Banging the drum for Niittymaki

Tim Panaccio, the Flyers' beat writer for the Inquirer, took a shot at coach Ken Hitchcock in today's column, wondering why Antero Niittymaki isn't being given a fair shot at the starting goaltender's job. After all, he argues, while incumbent Robert Esche has taken the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals, Niittymaki has backstopped a team to a Calder Cup Trophy and to an Olympic silver medal. That's not quite peanuts Panaccio argues, and I'd agree. I've never been a big fan of Esche, though, admittedly, some of that may have to do with his stance during the lockout. Panaccio also points out that Scotty Bowman -- now scouting for the Red Wings -- is also wondering what Niittymaki has to do to get a look from Hitchcock.