Examining the Philadelphia Flyers forwards

The signing of free-agent center Daniel Briere gives the Flyers an experienced scorer with speed to center the first line between Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble. Gagne had great chemistry with Peter Forsberg and should adapt well to Briere. Both will appreciate Knuble's size and protective services as well as his work in the corners and in the front of the net. This line looks like a good blend of speed and skill and could be one of the best in the League.

Jeff Carter will likely center the second line with Mike Richards centering the third line and Umberger in a fourth-line center's role. Coach John Stevens will be looking for chemistry from a group of left wings that includes Hartnell, Ben Eager and Sami Kapanen. Longtime organization veterans Riley Cote and Boyd Kane add depth and will likely play across the street with the AHL Phantoms. So will Triston Grant, who’s available when the parent club needs an intimidator.

On the right wing, the Flyers boast a group that includes Upshall, Joffrey Lupul, Stefan Ruzicka and Darren Reid. The latter two played most of last season with the Phantoms and may do so again if prospects Claude Giroux and Steve Downie make strong impressions at training camp. Another youngster, Andreas Nodl, is likely to return to the University of North Dakota.

Look for the Flyers to try to skate the following lines: Gagne-Briere-Knuble, Hartnell-Carter-Upshall, Kapanen-Richards-Lupul and Eager-Umberger-Downie.

Feeling Special

Briere and Carter will center the first and second power-play units. Gagne and Knuble figure to play with Briere on the first unit. The second unit could be a blending of lines because Kapanen and Lupul, likely third-liners, are experienced on the power play. Hartnell has had 10 power-play goals in each of the past two seasons. Kapanen adds an element of speed along with defensive awareness. Richards and Umberger will be key penalty killers, along with Kapanen.

Up and Coming

Steve Downie -- He has an excellent chance to crack the lineup. Downie is fierce, strong, determined and can score. He has some defensive weaknesses and has been emotionally erratic at times. Holmgren thinks Downie can maintain his poise now that's he's on the cusp of an NHL career.

Ryan Potulny -- A big scorer at the University of Minnesota, Potulny had seven goals and five assists in 35 Flyers' games during his first professional season. He also had 12 goals and 14 assists in 30 AHL games. Potulny can play center or left wing.

Stefan Ruzicka -- Scored three goals and 10 assists in 40 games with the Flyers and 16 goals and 11 assists in 32 AHL games in his second professional season. He has nice passing skills but must get stronger and become more defensively aware.

Claude Giroux -- Was the sixth-leading goal scorer in the QMJHL last season and was tops in the league with 10 game-winning goals. He led all rookies in scoring the previous season. Giroux, the Flyers' first pick in 2006, is probably a couple of years away, but he has great offensive skill.

X-Factor

Jeff Carter -- The NHL has yet to see the real Jeff Carter, a rugged player with a hard shot he'll fire from anywhere. Carter's rookie season began with a bout of mononucleosis, and he had a fractured leg early in his second season. He was teamed last season with Kyle Calder and Mike Richards in an effort to duplicate the success the trio had in the World Championship — but it didn't work. Carter has added 10 pounds of muscle and is determined to show the world the player who averaged 35 goals in his last three junior seasons.