NHL sends Betts back to Flyers; Lappy put on LTIR
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
NHL sends Betts back to Flyers; Lappy put on LTIR
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Veteran center Blair Betts, claimed off waivers by Montreal last week, has been sent back to the Flyers.
In effect, the league ruled that Betts was damaged goods; he did not pass Montreal's physical and the team called it a "lower-body injury."
"While it is clear that both clubs have acted in good faith in this unique situation (waiver claim), I am not prepared to dispute the conclusion of the Montreal club doctors that Mr. Betts was physically unfit to play at the time of the claim," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "Therefore, it is my decision that, per league bylaws, the appropriate resolution to this matter is to restore the parties to the position they were in prior to the waiver claim on Oct. 5."
In order to have cap space, the Flyers placed Ian Laperriere on the long-term injured reserve list. They now have about $500,000 in cap room.
With Betts, the Flyers again have 50 contracts, the maximum allowed.
Sean Couturier's contract doesn't count until his 11th game (he would be the 51st contract), while his three-year entry level deal goes into effect in his 10th game.
Breakaways. In two games, Ilya Bryzgalov has a 0.50 goals-against average and .977 save percentage……Claude Giroux has a goal in each game….Wayne Simmonds and James van Riemsdyk lead the Flyers with seven shots each....The Flyers play their first game at the WFC Wednesday by hosting Vancouver, a Stanley Cup finalist last season.
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Thats good news....now we can have a solid 4th liner for the PK and checking duties once he gets healthy.— Romus- How is that Good news? The Flyers didn't want him now he is sent back because he is injured. Some reports say its a back problem some say its a knee on top of a shoulder problem he has had for years. Worst of all they have 50 contracts not including couturier. So because of Betts return the flyers will have to trade someone or waive someone that will hopefully will be claimed so they can have a spot for coututier's contract. All of which they would have done before if they really wanted Betts. So now they may lose a player they rather not lose. NO THANKS! — PhillyFran75
Comment removed.- I don't see how we can fit him in though. Still want to see Schenn in there soon, and good lord even Nodl is playing solid PK.— gob1234
- Fantastic News. This guy gives 100% and was a steal for what the Canadiens would have paid for him off of waivers. HOMER, IF YOU ARE LISTENING, DO THE RIGHT THING (like you did with the Richards and Carter deals), Keep Betts and let him get healthy so we have a great faceoff guy and another great penalty killer, put IAN on Long Term Disability, and CUT SHELLY (He is useless in this new NHL. Simmonds had 1 fight and won, how many did shelly have last year and lost !! Shelly brings absolutely no value added to this team. There is your solution !! Mark my words, that is the way to go here. LETS GO FLYERS !!!! LUV THE WAY THEY ARE PLAYING. LUV EVERTHING ABOUT THIS NEW AND IMPROVED TEAM THIS YEAR. P.S.... GET RID OF SHELLY !!— longislandflyerfan
- First off Betts has a ton of injuries and the Flyers didn't want him. You can't just cut shelly he would have to be waived and who will claim him no one. So they still will have to move a player so they are at the 50 contract limit if they want to keep Couturier past 10 games. They did the right thing Betts even when healthy won't play unless a bottom six injury. This hurt the Flyers more than people realize. — PhillyFran75
- Comment removed.
- Here's an idea- cut Backlund. He's on the last year of his deal, not going to be a Flyers goalie, and with the depth of prospects they have, shouldn't be a Phantoms goalie. Same could be said for Leighton.
Or- Lappy is on the last year of his deal and REALLY should not play again because of his head injuries. Offer him a buyout and a job. He's done a great job running rookie camp and working with prospects, so buy out his player contract and offer him a job as an assistant coach. (Or he could offer to retire as a player and take a job with the organization.)— phlnative - Good idea phlnative. There is got be be some way for this team to keep Betts. Once he is healthy, he can still really help this team via faceoffs & penalty kill, and with the injuries that occur during a regular season (+ the money he makes $700,000), the Flyers may just need him. They can find better ways to cut down on the CAP while like you mentioned above without losing a good player for a minimum price.— longislandflyerfan
Betts is a warrior and a stand-up guy. but he's shot. His legs and shoulders were gone last year, or before, and he and the Flyers need to move on.— Hame of Famer- P.S. HOMER, Just don't trade "BOB" under any conditions. "BoB will learn from Bryz and I am positive that in 3-5 years time watching Bryz and practicing with the goalie coach and playing a fe games, "BOB" will be a great goalie in the future. Figure Brzy in the Net for 5 to 7 more years, BoB will then be 2 years younger than Bryz is now and BOB can then take over for Bryz and let him be the backup for his last 2-3 years or so. This way, the Flyers never have to worry about goaltending for at least 15-20 years. I think BOB was rushed to fast into action last year and considering the circumstances, he played great for his first time ever in the NHL. Now let him grow with this organization till he is 27-29 or so. If this be the case, Backlund can gladly go under those circumstances. I LUV the Bryz and BOB duo in goal. Think it is the best tandem in the league right now. LETS GO FLYERS !!!— longislandflyerfan
- I agree that Shelley is of no use to them anymore, and should be cut. Lappy should just retire and become a coach. If Betts is injured then he needs to go to the IR until he is healthy. Leave the rest of the team as is, they are playing really well right now, and the kids are getting good OJT in the Flyers system.
- Now I turn around and trade Nodl to Montreal for a prospect.— twpman
- I think a lot of you guys are missing the point here. Just cutting/waiving someone doe snot open up the roster spot for Couturier. They would have to be CLAIMED by another team or the contract still stands. They have a major problem here in seven more games. If they don;t trade someone or get a waived player to be claimed, without return, by another team, Couturier must go back to juniors for the entire junior team's season.— bsbullie
- Not quite true, bsbullie, Coutourier has to play the 9 games. Flyers can buy a little time by healthy scratching him. Not ideal but nothing is with Homer playing with fire so close to the gap ceiling each year. You'd think he'd learn.— Claudio Vernight
