The Flyers started this season with higher expectations than most, having won the offseason in many analysts' minds with the additions of bruising defenseman Chris Pronger and goaltender Ray Emery.
Then the season started and Philadelphia began underperforming almost immediately out of the gate.
For long stretches of the season there were questions aplenty as to whether or not the Flyers would miss the playoffs entirely. There was speculation of fighting in the locker room and there was obviously tension between the Flyers' players and the Philly sports media.
The pressure came to a head when team captain Mike Richards refused to talk to reporters after several games following some unflattering press in the wake of the offseason trade of Joffrey Lupul that brought Pronger to town.
To make matters worse, Emery went down for the season, needing surgery to repair his right hip. Backup goaltender Michael Leighton came on strong for Philly in Emery's absence, until he too went down with a severe ankle injury.
Still carrying the weight of offseason expectations, the Flyers limped their way into the end of the regular season.&nb ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Hunter McDowell
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