Smart move: Flyers re-sign Betts
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Smart move: Flyers re-sign Betts
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Blair Betts is the Flyers' fourth-line center, but if you don't think he's important, consider this: With him in the lineup, the team is 25-12-1.
Without him, they are 5-13-1.
Case closed.
The Flyers on Friday announced they had given Betts a two-year contract extension.
It's a wise move, we can all agree.
One of the team's best faceoff men and penalty killers, Betts will receive $1.4 million _ $700,000 per season.
“Blair has been a valuable addition to our team this year,” GM Paul Holmgren said. “He has a strong work ethic and plays an important role on our team. We are pleased to have him under contract for the future.”
Betts, 29, has six goals and four assists for 10 points and 12 penalty minutes in 39 games in his first season with the Flyers. He has missed 19 games due to injury.
Betts said the deal "was exactly what I was looking for. I was glad that the Flyers were willing to give me a couple years and show some commitment to me.”
Prior to the start of the Betts was invited to Flyers training camp on a tryout basis and signed a one-year contract on Oct. 1, 2009.
Over parts of eight seasons with the Calgary Flames (2001-02 to 2003-04), New York Rangers (2005-06 to 2008-09) and Flyers (2009-10), Betts has compiled 58 points.
An Edmonton native, Betts was originally drafted by Calgary in the second round (33rd overall) of the 1998 NHL draft.
Somehow, the Rangers let him walk after last season.
Dumb move, we can all agree.
finally a great move by Homie. Put him under contract but not for too much $$$. Low risk because he gets hurt a lot, but as you said above, high reward when he's in the line-up. If Betts can stay healthy he changes this team— Stanley Cup- He is the hardest working Flyer on the current roster. He deserves it. Thanks Betts for consistently keeping your feet moving and playing with emotion and intensity 100% of the time. Congrats!— mpr
- Great on the PK.— P Even
- Where's the no trade clause?— PhillyPhan35
- "Somehow, the Rangers led him walk after last season. Dumb move, we can all agree." That's funny...
- Love this move. Their record with him in the lineup speaks for itself. Maybe the the big $ guys will learn what 100% hustle is watching this guy.— CanadianPhilly
Good move. I thought the Rangers weren't interested because he had been having shoulder problems. Too bad the Flyers had to move Metropolit. He seems to be doing well in MTL, and I always liked his game.— Hame of Famer- Great move!— ChrisM
- Nice move yes, but did everyone see that the Rangers just got Jody Shelley in a trade? They waive Brashear, then bring this guy in. Should be an interesting game the next time they play Philly.— FlyFifty8
- Great move as long as he stay's healthy, which seems to be a problem for Flyer player's (See Emery).— flyerdup
Comment removed.- Love it. Flyers make big high-profile signings like Forsberg, Hatcher, now Emery, and look. Meanwhile it's the guys like Trent Klatt, Ian Laperriere and Blair Betts who wind up being there for you in the Conference Finals.— aezoll
- Comment removed.
- I like Betts!!— sawgrass
- The Rangers must have really hated Betts. They let him walk because he was hurt...then signed the guy who hurt him (Brashear) at 3 times the price of Betts...and now are paying Brashear to not play. Did he bang Glen Sather's daughter or something?! Anyway, I am happy any time that Philly signs a hard worker.— Hexy4GM
