With Christmas just a few days away, the Metro is going to play Santa Claus and hand out presents to the Flyers. Here is what each player will find under their tree.
Head coach Dave Hakstol – A smile
The ultra-serious rookie coach needs to show his lighter side – hopefully he does have one – every once in a while in public.
Claude Giroux – A sniper
The captain gets the coveted left winger that will complement his play-making abilities.
Brayden and Luke Schenn – A trade to a Stanley Cup contender
The brothers are a package deal for a team seeking depth on offense and defense to make room for a couple promising rookies.
Michael Raffl – Visit from the Ghost of Christmas Present
The forward and pending unrestricted free agent needs to step up his game if he wishes to remain in Philly beyond this year.
Wayne Simmonds – A stocking full of power-play goals
The team leader last year with 14, he has just three this season.
Sean Couturier – An offensive mindset
The defensive stalwart needs an offensive nudge.
Jake Voracek – A return to the top line.
He belongs with Giroux.
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Matt Read – Visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Read can go back and see his form from 2012 through 2014, when he scored a combined 57 goals in two-and-a-half seasons.
R.J. Umberger – With zero goals and five assists in19 games, a ticket to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
His demotion will allow rookie Shayne Gostisbehere to remain with the Flyers when Mark Streit returns from injury.
Scott Laughton – Visit from Ghost of Christmas Future.
The youngster needs to see what his potential is.
Ryan White – Copy of the movie “Slapshot.”
The gritty veteran brings an old-school mentality, like the players in the cult-flick.
Chris Vandevelde – Copy of the movie “Miracle.”
As one of just two Americans on the team (Shayne Gostisbehere is the other, he’ll enjoy watching the USA beat the Russians.
Radko Gudas – A copy of the movie “Goon.”
Although the defenseman is not a goon by any stretch, his physical nature and bruising hits remind fans of Sean William Scott’s main character in the movie.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – Fewer penalties to kill.
The team’s PK specialist and workhorse gets a much-needed break in the second half of the season.
Shayne Gostisbehere – An all-star nod.
The new 3-on-3 format fits his skill set perfectly.
Michael Del Zotto – An Elf on the Shelf doll
Well, just because someone on the team needs one.
Evgeni Medvedev – A new modest contract
The Russian blueliner has been a nice addition and it would be wise to reward him with a reasonable two- or three-year contract.
Steve Mason – Consistency
The starting goalie has struggled stringing together a series of positive outings and finding a rhythm.
Michal Neuvirth – First half team MVP award
The backup goalie has been nothing short of sensational through the first 34 games with an 8-4-2 record, 2.06 goals against average and league-leading .937 save percentage.
Here’s what each Flyers’ player needs to ask for for Christmas
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