Jim Dowd News

The Flyersa decision to fire John Stevens was certaily not surprising to anyone who has watched this team over the last two seasons.

A few hours before last night's game against Buffalo, Matt Carle's voice was hoarse, he sounded ultra-congested and looked pale - the effects of the flu.

Few people can say that they have skated on the same ice as the Philadelphia Flyers.

The never ending goaltending story continues, even with Bryan Murray back behind the Ottawa Senators' bench.

As a young sports fanatic growing up in Brick, former Flyers center Jim Dowd remembers standing in the cold outside Madison Square Garden and waiting for Anders Hedbeg and Phil Esposito to autograph his hockey cards.

The curious case of Blair Betts continued Wednesday, while defenseman Randy Jones might have dressed as a Flyer for the last time.

Please excuse Johan Backlund if he looks a little groggy under that goalie mask he'll be wearing at the Flyers' practice today at the Skate Zone.

Martin Biron #43 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on during a stoppage of play against the Florida Panthers on March 26, 2009 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren yesterday called it "mind boggling" that no team signed free-agent Blair Betts in the off-season. Betts, 29, was a valuable fourth-line center and penalty killer for the New York Rangers last season.

Is former Devil Jim Dowd being groomed for a job with the scouting staff? He took in yesterday's rookie scrimmage with the scouts, and would only say he was "getting his feet wet." . . . The Devils open preseason play Wednesday versus the Rangers in Newark, and have added two free minor league games there.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, The Philadelphia Flyers have signed unrestricted free agent center Blair Betts to a professional tryout agreement effective effective on Sep.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County is celebrating their Third Annual "Evening with the Stars' with a Cocktail Reception on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the Crystal Point Yacht Club, Route 70 & River Road in Point Pleasant.