Well that was fun for a while. The Predators, just minutes ago, have decided to match the Flyers $110 million offer sheet to Shea Weber. This isn't good for the Flyers, as the Rangers have just added Rick Nash to their offense for next to nothing, and Crosby probably has at least a good 20 games in him for the Penguins before he gets his annual concussion. At this point they could go after Bobby Ryan from Anaheim or Shane Doan from Phoenix and just hope their offense lets them win every game next season 9-7. There really aren't any defensemen left on the market that are going to make the D all that better.
While this news is a bummer, I have to give respect to the Nashville Predators' owner, David Poile, for sticking to his word that he would match any offer given to Weber...even if that does mean the team may eventually fold due to the fact that they have to pay Weber $3 million more than ALL of their ticket sale revenue next year. Still though, I've always kind of liked the Predators and their gnarly bright yellow uniforms. Le Predatores de Quebec has kind of a ring to it too I guess.
I'm simply more surprised about this than disappointed, but hey at least Weber won't be on any Eastern Conference team for the next 14 years. Unless when the Preds move to Quebec they get shifted to Eastern Conference, but that remains to be seen.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Weber signs with Philly, for now
Last night, long after anyone had been thinking about hockey, Paul Holmgren, the mafia don of NHL owners, made some noise on the free agency market. Holmgren offered Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators, possibly the best defender in hockey, a 14-year $110 million offer sheet, which he signed. The Predators now have one week to match that offer, but that is looking very unlikely. Preds GM, David Poile, said earlier in the summer, after losing Ryan Suter, that he would match any offer given to Weber. Holmgren sure as hell called his bluff. I don't wanna talk about this at length now, since it just in the preliminary stages. Nashville has $13 million in cap room this offseason, but even if they match would Shea Weber really want to spend the rest of his career in Nashville? Only time will tell. Hopefully next season (assuming there is one) we can see Weber ramming Crosby's face into the boards instead of Henrik Zetterberg.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Free Agency Update
Now that we are a week into free agency and the dust is starting to settle it's time to take a look at the Flyer's new landscape. All things considered this has been a relatively unexciting offseason. While the Flyers threw huge offers at Parise and Suter, the posterboys of this summer's free agents, it wasn't exactly shocking that they did not land them. Parise said from the beginning that he did not want to play for another team in the Atlantic Division and Suter said that he wanted to go to a western team. The Wild are the big winners so far, having landed them both. If you listen to some the analysts on ESPN talk about hockey (which you should never ever do) they might have you believe that this is comparable to LeBron and Bosh teaming up to go to the Heat. That's the biggest load I've heard in a while. Landing Suter and Parise significantly improves the Wild, but it is only a start. They will definitely be a playoff team this year, but mark my words, they won't be winning their division. Let's not pretend that an overrated forward who was 20th in the league in goals last year and 45th in assists is comparable to LeBron James.
While not being able to sign Suter or Parise, especially Suter, kind of stinks, the Flyers may have never truly wanted them to begin with. Rumor has it Holmgren may have just used the available money to make an offer and drive up their price, which is smart because over in the depressing western part of PA the Penguins were also showing interest in Parise.
There are some familiar faces in Philly that we won't be seeing next year, the biggest of which is Jaromir Jagr. Jags bolted to Dallas for a cool $4.5 million. I can't really say I blame him. He has much less of a chance to win there, but for an extra $1.2 million in what could be his last season it made the most sense.
Matt Carle has also decided to take his talents elsewhere, to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Philly fans like to go back and forth over whether or not he is a good defensemen, but you'd have to be blind not to see that this move is bad for the Flyers. It wasn't worth the money that Carle was asking to keep him, roughly an extra $2 million a year, but losing any defenseman at this point hurts.
The Flyers have begun to slowly fill their holes on defense by adding Luke Schenn and Bruno Gervais. Gervais comes from Tampa Bay and frees up some cap space, his contract for 2 years at $1.65 million. Gervais was also the best man at Max Talbot's wedding, so hopefully that comradery will ease him into playing in Philadelphia. He is also right-handed, which is what the Flyers need on defense.
The other recent signing comes in the form of Ruslan Fedotenko. Fedotenko is coming back for his second stint with the Flyers after starting his career here in the early 2000's. Fedotenko found most of his success though playing with the 2004 Champion Tampa Bay Lightning and 2009 Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Last season he helped the New York Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Feds is a solid 2-way forward, who won't be phased by a little forchecking, like the Devils used to take the Flyers down 2 months ago.
The other noteworthy signing this offseason is backup goalie Michael Leighton. Bringing him back seems like a good move, especially at only $900,000. He's played in the cup with the Flyers before and most fans like him. I'm personally excited to see him back, hopefully he won't need to be used much this year however.
Basically, this year's crop of free agents didn't have too much to offer. Besides the Minnesota Wild, no team is going to end up signing anything more than a third or fourth-liner or some aging veterans singing their swan songs. The Flyers have made good moves this offseason and maintained a lot of cap space, which could come in handy next year when the free agent class is likely to include names like Shea Weber, Jerome Iginla, Corey Perry and Patrick Elias. Still would like to see some more moves on D, but so far I'd give the Flyers offseason a B.
While not being able to sign Suter or Parise, especially Suter, kind of stinks, the Flyers may have never truly wanted them to begin with. Rumor has it Holmgren may have just used the available money to make an offer and drive up their price, which is smart because over in the depressing western part of PA the Penguins were also showing interest in Parise.
There are some familiar faces in Philly that we won't be seeing next year, the biggest of which is Jaromir Jagr. Jags bolted to Dallas for a cool $4.5 million. I can't really say I blame him. He has much less of a chance to win there, but for an extra $1.2 million in what could be his last season it made the most sense.
Matt Carle has also decided to take his talents elsewhere, to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Philly fans like to go back and forth over whether or not he is a good defensemen, but you'd have to be blind not to see that this move is bad for the Flyers. It wasn't worth the money that Carle was asking to keep him, roughly an extra $2 million a year, but losing any defenseman at this point hurts.
The Flyers have begun to slowly fill their holes on defense by adding Luke Schenn and Bruno Gervais. Gervais comes from Tampa Bay and frees up some cap space, his contract for 2 years at $1.65 million. Gervais was also the best man at Max Talbot's wedding, so hopefully that comradery will ease him into playing in Philadelphia. He is also right-handed, which is what the Flyers need on defense.
The other recent signing comes in the form of Ruslan Fedotenko. Fedotenko is coming back for his second stint with the Flyers after starting his career here in the early 2000's. Fedotenko found most of his success though playing with the 2004 Champion Tampa Bay Lightning and 2009 Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Last season he helped the New York Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Feds is a solid 2-way forward, who won't be phased by a little forchecking, like the Devils used to take the Flyers down 2 months ago.
The other noteworthy signing this offseason is backup goalie Michael Leighton. Bringing him back seems like a good move, especially at only $900,000. He's played in the cup with the Flyers before and most fans like him. I'm personally excited to see him back, hopefully he won't need to be used much this year however.
Basically, this year's crop of free agents didn't have too much to offer. Besides the Minnesota Wild, no team is going to end up signing anything more than a third or fourth-liner or some aging veterans singing their swan songs. The Flyers have made good moves this offseason and maintained a lot of cap space, which could come in handy next year when the free agent class is likely to include names like Shea Weber, Jerome Iginla, Corey Perry and Patrick Elias. Still would like to see some more moves on D, but so far I'd give the Flyers offseason a B.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
All your Schenns are belong to us
I should have got to this yesterday, but I was too busy watching Jim Thome win the game for the Phillies before they returned to their typical losing form today. JVR has officially joined Bobrovsky in the summer trades class of '12. Forward James van Riemsdyk has been swapped straight up for defensemen Luke Schenn of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It should come as no surprise that JVR got traded, he was always mentioned going into the offseason. Now that the Flyers have Luke Schenn he can join his brother, Brayden. Getting brothers on your team is all the rage in the NHL these days.
This really isn't a huge steal for either teams. JVR and Luke Schenn are one in the same: players with huge potential who really haven't lived up to it yet. The added benefit the Flyers get though, is saving about $1 million in cap space and picking up a player who has not spent nearly as much time injured as JVR.
It will be bittersweet to say goodbye to JVR, as he has local appeal, hailing from New Jersey. Now that he's gone too the only Americans the Flyers really have on their main roster are Couturier and Carle (assuming he stays). JVR tweeted this:
Good to see him handling it with class. Best of luck, JVR. Hopefully Schenn is the defensive answer we so desperately need.
This really isn't a huge steal for either teams. JVR and Luke Schenn are one in the same: players with huge potential who really haven't lived up to it yet. The added benefit the Flyers get though, is saving about $1 million in cap space and picking up a player who has not spent nearly as much time injured as JVR.
It will be bittersweet to say goodbye to JVR, as he has local appeal, hailing from New Jersey. Now that he's gone too the only Americans the Flyers really have on their main roster are Couturier and Carle (assuming he stays). JVR tweeted this:
Good to see him handling it with class. Best of luck, JVR. Hopefully Schenn is the defensive answer we so desperately need.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Sergei Bobrovsky Just Traded to Columbus
In what can not be considered too much of a surprise, Flyers' backup goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has apparently just been traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for 3 draft picks. Looks like the Flyers will continue to stock up on young talent. While most of us are Bobrovsky fans here in Philly it was definitely his time to go. Bobrovsky has too much potential to spend the next 8 years sitting behind Bryzgalov. Going to the Blue Jackets will give Bob a chance to spread his wings. Hopefully Columbus won't destroy Bob's notoriety though, as they tend to do with everyone there. Though if recent trade history is any indicator, Bob may very well be in for a Stanley Cup victory this coming season. We should know relatively soon who the Flyers get in exchange from this move as the draft is tomorrow in Pittsburgh. Good luck in hockey purgatory Bob.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
2012-13 Schedule Announced
The Flyers' 2012-13 season schedule came out an hour or two ago. Since the realignment proposal got shut down the schedule looks similar to last season. The first game of the year is at home on October 11 against the Boston Bruins. The season ends at home against the New York Rangers, just like it did that year they beat the Rangers in a shootout to make the playoffs and go to the cup. The Flyers return to their second home arena in Pittsburgh on February 12. Richards and Carter won't be in town at all as there is no home game against the Kings, just an away game January 3. JVR and the Blue Jackets won't be in town this season either. Just kidding....or am I? The full schedule lies below:
October 2012
| |||||||
| Date | Visitor | Home | Time (ET) | ||||
| Thu Oct 11, 2012 | Bruins | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Oct 13, 2012 | Flyers | Islanders | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Oct 18, 2012 | Penguins | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Oct 20, 2012 | Jets | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Oct 25, 2012 | Flyers | Canadiens | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Sat Oct 27, 2012 | Maple Leafs | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Oct 28, 2012 | Flyers | Sabres | 5:00 PM | ||||
| Tue Oct 30, 2012 | Stars | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
November 2012
| |||||||
| Date | Visitor | Home | Time (ET) | ||||
| Thu Nov 1, 2012 | Devils | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Nov 3, 2012 | Ducks | Flyers | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Nov 4, 2012 | Flyers | Rangers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Tue Nov 6, 2012 | Sabres | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Nov 8, 2012 | Flyers | Hurricanes | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Nov 10, 2012 | Hurricanes | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Tue Nov 13, 2012 | Wild | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Fri Nov 16, 2012 | Flyers | Sabres | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Nov 17, 2012 | Sabres | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Wed Nov 21, 2012 | Senators | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Fri Nov 23, 2012 | Jets | Flyers | 3:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Nov 24, 2012 | Flyers | Rangers | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Wed Nov 28, 2012 | Flyers | Maple Leafs | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Nov 29, 2012 | Flyers | Islanders | 7:00 PM | ||||
December 2012
| |||||||
| Date | Visitor | Home | Time (ET) | ||||
| Sat Dec 1, 2012 | Flyers | Panthers | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Tue Dec 4, 2012 | Flyers | Lightning | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Thu Dec 6, 2012 | Sharks | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Dec 8, 2012 | Flyers | Islanders | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Dec 9, 2012 | Islanders | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Tue Dec 11, 2012 | Devils | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Dec 13, 2012 | Flyers | Capitals | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Dec 15, 2012 | Hurricanes | Flyers | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Wed Dec 19, 2012 | Devils | Flyers | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Fri Dec 21, 2012 | Flyers | Devils | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Dec 23, 2012 | Flyers | Senators | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Dec 27, 2012 | Flyers | Predators | 8:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Dec 29, 2012 | Flyers | Blues | 8:00 PM | ||||
| Mon Dec 31, 2012 | Flyers | Coyotes | 9:00 PM | ||||
January 2013
| |||||||
| Date | Visitor | Home | Time (ET) | ||||
| Thu Jan 3, 2013 | Flyers | Kings | 10:30 PM | ||||
| Sat Jan 5, 2013 | Flyers | Sharks | 10:30 PM | ||||
| Sun Jan 6, 2013 | Flyers | Canucks | 9:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Jan 10, 2013 | Canadiens | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Jan 12, 2013 | Rangers | Flyers | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Tue Jan 15, 2013 | Flyers | Jets | 8:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Jan 17, 2013 | Capitals | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Jan 19, 2013 | Flames | Flyers | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Jan 20, 2013 | Flyers | Blackhawks | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Wed Jan 23, 2013 | Maple Leafs | Flyers | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Tue Jan 29, 2013 | Flyers | Wild | 8:00 PM | ||||
February 2013
| |||||||
| Date | Visitor | Home | Time (ET) | ||||
| Fri Feb 1, 2013 | Flyers | Capitals | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Feb 2, 2013 | Red Wings | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Tue Feb 5, 2013 | Lightning | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Feb 7, 2013 | Panthers | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Feb 9, 2013 | Oilers | Flyers | 2:00 PM | ||||
| Tue Feb 12, 2013 | Flyers | Penguins | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Feb 14, 2013 | Flyers | Blue Jackets | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Fri Feb 15, 2013 | Flyers | Devils | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Feb 17, 2013 | Flyers | Rangers | TBD | ||||
| Wed Feb 20, 2013 | Flyers | Penguins | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Thu Feb 21, 2013 | Panthers | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Feb 23, 2013 | Avalanche | Flyers | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Mon Feb 25, 2013 | Rangers | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Wed Feb 27, 2013 | Capitals | Flyers | 7:30 PM | ||||
March 2013
| |||||||
| Date | Visitor | Home | Time (ET) | ||||
| Fri Mar 1, 2013 | Islanders | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Mar 2, 2013 | Flyers | Maple Leafs | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Mon Mar 4, 2013 | Lightning | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Mar 9, 2013 | Flyers | Bruins | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Mar 10, 2013 | Blackhawks | Flyers | 3:00 PM | ||||
| Wed Mar 13, 2013 | Flyers | Devils | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Fri Mar 15, 2013 | Canadiens | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Mar 17, 2013 | Flyers | Panthers | 6:00 PM | ||||
| Mon Mar 18, 2013 | Flyers | Lightning | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Fri Mar 22, 2013 | Flyers | Hurricanes | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Mar 24, 2013 | Flyers | Penguins | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Tue Mar 26, 2013 | Penguins | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Mar 28, 2013 | Islanders | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Mar 30, 2013 | Flyers | Bruins | 1:00 PM | ||||
| Sun Mar 31, 2013 | Bruins | Flyers | 7:30 PM | ||||
April 2013
| |||||||
| Date | Visitor | Home | Time (ET) | ||||
| Tue Apr 2, 2013 | Flyers | Canadiens | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Thu Apr 4, 2013 | Flyers | Senators | 7:30 PM | ||||
| Sat Apr 6, 2013 | Flyers | Jets | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Tue Apr 9, 2013 | Penguins | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu Apr 11, 2013 | Senators | Flyers | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat Apr 13, 2013 | Rangers | Flyers | 3:00 PM | ||||
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Update: Pronger's House for Sale
Crossing Broad (a more reliable site than this) reported yesterday via a Haddonfield resident that Chris Pronger's house, which he rents from former Flyer Jason Smith, is apparently up for sale. This adds fuel to the rumor that Pronger is done. GM Paul Holmgren was quick to address the rumor last week, saying the Pronger was going to St. Louis for awhile because of an illness in his wife's family. Of course Holmgren pretty much has to say this in order to save the Flyers money. If Pronger officially retires this season it means a huge salary cap hit for the team. If he doesn't officially reitre he can stay on long-term injured reserve basically until his contract is up like Ian Laperriere did before he retired last week.
For all we know Pronger could just be moving somewhere else, maybe Manayunk, maybe the Main Line, but it shall be interesting to see where he turns up after this year, even if it's not with the Flyers.
For all we know Pronger could just be moving somewhere else, maybe Manayunk, maybe the Main Line, but it shall be interesting to see where he turns up after this year, even if it's not with the Flyers.
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