head coach: Wayne Cashman

roster: C - Eric Lindros, Chris Gratton, Dan LaCroix, Joel Otto. LW - Rod Brind'Amour, Colin Forbes, Dan Kordic, John LeClair, Brantt Myhres, Shjon Podein. RW - Alexandre Daigle, Trent Klatt, Dainius Zubrus. D - Paul Coffey, Eric Desjardins, Chris Joseph, Janne Niinimaa, Luke Richardson, Kjell Samuelsson, Petr Svoboda, Chris Therien. G - Ron Hextall, Garth Snow.

injuries: None.

transactions: Traded Vaclav Prospal, c, Pat Falloon, rw, and a second-round pick in 1998 to Ottawa in exchange for Alexandre Daigle, rw. Assigned John Druce, rw, to Philadelphia of the AHL.

standings:

Eastern Conference - Atlantic Division   
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   
New Jersey   50  31  15   4    66  148  102
Philadelphia 48  27  12   9    63  144  104
Washington   50  25  17   8    58  142  127
NY Rangers   50  16  21  13    45  127  137
Florida      51  15  25  11    41  125  149
NY Islanders 50  16  27   7    39  127  145
Tampa Bay    49   9  32   8    26   87  160

game results:

01/14 Montreal        T 3-3
01/20 Buffalo         W 3-0
01/22 at NY Rangers   W 4-3
01/24 at Detroit      L 1-0
01/26 NY Islanders    W 3-1

team news:

by Eric Meyer, Philadelphia Correspondent

New Addition

Let me reiterate what I already said in the latest edition of LCS Hockey "Web Extra", Philadelphia GM Bobby Clarke has held to his word so far this season. The Flyers have not traded for a goalie and they have not yet parted with either Rod Brind'Amour, Janne Niinimaa or Dainius Zubrus.

That being said, the Flyers, still in need of a speedy right wing with scoring potential, made a deal over All-Star weekend, sending young center Vaclav "Vinnie" Prospal, right wing Pat Falloon and a second-round pick in the 1998 NHL entry draft to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for right wing Alexandre Daigle.

Prospal, who is still considered a rookie, had five goals and 18 points in 41 games and was last on the Flyers in plus-minus at minus-10 at the time of the trade. He was Philadelphia's second-round choice in 1993.

Falloon, on the other hand, has never really lived up to expectations since coming to the Flyers in a trade with San Jose in 1995. Expected to fill the scoring and speed void that young Daigle is going to be asked to fill now, Falloon has often faltered on the ice, often getting goals in streaks, but more often than not, finding his way into the coach's dog house, as was the case last season under Terry Murray. Falloon was designated a healthy scratch on many occasions last year. Injuries have also plagued Falloon. Be they abdominal strains or leg injuries, Falloon has missed his share of action.

Daigle arrived in Philadelphia with seven goals and 16 points in 38 games this season. He had 26 goals and 51 points last season to help Ottawa make the playoffs for the first time and has career totals of 74 goals and 172 points in 301 games.

The big speculations was where would Daigle fit in? Would he be on a re-vamped first line with Eric Lindros and John LeClair? Well, no, because head coach Wayne Cashman is in no rush to reunite his two big guns back on the first line. That left Daigle to be inserted on the second line with John LeClair on the left side and Chris Gratton in the middle.

So How About These New Look Flyers?

Well, for Daigle, just one point (an assist) in four games in orange and black, assisting Eric Lindros on the power play in his first game as a Flyer against the Buffalo Sabres. However; since the arrival of the speedy Daigle, the Flyers have lost just one game since the All-Star Break, a 1-0 Stanley Cup rematch with the Detroit Red Wings in the Motor City.

But How Have They Looked?

Maybe my vision is a bit clouded, having just sat through a very slow game against the New York Islanders at CoreStates, where the Flyers looked tired and uninspired for two periods before picking up their play in the final frame to seal the deal for a 3-1 win. That being said, the Flyers, offensively that is, haven't looked all that impressive recently. Yes, they put up a nice showing against the Rangers in MSG, but the shutout in Detroit and a lackluster performance against the Isles leaves some questions to be answered.

What of this third line of Shjon Podein - Dainius Zubrus - Colin Forbes? Podein plays with a lot of grit, Colin Forbes complements a big line, and Dainius Zubrus is a playmaker. So why do the three of them play together? When this third line hits the ice, more often than not, the play appears to be concentrated in the neutral zone. Against the Isles, New York was able to generate some quality scoring chances with the Podein - Zubrus - Forbes line on the ice.

What of the second line? LeClair is still as solid as ever. Chris Gratton; however, often looks like he skates with lead in his feet. His physical play is up, but his goal-scoring skills still need some development on the second line.

Didn't We Trade Falloon...

Finally we have the new addition: Alexandre Daigle. Could it be that he has a case of Pat Falloon Syndrome? The newcomer has had numerous chances to notch his first goal, but has been unable to convert golden opportunities. Against the Rangers at MSG, Daigle was left alone for a wrap-around but an open net was quickly swallowed up as Daigle's shot was turn aside by the extended stick of Ranger goaltender Mike Richter. Against the Islanders, on the power play, Daigle was fed a pass all alone on the right post. After putting a nice move on goalie Tommy Salo, Daigle fed a back-hander wide of the empty net.

Let's Not Forget The Milestones

Two such events took place in the Flyers 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders at CoreStates. First of all, John LeClair's assist of Eric Lindros' first goal of the game (22nd of the year) was his 300th point as a Flyer. Rod Brind'Amour's assist on Eric Lindros' second goal of the game (23rd of the year) was his 600th career point.

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