Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 4:26 PM | 20 comments |
 

All Betts are Off; Jones loaned; Roster announced
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It’s official.

All bets are off. At least those betting on whether Blair Betts will be in the lineup for Friday night’s regular season opener in Carolina.

The Flyers announced their 22-man roster today to open the season and Betts is not on it. In camp on a tryout contract, the Flyers have made it clear that they would like to sign Betts and Betts has made it clear that he would like to be a Flyer.

But the two sides have not been able to come to an agreement.

“We’re at the same place we were yesterday,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. “We’re working through things.”

Holmgren would not say what the hang up is in the negotiations. Betts earned $615,000 last year with the Rangers and would probably be due a small raise. And it probably isn’t the length of contract, because Holmgren said that the club would discuss both one and two-year deals.

The whole thing has left Betts – who was clearly frustrated after practice – baffled. Both sides have known since the first preseason game that he would be a good fit in Philadelphia, exactly two weeks ago.

“I have no idea,” Betts said on Wednesday after practice. “As the player, I honestly don’t know.

“They said they need a little bit more time and we are waiting to hear from [the Flyers].”

Betts excels in the face-off circle and could be a fixture on the team’s first penalty killing unit if he can strike an accord with the Flyers. He would also take pressure off of Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux to play more minutes on the penalty kill.

Betts is an unrestricted free agent and is free to sign with any team at any time. But he said after practice that he has not spoken to other teams.

“It’s either we’re staying here,” Betts said. “Or if we’re not staying here then we’ll figure something else out.

“I’m confident something will happen.”

Holmgren wasn’t as confident.

“I don’t know,” Holmgren said. “We’ll see how it goes over the next day. If we don’t have anything done by tomorrow, it probably won’t happen.”

Jones loaned
Holmgren ended all speculation about what the Flyers would do with defenseman Randy Jones when he announced that the blue liner was loaned to Adirondack after today’s practice.

Jones was not claimed on waivers this past weekend. He will still earn his entire $3 million salary in the AHL and will stay put unless the Flyers need to call him up because of injury.

JVR, Pyorala, Syvret are safe
As expected, James van Riemsdyk, Mika Pyorala and Danny Syvret will be on the Flyers roster for Friday night.

Read more in Thursday’s Daily News.
Posted by Frank Seravalli @ 4:26 PM  Permalink | 20 comments
20
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:44 PM, 09/30/2009
    Who gives a ... about the Flyers. I predict a strong season and an early playoff exit. SSDY. Go Eagles!!!! Go Phillies!!!!!
    — flyigglesfly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:44 PM, 09/30/2009
    Who gives a ... about the Flyers. I predict a strong season and an early playoff exit. SSDY. Go Eagles!!!! Go Phillies!!!!!
    — flyigglesfly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:51 PM, 09/30/2009
    I smell a greedy agent here. Betts needs to tell his agent to get it done if he wants to be a Flyer.
    — fff
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:51 PM, 09/30/2009
    Sounds like Betts wants to play in Philly. Is the agent asking for too much?
    — P Even
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:54 PM, 09/30/2009
    I am very excited about the Flyers. Can't wait for the season to start. October is a great month. Phils are on a roll and will compete for another championship, Eagles are off to a good start, and will compete with the Giants and Cowboys for division supremacy (what else is new?), Flyers look very, very good -- I can't wait to see Giroux again, one of the most exciting players to watch in a long time--and, maybe even the Sixers will be fun to watch under the new coach (or am I dreaming?). Anyway, October is definitely a great sports month in Philly. Go Phillies, Go Eagles, Go Flyers, Go Sixers!
    — gilbi
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:03 PM, 09/30/2009
    FINALLY!! I'm happy with this roster. Concerned about the backup goalie situation, Backlund is not impressive at all, nor Buch...Let's see what happens with Betts. If he does not sign I wont' be heartbroken. I think we are pretty solid across the board!
    — sima_down_nah
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:06 PM, 09/30/2009
    HEY FRANK....dude the pic of you up there is horrendous....seriously there must be a better pic of you somewhere...ya got your mouth agape like you are ready to bob for some apples...WTF IS THAT??
    — dipdabear
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:06 PM, 09/30/2009
    HEY FRANK....dude the pic of you up there is horrendous....seriously there must be a better pic of you somewhere...ya got your mouth agape like you are ready to bob for some apples...WTF IS THAT??
    — dipdabear
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:18 PM, 09/30/2009
    flyigglesfly - I CARE about the Flyers. I love hockey - and if you're too unsophisticated to appreciate a game that requires the most physically fit athletes in professional team sports - that is your loss. However, sometimes, "Buddy", it may be better to remain silent and to be THOUGHT a fool - than to open your mouth (or in this case - have someone type for you) and remove ALL doubt. Thanks for playing - and maybe it's time to change your diaper?
    — mebphila
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:21 PM, 09/30/2009
    flyigglesfly, Who cares about the flyers? You been dropped in your head a few times have ya? If you're whining about the flyers why did you click on the link for the story than moron.
    — twpguy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:54 PM, 09/30/2009
    flyigglesfly wouldnt last two seconds in a mans game such as hockey thats why he prefers to drink beer and play fanatasy football. I love football as much as the next person but hate the Iggle and Phillies fans who rip on the Flyers and Sixers because they arent the "cool" sport in town. On another note i am happy Pyorala and JVR made the team they will be nice additions. Go Flyers.
    — Crosbysucks
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:50 PM, 09/30/2009
    I don't get it. Is 22 the max? If so, do the Flyers have to move someone to make room for Betts?
    — borntosuffer
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:16 PM, 09/30/2009
    Roster: Briere, Carter, Hartnell, Gagne, Richards, Pyorala, JVR, Giroux, Asham, Laperriere, Carcillo, Cote, Pronger, Carle, Coburn, Parent, Timonen, Syvret, Tollefsen, Emery, Backlund (Boucher on IR - listed on the roster ... but not)
    — seventh


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About Frank Seravalli
Frank Seravalli is in his fourth year with the Daily News and third season covering the Flyers. He started at the Daily News as an intern writing about the boozing legends of the Lincoln Financial Field lots and hasn't left. Since joining the Flyers beat, he has covered everything from the Winter Classic to the Stanley Cup Final and everything in between. Prior to joining the Daily News, the Bucks County native did a large amount of freelance work for local media outlets, covering high schools, colleges and all four of Philly's major sports teams. He resides in Center City. E-mail Frank at seravaf@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter @DNFlyers.

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