Archive: March, 2010
The Flyers agreed to terms with Erik Gustafsson, another undrafted free agent from the college ranks, yesterday.
Gustafsson, 22, signed a three-year deal – which begins in 2010-11 – after a three-year run with Northern Michigan University. The deal is worth $810,000 per season with a $60,000 per season signing bonus.
The 5-foot-11 defenseman led all CCHA conference blueliners with 32 points in 39 games. For his career, the Kvissleby, Sweden native, recorded 93 points in 123 games. He was twice named the CCHA’s offensive defenseman of the year.
Dan Carcillo said it was an accident.
And NHL’s dean of discipline, Colin Campbell, didn’t buy it.
Carcillo was suspended for two games by the NHL today, following a noon hearing with the NHL’s discipline committee.
*UPDATE*
The Flyers have called up goalie Carter Hutton, freshly signed from UMass-Lowell, to replace the injured Johan Backlund on the Flyers' roster.
Hutton was signed last week by the Flyers, straight from college.
It’s an intrepid move, but it’s one that Flyers coach Peter Laviolette hopes will give his team a spark they desperately need tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
Johan Backlund, the Phantoms’ starter for most of the season, will make his NHL debut in net for the Flyers tomorrow afternoon in their final appearance at Mellon Arena. It is the Flyers' first of back-to-back games this weekend, with the Devils visiting the Wachovia Center on Sunday night.
"I hope they trust me," Backlund told reporters after today's practice. "It would be a great chance to play my first game and try to help the team. We have to win games here to [stay] in the playoffs."
Backlund's name was at the top of the Flyers' depth chart for practice today, even though Laviolette wouldn't give any hints as to his lineup.
Backlund, 28, is far from a rookie – even though this is his first professional season in North America. He started more than 50 games each of the past four seasons in the Swedish Elite League.
He posted a 2.79 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in 41 starts with the Phantoms this season.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren announced today that center Jeff Carter, the Flyers’ leading scorer, will have foot surgery tomorrow at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Dr. Steve Raikin will insert a screw into Carter’s left foot to “aide the healing process” for the non-displaced fracture of the navicular bone.
The navicular bone is a small, non-weight bearing bone at the back of the arch.
What if?
I mean, what are the chances the Flyers – whose wheels are already falling off – continue to collapse and don’t make the postseason?
Before last weekend, with 12 games to play, the Flyers held a nine point edge on a playoff spot as they were seated in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Jeff Carter didn’t think much of it.
He had taken much harder shots off the side of his foot than Clarke MacArthur’s blast in the first period of Sunday night’s loss to Atlanta.
Carter finished the game and didn’t seem to have an issue leaving the Wachovia Center, thanks to a pain killer.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren crossed another undrafted free agent off his list this week.
Holmgren confirmed to the Daily News that the Flyers have agreed to a two-year contract – beginning next season – with Colorado College forward Mike Testwuide.
The Colorado Springs (Col.) Gazette said the former Tigers captain agreed to a deal Thursday afternoon, capping off a hectic week that included serious offers from the Rangers, Capitals and Avalanche.
DALLAS – The news was worse than the Flyers could have ever hoped.
Michael Leighton’s magical run as the Flyers’ savior is over.
According to Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, Leighton will be out for 8-to-10 weeks with a “severe” left high ankle sprain.
- Poll: How far can the Flyers go? (357 votes)
The Flyers today recalled goaltender Jeremy Duchesne on an emergency basis from the Adirondack Phantoms, their AHL affiliate, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.
Duchesne replaces Michael Leighton, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Tuesday's shootout loss at Nashville. Duchesne's call-up was first reported in today's Daily News.
Duchesne, 23, has a 1-1-0 record with a 1.02 goals-against average and .981 save percentage for the Phantoms. His victory was a 4-0 shutout over the Providence Bruins on March 13. This is his first call-up to the NHL. He also has a 9-4-3-2 record with one shutout, a 3.20 GAA and .904 save percentage for the Kalamazoo Wings, the Flyers' ECHL affiliate.
