Lost amidst all the hullabaloo of the Flyers recent spate of good hockey that has saw them go 9-1-2 in their last 12 games is the efforts of one man to get back on the ice for one last shot at glory.

Every day, while his teammates practice or travel , Derian Hatcher is working out. He can't skate yet. And one doctor has told him he'll probably never play again, but that hasn't deterred him.

He wants to play - maybe 15-20 games and then the playoffs. He wants one more shot at a Stanley Cup before he retires.

The Flyers want him to make it too, although his chances are a long shot at best.

However, Hatcher has been told by one doctor that there's no harm in trying, and that if he can strengthen the muscle in his knee enough by working out, he might be able to get two more months of good hockey out of it.

Paul Holmgren has told Hatcher he wants him to give it a shot. Of course, bringing in a veteran warrior like Hatcher just in time for the playoff push would be a huge boost for the Flyers, assuming he's healthy.

So, Hatcher has until the end of February - a few days before the NHL trade deadline - to prove he can come back. Otherwise, he'll call it a career.

He wants to do it. The Flyers want him to do it.

And if the Flyers fashion themselves as a true Stanley Cup contender, which they very well could be, then by golly, everyone should be rooting for Hatcher.

I am.