell and Briere would redeem themselves by scoring a goal each to tie the game up at 3–3. Overall, the game was relatively low on penalties, with only six minors being called total, but the last one of those, a bench penalty for too many men, would come to haunt Boston, as Simon Gagne put the puck in the net for a 4–3 Flyers lead. The Flyers would be able to hold on to it and become only the third team in NHL history, the fourth team in the big four American professional sports leagues, to return from an 0–3 deficit of games to win that playoff series.[59]

Eastern Conference finals

The Flyers were matched up with the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference finals. This would be the first time the seventh and eighth seed would meet in a conference final. The Canadiens previously defeated the Presidents' Trophy winner Washington Capitals and the reigning Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins, each in seven-game series, largely on the strong play of goaltender Jaroslav Halak. The Flyers and Canadiens split their season series 2–2.

However, despite being evenly matched during the season, the Flyers took advantage of their momentum and opened the series completely dominating the Canadiens in a 6–0 shutout despite being outshot 28–25. Six different Flyers scored goals in that game.[60] While the Canadiens improved in Game 2, the story only repeated itself, as the Habs were shut-out again in a 3–0 decision.[61]

With this, the series would go to Montreal, where the tables would quickly turn. The Flyers had an overall poor effort in a 5–1 loss, especially by their top defense pairing of Chris Pronger and Matt Carle, who were both -3. The game also ended somewhat controversially, as the last goal was scored by Montreal on a 5-on-3 power play and Montreal decided to put their top powerplay unit on the ice, despite less than a minute to play.[62]

The Flyers reflected on their bad play and improved it. At the same time, Jeff Carter and Ian Laperriere, both missing at least ten games since the conference quarterfinals, would return to the line-up, providing reinforcements. Pronger and Carle bounced back and Claude Giroux had an outstanding night as the Flyers shut-out the Canadiens once again 3–0 in Game 4. This would make Michael Leighton the first Flyer goaltender to post three shutouts in one playoff series, tying an NHL record. The Flyers held the Canadiens to a single shot during the second period.[63]

With their backs against the wall, the Canadiens found themselves in a situation which they had already played in five times that post-season, winning all of their elimination games. The team showed their desperation as they scored less than a minute into Game 5. However, Flyers captain Mike Richards would answer the bell with a shorthanded goal four minutes later. In the second period, the Flyers would take the lead on goals by Arron Asham and Jeff Carter, which they carried into the third. There, however, Scott Gomez would profit off a misplay and cut the lead to one. This would set up a dangerous situation which would worsen, as Chris Pronger was called on a double-minor for high sticking halfway through the period. The Flyers would, however, kill the penalty off and Jeff Carter, with the help of Mike Richards, scored into the empty net to seal the deal at 4–2 after the Canadiens had pulled their goalie.[64]

This clinched the Flyers' first Stanley Cup Final berth since 1997 and the eighth in franchise history. It would also mark another run for the Cup for Chris Pronger, who returned to the Final for the third time since the NHL lockout, each time pushing a team that traded for him the previous off-season into the Final.

Stanley Cup Final

The Flyers celebrate Claude Giroux’s overtime goal in game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. It was the first Cup Final game the Flyers had won since game 6 of the 1987 Stanley Cup Final.

The Flyers met the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final. Chicago swept their Western Conference finals opponent San Jose Sharks 4–0 after dispatching the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks in six games each. The only regular season meeting between the two teams ended dramatically, as Chris Pronger scored the deciding goal for the 3–2 victory of the Flyers with less than three seconds left in regulation.[65]

In the finals, the Blackhawks defeated the Flyers in six games. Patrick Kane scoring the Game 6 overtime winning goal.

Schedule and results

Preseason

More information Game, Date ...
2009 preseason[66]
Preseason: 2–3–2 (home: 2–1–1; road: 0–2–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordRecap
1September 161–3@ Detroit Red WingsEmery15,1150–1–0L
2[a]September 170–4Toronto Maple LeafsBoucher9,0900–2–0L
3September 194–5 (OT)@ Toronto Maple LeafsBoucher18,6090–2–1OTL
4September 225–2Detroit Red WingsEmery18,0551–2–1W
5September 242–1 (OT)New Jersey DevilsEmery17,6502–2–1W
6September 260–1@ New Jersey DevilsBoucher11,1672–3–1L
7September 294–5 (SO)Minnesota WildBacklund17,3952–3–2OTL

Notes:
a Game played at John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario.[67]

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) OTL Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

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Regular season

More information Game, Date ...
2009–10 regular season[68]
October: 6–4–1, 13 points (home: 4–2–1; road: 2–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
1October 22–0@ Carolina HurricanesEmery18,6801–0–02W
2October 35–2@ New Jersey DevilsEmery17,6252–0–04W
3October 66–5 OTWashington CapitalsEmery19,5673–0–06W
4October 84–5Pittsburgh PenguinsEmery19,6113–1–06L
5October 102–3 SOAnaheim DucksEmery19,6033–1–17OTL
6October 162–4@ Florida PanthersEmery15,5573–2–17L
7October 224–3 SOBoston BruinsEmery19,3034–2–19W
8October 245–1Florida PanthersEmery19,0075–2–111W
9October 251–4San Jose SharksBoucher19,1265–3–111L
10October 272–4@ Washington CapitalsEmery18,2775–4–111L
11October 316–1Carolina HurricanesEmery19,0766–4–113W
November: 7–6–0, 14 points (home: 4–2–0; road: 3–4–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
12November 26–2Tampa Bay LightningEmery18,6677–4–115W
13November 65–2@ Buffalo SabresEmery18,5258–4–117W
14November 72–1 SOSt. Louis BluesEmery19,5429–4–119W
15November 125–1Ottawa SenatorsEmery19,32110–4–121W
16November 142–3Buffalo SabresEmery19,64110–5–121L
17November 163–2New Jersey DevilsEmery19,67311–5–123W
18November 183–2@ Los Angeles KingsBoucher17,82112–5–125W
19November 203–6@ San Jose SharksEmery17,56212–6–125L
20November 211–3@ Phoenix CoyotesEmery11,10612–7–125L
21November 234–5@ Colorado AvalancheBoucher13,28112–8–125L
22November 252–1@ New York IslandersBoucher12,68713–8–127W
23November 272–4Buffalo SabresEmery19,67313–9–127L
24November 280–1@ Atlanta ThrashersBoucher16,01813–10–127L
December: 6–8–1, 13 points (home: 1–5–1; road: 5–3–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
25December 30–3Vancouver CanucksBoucher18,89213–11–127L
26December 52–8Washington CapitalsEmery19,78913–12–127L
27December 71–3@ Montreal CanadiensBoucher21,27313–13–127L
28December 86–2New York IslandersBoucher19,33014–13–129W
29December 100–2Ottawa SenatorsBoucher19,70614–14–129L
30December 121–4@ New Jersey DevilsBoucher15,72414–15–129L
31December 143–1@ Boston BruinsBoucher17,56515–15–131W
32December 151–6@ Pittsburgh PenguinsBoucher17,08615–16–131L
33December 172–3 SOPittsburgh PenguinsBoucher19,68915–16–232OTL
34December 191–2New York RangersBoucher19,63715–17–232L
35December 211–4Florida PanthersBoucher19,32315–18–232L
36December 235–2@ Tampa Bay LightningLeighton16,17716–18–234W
37December 264–3 SO@ Carolina HurricanesLeighton16,28817–18–236W
38December 272–1@ New York IslandersLeighton12,81918–18–238W
39December 306–0@ New York RangersLeighton18,20019–18–240W
January: 8–5–1, 17 points (home: 7–2–0; road: 1–3–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
40[b]January 11–2 OT@ Boston BruinsLeighton38,11219–18–341OTL
41January 34–7@ Ottawa SenatorsBoucher17,15319–19–341L
42January 66–2Toronto Maple LeafsLeighton19,61720–19–343W
43January 77–4@ Pittsburgh PenguinsLeighton17,09521–19–345W
44January 94–1Tampa Bay LightningLeighton19,67822–19–347W
45January 126–3Dallas StarsLeighton19,13323–19–349W
46January 140–4@ Toronto Maple LeafsLeighton19,37023–20–349L
47January 173–5@ Washington CapitalsEmery18,27723–21–349L
48January 195–3Columbus Blue JacketsEmery19,12624–21–351W
49January 212–0New York RangersEmery19,63125–21–353W
50January 234–2Carolina HurricanesEmery19,73226–21–355W
51January 241–2Pittsburgh PenguinsEmery19,79826–22–355L
52January 283–4Atlanta ThrashersEmery19,61126–23–355L
53January 302–1New York IslandersEmery19,78727–23–357W

Notes:
b 2010 NHL Winter Classic played at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

February: 5–2–0, 10 points (home: 2–0–0; road: 3–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
54February 13–0@ Calgary FlamesEmery19,28928–23–359W
55February 30–1@ Edmonton OilersLeighton16,83928–24–359L
56February 61–2@ Minnesota WildLeighton18,64028–25–359L
57February 83–2New Jersey DevilsLeighton19,67829–25–361W
58February 103–2 OT@ New Jersey DevilsLeighton5,58030–25–363W
59February 123–2Montreal CanadiensLeighton19,80331–25–365W
60February 136–2@ Montreal CanadiensLeighton21,27332–25–367W
March: 6–7–3, 15 points (home: 4–2–1; road: 2–5–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
61March 27–2@ Tampa Bay LightningLeighton17,81233–25–369W
62March 34–7@ Florida PanthersBoucher15,87833–26–369L
63March 52–3 OT@ Buffalo SabresLeighton18,69033–26–470OTL
64March 73–1Toronto Maple LeafsLeighton19,63234–26–472W
65March 93–2New York IslandersLeighton19,68735–26–474W
66March 111–5Boston BruinsLeighton19,67335–27–474L
67March 133–2Chicago BlackhawksLeighton19,85836–27–476W
68March 141–3@ New York RangersLeighton18,20036–28–476L
69March 163–4 SO@ Nashville PredatorsBoucher16,58536–28–577OTL
70March 183–2@ Dallas StarsBoucher17,52937–28–579W
71March 202–5@ Atlanta ThrashersBoucher17,02437–29–579L
72March 211–3Atlanta ThrashersBoucher19,57537–30–579L
73March 230–2@ Ottawa SenatorsBoucher19,20937–31–579L
74March 253–4 OTMinnesota WildBoucher19,71637–31–680OTL
75March 271–4@ Pittsburgh PenguinsBacklund17,13237–32–680L
76March 285–1New Jersey DevilsBoucher19,76938–32–682W
April: 3–3–0, 6 points (home: 2–1–0; road: 1–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
77April 14–6@ New York IslandersBoucher11,82338–33–682L
78April 20–1Montreal CanadiensBoucher19,80138–34–682L
79April 44–3Detroit Red WingsBoucher19,59639–34–684W
80April 62–0@ Toronto Maple LeafsBoucher19,36640–34–686W
81April 93–4@ New York RangersBoucher18,20040–35–686L
82April 112–1 SONew York RangersBoucher19,88941–35–688W

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) OTL Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

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Playoffs

More information 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
2010 Stanley Cup playoffs[68]
Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs. New Jersey Devils – Flyers win 4–1
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 142–1@ New Jersey DevilsBoucher17,625Flyers lead 1–0W
2April 163–5@ New Jersey DevilsBoucher17,625Series tied 1–1L
3April 183–2 OTNew Jersey DevilsBoucher19,957Flyers lead 2–1W
4April 204–1New Jersey DevilsBoucher19,709Flyers lead 3–1W
5April 223–0@ New Jersey DevilsBoucher17,625Flyers win 4–1W
Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Boston Bruins – Flyers win 4–3
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1May 14–5 OT@ Boston BruinsBoucher17,565Bruins lead 1–0L
2May 32–3@ Boston BruinsBoucher17,565Bruins lead 2–0L
3May 51–4Boston BruinsBoucher19,688Bruins lead 3–0L
4May 75–4 OTBoston BruinsBoucher19,702Bruins lead 3–1W
5May 104–0@ Boston BruinsBoucher17,565Bruins lead 3–2W
6May 122–1Boston BruinsLeighton19,929Series tied 3–3W
7May 144–3@ Boston BruinsLeighton17,565Flyers win 4–3W
Eastern Conference finals vs. Montreal Canadiens – Flyers win 4–1
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1May 166–0Montreal CanadiensLeighton19,927Flyers lead 1–0W
2May 183–0Montreal CanadiensLeighton19,907Flyers lead 2–0W
3May 201–5@ Montreal CanadiensLeighton21,273Flyers lead 2–1L
4May 223–0@ Montreal CanadiensLeighton21,273Flyers lead 3–1W
5May 244–2Montreal CanadiensLeighton19,986Flyers win 4–1W
Stanley Cup Final vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Blackhawks win 4–2
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1May 295–6@ Chicago BlackhawksBoucher22,312Blackhawks lead 1–0L
2May 311–2@ Chicago BlackhawksLeighton22,275Blackhawks lead 2–0L
3June 24–3 OTChicago BlackhawksLeighton20,297Blackhawks lead 2–1W
4June 45–3Chicago BlackhawksLeighton20,304Series tied 2–2W
5June 64–7@ Chicago BlackhawksBoucher22,305Blackhawks lead 3–2L
6June 93–4 OTChicago BlackhawksLeighton20,327Blackhawks win 4–2L

Legend: W Win L Loss

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Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
18Mike RichardsC82313162−2792371623−118
17Jeff CarterC7433286123812527−52
20Chris ProngerD8210455522792341418536
48Danny BriereC75262753−27123121830916
28Claude GirouxRW82163147−9232310112174
19Scott HartnellLW81143044−6155238917425
12Simon GagneLW58172340−147199312−20
44Kimmo TimonenD8263339−2502311011620
21James van RiemsdykLW78152035−13021336−44
25Matt CarleD80629351916231121368
45Arron AshamRW72101424−212623437410
13Daniel CarcilloLW76121022520717246134
14Ian LaperriereRW8231720−116213011−36
5Braydon CoburnD8151419−65423134−222
11Blair BettsC638101871423112−44
36Darroll PoweC63961505423011−26
3Oskars BartulisD53189−12287000−14
22Ville Leino†LW13224241971421106
27Mika PyoralaC36224−310——————
26Danny SyvretD21224112——————
9David LaliberteRW1121316100002
77Ryan ParentD48123−142017101−22
2Lukas Krajicek†D27112−10142203308
37Jon KalinskiC10022−20——————
55Ole-Kristian Tollefsen‡D18022123——————
33Brian BoucherG330112120002
29Ray EmeryG290112——————
49Michael Leighton†G270110140002
15Andreas NodlRW10011−2010000−10
30Johan BacklundG1000010000
32Riley CoteLW15000024——————
35Jeremy DuchesneG10000——————
42Jared RossC3000−10300000
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Goaltending

  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP GS W L OT SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP GS W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
29Ray Emery292916111783742.64.90531,684——————————
49Michael Leighton†27261652735602.48.91811,449141383371312.46.9163757
33Brian Boucher33269183796802.76.89911,742121066298272.47.9091656
30Johan Backlund110102423.00.9170401000000.00—01
35Jeremy Duchesne10000413.59.750017——————————
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League NHL Rookie of the Month James van Riemsdyk (December 2) [31]
NHL Second Star of the Week Michael Leighton (February 15) [69]
NHL Third Star of the Week Chris Pronger (November 9) [70]
Team Barry Ashbee Trophy Chris Pronger [71]
Bobby Clarke Trophy Chris Pronger [71]
Gene Hart Memorial Award Ian Laperriere [71]
Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy Matt Carle [71]
Toyota Cup Mike Richards [71]
Yanick Dupre Memorial Class Guy Award Ian Laperriere [71]
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Records

See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers records

Among the team records set during the 2009–10 season was three franchise single period records tied during the second period of the home opener on October 6. Mike Richards scored three goals and defenseman Matt Carle picked up four assists (also tying the single period points record).[72][73][74] Eight months later Carle would tie the team record for assists in a playoff game (4) in game four of the team's conference semifinals series against the Boston Bruins.[75] During the conference finals against the Montreal Canadiens, goaltender Michael Leighton tied an NHL single playoff series record with three shutouts.[76] During the 2010 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks, Danny Briere set a team record with nine assists in the series.[77]

The Flyers set a number of team single playoff year records during their run to the Stanley Cup Final. Briere set a new playoff team record for points (30) and tied the high mark for game-winning goals (4).[78][79] Chris Pronger’s 18 points and three powerplay goals tied the team records for defensemen.[80][81] Ville Leino tied the NHL records for most assists by a rookie (14) and most points by a rookie (21).[82][83] The Flyers tied franchise playoff highs for most home wins (9) and most shutouts (5) while setting new marks for most road losses (7) and most powerplay goals (23).[84][85][86]

Milestones

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Mika Pyorala October 2, 2009 [87]
James van Riemsdyk
David Laliberte October 31, 2009
Oskars Bartulis November 12, 2009
Johan Backlund March 27, 2010
Jeremy Duchesne April 1, 2010
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Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from June 13, 2009, the day after the deciding game of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final, through June 9, 2010, the day of the deciding game of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.[88]

Trades

More information Date, Details ...
Date Details Ref
June 26, 2009 (2009-06-26) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Anaheim Ducks
[13]
September 23, 2009 (2009-09-23) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • Future considerations
 To Nashville Predators
[89]
October 20, 2009 (2009-10-20) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Mike Ratchuk
 [90]
February 6, 2010 (2010-02-06) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Detroit Red Wings
[34]
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Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerFormer teamTermViaRef
July 1, 2009 (2009-07-01) Brian BoucherSan Jose Sharks2-yearFree agency[6]
Ian LaperriereColorado Avalanche3-yearFree agency[6]
July 23, 2009 (2009-07-23) Lukas KasparSan Jose Sharks1-yearFree agency[91]
Krys KolanosMinnesota Wild1-yearFree agency[91]
Joey MorminaPittsburgh Penguins1-yearFree agency[91]
Mika PyoralaTimra IK (SHL)1-yearFree agency[91]
Jason WardTampa Bay Lightning1-yearFree agency[91]
July 30, 2009 (2009-07-30) Ole-Kristian TollefsenColumbus Blue Jackets1-yearFree agency[92]
September 21, 2009 (2009-09-21) Tyler HostetterErie Otters (OHL)3-yearFree agency[93]
October 1, 2009 (2009-10-01) Blair BettsNew York Rangers1-yearFree agency[94]
December 15, 2009 (2009-12-15) Michael LeightonCarolina HurricanesRe-entry waivers[26]
January 31, 2010 (2010-01-31) Lukas KrajicekTampa Bay Lightning1-yearFree agency[95]
March 4, 2010 (2010-03-04) Shane HarperEverett Silvertips (WHL)3-yearFree agency[96]
Luke PitherBelleville Bulls (OHL)3-yearFree agency[96]
March 17, 2010 (2010-03-17) Ben HolmstromUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell (HE)2-yearFree agency[97]
March 19, 2010 (2010-03-19) Mike TestwuideColorado College (WCHA)2-yearFree agency[98]
March 31, 2010 (2010-03-31) Erik GustafssonNorthern Michigan University (CCHA)3-yearFree agency[99]
April 2, 2010 (2010-04-02) Sebastien CaronHC Fribourg-Gotteron (NLA)1-year[b]Free agency[100]
May 6, 2010 (2010-05-06) Sergei BobrovskyMetallurg Novokuznetsk (KHL)3-yearFree agency[101]
Andrew RoweMichigan State University (CCHA)2-yearFree agency[101]
Brian StewartNorthern Michigan University (CCHA)1-yearFree agency[101]
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Players lost

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerNew teamVia[c]Ref
June 15, 2009 (2009-06-15) Derian HatcherRetirement (III)[10]
June 24, 2009 (2009-06-24) Lasse KukkonenAvangard Omsk (KHL)Free agency (III)[103]
July 1, 2009 (2009-07-01) Mike KnubleWashington CapitalsFree agency (III)[9]
July 2, 2009 (2009-07-02) Scott MunroeNew York IslandersFree agency (III)[104]
July 3, 2009 (2009-07-03) Nate GueninPittsburgh PenguinsFree agency (VI)[105]
July 6, 2009 (2009-07-06) Nate RadunsSG Pontebba (Serie A)Free agency (UFA)[106]
July 10, 2009 (2009-07-10) Antero NiittymakiTampa Bay LightningFree agency (III)[8]
July 11, 2009 (2009-07-11) Boyd KaneWashington CapitalsFree agency (III)[107]
July 15, 2009 (2009-07-15) Andrew AlbertsCarolina HurricanesFree agency (III)[108]
July 22, 2009 (2009-07-22) Martin BironNew York IslandersFree agency (III)[7]
July 23, 2009 (2009-07-23) Jean-Sebastien AubinDEG Metro Stars (DEL)Free agency (III)[109]
July 30, 2009 (2009-07-30) Josh GrattonAtlanta ThrashersFree agency (UFA)[110]
October 29, 2009 (2009-10-29) Randy JonesLos Angeles KingsRe-entry waivers[111]
November 3, 2009 (2009-11-03) Lukas KasparKarpat (Liiga)[d]Release[113]
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTermContract typeRef
July 7, 2009 (2009-07-07) Chris Pronger7-yearExtension[114]
July 24, 2009 (2009-07-24) Marc-Andre Bourdon3-yearEntry-level[115]
August 11, 2009 (2009-08-11) Zac Rinaldo3-yearEntry-level[116]
Danny Syvret1-yearRe-signing[116]
December 2, 2009 (2009-12-02) Oskars Bartulis3-yearExtension[117]
February 11, 2010 (2010-02-11) Blair Betts2-yearExtension[118]
March 4, 2010 (2010-03-04) Eric Wellwood3-yearEntry-level[96]
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Draft picks

See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 2009 NHL entry draft, which was held at Bell Centre in Montreal on June 26–27, 2009.[119] The Flyers traded their 2009, 21st overall, and 2010 first-round picks, Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa and a conditional 2010 or 2011 third-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for Ryan Dingle and Chris Pronger on June 26, 2009.[120] They also traded their originally allotted second, third, fourth, and seventh-round picks in four separate trades.[120]

More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Player Position Nationality Team (league) Notes
3 81 Adam Morrison Goaltender  Canada Saskatoon Blades (WHL) [e]
87 Simon Bertilsson Defense  Sweden Brynas IF (Elitserien) [f]
5 142 Nicola Riopel Goaltender  Canada Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
6 153 Dave Labrecque Center  Canada Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) [g]
172 Eric Wellwood Left wing  Canada Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
7 196 Oliver Lauridsen Defense  Denmark St. Cloud State University (WCHA) [h]
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Farm teams

American Hockey League – Adirondack Phantoms[121][122] (Standings)

The Flyers' AHL affiliate team is now the Adirondack Phantoms in Glens Falls, New York for the 2009–10 season. The Phantoms relocated from Philadelphia due to the demolition of the Wachovia Spectrum.

ECHL – Kalamazoo Wings[123] (Standings)
International Hockey League – Quad City Mallards[124]

Notes

  1. [a]
    The Ducks would have received their choice of either the 2010 or 2011 third-round pick if the Flyers won the Stanley Cup in 2010; condition not satisfied.
  2. [b]
    Signed for the remainder of the regular season.
  3. [c]
    In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[102]
  4. [d]
    Kaspar signed with Karpat on November 4.[112]
  5. [e]
    The Flyers traded Jim Vandermeer to the Calgary Flames for the Flames' third-round pick, 81st overall, on February 20, 2008.[120]
  6. [f]
    The Flyers traded the Tampa Bay Lightning's fourth-round pick, 93rd overall, Steve Downie, Steve Eminger to Tampa Bay for the San Jose Sharks' third-round pick, 87th overall and Matt Carle on November 7, 2008.[120]
  7. [g]
    The Flyers traded Janne Niskala to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Lightning's sixth-round pick, 153rd overall, on June 30, 2008.[120]
  8. [h]
    The Flyers traded their 2008 seventh-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for the Ducks' seventh-round pick, 196th overall, on June 21, 2008.[120]

References

External links

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