July 17, 2009
According to Bill Meltzer of hockeybuzz.com, the Flyers have signed Krys Kolanos and Mika Pyorala each to one-year contracts for $500,000. Although the Flyers have not officially announced the signings, they are complete. Both players were inked days ago as possible depth forwards, with Pyorala having a better chance of cracking the everyday lineup for the Flyers.
Pyorala comes as one of the top-billed Finnish players not in the NHL. At 28-years old, he comes as an established two-way forward in the mold of former Flyer Sami Kapanen. Kolanos is an established AHL scorer, but lacks the consistency to get serious time in an NHL lineup. However, Kolanos could prove to be a decent short-term call up.
July 17, 2009
When 18-year old Luca Sbisa was traded to Anaheim in the blockbuster deal for defenseman Chris Pronger, many Flyers’ fans believed that despite the loss of the popular blue line standout, Sbisa would be moving on to a good situation in California.
And after news broke that Sbisa will shadow a certain Hall of Fame defenseman, his situation may have gotten even better.
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July 16, 2009
In his latest column, further pushing the stagnant marketing strategy of individualization of hockey, Scott Burnside of ESPN made it perfectly clear that he believes the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin should be involved in the Winter Classic in place of the Philadelphia Flyers. And even though Burnside is just trying to grow the game, albeit with a strategy that has clearly maxed out its potential, he’s still simply wrong.
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July 15, 2009
After expressing interest in adding a blue liner before the start of the season, the Carolina Hurricanes have picked up former Bruin and Flyers’ defenseman Andrew Alberts for two years, $1.05 million cap hit.
“Andrew is a big, physical defenseman who should be just coming into his prime at the NHL level,” said Carolina GM Jim Rutherford. “He had a good year for the Flyers after suffering an injury the previous season, and should help solidify our blue line with his defensive presence.”
After being traded to the Flyers early in the 2008-09 season, the 6′5 defenseman had a good year, ranking third on the team in blocked shots with 133 and first in hits with 157. It is likely the Flyers did not want to see Alberts walk, but with Matt Carle and Randy Jones eating copious amount of cap money, the decision to let Alberts go was necessary.
July 15, 2009
The Flyers have released their regular season schedule for the 2009-10 season, and it looks like the orange and black will start the fall with some home cooking. The Flyers play 12 out of their first 17 games at the Wachovia Center, including out of conference match ups with visiting Anaheim, San Jose and St. Louis. Seven of the team’s first 12 games are against the South East division, with only two games in the first month against Atlantic Division opponents, including when the Penguins come to town on Oct. 8.
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July 15, 2009
Photo courtesy of Fred Trask and the Houston Press
The Flyers continued to add forward depth on Wednesday, adding former Wild forward Krystofer Kolanos to the mix. Kolanos spent most of the 2008-09 season with the Houston Aeros of the AHL, scoring 51 points in 45 games. His production in the minors earned him a cup of coffee with the Wild, where he scored three goals and three assists in 21 games.
The details of the signing have not yet been released, but it is likely a two-way deal.
The addition of the former19th overall selection in 2000, is likely just for depth reasons, as his lack of consistency and defensive play may hold him back. However, just like most of General Manager Paul Holmgren’s offseason moves, he continues to try to strike it rich with a low risk, high reward pick up.
July 14, 2009
SNY Rangers Blog is reporting that a league source has leaked the Flyers – Rangers season series, prior to the 3 P.M. Wednesday release of the entire 2009-10 NHL schedule. And similar to last season, the two rivals won’t meet until to two months into the season.
December 19th, 2009 @ Wachovia Center
December 30th, 2009 @ Madison Square Garden
January 21st, 2010 @ Wachovia Center
March 14th, 2010 @ Madison Square Garden
April 9th, 2010 @ Madison Square Garden
April 11th, 2010 @ Wachovia Center
Also on Wednesday, the league will officially announce the Winter Classic match up between the Flyers and Bruins at Fenway Park.
July 14, 2009
According to the always reliable Bill Meltzer, the Flyers have inked Finnish center Mika Pyorala to a deal. Terms are yet to be disclosed.
Pyorala is noted for his two-way game and the ability to play multiple positions. According to Bill, who is an expert on European talent, Pyorala is at most a third-line player in the NHL, but could be a decent find.
The 28-year old scored 21 goals and 22 assists in 55 games last season with Timra, of the SEL. The knock on Mika may be his size. Listed at 6-0, 175 lbs., he needs to put on some weight if he plans on staying in the NHL.
Although increasingly likely, it is still unclear whether Pyorala is in the Flyers’ plans to play for the big club in 2009-10, but it would fit the shut-down center role the team desperately desires.
July 14, 2009
Newly appointed goalie coach Jeff Reese, has spent little time in Philadelphia outside of looking at houses with his wife. But even after limited sessions with new Flyers’ goalie Ray Emery, Reese’s first order of duty includes calming the aggressive backstop.
“We’ve been on the ice twice and he’s really itching to go,” said Reese about Emery. “He’s really itching to get back in there he has been off awhile. My only concern is that I don’t want him to overdue it. He’s so hungry to get back and to prove himself, we don’t want him to burn out.”
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July 13, 2009
It is no secret that the Flyers are shopping for one more proven forward before the 2009-10 season. But what that piece will be is still to be determined.
The debate rages as to what position the Flyers need to fill more, face off specialist or scoring winger. Depending on projected line combinations, an argument can be made for both. And according to Director of Player Development Don Luce, the team is simply looking for the best player available.
“I wouldn’t value one (position) over the other,” Luce said. “They both bring value if you can get the right guy at either position. We have to target who is available.”
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