Flyers acquire Kings’ Modry

OTTAWA, Ontario - Having failed to acquire Tomas Kaberle from Toronto, the Flyers struck a deal yesterday for Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jaroslav Modry.

The Flyers gave up a third-round pick in the trade.

"I am definitely excited," Modry said. "I am going to a solid organization with the chance to win the ultimate goal. My season all of a sudden has turned around. It is a great challenge for me."

A number of teams were interested in Kaberle, but the defenseman would not waive his no-trade clause.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Modry essentially is a short-term replacement for Derian Hatcher, who will be out at least three more weeks with inflammation in his right knee.

"Jaroslav is a steady, two-way defenseman who will give us some experience and depth," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said.

Modry has six points, including one goal, in 61 games this season. He will turn 37 next Wednesday. The Czech started his career with the New Jersey Devils in 1993. He was a ninth-round pick by New Jersey in 1990; he also played for Ottawa, Atlanta and Dallas.

The defenseman is earning $1.2 million and will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. The Flyers will be charged $301,604 against the salary cap.

Terror in the sky. The Flyers said they endured 10 minutes of terror as their jet took off from Philadelphia through turbulent winds Monday en route to Ottawa.

Chris Pryor, the team's director of hockey operations, said the thought crossed his mind that he might die.

Many players admitted they were genuinely scared, but tough guy Riley Cote slept through most of the turbulence. At one point, luggage fell from the overhead racks.

Giroux's debut. Forward Claude Giroux, who made his NHL debut for the Flyers last night, was a member of Team Canada's gold-medal under-20 squad at the world championships last year.

Forsberg flopping? One day after Peter Forsberg's agent, Don Baizley, told teams that his client likely would not play this season, Forsberg told reporters in Sweden he still has time to come back.

"The [right] foot doesn't feel 100 percent," Forsberg said. "But there's still a week left."

Said Holmgren: "Don Baizley said he is not certain that [Forsberg] is able to come back. He didn't close the door completely. It's still open a crack. We'll all have a definite answer in a week. Whether that means anything or not, I don't know."

"If Peter decides he's ready to play, we certainly have interest in him playing for the Flyers," team president Peter Luukko said.