Is there a spot for Steve Downie?

I found this over on Hockeybuzz.com and it appears that Steve the Hack Downie might not have a place in the Flyer's lineup. It makes a person wonder if his antics are welcome even in Philly?

Today's question: How and where does Steve Downie fit in the Flyer's starting lineup?

It's a question that neither John Stevens nor Paul Holmgren can answer at the moment.

But if the regular season were to start today and the Flyers opened the season with a fully healthy lineup, chances are that the Flyers' 2005 first-round pick would find himself in the same place where he spent much of the stretch drive and the playoffs: as a coach's decision scratch.

The numbers game works against Downie right now. There are four centers (Mike Richards, Daniel Briere, Jeff Carter and Glen Metropolit) and six wingers (Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell, Joffrey Lupul, Mike Knuble, Scottie Upshall and Arron Asham) who are virtual locks to be in the opening night starting lineup.

Rookie Claude Giroux has the inside track to earning a starting spot in the lineup, playing either on the Briere or Carter line (personally, I prefer the latter). He would have to have an exceptionally poor camp to end up on the Phantoms, and I don't see that happening. So now we're up to 11 starting forwards.

Enforcer Riley Cote is likely to continue to dress as the 12th and final starting forward, at least during the regular season.

Guess who that leaves as a scratch, no matter what he does during the preseason: Steve Downie. Barring a trade of another winger before the season (which remains a distinct possibility with the Flyers' cap problems), the only way Downie would start on opening night would be if there's an injury or if someone played himself out of a job in camp.