Scott Hartnell Has Gone From Zero To Hero For The Flyers

Published: 26^th Mar 12 12:35 am

Randy Holt
NHL Network Manager @RandallPnkFloyd

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Alan Maglaque-US PRESSWIRE

Rewind back to the summer and the beginning of this season.

Having already dealt Mike Richards and Jeff Carter over the summer, many wondered if Scott Hartnell would be the next to find his way out of a Philadelphia Flyers sweater. And many supported dumping Hartnell and his $4.2 million salary.

Of course, a slow start to the season didn’t help Hartnell’s case in Philly. He had just 19 points in the first two months of the season, as he battled injuries, inconsistency, and gravity.

Now, if you were to take a look at not only where the Flyers currently sit in the standings in the Eastern Conference, but Hartnell’s numbers on the season, you’d wonder how this team could have possibly considered dropping him just a few short months ago.

Hartnell’s 64 points, including 15 power play goals, heading into Monday’s tilt with the Tampa Bay Lightning have him second on the team, behind Claude Giroux. The next closest player to the two is Jaromir Jagr, who has 49 on the season.

Not only has Hartnell done it with the goals and assists, but he’s played the physical game as well, with 168 hits on the year, which has made life easier for his linemates, Giroux and Jagr.

It’s those two that have helped Hartnell turn around his season. Life is good when you’re playing next to one of the top few players in the National Hockey League, which Giroux has become this season, but Jagr has been a calming presence for both of them. The surprise signing of the offseason has played the mentor role to perfection in his season in Philly.

It’s a combination of those factors that helped Hartnell jump from his early season woes to an All Star appearance in Ottawa, even if he was a replacement.

The turnaround has been so impressive, that some are even raising the question of whether or not Hartnell could be considered the team’s MVP this season. It’s certainly been an impressive turnaround, and on a team of breakout performers, Hartnell has emerged into his own ‘elite’ status this season.

He might not be considered elite as far as the general population of the players in the NHL go, but as far as bruising power forwards, that also have the ability to put the puck in the net, he’s up there. Those are few and far between and the Flyers are surely pleased that they didn’t deal him.

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