A Pre-Draft Sit Down With Jonsey

Flyers Head Coach Keith Jones Discusses State Of Flyers

Pt. Pleasant, NJ- With the Summer heat keeping the team from skating in their pre-draft mini-camp, we were able to catch up with Flyers head coach Keith Jones, who was obviously disappointed in the lack of ice time, but said at least he can sit on the beach a few extra days. The rink (home computer should be cleared) should re-open on Tuesday, 8/26/08.

We asked Jones to comment on a few items:

1-Last season's 1st round defeat to Nashville:
"As a team we went in kind of cold. The most disturbing thing to me about that series, was going 0-3 at home. That is unacceptable."

2- The free agent signings of Lija & Pothier:
" Huge! We were on the border of being weak defensively going into the off season. We may not have the best d-ratings in the league, but we have 7 solid guys on the line, and Pothier will probably come in & pick up some of the scoring that we lose from Bergeron, although his time will be limited. He should be healthy in the future.

3- The Offense:
"looking at the numbers that these guys can potentially put up, we may not have snipers, but we have depth, something that hurt us last year. We have 9 guys 4-rated on offense and another 2 with 3's."

4- Special Teams:
"I'm really excited to watch our Penalty Killers. Our main forwards will be Ritchie, Carts, Sharpie, McAmmond, and Dowd will pick up some time. All of those guys are 3's. Laich may come in to, he can put the puck in shorthanded. Our Defenseman on the kill will most likely be Rozsival, Coburn, Kukkonen, Lija & Commodore. I believe our power play will be in the top 5-8 of the league. Heatley, Sharp, Richards, Carter, Laich, Recchi can all step it up with the advantage."

5- Simon Gagne
" His off season surgery is really going to limit him. We are not sure yet...do we play him early on & hope he is healthy or will he get hurt? Or...do we rest him up in the beginning of the season, knowing that when he returns,he'll be healthy? I am guessing that resting him will be the way to go."

6- Goaltending:
"One of the best combo's in the league. No doubt. Giguere will be better & Nitty has really conditioned himself in the off season. You will see, he will be more reliable & confident this year."

7- The rest of your afternoon:
"Going back outside to sit with Jack by the pool & forget about hockey...I suspect we will kill off the rest of the LandSharks, throw some seafood on the grill, & listen to Buffett!"