For much of the preseason, the major roster question was who general manager Paul Holmgren was going to decide to keep with the big club — James van Riemsdyk, Mika Pyorala or Blair Betts. But according to Holmgren, the Flyers want all three.
“If we were submitting rosters tomorrow, yeah, (Pyorala, JVR and Betts) would probably would be on it,” said Holmgren.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Adirondack Phantoms, Offseason, preseason, Prospects
VOORHEES — 20-year old Kevin Marshall has seen himself quickly rise to the top of the organization’s prospect ranks since being selected by the Flyers 41st overall in the 2007 draft. The gritty stay-at-home blue liner is armed with a plethora of attractive weapons, including excellent vision, good skating and a nose for physical contact. But one the Quebec native’s most attractive qualities helped come from the advice of Hall of Famer and Quebec Rampart head coach Patrick Roy.
“Roy wanted me to improve on my leadership,” said Marshall, who was given the captaincy of the Ramparts right away in 2008-09. “He taught me that being a captain is all about work ethic and always being enthusiastic. He gave me some good tips that helped me really improve in that aspect.”
Filed under 2009-10 season, Adirondack Phantoms, Around the NHL, Prospects
VOORHEES –Three-year rookie camp veteran and former third-round pick Jonathan Matsumoto is in organizational suspended animation.
The once mid-level center prospect, who just three years ago showed promise as a depth player, has quickly stagnated in the Flyers’ system, getting passed on the depth chart by centers Darroll Powe, Jared Ross and Jon Kalinski. And although the soon-to-be 23-year old put up 107 points in 156 games with the Phantoms, he hasn’t seen one minute of NHL ice time.
“If I knew what was holding me back I would have worked on it already,” said smiley and soft spoken Matsumoto. “They told me to come to camp in shape and I’m feeling good now. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. Hopefully I just get a chance to show what I can do this year.”
Filed under 2009-10 season, Offseason, Prospects
Hockeysfuture.com has ranked the Flyers’ top 20 prospects for the 2009-10 season, with Claude Giroux leading off the group followed by James vanRiemsdyk, Ryan Parent, Kevin Marshall and Patrick Maroon. However, after Marc-Andre Bourdon at six, the list gets somewhat erratic.
During prospect camp in late July, fifth-round draft pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft, Nicola Riopel, looked like the most mature goaltender of the bunch. And it seems the Flyers noticed that too.
According to The Times &Transcript, the Flyers have inked Riopel to an entry-level deal. The 20-year is expected to start the season with the Adirondack Phantoms.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Adirondack Phantoms, Prospects
Just one year after drafting 2008 QMJHL Defenseman of the Year Marc-Andre Bourdon, 67th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the two-way blue liner is going pro. On Friday, the Flyers inked Bourdon to an entry-level deal, in which terms were not disclosed.
“Marc-Andre turns pro after an outstanding 2008-09 season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he was honored for his play during the regular season and in the playoffs,” said Flyers’ General Manager Paul Holmgren. “We believe Marc-Andre has tremendous potential to develop into a solid defenseman at the next level.”
Filed under 2009-10 season, Adirondack Phantoms, Prospects
Despite clear interest by the Flyers’ organization, prospects Mario Kempe and Denis Bodrov will not attend any sort of training camp this season.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Adirondack Phantoms, Free Agents, Offseason, Prospects
On Monday, the greenest Flyers gather in Voorhees, N.J., to begin another week-long conditioning camp. And although camp this year is less exciting than its recent predecessors, it still makes for some interesting story lines.
The 2009 NHL entry draft will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal on June 26 -27 and it is set to be an active one. With many teams in the top-10 holding multiple picks in the first and second round, it is almost unpredictable as to which teams will deal to move up or down.
The top-end talent in the 2009 draft is one of the best in years, so many teams are hungry to get in the race.
The list below is a preliminary and is subject to change as the draft approaches and teams narrow down their choices.
Filed under 2009 NHL draft, Prospects
Anyone watching the Flyers – Penguins opening round playoff series, would be hard pressed to say that Philly rookie Claude Giroux, the kid the rest of the players simply call “G”, has not been the Flyers’ best player.
He is second on the team with two playoff goals and is tied for first on the team in playoff points with four in five games. As much as the league has been focused on rookie Bobby Ryan, Jerome Iginla and Alex Ovechkin, Giroux has matched all of them in points while getting much less ice time.
Filed under Prospects, Stanley Cup Playoffs
Phila.Bright 