Free agency shaping the Flyers
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Free agency shaping the Flyers
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Flyers failed to sign free-agent winger Simon Gagne, who opted for a two-year deal with Los Angeles on Saturday that will pay him a total of $7 million ($3.5M per season).
The Flyers have about $3.3 million in cap space _ $4.4 million after Ian Laperriere goes on the LTIR list _ and still need to sign RFA winger Wayne Simmonds.
A deal with Simmonds is expected to be finalized in a few days.
"Even if we don't do anything else, I'm very happy with the team we've put together," said Peter Luukko, president of of the Flyers' parent company, Comcast-Spectacor.
The Flyers are counting on their defense being one of the NHL's best.
They are also relying on newcomers Simmonds, Jaromir Jagr and Jakub Voracek to have big seasons and help compensate for the loss of Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Ville Leino, three players who combined for 78 goals last season.
Here is how the Flyers' lines may look:
** Hartnell-Briere-Jagr.
** JVR-Giroux-Simmonds.
** Talbot-Schenn-Voracek (Talbot can also play C)
** Shelley-Betts-Nodl.
NOTE: C Sean Couturier, the team's highly touted No. 1 dratt pick, is a threat to crack the lineup. Ditto promising Matt Read.
Still, it's far from an overpowering group, which means the Flyers will have to rely on strong goaltending and defense if they are to end their 36-year Stanley Cup drought.
* * *
The Flyers will hold a prospect development camp at the Skate Zone in Voorhees from Wednesday through July 11.
Many of the Flyers top prospects will be at the camp, including highly regarded center Brayden Schenn, who was acquired in the deal that sent Richards to Los Angeles, and Couturier, the eighth overall pick in the recent NHL draft.
The camp, which is open to the public, will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on July 6, 7, 9 and 10, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on July 11.
On Thursday, there will be a public skating session from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Selected players will be on the ice with fans at various times throughout the session.
On Friday, the camp shifts to Stone Harbor for the annual Trial on the Isle. The day-long event includes a 9 a.m. mini-triathlon competition, followed by a youth hockey clinic, an autograph session and a charity softball game.
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"Far from overpowering"??? And what exactly has been overpowering about the Flyers teams the past few years? They had their chance and didn't get it done. It was time for a shakeup.— n62- Similar approach to the Phillies ... hope to win 2-1 because this current offense isn't scoring many goals— shawnmac
- Going to be interesting to see this season unfold...going to need the defensive pairings to hold up in front of breezy. A ton of potential out there though, and could be pretty good by the end of the year. Either way, Go Flyers!— Bleue
Comment removed.- We lost 80 goals... I know we needed a goalie, but - WE LOST 80 GOALS! Richie should not have been part of the fire sale. Carter I could see. Leino wasn't as easy, but I can see that, too. But Richie was a cornerstone and won't be replaced.— Hockey Al
- The Flyers are counting on the defense being one of the NHL's best. OH GOD Isn't that what was said last year with a healthy Pronger. Awful job by Homer. Will struggle to be a 7th seed.— debbyt
- Richards' relationship with the coach was a mess, they needed to remove the C and doing that would have made things way worse. They had to move him, but you can trace the original mistake back to making him captain in the first place.— n62
- My only problem with the dismantling is Hartnell is still a Flyer— joepir
- ...projected 1st liner---your teams turned into the laughing stock of the league — petemagoop
- Let's not exaggerate. Flyers only lost 78 goals. Agree that they won't replace that with Jagr, simmonds and voracek.— P Even
- Terrible. This may cost Homer his job. I'm soooo glad Luukko likes this team...what exactly does he know about hockey that makes him like this team so much. Please ask him that question and do some real reporting. Let's make sure we ask him if he likes the team next April....when they don't make the playoffs.— scootch
- They're counting on some young guys taking the next step. JVR has been a star in one playoffs and zero regular seasons.— dragoon6
- i believe we are better to play against. maybe people don't want to believe the lack of respect both carter/richards had fo there teammates. there night life escapdes was down right a disgrace. go do some reporting and u will not want either one of those players be wearing a Flyers jersey. i guess the big upgrade in a goaltender does not count?? all said and done we are better off today and especially tomorrow!!!— sammybeans
- ...dream on — petemagoop
If the Flyers won the cup, I'm sure most of the posters here would complain about the parade. Lighten up, this team was missing the grit, and skill as well, to win the cup, from the forwards to the goalkeepers, especially the Captain. Stop with the excuses for these guys, when you are asked to man up and show more dedication to the team, that includes taking your roles seriously, yes Carter too, who were not a force in the locker room, nor did they do what the coaches asked of them at all times, and there definitely was a disconnect between the Captain with Laviolette and Pronger, who have both won cups and know what it takes fom the players, especially those who are given the honor to lead the team as Captain. If there was not an issue with these guys, they would still be here. I am very proud of the Flyers brass, who have the brass cojones to dio whatever it takes to win, and it starts with a mix of skillful youth and enthusiasm, as well as veteran leaders who have the grit, passion and determination to mold the winning attitude of a cup winner.
