Flyers warned: Another suspension would be costly

The Flyers have been warned.

Another dangerous strike, another deliberate blow to the head of an opponent and more than just a player will be suspended. The NHL is prepared to take severe discipline against the Philadelphia franchise, such as a hefty fine, if another Flyers player needs to be punished again for an illegal hit.

"Obviously, we're under watch," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said.

The latest penalty handed down by NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell against the Flyers came Monday. Forward Riley Cote was suspended for three games for a head shot that sent Dallas forward Mat Niskanen into the boards in the third period of the Stars' 4-1 win on Saturday.

Cote, who leads the Flyers in penalty minutes with 61, is the fifth Flyers player suspended already this season. The suspensions have ranged from two games to 25, but the organization has been immune from any additional punishment. Holmgren said he was warned by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman that another incident like the first four could result in stiff consequences.

Holmgren said he addressed the matter with the Flyers.

"We want to play hard, we want to play a physical style, but we want to play within the rules," Holmgren said. "The way it's going, it's going to have to stop."

The cheap-shot hits have made the Flyers wildly unpopular around the league, earning them comparisons to the 1970s-era Broad Street Bullies.

COLUMBUS CALLS UP LINDSTROM: The Columbus Blue Jackets recalled left wing Joakim Lindstrom from the club's top minor-league affiliate in Syracuse, N.Y.

The club also assigned goaltender Tomas Popperle to the AHL team in Syracuse.

Lindstrom is expected to help fill in for forwards Fredrik Modin (back spasms), Manny Malhotra (bruised knee) and David Vyborny (back pain).

SURGERY SIDELINES STARS' LEHTINEN: Dallas right wing Jere Lehtinen could be out eight to 10 weeks because of an abdominal injury that required surgery.

The Stars put him on injured reserve Monday and activated defenseman Mattias Norstrom.

Lehtinen has missed six games because of his injury. Norstrom missed 12 games after fracturing the orbital bone around an eye Nov. 7 at San Jose.

CANADIENS RECALL HALAK: With starting goalie Cristobal Huet sidelined because of a groin injury, Montreal recalled goaltender Jaroslav Halak from Hamilton of the AHL.