We wish the absolute best to Bill Meltzer with PhiladelphiaFlyers.com. And we will be adding a new Flyers writer soon..and it could be YOU...The Flyers community here is so strong that I do believe someone here could be taking over..I have had some great luck before finding new writers from within. So, if you are interested in covering the Flyers for hockeybuzz, email me a sample story to eklund@hockeybuzz.com. Put "Flyers" in the subject. As I have in the past I will post the best here for the Flyers community to consider. Just give me your overall thoughts on something...th team, Michkov, the Goaltending....Hint...I love unique voices. That means well thought-out opinions along with game stories... Anyone can tell you who scores I want opinions. Philly opinions.

After mentioning my favorite player of all time, former Flyers goalie Pelle Lindbergh, many of you asked about the fact that Pelle's number 31 is one of the rare numbers in the NHL that while it isn't officially retired, it has also NEVER been given out to another player in the 39 years since Pelle's death.

And it is not a coincidence. The Flyers trainers have dissuaded many goalies from taking the number over the years since Pelle's car slammed into a wall 39 years ago this week.

The most recent being Carter Hart, who always wore #31 for his idol Carey Price, and even wore #31 for a day in Philly when he was at a hockey card event, before the Flyers approached him about Lindbergh and he changed his number.

So the question is should Pelle's number just be officially retired? Next season it will be 40 years. Those who feel his number shouldn't be retired are quick to note that his car accident affected others and was 100% his fault as he was drunk at the time. I get that completely. I was hit by a drunk driver my senior year in high school and was very lucky to escape with only a fractured skull.

If that is the reason, shouldn't the Flyers just release the number for use, or do you have another idea how this could be handled by the team?

Join the Discussion: » 269 Comments » Post New Comment

» Eklund on the Flyers: To Tank or NOT to Tank? Not even close.

» The Possible Next Great Flyers Blogger#1: Ken. Give your input!

» Eklund on Flyers: Do you Trust Fedtov now?

» Eklund on the Flyers Lineup changes: Who is and Who is out? Not Loving it..

» Eklund on the Flyers: Do You Think the Healthy Scratch Helps? I Don't.