Flyers Phenomenal Run

Well, it is the day after the day after the Flyers were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Finals.

I did want to take a little bit of time to let the disappointment sink in and start to drift away before writing about the last two months and the future and not let the emotion cloud the judgement.

As I have told a lot of people over the last few months, the thing I miss most about not being in baseball this season is the daily rhythm of being around a team and the ups and downs that a long minor league season brings.

For me, going through the daily grind of a playoff run for the first time in 15 years was just as much fun as watching the games. I haven't had the opportunity to do so since becoming a baseball broadcaster and I thoroughly enjoyed it and reveled in it.

I couldn't wait to get up in the morning and read the paper, whether it was after a win or a loss.

The emotional swings after a loss were fun to go through and the nerves watching each game were also something I enjoyed experiencing. I don't think there is anything more nerve wracking from a fan standpoint than watching playoff hockey, especially in a one-goal game in the third period or in overtime, where one play decides the game and could tilt the series.

As far as the actual hockey is concerned, I don't think the league or NBC could have asked for anything better than what they got for six games...four games decided by a goal, two in overtime, up and down hockey with brilliant goals and brilliant goaltending plus a mostly clean, physical brand of play with some big big hits. Hopefully, it was enough to convert some of the casual fans into more serious and passionate fans and turn some novices onto the game.

The Flyers have some decisions to make as they get ready for next season and the most important one is between the pipes.

I cannot see them investing in multiple years at big dollars in Michael Leighton. No doubt, he was a great story and rescued them during the regular season and again for most of the playoffs but I just don't think he is the number one netminder that you build around to win a Cup. He would make a hell of a backup and injury replacement but the Flyers have to find themselves a legitimate number one goalie who is good enough to overcome sluggish play and make the saves necessary to steal games and series and win the silver chalice.

I would also expect them to go find another defenseman or two, what a disappointment Ryan Parent was during the playoffs, and maybe even another goal scorer. JVR should be better next season, as should Claude Giroux and if Ville Leino is anywhere close to what he was during the playoffs, they'll have a real find. What to do with Scott Hartnell is a decision they will have to make, as well. Is he the guy who was a force in the last two and a half rounds of the playoffs or the guy who was invisible and borderline useless during the regular season?

No doubt some tough decisions lie ahead for Paul Holmgren but it sure was a hell of a ride and even more fun to be a part of it for the first time in 15 years!!!