Flyers sign Fedotenko, Gervais
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Flyers sign Fedotenko, Gervais
The Flyers signed two players on Thursday, bringing back former Flyer Ruslan Fedotenko and adding defenseman Bruno Gervais, who was previously with Tampa Bay.
Fedotenko, 33, collected 20 points in 73 games with the Rangers last season. He is a two-time Stanley Cup winner who made John Tortorella’s team in 2010 as a training camp tryout. Last season was Fedotenko’s least productive of his career, marking a 16 point drop-off from his rookie year in 2000-01 with the Flyers.
Fedotenko will be skating on a one-year, $1.75 million deal according to reports.
“Moving forward here, we’re still a pretty young group. I think the opportunity to add Ruslan, and his ability to play a lot of different roles on a team… he can play any wing, he can probably play center if you need… the fact that he’s won a couple times, the fact that he’s been here before, both played into the decision to move forward with him," general manager Paul Holmgren said in a conference call. "We’ve actually tried to sign Ruslan a couple times over the last few years and we’ve always missed out. I like him, and I think he’s going to bring a lot to our team in terms of leadership, and I think he’s a winner, I really do.”
About Gervais, Holmgren said: “I think he’s going to fit nicely into our group of whether we carry seven or eight defensemen, we’ll see. But he’s a righthand shot, and that gives us two right-hand [defensemen] shots in Luke Schenn and Bruno, something we haven’t had since I can’t remember. Probably goes back to Bob Dailey and Mike Busniuk. Bruno’s a good kid, he works hard, he’s got over 350 games of experience in the league. I know he’s bounced around a little bit, but he’s an unassuming, quiet, good player that’ll provide enthusiasm and experience, and I think he’s a really good fit on our team.”
"I just know they’re good friends. I think Max is actually Bruno’s best man, I think he’s getting married here in a few days. Did that play a role… anytime you have players that know players, they can give you a little bit of an inside scoop on something about them that you don’t know. But we’ve always liked Bruno, even back to his Islander days early on. He’s just a quiet, steady player.”
Gervais, 27, will earn $825,000 a year over the next two seasons.
Gervais is the childhood best friend of Flyers forward Max Talbot. He is viewed as a depth defenseman, who could likely fill in as the Flyers’ sixth blue liner. He played in just 50 games last year with the Lightning. Gervais has never finished an NHL season as a plus or even player in his 7 years in the NHL.
"I just know they’re good friends," Holmgren said. "I think Max is actually Bruno’s best man, I think he’s getting married here in a few days. Did that play a role… anytime you have players that know players, they can give you a little bit of an inside scoop on something about them that you don’t know. But we’ve always liked Bruno, even back to his Islander days early on. He’s just a quiet, steady player.”
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Not a bad price at all for Gervais, an upgrade over Lilja. Rusty has had some good seasons but lets hope lets year wasn't his career wall.— Sidewinder7- Still money under the cap. The kids will be alright this year! Let's Go Flyers!— mikeyo27
- Well, that is something...not much, but something.
— Ohmy - Just what we needed another #6 defenseman...that gives us 7— flyers1000
- Nice moves PAUL— StewieLavin27
- And here comes the trading....— fman727
- actually it gives us 8 defenseman. But Bourdon will be in a trade we make for Ryan, Nash, Evander Kane.— fman727
I like what the Flyers are doing here as far as trades go. They may not be signing marquee names but they seem to be building a team of guys that will play well and jive together. First reuniting the Schenn brothers now bringing on a friend of Talbots. You play better with a group of guys you care about.- Gervais spent most of his career on the island, reason enough for a horrendous +-— Sidewinder7
- No, flyers1000 is saying we have seven #6 (not great) D-men. i don't agree per se but laughed pretty hard at his comment :)— halfhonk
- What is it this year with reuniting brothers and best friends throughout the NHL???— toph314
- Welcome back Rusty!! A type of player the Flyers needed. One with a ring.— stickman
- Hey, Gervais is a body who can take minutes and compete for a spot. Carle looked like Paul Coffey with Pronger, so he could surprise. I like the Rusty sigining. He's won the Cup, twice, and can provide some solid minutes.— macd41144
- Talk about a consolation prize.— dcm220
- Just another ex Flyer who already has his Stanley Cups......how motivated will he be to skate through a brick wall for Lavy and his style of play?— Mark1npt
