Posted: Saturday, December 12, 2009, 5:02 PM | 24 comments |
 

Is John Grahame the answer?
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Since last season ended, goaltender John Grahame has played just about anywhere you or I could – in a local men’s league.

Pretty soon, he could be back in the National Hockey League – this time with the Flyers.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren confirmed to the Daily News on Saturday afternoon that Grahame, 34, signed a professional tryout contract (PTO) with the Adirondack Phantoms yesterday. He will be in uniform tonight for the Phantoms game in Glens Falls, N.Y., against Wilkes Barre-Scranton.

While Holmgren told assembled reporters on Saturday night in Newark, N.J., that the Flyers just expect Grahame to backup Nic Riopel in Adirondack, conventional wisdom suggests this move is more than that.

The Flyers have been searching for a backup goalie with NHL experience for Brian Boucher, despite the fact that he has been playing well. The Flyers simply play too many games over this 6-week stretch (nearly 30) to let Boucher run the table.

Grahame presents a cheap, experienced and available option for the Flyers. Plus, they wouldn’t need to give up anyone. Looking to get back into the game, Grahame would likely take the league minimum to return to the NHL if asked.

The Montreal Canadiens are asking for a top six forward in exchange for backup Jaroslav Halak.

Want a deeper connection?

Grahame played for new Flyers coach Peter Laviolette in Carolina. In 2006-07, the year after the Canes won the Stanley Cup, Grahame had a 2.86 GAA and .897 save percentage in 28 games.

He tended goal last year for Omsk Avangard, with Jaromir Jagr, in the Russian Kontinental League. There, he posted a 2.86 GAA in 20 games. Avangard reportedly cancelled Grahame's contract on Dec. 9, 2008, citing a alcohol problems. The Russian media reported that Grahame appealed the decision but was denied.

Grahame told ESPN in January that the reports were "100-percent false."

Even though it’s been almost 20 months (Mar. 3, 2008) since Grahame played in the NHL, the Denver, Col., native has made 202 starts in the NHL over an eight-year career.

His name is etched on the Stanley Cup when he backed up Nikolai Khabibulin and the Tampa Bay Lightning to a title in 2004. He wouldn’t be a permanent answer, just a temporary fix until Emery can return.

At the very least, all of those things are far more than current backup Johan Backlund, who is in just his first pro season in North America, can say.
Posted by Frank Seravalli @ 5:02 PM  Permalink | 24 comments
24
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:37 PM, 12/12/2009
    If he's the answer, the question must be pretty bad.
    — HandNik
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:45 PM, 12/12/2009
    the flyers don't need a back-up goalie. they should not give up anything for it.
    — bobbyd24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:54 PM, 12/12/2009
    Could this team re-tread another has been? What is it with the teams in this city trying to recapture the past with washed up players??
    — thebaron
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:55 PM, 12/12/2009
    we dont need a new backup...we need a new number one.......again....
    — pucky88
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:03 PM, 12/12/2009
    A team in Russia said the guy had a bottle problem, and the Flyers are bringing him in to hunt with the Legion of Poon? Hoo Boy
    — JSaq
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:11 PM, 12/12/2009
    Let's go with Backlund and see what he can do. Young goalies emerge all the time. I don't want to see a journeyman goalie as a stopgap.
    — elrey97
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:14 PM, 12/12/2009
    The answer is to score some bleepin goals.
    — rstone
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:15 PM, 12/12/2009
    He's the answer if the question is "What is one of several moves the Flyers could make that will have absolutely no effect on the team's current ineptitude".
    — poger67
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:08 PM, 12/12/2009
    If Backlund isn't the answer to any of our problems then why is he even playing with us? We don't need another goalie. When Boosh was signed it was with the intent that he could handle things if Emery got hurt or didn't work out. Have some faith in our goalies and push for a trade because we need offense. Even if our goalies went on a shutout run and shutout every single game for the rest of the season, without scoring goals we still won't win. Why is this so hard for Holmgren to see? He's about as intelligent as Bettman if he doesn't get us some more offense.
    — Kanayd
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:36 PM, 12/12/2009
    Can he score or play defense???? Goal is the LAST of the Flyers MANY problems right now.If the is a question with Boosh,put "Bob" Backlund in.The "starts" on this team are not playing that way.If they don't right the ship soon,we are not going to even have a shot at losing in the first round as usual,won't be anywhere near the playoffs.3-0 Jersey in the 1st,put in Backlund.
    — philly fan in cheyenne
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:23 PM, 12/12/2009
    This season just keeps getting worse.
    — BobbyD
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:47 PM, 12/12/2009
    BobbyD- you said it... this might be the worst winter season since 1992 for Philly sports, but at least the Sixers still had Barkley then. The Flyers need to do something- Carter was the only one out there trying it seemed like, at he was stoned point blank by Brodeur at least twice. This stinks
    — kjuggs77
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:48 PM, 12/12/2009
    When is the media going to start calling for Ed Snider's head? His mismanagement of our sports teams cannot go ignored for much longer. He's perpetrating a major fraud on Philadelphia at this point.
    — Toots McGee
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:50 PM, 12/12/2009
    Backlund isn't a kid anyway- he's like 28, if I remember correctly... we need a good, young goalie...get one from Vancouver! Theyre overflowing with goaltending prospects
    — kjuggs77
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:02 PM, 12/12/2009
    Nicklas Backstrom caught a break with the Wild when Manny Fernandez went down with an injury and look at him now so give Backlund a chance
    — ghost78


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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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