Flyers news and notes.

Gator gone… no ill will.

Former Flyers’ captain Jason Smith, finalized a two-year deal with the Ottawa Senators worth $2.6 million per year. Smith was warrior for the Flyers in his lone year with the club, but appeared to run out of gas down the stretch, possibly due to devastating injuries to both his shoulders and elbow.  Smith, along with Anton Volchenkov, gives Ottawa a nasty physical presence on the blueline, and will be a breath of fresh air in the leadership department after scandalous and immature acts self destructed the juggernaut Sens’ 2007-08 season.

Thor, we will miss you … but not that much.

Restricted free agent forward Patrick Thoresen declined an offer by the Flyers and opted to play in Europe for the 2008-09 season.  The 24-year-old Norwegian will be most remembered for laying his body on the line to block a shot in the playoffs that shaterred his protective cup and severely bruised his testicle, almost forcing emergancy removal.  In a gutsy move, Thor was back in the lineup just days later.  The Flyers were quick to replace Thor by signing veteran tough guy Arron Asham to a multi-year deal.

Modry back to Europe.

Short lived Flyers’ defenseman Jaroslav Modry, has reportedly signed a deal with a Swedish tier 2 team and will likely remain in Europe for the final years of his hockey career.  Modry will be remembered negatively for his time in Philly, mostly due to his being on the ice for ALL of the first 12 goals scored against the Flyers in the 2007-08 playoffs.  Hearts did go out to the veteran when his father passed away during the start of the playoffs, but instead of leaving the team to mourn, he stayed to compete.  His poor play led him to be a healthy scratch as the playoffs progressed, and he was able to be with his family.

Official camps starting NEXT Friday.

Next Friday at the Skatezone in Voorhees, New Jersey, the Flyers will be conducting their annual prospect conditioning camp.  The players joining the team for camp will be all of the Flyers’ prospects not in the NHL and not from Russia.  Some current Flyers may join the young group in their workouts, particularly ones returning from injury like Simon Gagne.  Players to watch will be the newly drafted Luca Sbisa, burly defenseman Kevin Marshall, super thug Garrett Klotz, and my dark horse for success — defenseman Patrick Hersley.