Flyers Notes: Workhorse Carle logging minutes
Flyers Notes WASHINGTON - Even with all their injuries, the Flyers have eight players who have participated in all 29 games, including Tuesday's matchup at the Verizon Center against the Washington Capitals.
Flyers Notes
WASHINGTON - Even with all their injuries, the Flyers have eight players who have participated in all 29 games, including Tuesday's matchup at the Verizon Center against the Washington Capitals.
One of them is defenseman Matt Carle, who entered Tuesday second on the Flyers in time on ice, averaging 22 minutes, 26 seconds per game.
Only Chris Pronger, who has averaged 22.28, but has appeared in just 13 games, has a higher average among Flyers.
The Flyers are without their top defenseman Pronger, out while recovering from knee surgery and dealing with concussion-like symptoms, and their top offensive player, Claude Giroux, sidelined with what the team said on Tuesday was a concussion.
Still, the team entered Tuesday leading the Eastern Conference with 39 points.
There have been other key injuries this season but Carle has taken a practical outlook.
"You look around the league and every team has to deal with injuries in some form," Carle said following Tuesday's morning skate. "You would rather have the injury bug now than in April or May."
Carle said he is encouraged by how everybody has been chipping in.
"The young guys have gotten their chance and really done a good job," he said.
Besides Carle, the other Flyers who had appeared in the first 29 games were Sean Couturier, Wayne Simmonds, Scott Hartnell, Maxime Talbot, Andrej Meszaros, Kimmo Timonen and Jake Voracek.
Giroux had appeared in the first 28 games.
Series debut
The HBO series 24/7, which spotlights the Flyers and Rangers heading up to their Winter Classic meeting Jan. 2 at Citizens Bank Park, debuts 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
The HBO cameras have been around the Flyers extensively the last few days in preparation.
Barber, Clarke honorary captains
Flyers Hall of Fame forwards Bill Barber and Bob Clarke will serve as honorary captains at the 2012 American Hockey League All-Star Classic, to be staged Jan. 29-30 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Each year, the All-Star Classic honorary captains stand on the team benches during the skills competition and All-Star Game, and are recognized for their careers at the annual AHL Hall of Fame Inductions and Awards Ceremony.
Barber actually began his professional career in the AHL with the Richmond Robins in 1972.
- Marc Narducci