[swflyers8*]

By Chuck Gormley
NHL.com correspondent
December 20, 2005

In Philadelphia, the Flyers are dropping like, well, flies. And we don't mean down the Atlantic Division standings.

The injury bug around the NHL seems a little nastier this season than in previous years, perhaps because of the yearlong lockout, perhaps because the new rules promote more strenuous skating.

Whatever the reason, it's a minor miracle the Flyers still have their noses above water in the Atlantic.

They began this week with a conference-leading eight players on the injured list with everything from Mike Richards' concussion (day-to-day) to Eric Desjardins' separated shoulder (post-Olympic break).

And then there's captain Keith Primeau, who hasn't played a game since Oct. 28, when he took himself out of the lineup with concussion symptoms. Primeau is now seeing an expert on balance disorders, whom he hopes will unlock the mystery of his nagging symptoms.

Through it all, the Flyers keep winning, mostly because of the help of a bunch of minor leaguers playing major roles. Thirty-three different players have dressed for the Flyers this season, including 17 players who have played for the AHL Phantoms this year or last.

NHL.com