NHL

BY WEB STAFF
sportsnet.ca

Despite the scoring efforts of Mike Richards, the Flyers remain on the outside in the playoff race.

Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren admits his team is going through a period of adjustment as some of the new players try to mesh with the young bucks that are supposed to be driving the bus.

Speaking on Hockeycentral@Noon, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said his team is going through some growing pains. The Flyers have lost five of their past six games and sit ninth in the Eastern Conference with 27 points in 24 games; numbers that do not sit well with the locals.

The Flyers have been built around youngsters Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, who currently sit 1-2 in team scoring, but added valuable veterans such as Chris Pronger and Ian Laperriere, two players known for their training and dedication off the ice, as well as goaltenders Ray Emery and Brian Boucher. Many chose the Flyers to represent the East in the Stanley Cup final prior to the start of the season.

"I think there is a little period of adjustment because of guys we have added, particularly Chris Pronger and Ian Laperriere," Holmgren says. "Mike is our captain and the leader of our team, but he has other guys around him the he can lean on a little bit more. I think we're going through that process a little bit. I don't see it as an issue."

It will become a huge issue if the team doesn't start winning soon. Earlier this year there were rumors that some of the young players on the team were more interested in socializing than preparing to play, similar to what happened in Montreal last season. On paper the Flyers appear to have what it takes to be a contending team, but it has not translated into on-ice success.

"I like our team," Holmgren insists. "And I think we are better than how we have played of late. It's a tough league and I do think we can play better and I believe we will. The bottom line is we haven't been paying the price to score goals. We are paying the price defensively. We talk about how tough the league is. It's tough to score goals and in order to do that you have to get down and dirty. I'm not sure we're doing that now. We're not paying the price to score."