Irishjim Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 With a huge overhaul of the Flyers roster from the 2010-11 season that saw the Flyers part ways with nine members of the team that took to the ice in their 2011 Stanley Cup Playoff run, Flyers fans, coaches and management knew there would be opportunity for a couple fresh new faces to earn a job with the Flyers.NUMBER OF NHL GAMES PLAYED BY ROOKIESTOP 5 TEAMS:346 - Philadelphia Flyers277 - Ottawa Senators 265 - Minnesota Wild 246 - Nashville Predators209 - Buffalo Sabres BOTTOM 5 TEAMS:31 - St. Louis Blues42 - Phoenix Coyotes43 - Pittsburgh Penguins45 - Winnipeg Jets58 - Boston Bruins SCHEDULE & RESULTS FOLLOW: @NHLFlyers But who knew it would be this many? And who knew they would make this much of an impact and fill key roles on team hit with injuries.“I’ve never been in a situation where there have been this many rookies available every game," said Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette. "There’s lots of reasons why a team has success, but certainly they are a contributing factor. Where we’re at right now, they’ve all been given roles and what we expect of them, they’ve done a really nice job.”Flyers defenseman Brandon Manningis the latest proof of that. Manning's NHL debut last night saw him record nearly 15 minutes of ice-time on the blueline (14:59). The 21-year-old, who had received his first NHL recall less than 24 hours earlier, took 18 shifts, including one on the power-play and posted three shots on net."When I get an opportunity, I want to jump in there," said Manning after his debut. "It's part of my game. [That's what] I want [do] to contribute to the game."According to Laviolette. Manning did that, and then some."He moved the puck, he generated some offense and defensively he held his own out there. Coming in for the first time is never an easy thing and I thought he did a terrific job. Played regular shifts, regular minutes and he looked good out there doing it.”Not only did last night's game feature seven rookies, but three of the five goals, including the game-winner, were all scored by the freshmen core.Following last night's NHL schedule, Matt Read's 19 goals leads all NHL rookies, while also ranking fourth among rookies in overall scoring with 39 points.Sean Couturier is second among Flyers rookies with 22 points (11G-11A) and his defensive talents have earned him a plus-minus rating of plus-16, good enough for third among all NHL rookies.Read and Couturier were even recognized by the NHL by earning a trip to All-Star weekend after being named to the group of 12 rookies chosen to participate in the Skills Competition and other festivities. However, contributions aren't just coming from Read or Couturier. The Flyers have had six rookies make their NHL debut this season and double that amount to play in a game so far.Eric Wellwood has come in and recorded three goals and five points in just eight games, while producing a plus-7 rating.Wellwood joins Couturier, Read, Manning, Brayden Schenn, Zac Rinaldo, Tom Sestito, Marc-Andre Bourdon, Kevin Marshall, Harry Zolnierczyk, Ben Holmstrom andErik Gustafsson who have all made an impact, not only on the ice, but with their veteran teammates as well.The Flyers rookies have accounted for 49 of the team's 216 goals (22.7%), which leads all other NHL teams. They also lead the NHL with most games played by rookies (346) by nearly 70 games, with the closest the Ottawa Senators at 277. The Flyers record for most games played is 480 set during the 1968-69 season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedZep Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Interesting that 3 of the top 5 are in the playoff mix.And why do I find it hilarious that the Sabres are not one of them? Poor B Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radoran Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Interesting that 3 of the top 5 are in the playoff mix.And why do I find it hilarious that the Sabres are not one of them? Poor B Rick.Sabres are certainly still in the hunt.(Said as a 78-game-a-year Sabres fan...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanflyer Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 @IrishjimThe Flyers are currently on pace for a 105 point season. At what point does Lavi's name get mentioned as a Jack Adams candidate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doom88 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 @IrishjimThe Flyers are currently on pace for a 105 point season. At what point does Lavi's name get mentioned as a Jack Adams candidate?Agreed, his name should be in the hat, but I'm thinking Hitch. Maybe Torts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishjim Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Agreed, his name should be in the hat, but I'm thinking Hitch. Maybe Torts.imagine what are points would be if our goalie wasn't studying the universe for 2.5 months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyS Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Most of thetop AND bottom 5 are playof teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyS Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 @IrishjimThe Flyers are currently on pace for a 105 point season. At what point does Lavi's name get mentioned as a Jack Adams candidate?If they considered the overhaul of the team, he'd get more consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanflyer Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 @doom88Agree with both Hitch and Torts (probably Hitch more because St Louis was in such disarray when he arrived). If Florida can hit 90 points, you would have to look at dineen as well (since Florida was last in the Conference last year). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 (edited) @IrishjimThe Flyers are currently on pace for a 105 point season. At what point does Lavi's name get mentioned as a Jack Adams candidate?I got to believe Hitch has that locked down...with his turn around of the Blues.Edit: Also leading the NHL did i mention, hard to argue with that. Edited March 11, 2012 by OccamsRazor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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