"Andrew is a big, competitive defenseman, and he skates really well for a big man," general manager Paul Holmgren said. "He'll help us because of his experience and ability to get up and down the ice."

Lukacevic, 22, was on the Phantoms' roster.

Alberts, a healthy scratch in Boston's first two games, arrived about an hour before last night's game against visiting Montreal but did not dress. He will make the three-game trip that starts tonight in Pittsburgh. Alberts is expected to take Lasse Kukkonen's spot in the lineup.

A defense-oriented defenseman, Alberts is in the last year of his contract. His $1.25 million salary will bring the Flyers' cap number to about $54.3 million - $2.7 million under.

The Flyers have cap space because several players are on the long-term injury list - including defensemen Ryan Parent, Randy Jones and Derian Hatcher - and their salaries do not count against the cap.

Flyers coach John Stevens said he was impressed with Alberts when he watched him play in the AHL a few years ago. Alberts will give the Flyers a needed physical presence on the blue line and bolster the penalty kill, Stevens said.

Alberts, 27, who fills the final spot on the 23-man roster, appeared in 35 regular-season games for the Bruins last season, recording two assists and 39 penalty minutes. He was scoreless in two playoff games.

"I'm just excited for a new opportunity," he said. "Things were not apparently working out in Boston. The fact I get to come here and contribute, I'm fortunate and excited."

Alberts missed 31/2 months (47 games) last season after suffering post-concussion symptoms following a hit by the Flyers' Scott Hartnell in a Nov. 26 game at the Wachovia Center. Now he is Hartnell's teammate.

"Obviously, I didn't try to injure him," Hartnell said. "I've never done that in my whole career."

Alberts doesn't hold a grudge.

"The Flyers are a hard-nosed team," he said. "They have a physical style which I like, and they are hard to play against night in and night out. I'm looking forward to being a part of that."

Over parts of three NHL seasons, Alberts had one goal, 18 assists, and 231 penalty minutes in 184 regular-season games. He led the Bruins in penalty minutes during the 2006-07 season with 124.

Alberts was chosen by the Bruins in the sixth round of the 2001 draft.

Lukacevic, 22, had 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points and 52 penalty minutes in 61 games for the Reading Royals, in the East Coast Hockey League, last season. In July, the Flyers acquired him from the Los Angeles Kings, along with Patrik Hersley, for defenseman Denis Gauthier and a second-round pick in the 2010 draft.

Barber's back

 "It's great to come back home, where I belong," said Barber, who had spent 30 years in the organization.

Barber had spent the previous six seasons as director of player personnel for the Tampa Bay Lightning, including during their Stanley Cup championship season in 2003-04.

Visiting the Pens

- Sam Carchidi