Van Riemsdyk pots 4 in rookie game...

[AFlyers66]

Yesterday Flyers rookies played Caps rookies in Vorhees. The Inquirer's Sam Carchidi had this report on Philly.com this morning:

Rookie van Riemsdyk impresses in his debut
By Sam Carchidi
Inquirer Staff Writer

It was only a rookie game, but if first impressions mean anything, left winger James van Riemsdyk could start the season on the Flyers' opening-night roster next month.
Drafted No. 2 overall in 2007 before playing two seasons at the University of New Hampshire, van Riemsdyk made a dazzling debut yesterday, scoring four goals - one on a picturesque shorthanded breakaway with about four minutes left - and adding an assist as the Flyers defeated the Washington Capitals, 7-3, in the all-rookie game at the Skate Zone in Voorhees.

"He's a young man who obviously possesses great speed," said Phantoms coach Greg Gilbert, who directed the Flyers' rookies. "He reads and finds the holes so well . . . and he has that ability to finish. And you've got to give credit to the guys who were feeding him, too."

With about 300 fans watching the fight-filled game, the player they call JVR meshed well with linemates Andreas Nodl (right wing) and David Labrecque (center), among others.

Defensemen Kevin Marshall, David Sloane and Joonas Lehtivuori each had two assists for the Flyers, while teammates Matt Clackson and Zac Rinaldo had some eye-opening checks.


http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...his_debut.html

[Dakkster]

Too bad Maroon didn't play. I'd loved to hear how he would've done. Apparently he's taking things easy to let a lower-body thing heal for the main training camp.

Apparently JvR and John Carlson were the standouts on the ice. Too bad I couldn't get my hands on JvR last year

[joos]

Yes, I need to here more of this stuff to justify myself trading away Okposo.

[miked]

skated with Giroux and Briere today at opening day of training camp.. dont look too much into it though, John Stevens just wanted to see how he can do with skilled players
http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...id=phi-home-dl

[Hardyvan123]

Rookie games are fun to watch but let's wait and see if JVR is ready for the NHL.

He is going to have a great career but I don't see any room for him on the NHL roster to start his 1st long season.

He and Philly would be better served to getting huge minutes down on the farm.

[AFlyers66]

Interesting blue-collar line at practice today: Laperriere with Carcillo and Powe.

Watching Betts closely, he could be a valuable shut-down guy and is good at faceoffs, just not sure how he's going to fit in numbers-wise.

[Sinbin]

Flyers, were Giroux and Briere together again today? Which is playing center? I assume it's Giroux, but crossing my fingers that they move him back to wing!!!

[fungchen3]

Flyers, were Giroux and Briere together again today? Which is playing center? I assume it's Giroux, but crossing my fingers that they move him back to wing!!!

Briere was on a line with Giroux and .................. James van Riemsdyk.

They looked good in the drills and JVR was very strong along the boards. As for this (and all match-ups in camp) Stevens said they are experimenting and will look at a lot of stuff.

[AFlyers66]

Briere was on a line with Giroux and .................. James van Riemsdyk.

They looked good in the drills and JVR was very strong along the boards. As for this (and all match-ups in camp) Stevens said they are experimenting and will look at a lot of stuff.

Thanks for the reports, fung, keep 'em coming! I'm not able to get to Vorhees in person, wish I could. There's a buzz this year that's different than most, alot of expectations.

Sam Carchidi said on Philly.com that Coach Stevens wants three C/W duos paired and kept together - Giroux/Briere, Richards/Gagne, and Carter/Hartnell. He will experiment with different wingers with those duos in preseason games.

Fung, give me your impressions of Betts if you can tomorrow. Can he make the team? Seems like he'd be pretty valuable to a team hoping to make a Cup run come spring.

[fungchen3]

A,

Betts was skating today with Bell and Asham. He looked ok, although I think he would be a welcome addition to the Flyers.

I will try to get another look at him tomorrow in camp.

[Rad64]

Man, that will make for three deadly lines....I hope Carcillo ends up with one of the duos!! Briere/Giroux could probably use a tough guy.

Thanks for the reports, fung, keep 'em coming! I'm not able to get to Vorhees in person, wish I could. There's a buzz this year that's different than most, alot of expectations.

Sam Carchidi said on Philly.com that Coach Stevens wants three C/W duos paired and kept together - Giroux/Briere, Richards/Gagne, and Carter/Hartnell. He will experiment with different wingers with those duos in preseason games.

Fung, give me your impressions of Betts if you can tomorrow. Can he make the team? Seems like he'd be pretty valuable to a team hoping to make a Cup run come spring.

[ultrawhiteness]

Yes, I need to here more of this stuff to justify myself trading away Okposo.

argh... i'm starting to worry about that trade. if soderberg comes over i'll flip.

[broadwayblue94]

Betts should definitely make your squad. As a Rangers fan, I can tell you I'm pissed that the Rangers didn't make an offer and let him walk. He's tremendous on faceoffs (something the Flyers need), a tremendous shut-down penalty killer and just a great personality for a team. If he doesn't make it, the Flyers are nuts. However, he's got no fantasy value at all.

[Rusty Pickles]

when JvR-'roux-Briere were together Giroux was at center.

Betts only makes the team if he beats out Mika Pyorala and Bell. Pyorala has been one of the camp standouts.

http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/landi...213&feedID=704

looks like the weekend's scrimmages will have a lot to do with who makes it and doesn't. JvR will have to be a flat out savage in these games to not start on the Phantoms.

[Rusty Pickles]

Carcillo has been skating with Powe and Laperriere all camp.