One day after news broke that the NHL was looking into the 12-year deal that brought Marian Hossa to Chicago, a league insider told The Sporting News that the NHL has turned its omnipotent head toward Chris Pronger’s seven-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Monthly Archives: July 2009
Flyers officially ink Tollefsen to one-year deal
After putting on the stall tactics for a day, the Flyers have officially inked 25-year old defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to a one-year deal. Terms were not immediately disclosed.
“I feel great. I am really excited to be coming to Philadelphia,” OKT said. “I have always been a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers and what they are all about.”
Filed under 2009-10 season, Free Agents
Clarke roasts Pens in interview
Outspoken former captain and General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers Bob Clarke, has never been one to mince words. And given the chance by The Hockey News’ Alan Bass, Clarke immediately attacked the credibility of the Penguins’ organization.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Around the NHL
Josh Gratton lands in Atlanta
According to capgeek, Philly fan favorite and spirited pugilist Josh Gratton, has agreed to a one-year deal worth $600,000, with the Atlanta Thrashers.
Gratton, 26, began his career in Philadelphia in 2004, and was re-acquired from Nashville on Oct. 2008, in exchange for defenseman Tim Ramholt.
Josh started in 19 games for the Flyers in the 2008-09 season, scoring a goal, two assists and 57 penalty minutes.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Around the NHL
Upshall signs short-term deal with Phoenix
After both sides admitted being far apart on a new deal, the Coyotes have officially come to terms on a one-year, $1.5 million deal with former Flyer and RFA Scottie Upshall.
“We are excited to have signed Scottie Upshall to a new contract,” said Phoenix GM Don Maloney. “He performed exceptionally well for us last season after we acquired him from Philadelphia and we expect him to be an important player for us next season.”
Filed under 2009-10 season
Holmgren stalling on signing Tollefsen
According to the initial report on Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, the gritty blue-liner was all-but signed pending a passed physical. Well, the physical results are in, but Tollefsen remains just “a player of interest.”
“He checked out OK,” General Manager Paul Holmgren told the media.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Free Agents, Offseason
Gilbert hired to take over Phantoms
With former coach John Paddock taking over Assistant General Manager duties, the Adirondack Phantoms have hired former Calgary Flames and Toronto Marlies’ coach Greg Gilbert as the head coach for the 2009-10 AHL season.
“We are pleased to add Greg to our organization as head coach of the Phantoms,” said General Manager Paul Holmgren. “He has a wealth of coaching experience at many levels and has shown a unique ability to work well with younger players.”
In three seasons with the Marlies, Gilbert racked up a respectable 123-89 record. However, he didn’t fare as well in his three years in Calgary, finishing his tenure, 14 games under .500.
Gilbert was also a player, appearing in close to 850 NHL games, most with the New York Islanders. Gilbert holds the NHL record as the only man to win a Stanley Cup with both the Islanders and New York Rangers.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Adirondack Phantoms
LeClair selected to US hockey Hall of Fame class of 2009
Former Flyer and 1993 Stanley Cup champion John LeClair, has been selected to the USA hockey Hall of Fame class of 2009
“I’d like to thank USA hockey,” he said. ” I grew up in the age of the ’80 Olympic team and to be able to wear the jersey and play in some meaningful games for USA hockey was a thrill of a lifetime. It’s a tremendous honor for me to be inducted into the hall.”
LeClair was the first American-born player to score three consecutive 50-goals seasons. The University of Vermont standout, began his career with the Montreal Canadiens, where he won a cup in 1993. He was brought to the Flyers in 1994, with defenseman Eric Desjardins, in exchange for Mark Recchi. The trade is known as one of the best in Flyers’ history.
LeClair played a distinguished 10 years with the Flyers, where he scored 643 points in 649 games.
Filed under Offseason
Fans line up by the hundreds for Philly-Toronto preseason tickets
For the past five years, the Flyers have hosted a special preseason game at the Comcast-Spectacor owned John Labatt Centre in London, ON. But they have never seen a draw like this.
“They were gone within minutes,” said Brian Green, a JLC box office manager. “Six people had to be turned away.”
Out of the 8,000 available seats for the Sept. 17 contest against the Maple Leafs, 4,000 were for sale. And people from the surrounding area lined up by the hundreds to get their hands on them.
London, located about two hours south-west of Toronto, has a hotbed of Leaf and general hockey fans. The town also includes one of the more popular Canadian Junior teams, the London Knights.
“Whenever it’s any Canadian team, tickets do go very quickly,” Green said.
And they said a second team wouldn’t work in Ontario.
Filed under 2009-10 season, preseason
SanFilippo: Flyers to sign D-Tollefsen
Anthony SanFilippo of the Delco Times is reporting that former Columbus defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen will be in town by the end of the weekend for a physical. And if the 6’2, 211 lbs. blue liner passes all that’s thrown at him, he will become the newest Flyer.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Around the NHL, Free Agents
Phila.Bright 