VOORHEES, N.J. -- The drab atmosphere felt more appropriate for a meaningless preseason game than a crucial playoff one, with the orange-dressed fans bolting for the exits and fed up with another season without a Stanley Cup.
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Flyers chairman Ed Snider understood exactly how angry and depressed the Philadelphia faithful felt after an embarrassing, season-ending Game 6 loss to Buffalo.
"The only difference between me and the fans is I couldn't leave early," Snider said Wednesday.
The offseason acquisition of free-agent Peter Forsberg raised expectations that this could be the season the Stanley Cup returned to Philadelphia for the first time since 1975.
Instead, it was a first-round exit for the Flyers that left more questions about whether they're built to win in a new NHL where speed and scoring are more valuable than the big, tough guys they've traditionally built around. The Flyers went from just missing an Atlantic Division title to missing a solid defensive presence in the postseason.
"Whatever is in this locker room, my job is to get every ounce out of them," Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock said. "When you don't, I need to know why and how come it didn't happen. That's what we've got going right now. We didn't get every ounce out of every player like we did the two previous campaigns and I want to know why."
With the sting of Tuesday night's 7-1 loss still fresh as the Flyers cleaned out their lockers at their practice facility Wednesday, Forsberg revealed he may need surgery on his ankle that could prevent him from starting next season on time.
Forsberg has loose ligaments in his ankles that were more uncomfortable than painful. The condition affected his balance, put added stress on his legs and made it difficult to keep his right foot in his skate.
"It's been getting worse and worse and somewhere down the road I've got to take care of," Forsberg said.
Forsberg said he would not have surgery on the groin that sidelined him for 22 games.
"I'd like to come back and play healthy and play good again," he said.
Forsberg could lead a lengthy list of Flyers that need surgery, including Derian Hatcher (knee), Michal Handzus (shoulder) and Sami Kapanen (shoulder). Injuries never allowed the Flyers an opportunity to develop chemistry and a regular lineup.
Former captain Keith Primeau, Kapanen and defensemen Eric Desjardins, Joni Pitkanen, Kim Johnsson and Chris Therien all missed significant time because of injury.
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