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Entries with the tag: philadelphia+flyers
News and Notes from Europe
by Phil Davies on 12/05/10 at 10:20 AM ET
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Hello readers,
I hope everyone is enjoying the hockey season and are gearing up for the upcoming holiday season! Remember the holidays mean the World Junior Hockey Championships are just around the corner, beginning on Boxing Day!
Now, some news and notes from various European leagues.
On the subject of the World Juniors, Team Sweden is hoping that the Edmonton Oilers will release Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson for the tournament. The Swedish rookie has collected 9 points in 25 games this year, while currently riding a three game point streak. However, the Oilers have already stated that they have no plans for releasing the talented winger for the tournament. On the bright side for Sweden, they do have the Ottawa Senators blue chip goalie prospect; Robin Lehner on their training camp roster, as well as the Phoenix Coyotes young defensive phenom; Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Filed in: Non-NHL Hockey, International Hockey | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Alexander+Radulov, Boston+Bruins, Edmonton+Oilers, Evgeni+Nabokov, Jakub+Stepanek, Magnus+Paajarvi-Svensson, Miroslav+Satan, Montreal+Canadiens, Nashville+Predators, Oliver+Ekman-Larsson, Ottawa+Senators, Owen+Nolan, Patrick+Thoresen, Philadelphia+Flyers, Phoenix+Coyotes, Robin+Lehner,
Flyers’ Plans for Leighton still Unclear
by Tony on 06/22/10 at 08:26 AM ET
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From the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Frank Seravalli:
It has been 13 days since Patrick Kane’s low, blocker-side snipe ended the Flyers’ dream in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said yesterday that he has not spoken to the agent of Michael Leighton, the man who let in the goal that silenced the Wachovia Center and the Flyers’ season.
Leighton, 29, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.By not talking to Leighton’s agent, former NHL goalie Mike Liut, Holmgren does not appear overly eager to sign Leighton to a long-term contract. And with the NHL draft kicking off Friday night in Los Angeles , Leighton could become a name of the past if the Flyers are able to swing a deal for one of the league’s younger goalies like the Kings’ Jonathan Bernier.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: NHL-Hockey, Philadelphia+Flyers,
Hamhuis Deal Might Limit Other Moves
by Tony on 06/21/10 at 08:14 AM ET
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From the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Frank Seravalli:
Hamhuis, 27, will fit firmly between Kimmo Timonen and Matt Carle on the Flyers’ defensive depth chart as a smart and patient puck mover who can also play a shutdown role against opponents’ top forwards. Hamhuis and Timonen sometimes skated together in Nashville. Hamhuis will not match Carle’s point totals but is reliable and durable, having missed just seven games over the last four seasons.
That will come at a price. Hamhuis’ deal likely will exceed the 4-year, $14 million that Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang got last summer. Holmgren and Hamhuis’ agent, Wade Arnott , are scheduled to begin negotiating today with the hopes of completing the deal before the NHL draft commences on Friday in Los Angeles.
If that happens, signing Hamhuis could limit how the Flyers round out their defense. The apparent goal was to not only strengthen the unit, which Hamhuis does, but also make it deeper. The salary cap, expected to rise about $2 million to $58.8 million, could limit its depth since restricted free agent Braydon Coburn is due a raise.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: NHL-Hockey, Philadelphia+Flyers,
Flyers Hope Hamhuis can Bolster Defense
by Tony on 06/20/10 at 09:47 AM ET
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From the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Dan Carchidi:
During their playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers were reluctant to use their third defensive pairing.
So, in his first move of the off-season, general manager Paul Holmgren made a deal Saturday that significantly upgrades that unit, acquiring defenseman Dan Hamhuis and a conditional draft pick in 2011 from Nashville for Ryan Parent, a little-used and frequently injured defenseman.
Now the Flyers have 11 days to sign the 6-foot-1, 209-pound Hamhuis (pronounced HAM-HOOS), who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: NHL-Hockey, Philadelphia+Flyers,
Predators’ David Poile discusses the Hamhuis/Arnott trades
by Tony on 06/20/10 at 09:00 AM ET
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From NHL.com:
Filed in: NHL Teams, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Nashville+Predators, New+Jersey+Devils, NHL-Hockey, Philadelphia+Flyers,
Nashville Trades Rights to D Dan Hamhuis to Philly for Ryan Parent
by Tony on 06/19/10 at 12:06 PM ET
Comments (24)
Per HNIC’s Elliotte Friedman tweet:
Flyers trade Ryan Parent to Nashville for rights to Dam Hamhuis (via Predators announcement)
UPDATE: A conditional draft pick is also sent to Philly.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Nashville+Predators, NHL-Hockey, Philadelphia+Flyers,
Wings trade Leino to Flyers
by Tony on 02/06/10 at 11:34 AM ET
Comments (24)
Per CBC Jeff Marek’s Twitter, Detroit trades Ville Leino to Philadelphia for a 5th in 2011 and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Detroit+Red+Wings, NHL-Hockey, Philadelphia+Flyers,
Mike Richards Conference Call Transcript
by Alanah McGinley on 01/15/08 at 03:03 PM ET
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Today, the NHL and the Philadelphia Flyers made Mike Richards available for a media teleconference. Below is the text of that Q&A session.
Q. Does it get any better than finalizing a 12-year contract extension and being named an All-Star in the span of two months?
MIKE RICHARDS: I don’t know, it’s been a pretty big season getting the privilege to play in an All-Star Game, it’s pretty exciting.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: asg, media, mike+richards, philadelphia+flyers,
Mike Richards Conference Call Transcript
by Alanah McGinley on 01/15/08 at 03:03 AM ET
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Today, the NHL and the Philadelphia Flyers made Mike Richards available for a media teleconference. Below is the text of that Q&A session.
Q. Does it get any better than finalizing a 12-year contract extension and being named an All-Star in the span of two months?
MIKE RICHARDS: I don’t know, it’s been a pretty big season getting the privilege to play in an All-Star Game, it’s pretty exciting.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: asg, media, mike+richards, philadelphia+flyers,
Lessons From Reggie Leach
by Alanah McGinley on 12/06/07 at 07:32 PM ET
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From the CP,
Alcoholism probably kept Reggie Leach out of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and he’s determined to do whatever he can to help young people avoid the downward spiral in which he became trapped.
He was one of the first big-time First Nations hockey stars. A right-winger, he helped the Philadelphia Flyers win the Stanley Cup in 1975. He scored 61 goals in 1975-76 and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after scoring 19 post-season goals. The Flyers were swept by the Montreal Canadiens in the final.
His big-league career would have lasted more than the 14 years that it did had he taken better care of himself.
“I screwed up royally,” he said Thursday from his Delaware residence. “I pretty well accomplished everything I wanted to do except I didn’t make it into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Filed in: NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: alcoholism, philadelphia+flyers, reggie+leach,
Cote Suspended 3 Games - Flyers “Under Watch”
by Alanah McGinley on 12/03/07 at 02:25 PM ET
Comments (9)
From Ed Moran at the Philadelphia News,
The Flyers have been put on notice by the NHL.
After Riley Cote was handed a three-game suspension for a head shot to Dallas forward Mat Niskanen in Saturday’s game, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren that the league would be watching the Flyers closely.
“I talked to [Bettman] today. He thinks, like I do, that these are different coincidences, different situations, that have to be viewed differently, but the question was raised about ramifications if it happens again,” Holmgren told the Daily News. “So obviously we’re under watch.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: paul+holmgren, philadelphia+flyers, riley+cote, suspensions,
Get Used To It Philly
by Paul on 11/28/07 at 06:57 AM ET
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from Rich Hofmann of the Philadelphai News,
But when it isn’t even December and you have had four players suspended for on-ice stuff and the rest of the league combined has had only two, you know what people will think. When you lead the league in penalty minutes and majors, you know what people will think. When you are the Flyers, and even if you are so far removed from the old days that some current players are young enough to be the grandsons of some of the original Broad Street Bullies, well, you know.
You know what people will think - and the Flyers had better get used to it.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: broad+street+bullies, philadelphia+flyers, suspensions,
Two Games For Hartnell
by Paul on 11/27/07 at 02:51 PM ET
Comments (5)
from the Philadelphia Inquirer,
Flyers forward Scott Hartnell has been suspended two games by the NHL for a blatant, dangerous head shot to Boston defenseman Andrew Alberts during Monday’s 6-3 Bruins rout at the Wachovia Center.
If you missed the video, you can see it here.
added 4:29pm, from Ken Campbell at the Hockey News,
But there is clearly a mandate in Philadelphia to drill guys first and worry about the repercussions, or concussions, later. They figure that makes them “tough to play against,” and earlier this season GM Paul Holmgren intimated that the Flyers are a better team because they’re making their mark physically on their opponents.
Of course that’s why they’re better. It has nothing to do with acquiring one of the most talented offensive players in the league in Daniel Briere, rebuilding their defense corps and getting a goalie who can actually stop the puck on occasion.
added 4:41pm, from Colin Campbell,
“It appears that Mr. Hartnell was attempting to let up on delivering a check to an opponent that was in a vulnerable position,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. “However, at the point of contact, he did deliver a blow to the head of Mr. Alberts that resulted in an injury.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Andrew+Alberts, boston+bruins, philadelphia+flyers, Scott+Hartnell, suspension,
Gagne Still Not Ready For Return
by Paul on 11/27/07 at 07:26 AM ET
Comments (1)
from the Philadelphia Daily News,
When Simon Gagne went out with a concussion on Nov. 7, there was a feeling that he could miss up to a month.
But now, as the Flyers are nearly at the end of the month, the likelihood is that he might take all of December to get healthy….
While this is some indication of progress, it is not a sign that he will return soon. Even after he is able to start skating and work back into practicing with the team, he will need a significant length of time at full practice to get back into game condition, as well as make sure the concussion has healed.
He can’t even say when that might be right now.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: philadelphia+flyers, Simon+Gagne,
Hartnell Hit On Alberts Tonight
by Paul on 11/26/07 at 08:49 PM ET
Comments (18)
Andrew Alberts was on his knees in the neutral zone, blocking a puck near the boards. Scott Hartnell hit him and drove him into the boards.
Andrews was done for a few minutes, skated off the ice with a little assistance. Five minute major for Hartnell.
added 9:03pm, from the Sports Network via TSN,
On the play, which occurred with 5:38 remaining in the second period, Flyers forward Scott Hartnell collided with Alberts, who was sliding on his knees near the boards at center ice. Hartnell’s elbow and shoulder hit Alberts flush in the side of the head, causing it to collide with the dasher violently.
Alberts lay on the ice for several minutes, and was eventually lifted to his feet and escorted to the locker room for evaluation.
added 6:09am on 11/27/07, Video added…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Andrew+Alberts, boston+bruins, philadelphia+flyers, Scott+Hartnell,
MySpaced NHLers
by Alanah McGinley on 11/26/07 at 06:01 PM ET
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From Chuck Gormley at the Sporting News,
“Go on MySpace and type in anybody in this (locker) room and there will be someone posing,” said [Flyers’ center Jeff] Carter, who is single. “I have a friend who said she sent pictures to my MySpace and I don’t even have a MySpace. She said, ‘Oh, I’ve been talking to you for the past month and a half.’”
Umberger, who is married, went online and discovered there were four people posing as him on their own web pages. When he found that some were soliciting women, he had all four accounts canceled.
“They talk to girls on there like they’re me,” he said. “People out there think they’re talking to me and they’re asking, ‘Aren’t you married?’ It’s ridiculous. Everybody on this team has a fake one and people believe it.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: jeff+carter, philadelphia+flyers, r.j.+umberger,
Stars of the Week
by Alanah McGinley on 11/26/07 at 01:51 PM ET
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From NHL.com
Philadelphia Flyers center Daniel Briere, Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and Dallas Stars goaltender Mike Smith have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ for the week ending November 25.
continued… with video available featuring each player’s highlights
Filed in: NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: dallas+stars, daniel+briere, ilya+bryzgalov, mike+smith, philadelphia+flyers, phoenix+coyotes,
Flyers/Bruins Meet Tonight
by Paul on 11/26/07 at 09:37 AM ET
Comments (1)
from the Courier-Post,
Tonight at the Wachovia Center, Jones is likely to be the topic of conversation on the Bruins bench when they take the ice against the Flyers for the first time since the hit that jeopardized Bergeron’s season.
“I knew the time was going to come,” Jones said when asked about possible retribution. “I’m not worried about it.”...
Flyers coach John Stevens said he is not sure what to expect when the Bruins and Flyers take the ice tonight, but he probably won’t take any chances.
Enforcers Riley Cote and Ben Eager are expected to be in the lineup.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: boston+bruins, fighting, john+stevens, philadelphia+flyers, randy+jones,
High Praise For Holmgren
by Paul on 11/22/07 at 07:37 AM ET
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from Philly Burbs,
It’s easy to get caught up in the nightlife, the wrong crowd.
To have someone like Holmgren as a role model can help steer a young player back onto the right path.
“He’s a very highly respected person, not only in the hockey world but in general,” Fedoruk says. “It’s the way he carries himself; a lot of people want to carry themselves the way he does.
“I myself am one of those people. The respect he’s gained and the amount of work he’s put into his personal life . . . he’s a guy who leads by actions. You want to follow a guy like that. He’s a loyal person…..”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Paul+Holmgren, philadelphia+flyers, Todd+Fedoruk,
Flyers Have Room For Improvement
by Paul on 11/21/07 at 08:50 AM ET
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from the Courier-Post,
Tonight, the Flyers enter Game No. 20 with an 11-7-1 record, good for second in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference. In other words, they’re 5-6-1 since starting the season with a bang.
So what kind of grade would the Flyers give themselves as they approach the quarter mark of the season?
“I’d give us a high B,” Flyers right wing Mike Knuble said.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: mike+knuble, philadelphia+flyers,
Devils In A Funk
by Paul on 11/17/07 at 01:37 PM ET
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from Stan Fischler at Game On,
If ever Lou Lamoriello and his rookie coach Brent Sutter had a challenge on their hands, they do now, TODAY, Saturday, as they take on the Flyers this evening in Philadelphia.
Following a pair of home losses to the Rangers and then Islanders, New Jersey has a team that struggles to score goals at even strength and is egregiously futile when they have a man advantage.
On top of it all, they seem to lack overall zip over a 60-minute period, and remarkably, invariably suffer a bad break.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New Jersey Devils | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: brent+sutter, lou+lamoriello, new+jersey+devils, philadelphia+flyers,
Gagne’s Concussion Issues
by Alanah McGinley on 11/16/07 at 03:38 PM ET
Comments (6)
From the AP via NHL.com,
It took two bouts of dizziness and other symptoms for the determination to be made Wednesday that Gagne sustained at least one concussion, if not two.
“First of all we didn’t know for sure and secondly I wasn’t aware of the repercussions,” general manager Paul Holmgren said. “I was under the assumption ... if he’s got a mild concussion, he’s got to be out seven days. That’s not the case.”
Gagne was injured at Florida on Oct. 24 after being hit in the jaw by Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. He sat out four games, but the Flyers never said anything about a concussion. Gagne was said to be dealing with dizziness. Gagne returned to practice after being symptom-free for two days. He followed that with a morning skate the next day on Nov. 5 before dressing for that night’s game at the New York Rangers.
Gagne came through that OK, but didn’t look like himself on the ice. Two nights later, he was hit by Pittsburgh’s Gary Roberts and the symptoms came back.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: concussions, philadelphia+flyers, simon+gagne,
Grading System Flawed When It Comes To Concussion Issues
by Paul on 11/14/07 at 08:44 AM ET
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from the Philadelphia Daily News,
Gagne is at fault for rushing back to the ice. The Flyers are for allowing him to do so, especially since there is growing sentiment within the medical community over whether the NAN guidelines are too lax. Two international conferences in this decade, organized by the International Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee, concluded that any multitiered grading system is flawed because it seeks to assess severity before all symptoms surface.
“First of all, it doesn’t matter how many,” Lindros said. “It’s the severity.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: concussions, eric+lindros, philadelphia+flyers, Simon+Gagne,
Biron Legitimate #1
by Paul on 11/14/07 at 08:29 AM ET
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from PhillyBurbs,
Team goals aside, Martin Biron entered this season with a personal objective: prove to himself and the world that he’s a legitimate No. 1 goaltender in the NHL.
The days of backing up Dominik Hasek and Ryan Miller in Buffalo are over. At 30, Biron is making a name for himself with the rejuvenated Flyers.
He admits there’s one thing that would hasten his validation as a high-level netminder — getting voted onto the Eastern Conference roster for the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: goalies, martin+biron, philadelphia+flyers,
Richards Has Signs Of Leadership
by Paul on 11/12/07 at 08:18 AM ET
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from PhillyBurbs,
Of course it’s way too early to start drawing comparisons and it wouldn’t be fair.
But this is how it started nearly 40 years ago when a gap-toothed kid from a small town in Canada got a bunch of grizzled vets to follow his lead.
Namely, play each game as if it were going to be his last.
Only time will tell if Mike Richards someday is mentioned in the same sentence with Flyers legend Bobby Clarke.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Mike+Richards, philadelphia+flyers,
Free Advice Offered
by Paul on 11/11/07 at 09:31 AM ET
Comments (8)
via Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer,
Here’s some free advice to Bergeron: Never go into the corner not expecting to be hit; and never bend over to expose your head and neck when you do.
I wonder if Panaccio would be handing out free advice like this if Patrice Bergeron was a Flyer and Randy Jones was a Bruin?
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Media | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: boston+bruins, patrice+bergeron, philadelphia+flyers, randy+jones,
Gagne Proceeds With Caution
by Paul on 11/10/07 at 07:26 AM ET
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from PhillyBurbs,
After admitting he probably came back too soon from his first bout with concussion-like symptoms, the Flyers left wing vowed to take more time off before jumping back into NHL action with his latest woes, which include dizziness and fatigue.
When a return date might be is anyone’s guess.
This much we do know: Gagne was examined by team doctor Gary Dorshimer on Friday. While Dorshimer continues to decline to use the word “concussion” in describing Gagne’s condition, the simple matter is that it took Gagne three attempts before passing a baseline test the last time around and now says he isn’t ready to take another since once again complaining of symptoms.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: injuries, philadelphia+flyers, simon+gagne,
Gagne Out Again
by Paul on 11/08/07 at 06:44 PM ET
Comments (1)
via the AP,
Philadelphia Flyers left winger Simon Gagne was scratched from Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils after complaining of dizziness stemming from a collision with Pittsburgh’s Gary Roberts.
“He went back to the hotel and he said he was a little dizzy and had a headache,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Thursday. “He was a little better this morning, but as the day went on he was a little shaky. He’ll see the doctor in the morning.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: injuries, philadelphia+flyers, Simon+Gagne,
Kapanen Day-t0-Day
by Paul on 11/08/07 at 03:17 PM ET
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via the Sports Network,
Philadelphia Flyers forward Sami Kapanen is day-to-day with a mild knee sprain and will miss Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.
To take Kapanen’s spot on the roster, Philadelphia recalled forward Stefan Ruzicka from the Phantoms of the American Hockey League.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: injuries, philadelphia+flyers, Sami+Kapanen,
Looking Back At The Life Of Yanick Dupre
by Paul on 11/08/07 at 01:58 PM ET
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from the NHLPA,
When those closest to Yanick Dupre speak of his life, it’s the person, not the player that dominates the conversations.
It’s been over 10 years since Dupre, the 50th overall selection of the Philadelphia Flyers, succumbed to leukemia….
“He was a lot of fun to be around,” said Eric Lindros, who played alongside Dupre in Philadelphia. “He was always entertaining. He was also the type of person who stood up for what he believed in.
“I remember how fired up he’d get when we’d play in Montreal. He always loved to play there!”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: eric+lindros, philadelphia+flyers, Yanick+Dupre,
The Flyers Must Be Stopped
by Paul on 11/04/07 at 07:45 AM ET
Comments (4)
from Bud Barth of the Worcester-Telegram & Gazette,
The Philly hierarchy obviously is condoning, if not encouraging, this caveman mentality that goes far beyond the NHL toughness standard and enters the barbaric sphere of intent to injure — and injure badly.
Downie’s incident could have been excused as an isolated case. After Boulerice’s hit, it smacked of team policy. Now, with Jones’ infraction being perhaps the ugliest of all, how can you not consider conspiracy?
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: philadelphia+flyers, suspensions,
“The Hammer” Reflects on Philly
by Alanah McGinley on 11/03/07 at 12:37 AM ET
Comments (0)
From the AP via Sports Illustrated,
Dave Schultz was known as “The Hammer,’’ a nickname earned with a ready to rumble style of play that satisfied the bloodlust of NHL fans who paid to see an old-fashioned brawl.
He dropped his gloves, busted and bloodied some chops, absorbed his own share of jabs and could have written a mortgage check to the league for all the minutes the Philadelphia Flyer spent in the penalty box. One thing the enforcer of the 1970s-era Broad Street Bullies never did was put another player on a stretcher.
“Oh my God, no. Never,’’ Schultz said. “We didn’t really hurt anybody. The only time you could hurt anybody was with your stick.’‘
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: broad+street+bullies, dave+schultz, fighting, philadelphia+flyers,
Hatcher Out 2-4 Weeks
by Paul on 10/31/07 at 12:35 PM ET
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from the AP via Yahoo,
Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher will undergo surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee and will miss two to four weeks.
The 35-year-old Hatcher, who had his streak of 107 consecutive games recently snapped because the knee was bothering him, said he aggravated the injury lifting weights.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Derian+Hatcher, injuries, philadelphia+flyers,
Gagne Remains Day-to-Day for Flyers
by Alanah McGinley on 10/30/07 at 02:47 PM ET
Comments (1)
From Dan Gelston at the AP via USA Today,
Simon Gagne compares his health to a barfly who’s had a few too many stiff drinks.
He stops short, however, of describing what he’s feeling as any kind of lingering symptoms from a concussion.
“Nobody has really said if it’s a concussion,” Gagne said after the Flyers practiced Tuesday. “Right now, it’s more a vision problem and dizziness. I don’t think they call that a concussion.”
Gagne hasn’t played for the Philadelphia Flyers since he was knocked out of last Wednesday’s game against Florida. He has not been cleared to return to the ice.
*A “vision problem and dizziness” and they don’t figure it’s related to a concussion? Odd.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: injuries, philadelphia+flyers, simon+gagne,
How Holmgren Transformed the Flyers
by Alanah McGinley on 10/30/07 at 12:20 PM ET
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From Chuck Gormley at the Sporting News,
Undaunted, Holmgren systematically transformed an aging, overpriced roster into one with speed, grit, energy and a legitimate chance to double its wins total (22) from a year ago.
“I’ll be honest,” Snider says. “Paul blew me away with the moves he made.”
Many believed that after 13 seasons under Clarke, the Flyers needed a complete front office makeover. But by March 14, Holmgren had carefully dismantled the worst team in club history, exchanging veterans Peter Forsberg, Kyle Calder, Alexei Zhitnik and a second-round draft pick for dynamic young forward Scottie Upshall, promising defensemen Braydon Coburn, Lasse Kukkonen and Ryan Parent and a hungry, resurgent goaltender, Martin Biron.
Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: paul+holmgren, philadelphia+flyers,
Jones Suspended for Two Games
by Alanah McGinley on 10/29/07 at 01:37 PM ET
Comments (14)
[Updated 4:50pm ET: Jones & Holmgren’s reaction to suspension is below]
From the NHL,
TORONTO (October 29, 2007)—Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Randy Jones has been suspended for two games, without pay, as a result of being assessed a game misconduct during NHL game #146 against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 27, the National Hockey League announced today.
“While it is my determination that Jones did not intend to injure his opponent, he did deliver a hard check to a player who was in a vulnerable position,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. “There have been suggestions by some that this hit was comparable to incidents earlier this season where players received significant game suspensions for blows to the head. These comparisons and suggestions are wrong,” Campbell added.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: philadelphia+flyers, randy+jones, suspensions,
What’s Up with Flyers
by Alanah McGinley on 10/29/07 at 12:37 PM ET
Comments (1)
From Scott Burnside at ESPN,
If the NHL responds as if this were just another hockey hit and penalizes Jones lightly or lets him off altogether, all the league’s statements that it is serious about eliminating dangerous play would be rendered moot.
For all the praise being heaped on Flyers GM Paul Holmgren and coach John Stevens for turning around a Philadelphia franchise that finished dead last in 2006-07, these incidents suggest this franchise has no real control over its players.
What else are we to conclude from the fact that three players scouted and signed by the Flyers have engaged in behavior that could have ended players’ careers?
*Also in the Philadelphia Inquirer today, Joe Logan asks “Are the Bullies Back?”
Update 3:03pm ET: CBC’s Jeff Marek says Bergeron “a victim of coaching tactics.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: injuries, philadelphia+flyers, suspensions,
Flyers’ Jones Unlikely to Face Big Suspension
by Alanah McGinley on 10/28/07 at 06:07 PM ET
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From Bob McKenzie at TSN,
There are those who are waiting for the NHL to throw the book at Philadelphia’s Randy Jones for his hit on Boston’s Patrice Bergeron.
There are those who are talking about what sanctions the league should impose on the Flyer organization, in the wake of illegal hits by Steve Downie, Jesse Boulerice and now Jones.
And there are those who are likely to be disappointed.
The NHL has yet to rule on Jones, and won’t do or say anything publicly Sunday, but if the reaction around the league from other GMs, coaches and players is any indication, Jones is not likely to be on the receiving end of a monster suspension, if he’s suspended at all.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: philadelphia+flyers, randy+jones, suspensions,
Julien Calls Hit On Bergeron “Dirty”
by Paul on 10/27/07 at 07:49 PM ET
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fromm Matt Kalman of the Hockey Journal,
Everyone was able to release a slight sigh of relief – knowing that the result of Jones’ reckless action could’ve been even worse. Bruins head coach Claude Julien was still cautiously optimistic because he knows things could turn in the days ahead. When asked if he thought the hit was dirty, Julien didn’t pull any punches.
“I had the opportunity to look at it, and if people are calling that accidental, when a guy puts his arm behind a guy’s head, his feet leave the ice, I don’t think that’s accidental. So yes, it was a dirty hit,” the bench boss said.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: boston+bruins, patrice+bergeron, philadelphia+flyers,
Call Colin Campbell
by Alanah McGinley on 10/24/07 at 10:04 PM ET
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A KK reader dropped this in our email box tonight. Mike expressed concern that maybe suspensions aren’t being taken as seriously as we’d all hope:
The league’s disciplinarian should probably be aware that not only is Steve Downie flouting the suspension handed down to him, but he’s also setting up goals…
Here’s the screenshot from the Yahoo! boxscore earlier tonight:
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: philadelphia+flyers, steve+downie, suspensions,
Young Flyers Doing Their Part
by Paul on 10/24/07 at 09:50 AM ET
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from Mike Brophy of the Hockey News,
But in the midst of a 6-1-0 start, the contributions of third-year pros Mike Richards and Jeff Carter should not be overlooked.
In fact, you could make the case their re-emergence as bona fide front line NHL talent has every bit as much to do with the Flyers becoming a force as anything else. Through seven games, Richards had five goals and nine points and was plus-4 while Carter had four goals, five points and was plus-6.
After disastrous sophomore seasons, it is safe to conclude they are back.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: jeff+carter, mike+richards, philadelphia+flyers,
Martin Biron on XM Radio
by Alanah McGinley on 10/22/07 at 02:30 PM ET
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Philadelphia Flyers goalie Marty Biron spoke with XM’s NHL Live show today. The interview can be heard on the player below.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Note: The transcript below is another interview, from Biron’s NHL press conference call earlier today.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: goalies, martin+biron, media, philadelphia+flyers,
Biron’s New Ride Matches His Jersey
by Alanah McGinley on 10/21/07 at 03:03 AM ET
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From Chuck Gormley at the Courier Post,
“[My wife] gave it to me right before we left for the West Coast trip at the beginning of this season, so I was really itching to get back to the Philadelphia area to drive it around,” said Biron, who took the car for a spin through Voorhees Saturday morning. Loaded with an original 302 engine, the car sounds almost as good as it looks.
“Almost everything is original from the way it was when it came out of production in 1969,” he said. “It’s a very nice collector’s edition.”
Biron said he changed the interior to black leather and kept the original orange and black paint design, adding black racing stripes. He said he’s lusted after the ‘69 Camaro long before he wore orange and black.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: martin+biron, philadelphia+flyers,
Flyers Built Around Skill & Speed
by Paul on 10/20/07 at 06:51 AM ET
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from Lynn Zinser of the New York Times,
...But lurking beneath the bad and the ugly, the Flyers have also built a team that might be awfully good. From the rubble of last season, the Flyers have constructed a suddenly scary offense and a team, with a few exceptions, that is less reliant on the thuggery that brings flashbacks to the days of the notorious Broad Street Bullies of the 1970s.
“We like the direction we’re going,” Flyers Coach John Stevens said this week. “Our fans are excited. The crowds at home have been just terrific and people are saying we’re an exciting team to watch, and that means a lot. But if we are going to fly under the radar a little, that’s O.K., too.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: philadelphia+flyers,
Flyers Put Boulerice on Waivers
by Alanah McGinley on 10/15/07 at 12:22 PM ET
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From TSN,
The Philadelphia Flyers placed suspended forward Jesse Boulerice on waivers on Monday.
Boulerice is serving a 25-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks centre Ryan Kesler in the head last Wednesday
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: jesse+boulerice, philadelphia+flyers, waivers,
Flyers Searching for an Identity
by Alanah McGinley on 10/14/07 at 02:46 AM ET
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From Bob Ford at The Philadelphia Inquirer,
“Back With a Vengeance,” was the message emblazoned on the pumpkin-colored T-shirts handed out to the customers for the home opener last night. It is a nice sentiment, a promise that the foolishness of a year ago won’t be tolerated again - at least not mildly. Coming just three days after Jesse Boulerice broke his stick on an opponent’s jaw, maybe the timing was a little off, but what can you do? “Back With a Cross-Check and a 25-Game Suspension” wouldn’t fit on the shirt.
These aren’t the Broad Street Bullies, regardless of the shelf time for Boulerice or the 20-gamer earned by Steve Downie in the exhibition season, and they aren’t the Philadelphia Ballet yet, either. The franchise is stuck somewhere in between, searching for an identity, and trying to skate the fine blue line that separates being tough and being stupid.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: philadelphia+flyers,
Campbell On Jesse Boulerice Suspension
by Paul on 10/13/07 at 08:04 AM ET
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note 1:22pm, I missed my morning coffee earlier today and forgot to note this was from a tele-conference Campbell did yesterday.
Q. So often in these things we hear about repeat offender things, that each suspension thereafter is harsher. Now we’ve had two against a team in a short period of time. Is there any provision where teams can now be held responsible for their players’ actions as well?
COLIN CAMPBELL: There’s nothing formal that holds a team responsible. I guess if you really look at the issues they have to deal with, their roster situation, they have to deal with paying the player and with other aspects that come with losing two players that they’re paying. But there’s nothing formal that punishes the team for the number of players who are suspended.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Talk, Cheap Hits | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Colin+Campbell, jesse+boulerice, philadelphia+flyers, suspensions,
Boulerice Gets 25 Games
by Paul on 10/12/07 at 01:50 PM ET
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from the AP via the Globe and Mail,
Philadelphia forward Jesse Boulerice was suspended 25 games by the NHL on Friday for cross-checking Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler across the face, the second Flyer in three weeks to receive a ban of at least 20 games.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Jesse+Boulerice, philadelphia+flyers, suspensions,
Flyers’ Boulerice Expects Suspension
by Alanah McGinley on 10/11/07 at 02:39 AM ET
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From the AP via MSNBC,
Philadelphia Flyers forward Jesse Boulerice said he expects to be suspended for cross-checking Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler across the face late in an 8-2 rout on Wednesday night.
The hit occurred with 5:41 left and the Flyers leading 7-2. After some pushing and shoving back and forth, Boulerice caught an unsuspecting Ryan Kesler across the face with his stick, leaving the Canucks forward lying motionless on the ice. He eventually got up and skated to the bench on his own.
Boulerice’s coach agreed that a suspension is probably forthcoming.
*Video footage is here
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: jesse+boulerice, philadelphia+flyers, ryan+kesler, suspensions, vancouver+canucks,
All The Tools In Place For Flyers
by Paul on 10/10/07 at 05:58 AM ET
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from phillyBurbs,
In Snider’s opinion, Holmgren has done a masterful job of “reloading” the proud franchise.
“I liked the way we opened up against Calgary. There were certain things I didn’t like against Edmonton,” he said Tuesday in a phone interview. “But I like the fact that we came back in that game and went ahead….”
“I knew Paul,” Snider said. “I had a lot of respect for Paul. I liked him, but I wasn’t sure how he would take the reins. Quite honestly, he exceeded by far any expectations I might have had.”
And now there’s laughter in Snider’s office again.
“Paul made my statement come true,” Snider said. “We don’t rebuild, we retool.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Ed+Snider, philadelphia+flyers,
