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
Other than being one of the top defenseman in the league, Chris Pronger was brought in by the Flyers to be an active leader and influence for the young core. And with a month still remaining before training camp on Sept. 13, the veteran defender’s job as a role model has already been put in motion.
“I’m usually here around this time trying to start skating and preparing for the season, and doing all the little things that it takes to be ready to go for the start of camp,” Pronger told the Flyers’ Kevin Kurz, about showing up to camp a month early.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Free Agents, Offseason, preseason
It’s too bad Joffrey Lupul couldn’t stick around long enough to party with Ray Emery, because it seems like he could have learned a thing or two.
According to Friday’s celebrity sighting piece in the Las Vegas Sun, the Flyers’ newly acquired goaltender could be seen back in May, “making it rain” with a stack of $1000 single bills.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Around the NHL, Offseason
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
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
After weeks of speculation, the Flyers have made it official with former San Jose forward Lukas Kaspar. The former first-round selection in2004 was let go by the Sharks after underachieving and spending the majority of his pro career in the AHL. Kaspar played just 16 games with the Sharks, scoring four points in the process.
The 23-year old has the size to be a force at 6’2, 225 lbs., but doesn’t play like a power forward. Despite having a sniper’s shot and decent hands, Kaspar is inconsistent and plays a shy game. He has signed a two-way contract and could see some time with the Flyers, if his performance in training camp and his time with the Phantoms are productive.
With the signing of Kaspar, the Flyers continue to load up the AHL-NHL tweeners. With Krys Kolanos, Mika Pyorala, Jason Ward and now Lukas Kaspar in the mix, the Flyers have incredible forward depth in the system. Not to mention if one of these players finally hits their potential, they could quickly become an everyday NHLer.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Adirondack Phantoms, Free Agents, Offseason
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
When 18-year old Luca Sbisa was traded to Anaheim in the blockbuster deal for defenseman Chris Pronger, many Flyers’ fans believed that despite the loss of the popular blue line standout, Sbisa would be moving on to a good situation in California.
And after news broke that Sbisa will shadow a certain Hall of Fame defenseman, his situation may have gotten even better.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Around the NHL, Offseason
Newly appointed goalie coach Jeff Reese, has spent little time in Philadelphia outside of looking at houses with his wife. But even after limited sessions with new Flyers’ goalie Ray Emery, Reese’s first order of duty includes calming the aggressive backstop.
“We’ve been on the ice twice and he’s really itching to go,” said Reese about Emery. “He’s really itching to get back in there he has been off awhile. My only concern is that I don’t want him to overdue it. He’s so hungry to get back and to prove himself, we don’t want him to burn out.”
Filed under 2009-10 season, Free Agents, Offseason
According to hockeybuzz.com blogger Matthew Barry, despite acquiring big-name forward Ryan Smyth to help bolster the offense, the Kings are still looking to add a “gritty winger” to the mix. And from what a source tells Barry, LA has its eye focused hard on Flyers’ forward Scott Hartnell.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Around the NHL, Offseason
Phila.Bright 
