"When Mike Richards first arrived in Philadelphia, he was talked about as the Flyers' captain of the future. The future is now.

According to team sources, Richards will be named the team's 17th captain in an announcement tomorrow. Richards, 23, was one of several players under consideration for the position along with Kimmo Timonen and Simon Gagne.

Discussions were held with the three players over the last few days and it was decided yesterday that Richards would be given the "C."

Richards had a breakout season last year as an assistant captain, establishing himself as one of the top young players in the league. He has been reluctant to talk on the record about taking the position out of respect for the process, but said earlier this week that if offered he felt he was ready and would accept.

He could not be reached for comment this afternoon.

As Richards takes on a new role, the question of Derian Hatcher's future is going to remain unanswered.

For now.

But he will not be in camp when it opens Saturday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J.

According to Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, despite a summer of rehab, the 36-year-old defenseman's degenerated right knee has not responded enough to let him begin the season with the team.

"He will not be in camp when it opens," Holmgren said this afternoon.

Holmgren said that Hatcher will be placed on the long-term injury list and given time to continue trying to return.

"It behooves us to continue to give Hatch a chance to come back," Holmgren said."