AGRI Biz

Pride, determination, hustle, toughness, skill, and loyaltyùjust a few of the characteristics that make up what it takes to be a Philadelphia Flyer. When you talk all-time rosters, the Flyers boast one of the most impressive lineups in NHL history. Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Brian Propp, Ron Hextall, Eric Desjardins, Eric Lindros, Bernie Parent, and Mark Howe are just a few examples of the tremendous amount of talent the ...

NHL GMs are huddling in Toronto this week to discuss a number of rule, equipment, and schedule issues. Among them are the goalieÆs trapezoid, which the GMs have agreed to keep in place.Fact is, the trapezoid has done more harm than good. Once upon a time, NHL goalies were able to roam freely outside of their crease and, if their skills allowed, were able to use their stick-handling skills to ...

Written By: Mark ôThe Hard Hitterö Ritter Acquired from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for the Toronto Maple Leafs' third-round pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft, Jamal Mayers has, for the most part, been invisible for the Leafs. Through 76 career games with the Leafs, Mayers has registered seven goals and ten assists, good enough for 17 points. To be fair, Mayers was not acquired ...

Written By: Mark ôThe Hard Hitterö Ritter No doubt about it, after studying the NHLÆs 2009-10 regular season schedule, one can come to only one conclusion, the guy that made it up needs a helmet, and itÆs not to protect himself from wayward pucks! Trying to come up with a balanced schedule in an Olympic year has to be tough. Essentially, the NHL's regular season is shortened ...

Written By: Mark ôThe Hard Hitterö Ritter The Hart Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in NHL history. It is awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team and, if you are lucky enough to receive the coveted Hart, it all but guarantees a player being inducted into the NHLÆs Hockey Hall of Fame. Originally awarded after the 1923-'24 season, only seven defensemen have won the Hart: ...

Don’t look now, but with points in each of their last seven games, the Leafs, dare I say, are hot. Goaltender Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson is a big reason for the turnaround, but a lot of credit has to go to head coach Ron Wilson, who, in the face of adversity, kept this squad from going off the deep end. Nice job coach, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea ...

For many NHL general managers, free agency is akin to Christmas. This summer was no exception, question is, did NHL GMÆs get what they asked for or did Santa pull a fast one and leave a knock-off in their stockings? To be fair, we are just 15 games (For many NHL teams) into the 2009-10 NHL season, that said, some key free agent signings are under performing, which ...

Written By: Mark ôThe Hard Hitterö Ritter Throughout the years, there has not been very many NHL franchises that could boast the quality lineups that the Philadelphia Flyers has put out on the ice. Year after year, decade after decade, the Flyers were able to find a few diamonds in the rough, more than their fair share of franchise players and a few Hall of Fame inductees ...

Written By: Mark ôThe Hard Hitterö Ritter On most nights, knowing you have to play in Buffalo is enough to make NHL players sick. For the Philadelphia Flyers, the situation was made worse as the Flyers have more than half the roster suffering from the flu. To further complicate matters, Simon Gagne, Daniel Briere, and Ryan Parent were all out with injuries, so it was imperative that ...

In 1979, after years of resistance by NHL players, the NHL made helmets mandatory forá players entering the league. Veteran players that were currently helmet-less would be allowed to let their locks fly if they chose, but the goal was to have all players wearing helmets within five to 10 years. Players like Guy Lafleur, Ron Duguay, Brad Marsh and many others refused to get on-board with ...