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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