Through It All, Flyers Stand Tall Together

The coach feels unwanted and the former captain and franchise player isn’t wanted. Yet the Philadelphia Flyers advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs.

With more turmoil than a soap opera and enough twists to fill a pro wrestling script, the Flyers overcame a 15-point deficit to capture the top seed in the Eastern Conference, then eliminated the Buffalo Sabres in five games in the opening round.

They did it without center Eric Lindros and Coach Roger Neilson. Lindros is still plagued by headaches from his fourth concussion in two years and will miss at least another round.

After accusing the club’s medical staff of failing to diagnose the concussion, Lindros was stripped of his captaincy. General Manager Bob Clarke fired back, burning all bridges in an already tense relationship.

Meanwhile, Neilson wanted to return for the first round after leaving the team Feb. 19 to pursue aggressive treatment for multiple myeloma, a rare form of the bone marrow cancer he was diagnosed with Dec. 9. But Clarke, along with Neilson’s doctors, determined he wasn’t ready.

Neilson, sensing he was a distraction, left the team last week and went to Dallas on an unplanned vacation.

Through it all, Flyers chairman Ed Snider scoffs when asked about the turmoil. He’s angered when the team is called dysfunctional.

“One guy is upset with the organization. That’s all I know about,” Snider said about Lindros. “We have 24 guys in here that are thrilled to be in this organization. Snider said he’s “not even going to think about” a possible return of Lindros. He said Neilson’s status will be a “medical decision.” Flyers spokesman Zack Hill said Friday no decision has been made on Neilson’s status.

“We have a wonderful group of guys, guys who play together, guys with courage, guys who keep focus on what their job is and not worry about extenuating circumstance,” interim coach Craig Ramsay said. “They support each other, believe in each other. They’re a good, solid club.”