Matt Carle

While the Philadelphia Flyers season is only six games old, we have already learned a few lessons about the 2011-12 team. 

The jury may still be out on players like Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell, but for the players and lessons listed here, the verdict is in. Who is the real deal? Read on to find out. 

Here are five such lessons that we have learned during the Flyers' 4-1-1 start to the season.

As always, comments are welcome and appreciated. Enjoy!

Despite replacing nearly half of last season's roster, the Flyers and GM Paul Holmgren managed to keep the team's defensive unit largely intact. Last season, the star-studded unit performed exceptionally well, despite Chris Pronger's bout with injuries.

With the offseason ending and 2011-2012 NHL season on the horizon, it's time to take a look at what Flyer fans can expect from the team's blueliners next season.

Reports came out yesterday that Chris Pronger will need surgery to repair a fracture in his right hand.

He will miss three to four weeks, but should return in time for the playoffs.

This will be the second time that Pronger has missed significant time this season. He has already missed 18 games thus far.

From a defensive mindset, the Philadelphia Flyers have had a great season so far.

Their six top defenders have been the most solid group in the NHL, boasting five of six defenders with plus-10 or higher.

“We have a great team, no matter who is in the lineup,” Flyers defenseman Matt Carle said.

“We just have to go out there and win.”

And win they have.

The Philadelphia Flyers are a storied franchise that is famous for the work they do with the community in and around the city.

Flyers defenseman Matt Carle is no different.

Carle plays a big part in giving back to his community at home in Anchorage, Alaska and across the Philadelphia area.

Matt Carle has made a pledge that if he gets 10,000 followers on the popular media site Twitter, he will donate $10,000 to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Last week I published an article outlining Flyers defenseman Matt Carle’s plan to donate $10,000 to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia if he reached 10,000 Twitter followers.

I thought it was a clever plan. Carle made it clear that even if he didn’t get 10,000 followers by the end of the season, he would still donate.

Twitter is a very powerful tool that, if used correctly, could provide a lot of benefits for celebrities and professional athletes.

Oftentimes, celebs and other A-listers have hundreds of thousands if not millions of followers on Twitter; many like to advertise products for sponsorships, but then there are those select few who like to help out the less fortunate through the social media giant.

Thanks to the Philadelphia Flyers organization, I had the privilege of interviewing Flyers Defenseman Sean O’Donnell. He was extremely kind and an overall good guy.

O’Donnell’s play has been almost as nice as he is and he is in Philadelphia to do one thing.

Win.

The Flyers defender leads the league with a +17 and with defensive partner Andrej Meszaros, they have formed quite a pairing. 

A collection of random Philadelphia Flyers hockey-inspired thoughts that, if read too quickly, may cause head trauma. WARNING: Philadelphia Flyers brain freeze may occur.


He's No Patrick Kane

I realize the comparisons will probably persist throughout the careers of both players involved, but who gives a flying falafel about how James van Riemsdyk stacks up against Patrick Kane?

The year, in my eyes, did not start on Friday, Oct. 2 in that magical 2009-10 Stanley cup runner-up season.

In fact, the Flyers year kicked off on my birthday; it was as if Paul Holmgren rewarded my 12 years of loyal service to the team that is the Philadelphia Flyers by finally signing "that guy."

The guy who was finally supposed to lead Philly to the promised land. The day was June 10, and "that guy" was Ray Emery.