For one week, beginning on Sept. 7 at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J., 29 Flyers’ prospects will take the ice for the team’s annual rookie camp. Among the attendees are former second-overall draft pick James van Riemsdyk, defenseman Kevin Marshall, Marc-Andre Bourdon and Patrick Maroon.
The Flyers’ prospects will conclude the camp with a scrimmage against the Washington Capitals’ prospects, held at the Skate Zone on Sept 11.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Offseason
According to multiple reports out of Team Canada’s Olympic camp in Calgary, Flyers’ forward Simon Gagne has suffered a hip injury practicing with the team. Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that Gagne will miss the rest of the week-long camp.
The injury is not serious, but just a tweaking of the right hip, the same in which Gagne had a clean up procedure on in late May.
“For now it’s nothing serious,” Gagne told Chuck Gormley of the Courier Post. “The pace was a little faster than I was used to this summer. I think I’ll be OK for training camp.”
Gagne believes that the fast pace of the camp contributed to soreness.
“It was a little tight when I was skating on my own, but the tempo here is a lot faster than the pace I set this summer,” he said. “It’s faster than I expected and I’ll need to do some more rehab.”
The injury is likely to keep Simon on the shelf until Flyers’ training camp on Sept. 13.
Filed under 2009-10 season, 2010 Olympics, Injuries, Offseason
It was reported but not confirmed that defenseman Steve Eminger would attend Flyers’ training camp as a try out, similar to what Bryan Berard did last season before signing in the KHL. But I have been told by a Flyers source very close to the situation that there is “No truth to the rumor at this time.” Eminger may still receive an open invite to try out at training camp, but contrary to rumored reports nothing is official
Eminger signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia last offseason, but was traded to Tampa Bay with Steve Downie for defenseman Matt Carle. He was then traded to Florida. Eminger is a unrestricted free agent, but has yet to sign with any team. He scored 23 points in 50 games with the Lightning.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Around the NHL, Free Agents, Offseason
Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen caught up with second-year Flyers’ forward Claude Giroux, who expressed his excitement for the upcoming season.
“Our team didn’t finish really well, but personally it went pretty good,” Giroux said, while playing street hockey with local children near his home of Orleans, Ontario. “And hopefully this year I’ll get a chance to prove myself. I think the team next year looks pretty good and I’m pretty excited about that.”
And who can blame him?
Filed under 2009-10 season, Offseason
With the Canadian Olympic team scheduled to begin organized practices on Monday, the 46 active players have been split into two practice groups, which will finish the short camp with a Thursday evening scrimmage.
The Flyers’ invites will be split, with defenseman Chris Pronger and forward Jeff Carter placed on Team Red, while forwards Mike Richards and Simon Gagne will be on Team White.
On a side note, also playing for White is Penguins’ forward Sidney Crosby, which is interesting considering the bitter rivalry between Crosby and Richards.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Olympics
Former Buffalo first-round pick Jiri Novotny, considered Philadelphia his last shot at staying in the NHL. But the deal wasn’t to be.
According to Swiss league magazine Slapshot, Novotny has failed to come to terms with the Flyers and has secured a verbal deal with Swiss team Geneva-Servette. However, something may come in the way of Novotny and the Swiss league, which could land the player in the KHL.
“The 26-year-old Novotny still keeps the option open to Russia in the KHL. A collaboration with the Philadelphia Flyers failed.”
Flyers’ coach John Stevens made it clear on Monday, that he plans for Claude Giroux to remain at center. A decision that could have been solidified by the failure to come to terms with Novotny.
Filed under 2009-10 season
Versus has announced its 2009-10 NHL television schedule, which features the large-market Flyers a total of eight times. The first nationally televised contest for the Orange and Black is the team’s home opener on Oct. 6 against the Washington Capitals.
Oct. 6 — Washington @ Philadelphia – 7:00 P.M.
Oct. 27 — Philadelphia @ Washington – 7:00 P.M
Nov. 16 — New Jersey @ Philadelphia – 7:00 P.M.
Dec. 8 — Islanders @ Philadelphia — 7:00 P.M.
Dec. 15 — Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh — 7:00 P.M.
Feb. 8 — New Jersey @ Philadelphia – 7:00 P.M.
Mar. 2 — Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay — 7:30 P.M.
Mar. 9 — Islanders @ Philadelphia — 7:00 P.M.
Filed under 2009-10 season
The Flyers’ roster became a little more settled on Tuesday, when coach John Stevens announced Claude Giroux will begin the season at center and Danny Briere at right wing.
In a Q&A piece from The Courier Post, Stevens made it clear where he thinks Giroux fits on the Flyers this season.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Offseason
The Hockey News is running a month-long online feature, predicting the finish of every team by the conclusion of the 2009-10 season. And with only a few slots left, the Flyers chimed in at number four in the East.
“Why: The addition of Chris Pronger turned an emerging blueline into one of the NHL’s top units. New goaltender Ray Emery has a chance to be a big upgrade over Martin Biron, assuming the ex-Kontinental Leaguer keeps his head about him. The Flyers are now even tougher to play against and remain deep at forward, especially down the middle.”
Yet to be selected is the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.
Filed under 2009-10 season
According to the Swiss League hockey magazine Slapshot, defensive center and former Blue Jacket Jiri Novotny, is waiting on a contract offer by the Flyers before making the decision to depart for the KHL.
Per rough google translation …
“The defensive center Jiri Novotny (26) will wait until Monday to receive an offer from Philadelphia. If he gets no NHL contract,after seven years in North America, he will leave and return to Europe. He has offers from Servette (Swiss league) and from Russia.”
Filed under 2009-10 season, Around the NHL, Free Agents, Offseason
Phila.Bright 