Flyers deny JVR rumors; Gus ready to return
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Flyers deny JVR rumors; Gus ready to return
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
NASHVILLE _ Flyers left winger James van Riemsdyk isn’t going anywhere _ at least for now.
A Flyers official denied a report that JVR was headed to Toronto for defenseman Luke Schenn.
“Not happening,” he said.
Schenn is the older brother of Brayden, the Flyers’ rookie center.
Van Riemsdyk, 22, has limitless potential (see last year’s playoff outburst), but has had a mediocre season (11 goals, 11 assists), one that has been slowed by injuries. Still, he has drawn interest from numerous general managers who are trying to persuade Flyers GM Paul Holmgren to move him.
If the Flyers make a deal, they aren’t expected to do so until much closer to the Feb. 27 trade deadline.
The Flyers have lots of interest in Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter, a potential unrestricted free agent after the season whom the Predators are trying to resign. He earns $3.5 million this season.
The Flyers, after sending defenseman Matt Walker to the Phantoms and recalling defenseman Erik Gustafsson a few days ago, have about $4.2 million in cap room.
Suter, who will turn 27 on Jan. 21, recently was selected to the all-star team for the first time in his career. He has five goals and 20 assists this season and is plus-7.
The Flyers do not want Suter as a rent-a-player, which means they would want to have a long-term agreement in place if they acquired him.
In the meantime, the Flyers are eager to give the promising 23-year-old Gustafsson a long look before deciding if they have to make a deal. Gustafsson is expected to replace Andrej Lilja in the starting lineup Saturday night in Nashville.
Gustafsson hasn’t played since injuring his wrist in a 9-2 win over Columbus on Nov. 5. In that game, the defenseman was plus-6.
The player they call “Gus” played five games with the AHL Phantoms, and he said on Friday he was 100 percent recovered from wrist surgery _ and itching to return to the lineup.
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Carolina defensemen Bryan Allen and Tim Gleason are on the Flyers' radar, sources said. They are not at the top of their wish list, but they are on it.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
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I still think Pronger will return for the play-off's. How come no (almost) daily updates like we hear from Crosby?— NFLD Flyer- BIG mistake to lose JVR. I realize they have some problems in defense but he is a big plus.— leenyg
They should not always try to build the team via trade, but instead let their own draft picks mature, which comes a lot cheaper. Don't pull off a deal unless you know for sure about the future of Pronger.- When playing at 100%, James is a dynamo as evidenced in last year's playoff! He will be a force to be reckoned with when he gets healthy. Pronger needs to come out of hiding and be a spokesman for the team...love his interviews!— dogman5
- dommo and NFLD- Pronger's done. To already count him out of the regular season and playoffs (and this was back in December), this injury is waaaay too serious to even consider a comeback. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't have a good feeling on this- see Keith Primeau.— mrjarn
- Bob for President.— rockinrob
- Keep JVR unless you get a great return for him. Remember the Patrick Sharp trade? Flyers got a guy who played 3 or 4 games for them and was never heard from again.— zeke128
- Holmgren denying any trade of JVR is the "KISS OF DEATH"! The Man is like Reid and can't complete a sentence without lying!— younged
- How about trading Brayden Schenn for Luke Schenn. Have brothers ever been traded for one another? LOL— Firebird7478
- Hey great comments from all however you are all nuts if you think Pronger the fraud is coming back. I don't want him back to slow and now just one bump on the head away from being hurt again Lindros and now Criosby all over again. Don't need that, as far as trading JVR well I think the kid is still a puppy and will mature into a real solid player. He has size, speed and can fire the puck and if he dedicates himself to working out all the time he will build bulk-muscle the sad part is you have to give to get so hopefully Homer can find someone with-out giving up our core of very good young players as far as Pronger goes, he has done nothing only had one nice year here then his next two he either has been hurt or now out for the season way to much money in the world of salary cap Homer can't afford to do that thats my opinion on the trade of JVR and Pronger the Fraud— william20
- Gustafsson coming back will help. He is easily better then Lilja and Bourdon.— Sidewinder7
- will JVR ever pan out? Who knows but Pronger's career is probably over, unfortunately. So you have to give something to get something-JVR could land Pronger's replacement which is badly needed. GM's aren't just going to hand over a Pronger calibre defenseman to the Flyers for Gus or Vorachek, Simmonds etc.— debbyt
I think we'd regret trading him at this stage of the game. Yeah he's had an underwhelming season but he will bounce back.- Boy, Sam, you're a regular Bob Woodward. You dream up this ridiculous rumor to explain JVR's status, and minutes later, the Flyers announce he is out indefinitely with a concussion. By the way, this site still isn't reporting the concussion.— MEH8008
- Pronger=done. Some G.M. might give you a d man that they will lose anyway for JVR. Homer would have to be sure the guy would sign with Flyers for reasonable price next season or risk losing a good player (when healthy) for a bag of pucks. I do not think anyone can even promise Homer that (within the guidelines, wink, wink, nod).— NYPHILLYPHAN
