LEE NOTICIBLY ABSENT

Flyers defenceman Brian Lee was absent from Philadelphia's 4-0 shutout over the New York Rangers and was not to be seen in Philly's 5-5 draw versus the Ottawa Senators. In the two games which saw the Flyers take 58 shots, the All Star dman was no where to be seen. That is not to say he wasn't dressed, he was.

Against the Rangers, Lee was all but invisible, not having a single recordable stat...not even a hit. His effort saw hi rewarded with no ice time in the third period, finding himself on the short end of Coach Clarke's leash, in the dog house.

After a lacklustre start to his game against Ottawa, Lee rode the pine for the entire second and third periods. Clarke was no where to be found after the game for comment, but was seen talking, no shouting, into his cell phone outside the arena. Most of the words used are not pritable here, but Clarke did return to the dressing room with a smile on his face and passing Lee as he exited. Niether man spoke to the other.

Rumors have begun that Lee is being shopped around and that a couple of teams showed early interest before backing out. For his part, GM Jazz Matthews, says he knows his club is not up to last season and yes there is tension in the dressing room. He did however refuse to comment when asked if there was any truth to the rumor that Lee has been seen with newly hired
Central Texas Stampede coach, Tannis Gaylene. When he wouldn't answer that question, another scribe asked why Gaylene was absent from the bench in the Stampede's recent loss to the Chops. Matthews looked stunned and left the room.

This reporter thinks there is more going on here than is sitting on the surface...Bubba Davis, Philadelphi Enquirer