The Flyers made a minor but interesting move by acquiring forward Josh Gratton from the Nashville Predators for Phantoms’ defender Tim Ramholt. In 67 NHL games, Gratton as amassed 237 penalty minutes and gathered 511 penalty minutes in two years with the Phantoms from 2004-2006. At 6-foot-2, 214 lbs, Gratton is a legitimate fighter, but will not likely see much time with the Flyers. However, Gratton would be a call up if Cote were to ever get injured or suspended. Sending Ramholt to the Music City also breaks up a logjam at the blue line for the Phantoms as well as give the Flyers some enforcer depth. Gratton was a fan favorite in Philadelphia during his two-year stint with the Phantoms.
Monthly Archives: October 2008
Powe injury update, Downie recalled and Flyers make pre-game move
After a four-point effort against the Norfolk Admirals Thursday night, forward Steve Downie has been recalled to the Flyers to replace injured fourth-line center Darroll Powe.
Filed under 2008-09 season
Sbisa to stay with Flyers
With eight games played, the Flyers were pushed to come to a quick decision on where 18-year old rookie Luca Sbisa would play the rest of the season. After 10 games, any juniors player still remaining with an NHL club would count fully against the salary cap and be charged one year on the player’s contract, regardless of whether they continued with the NHL club, or returned to juniors after the allotted 10 games. On Monday, the Flyers came to a decision and Sbisa will be remaining with the Flyers.
Filed under 2008-09 season, Prospects
Briere out with sports hernia, Powe to make debut
Just hours before the Philadelphia Flyers get set to take on the red-hot New Jersey Devils on the road, the organization announced that first-line winger and top scorer Danny Briere, will be out with a lower body injury and Phantom’ forward Darroll Powe will be manning fourth-line center duties. Continue reading
Filed under 2008-09 season
More lineup tweaks: Downie down, Nodl up.
After being promoted from fourth-line center to second-line winger after the Philadelphia Flyers lost their fourth straight against the Colorado Avalanche, Steve Downie looked to be getting a bigger role with the team.
Filed under 2008-09 season
Insidehockey: Flyers make familiar change
After a listless and embarrassing effort against the previously 0-3 Colorado Avalanche, to which General Manager Paul Holmgren took special notice, the 0-3-1 Philadelphia Flyers are starting to feel serious pressure to get the young 2008-09 season on track. To combat his flailing team, coach John Stevens has tried (and mostly failed) to find the perfect match for his forward lines. But his latest attempt may prove to be most effective.
Filed under 2008-09 season
Hoping to spark some offense, Lupul moves to center
The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that right winger Joffrey Lupul will be centering the third line tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. Lupul will be between Steve Downie and Scott Hartnell. The move keeps the first and second lines in tact but moves Glen Metropolit, the Flyers’ best faceoff man, to the fourth line center position. Lupul has played center in his career, albeit sparringly, but has been fairly successful in the faceoff circle. Downie made his debut as fourth-line center in two games this season, but has been poor in the faceoff circle, winning only once out of eight attempts. Downie’s faceoff deficiency could have spawned his move to wing.
Filed under 2008-09 season
Insidehockey: Flyers off to rough start
With the toughest opening schedule in the NHL, facing six consecutive 2007-08 playoff teams, the Philadelphia Flyers expected a rough start. But after going 0-2-1, including two losses to division opponents, the Flyers are looking to get over the level of competition and get in the win column fast.
Filed under 2008-09 season
Flyers defense leaks again, lose to Montreal, 5-3.
In what was a complete reversal of the season opener against the New York Rangers on Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers got off to a blistering start against the Montreal Canadians Monday night, but fell apart in the final stanza.
Filed under 2008-09 season
Rangers’ prospect Cherepanov, 19, dies after on-ice collision.
According to Russian connected blog Alex Ovetjkin, KHL player and highly touted New York Rangers’ prospect Alexei Cherepanov collided with former Ranger Jaromir Jagr’s elbow on a line change, as his team 
Omsk Avanguard took on Chekhov Vityaz. Cherepanov was knocked unconscious and shortly after, his heart had stopped. Cherepanov was taken immediately to the ICU, where doctors attempted to resuscitate. TSN is confirming that Alexei has in fact died in the hospital, he was 19.
“He was a great kid,” Cherepanov’s agent, Jay Grossman told TSN. “He had a great smile and was an outstanding player with a great future on and off the ice. It’s both shocking and devastating news for all of us. ”
Because the incident happened in the final moments of the contest, sources say the on-site ambulance may have left the arena and needed to be recalled for Alexei. Sources also stated that defibrillators are not mandatory in KHL arenas and the ones equipped are not regulated to be in working condition.
Cherepanov was the 17th overall selection in the 2007 NHL entry draft by the Rangers. One of the top young players in Europe, Cherepanov took the KHL by storm and was looked at with optimism to take his skilled game to the NHL within the next year or two.
Filed under 2008-09 season
Phila.Bright 