Flyers Notes: Flyers' Gagne could return to lineup

Flyers left winger Simon Gagne is healing nicely from a broken toe and could resume skating as early as Friday, general manager Paul Holmgren said after watching the team go through a crisp practice in Voorhees on Monday.

Gagne broke his toe blocking a shot with his right skate against New Jersey a week ago, and the original prognosis was that he would be sidelined for three weeks.

But if Friday's MRI shows that healing is taking place, Gagne could resume skating and return much sooner. Holmgren said it "would really be a stretch" that he would be able to play in the second game of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Game 3, however, is not out of the question.

From talking with the doctors and trainer Jim McCrossin, Holmgren said he doesn't think there's any risk that Gagne could cause further injury.

"It comes down to A, seeing a little bit of healing in there, and B, Simon dealing with the pain," Holmgren said.

Gagne, leaning on crutches in the locker room, said he was "feeling pretty good. I think the worst is behind after the surgery. Hopefully, I'm a quick healer."

Right winger Ian Laperriere, who was hit with a slap shot above his right eye and needed 60 to 70 stitches Thursday, was held out of Monday's practice. But Holmgren said he expects him to be ready for Game 1 of the conference semifinals.

"We'll continue to monitor him, and we'll see how he is" on Tuesday, Holmgren said.

Holmgren said a piece of the puck caught Laperriere's right eye and that he "doesn't feel exactly right. Our doctors aren't real concerned about that, but because we have some time here, we can take our time with him and make sure we're doing the right thing."

When Laperriere returns, he will be wearing a shield to protect his face. That will leave Pronger, Dan Carcillo, Arron Asham and Riley Cote as the only shield-less Flyers.

Goalie Michael Leighton practiced for the second time and continued to make progress, "but it's too early to say whether he's a possibility for the series." Holmgren said.

Holmgren said Leighton had "limited pain" in certain situations, "but it doesn't stay long, so that's a real good sign."

The Adirondack Phantoms' Patrick Maroon, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound winger who did not play in any NHL games this season, practiced with the Flyers on Monday and spent some time on a line with Mike Richards and Dan Carcillo.

Coach Peter Laviolette was noncommittal on whether Maroon would replace David Laliberte on that line in the conference semifinals. Laviolette said he was pleased with Laliberte's limited duty - he played just 5 minutes, 32 seconds - in the Flyers' series-clinching 3-0 win over New Jersey Thursday.

"With Lappy and Jeff [Carter] and Simon out, it was just an opportunity to look at some other guys," Holmgren said.

Holmgren revealed that, at the suggestion of club chairman Ed Snider, the entire Flyers team watched a special showing of the HBO documentary Broad Street Bullies late in the regular season. It will be aired May 4.

Nowadays, teams don't terrorize opponents with their physical play like the Flyers of 1973-74 and 1974-75 did, Holmgren said. "I think you intimidate with speed and hard work, not the fighting part anymore," Holmgren said. "With the game today, you have to be able to think."

Watching the film together helped "from a camaraderie standpoint" for the players to see what a close-knit group the Flyers had in those days, Holmgren said.

"I think that part is still huge in any team sport," he said.