Flyers

EVEN THOUGH A Stanley Cup hasn't been added to the trophy case since 1975, the Flyers usually are in contention. That's obviously not the case this season as the Orange & Black failed to reach the playoffs for just the ninth time in franchise history. Here's a quick look at the years the Flyers missed the postseason with some of the key moves that resulted: 1969-70 - 17-35-24 Recap: Blew a seven-point lead with six games left and lost out on a tiebreaker with the Oakland Seals.

Speedy right winger Jake Voracek, who has blossomed into one of the NHL's top scorers, was named the Flyers' most valuable player before Thursday's home finale against the New York Islanders. "Obviously, I would switch it for the playoffs," he said. In a vote of media members, Voracek won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as MVP, and Kimmo Timonen captured the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the team's best defenseman. Acquired along with a draft pick - it turned out to be Sean Couturier - in a 2011 deal that sent Jeff Carter to Columbus, Voracek entered Thursday with a career-high 21 goals in 46 games.

FIVE DAYS before the NHL's draft lottery that will determine the order for perhaps hockey's best class since 2003, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said he isn't keeping a close tabs on the overall standings to pinpoint where his team might fall. "I don't really look at it that closely," Holmgren said. "I think it's a fairly deep draft. I know where our list is going to be. I've seen a lot of those players. We'll wind up getting a good player. " Like his bosses, Holmgren is accustomed to the success that the Flyers have achieved - now missing the Stanley Cup playoffs only twice since 1995.

Despite playing just one season for the Flyers, Jaromir Jagr, left a indelible impression. The owner of 681 career NHL goals, Jagr is scheduled to play his first game against his former team Tuesday night when the Boston Bruins visit the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center. Jagr had 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points in 73 games with the Flyers last season and added a goal and seven assists in 11 playoff games. He signed as a free agent with the Dallas Stars in the offseason and was traded to Boston on April 2. So it was no surprise after Boston's morning skate on Tuesday that Jagr drew a crowd of media.

JAROMIR JAGR is a scholar. At Tuesday's morning skate, Jagr twirled around the Wells Fargo Center ice for the first time since leaving Philadelphia last summer and took up his familiar post at the Bruins' white board. There, he diagrammed plays for linemates Chris Kelly and Carl Soderberg, something that was a welcomed staple during his 1-year stint with the Flyers. "Everything in his life revolves around hockey," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. Jaromir Jagr is also an economist.

If Danny Briere is emotional about possibly playing his last home game in a Flyers uniform, he isn't showing it. Because of his high cap hit - $6.5 million per year - the Flyers' 35-year-old forward is expected to be bought out or traded after the season. If that happens, that would make Thursday's game against the New York Islanders his finale at the Wells Fargo Center as a member of the Flyers. "I'm not thinking about that. . . . Things change fast in the hockey world," the always-classy Briere said after Wednesday's practice at the Skate Zone in Voorhees.

ONCE, IT WAS a question asked with anticipation. Now it is one posed with fear. Which of our pro teams, we have been quizzed at various intervals over the last 15 years, is closest to a championship. Anyone, anyone? The Eagles? Man, you must loooove Chip Kelly. The Phillies? With all their ifs, buts and nuts? And speaking of nuts, are we really sure the Flyers will be better without Ilya Bryzgalov? Based, exactly, on what? And speaking of nuts again, maybe the Sixers should sign Andrew Bynum.

With just three games to go for the Flyers, Tuesday's matchup at the Wells Fargo Center with the Boston Bruins will provide emotional moments on several fronts. The Flyers plan several ways to honor those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. From a hockey standpoint, it will be the first time Jaromir Jagr will be facing the Flyers since he left the team in July to sign with Dallas as a free agent. The Flyers will wear "Boston Strong" patches on their uniforms and stickers on their helmets.

MIKE KNUBLE spent parts of five seasons with the Bruins. Flyers coach Peter Laviolette grew up in Massachusetts and his sister was a spectator at the Boston Marathon last Monday. The horrifying events of last week hit home with every member of the Flyers - be they Canadian, Czech or Swede. "I've been up and down [Boylston] street a hundred times," said Knuble, the Flyers' lone American Olympian. "You see the fronts of the restaurants - I know exactly where that's at. I've been to the race before.