tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46146072087304528102024-03-19T03:13:28.342-07:00215 HockeyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-29309496052662681062014-06-11T13:54:00.000-07:002014-06-20T08:11:39.813-07:00Pens' 'Hulk Hogan Guy' example of why being a fan is awesomeJune 11, 2014<br />
<br />
<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/itssnick215" target="_blank"><b>@itssnick215</b></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba5pKsnD9BJgIO4h5sBXJ50kkHA_diO40wRhHwTGOXZa1OE-gfk3hYx-c3wlOwPWCkgCDNWa6sv3SZ-X2_8OnxWzFSZVL10KFOv6yEWhg7oOY5RyOhaNzM-S4IW70AqMEtpXTYAtPDVwQ/s1600/hartshogan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba5pKsnD9BJgIO4h5sBXJ50kkHA_diO40wRhHwTGOXZa1OE-gfk3hYx-c3wlOwPWCkgCDNWa6sv3SZ-X2_8OnxWzFSZVL10KFOv6yEWhg7oOY5RyOhaNzM-S4IW70AqMEtpXTYAtPDVwQ/s1600/hartshogan.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></div>
Hockey has plenty of characters.<br />
<br />
Many are the players themselves, with their humorous personalities going hand-in-hand with their performance on the ice. Guys like Jeremy Roenick and Scott Hartnell to name a couple from Flyers history.<br />
<br />
But then there are the fans who manage to find their way on to jumbotrons and TV screens, and almost become a staple of their favorite team. There are the Vancouver Green Men, and one that both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia know well, Cy Clark, a.k.a the 'Hulk Hogan Guy.'<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blogs.post-gazette.com/sports/2013-06-20-18-51-15/empty-netters/41639-obituary-cy-clark-long-time-penguins-fan-06-05-14" target="_blank">Sadly, Clark passed away last week due to complications from cancer. He was 53.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgKCdGnVJxM" target="_blank">Clark is probably best known for taunting the Flyers during their 6-4 win over the Penguins at the Consol Energy Center on April 1, 2012.</a><br />
<br />
The Flyers had a secure 6-3 lead with just over a minute left in the third, when the Penguins sent their checking line out and Joe Vitale laid out a hard open ice hit on Danny Briere.<br />
<br />
The hit led to a brawl on open the ice, while Peter Laviolette stood atop the boards and yelled furiously at Penguins coach Dan Bylsma. And throughout the whole thing, was a Penguins fan, a Hulk Hogan look-alike, dawning an Evgeni Malkin jersey and a bandanna that read "Malkamania," jawing at Laviolette and the rest of the Flyers' bench.<br />
<br />
Scott Hartnell took notice and responded with his own Hogan impersonation...<br />
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<img src="http://www.recklesscaution.com/misc_hockey/hartnellrogan.gif" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" />
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The Flyers and the Penguins don't like each other. That is about the most obvious thing that can be said about one of the top rivalries in the NHL. But whether you're a Flyers fan or a Penguins fan, Clark is a shining example of why it's awesome to be a fan in the first place.<br />
<br />
Sure, the players are a big part of creating those memorable moments. They score the amazing goals, make the incredible saves, deliver the bone-jarring hits. But at the same time, the fans helps make those moments what they are.<br />
<br />
What is a game-winner without a roar from the crowd? A blown call without a shower of boos, or chants of "Ref you suck!" and "A--HOLE!"? Or a fight without every person in the arena sitting on the edge of their seat and the ones in the front row banging on the glass?<br />
<br />
The fans add emotion. They add energy, and throw humor in there too. And sometimes, like in Clark's case, they even become part of the storyline. After all, that guy coming to Penguins games dressed up like Hulk Hogan got the real Hulk Hogan to cut a promo.<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/EUJT2ff-q_0/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/EUJT2ff-q_0&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/EUJT2ff-q_0&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
After another Flyers/Penguins brawl...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zcvzqBdCqH0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
He was a Penguins fan, but Cy Clark was a great hockey fan in general. He was at the Penguins <a href="http://blogs.post-gazette.com/sports/2013-06-20-18-51-15/empty-netters/41639-obituary-cy-clark-long-time-penguins-fan-06-05-14" target="_blank">first game in 1967</a>, and went after everyone under his Hulk Hogan persona, not just the Flyers. He had a Rick DiPietro jersey with "Fragile" on the back of it, and <a href="http://www.crossingbroad.com/2014/04/yinzers-malkamania-penguins-fan-ejected-for-harassing-pierre-mcguire.html" target="_blank">NBC's Pierre McGuire wasn't spared either</a>.<br />
<br />
So even if you're a die-hard Flyers fan, one that can't even stand the sight of black and gold, you have to show respect to Cy Clark.<br />
<br />
Antagonistic? Yeah. But also a unique way to display hockey fandom. He also had a part in what made that first round playoff series in 2012 so memorable.<br />
<br />
When the Flyers go on the road to play Pittsburgh, there will definitely be something missing behind the bench.<br />
<br />
(<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2012/04/02/scott_hartnells_hulk_hogan_salute_caps_flyerspenguins_brawl.html" target="_blank">Cover Photo taken by Gene J. Puskar for the Associated Press and from TheStar.com</a>)<br />
(<a href="http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2012/04/02/scott-hartnell-stars-in-the-best-hockey-gif-of-2012/" target="_blank">Hartnell GIF from TheScore.com</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-10658517632735118432014-04-17T14:14:00.001-07:002014-05-09T21:49:01.072-07:00Back in the playoffs, but missing somethingApril 17, 2014<br />
<br />
<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
<b><a href="https://twitter.com/itssnick215" target="_blank">@itssnick215</a></b><br />
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<a href="http://cmsimg.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BZ&Date=20140320&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=303200021&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&For-Flyers-strategy-stay-cool" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cmsimg.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BZ&Date=20140320&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=303200021&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&For-Flyers-strategy-stay-cool" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After a one year absence, the Flyers are back in the playoffs and will take the ice against the rival Rangers Thursday night. But something will be different this time.<br />
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It's funny how a one-year absence can make it feel like forever ago, but Thursday night at Madison Square Garden will be the first time the Flyers compete for the Cup without Danny Briere in the lineup.<br />
<br />
A small center that had a knack for coming up big, Briere has shown that he is at his best by the time April rolls around. 110 points in 109 career <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/102/seasontype/3/daniel-briere" target="_blank">playoff games</a>, and 72 points in 68 playoff games with the Flyers from 2008 through 2012, is proof of that.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2011/12/29/Flyers-Rangers-have-contentious-history-HKPJ2HB-x-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2011/12/29/Flyers-Rangers-have-contentious-history-HKPJ2HB-x-large.jpg" height="235" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Briere's shootout goal on the last day of the 2010 season<br />
helped the Flyers clinch the final playoff spot and make an<br />
incredible run to the Stanley Cup Final.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But the Flyers used one of their two compliance buyouts on Briere over the summer, and the Gatineau, Quebec native went on to sign with the Montreal Canadiens, who he helped set up the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awjQmwnA0NU" target="_blank">overtime winner</a> for in game one of their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.<br />
<br />
With Briere now competing for the Cup with the Habs, where he'll look to continue his playoff dominance, it can be left to wonder how the Flyers can replace those kind of numbers and that amount of playoff experience. But maybe it isn't that tough of an answer.<br />
<br />
The start of the regular season was horrible. The Flyers had nothing going for them, Peter Laviolette was fired, and it would be 16 games until Claude Giroux registered his first goal.<br />
<br />
Although it took some time, things turned around. The newly promoted head coach Craig Berube, an enforcer during his playing career, brought in a system based on defensive responsibility and accountability.<br />
<br />
If someone wasn't playing well, they would have to face the consequences for it. That's one of the reasons why Vinny Lecavalier ended up on the fourth line, which he has flourished on ever since getting the demotion.<br />
<br />
The rest of the team has flourished as well. The Flyers have been playing a much more balanced game compared to the way they played in October, and it shows in the stats.<br />
<br />
The Flyers have <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/stats.htm" target="_blank">seven 20-plus goal scorers</a>, with two more players --Mark Streit and Sean Couturier-- that have at least ten goals.<br />
<br />
Led by Giroux (28 goals, 86 points) at the top, those offensive threats are spread across all four lines. Jakub Voracek (23 goals, 62 points) and Scott Hartnell (20 goals, 52 points) join Giroux on the first line, Wayne Simmonds (29 goals, 62 points) and Brayden Schenn (20 goals, 41 points) skate the second line, Matt Read (22 goals, 40 points) and Couturier (13 goals, 39 points) man the third line, and then there's Lecavalier (20 goals, 37 points) on the fourth line and Streit (10 goals, 44 points) on defense.<br />
<br />
Plus, there is Michael Raffl (nine goals, 22 points), who has moved up and down the lineup all season, but has shown that he can fit into almost any role he is given.<br />
<br />
Can that offensive balance transfer seamlessly into the playoffs? It definitely can, but there won't be any answer until the Flyers get this first series underway. Henrik Lundqvist is no slouch after all.<br />
<br />
By comparison though, the <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/stats.htm?gameType=2&season=20112012" target="_blank">2011-12 Flyers</a> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke71T2yXXgw" target="_blank">remember those guys?</a>) had four 20-plus goal scorers and seven more players with at least ten goals.<br />
<br />
That team beat the Penguins in an offense-heavy first round that saw the Flyers score 30 goals across the six games needed to send Pittsburgh home. Giroux scored <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/gamelog/_/id/3775/year/2012/claude-giroux" target="_blank">six of those goals</a> and Briere <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/gamelog/_/id/102/year/2012/daniel-briere" target="_blank">accounted for five</a>. They would each total eight goals in the playoffs before the Flyers got knocked out by the Devils in the second round.<br />
<br />
How about the the team that made the run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010? <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/stats.htm?gameType=2&season=20092010" target="_blank">Those Flyers</a> had two 30-plus goal scorers during the regular season in current Kings Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, and 26 goals from Briere, to go along with seven other players with at least 10 goals.<br />
<br />
In the playoffs, the 2009-10 Flyers scored <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/stats.htm?gameType=3&season=20092010" target="_blank">76 goals in 23 games</a>, with Briere's 12 goals and 30 points leading the way.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.philly.com/images/042212-claude-giroux-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.philly.com/images/042212-claude-giroux-400.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day Giroux earned the 'C'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Again, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are a different beast, and its proved more often than not that what happens in the regular season doesn't always apply.<br />
<br />
But based on how the offense has transferred over into the playoffs in the past, it's not far fetched to believe that the Flyers will be able to maintain that balance in some way. If that happens, then the Flyers don't really need to fill any type of void left by an impact playoff performer like Briere. At the same time, they could already have those players that can find a way to come up big in the playoffs.<br />
<br />
Claude Giroux cemented himself as the next Flyers captain in that series against Pittsburgh two years ago, and has unquestionably been the team's best player ever since.<br />
<br />
There is Lecavalier too. When Briere was bought out, Lecavalier signed soon after, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/523/seasontype/3/vincent-lecavalier" target="_blank">his playoff numbers aren't bad either</a>. Then there's Voracek, Schenn, Hartnell, Couturier, you can keep going down the list. They all know what the playoffs are like and they all know how to get to the net.<br />
<br />
Danny Briere became a fan-favorite in Philadelphia for the way he played in the postseason, but with the way this Flyers team looks up front, he may not be missed all that much.<br />
<br />
(<a href="http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20140320/SPORTS04/303200021/For-Flyers-strategy-stay-cool" target="_blank">Cover photo from USA Today Sports and the South Jersey Courier Post</a>)<br />
(<a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2011-12-29/winter-classic-flyers-rangers-rivalry/52298432/1" target="_blank">Briere photo taken by Jim McIsaac of Getty Images and from USA Today Sports</a>)<br />
(<a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/Flyers-win-series.html" target="_blank">Giroux photo taken by Yong Kim for the Daily News and Philly.com</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-52422011754278758552013-08-09T16:05:00.002-07:002013-08-09T16:05:34.949-07:00215 Basketball: Josh Harris to purchase New Jersey DevilsAugust 9, 2013<br />
<br />
<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://nbcprobasketballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/080211-400-harris.jpeg?w=320" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://nbcprobasketballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/080211-400-harris.jpeg?w=320" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
The Sixers won't be the only team Joshua Harris owns anymore.<br />
<br />
On Friday, Harris added the New Jersey Devils to his list.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5460697885248576748" name="more"></a><br />
Harris has agreed with current Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek on the money it will take to purchase the NHL team, according to Fox 29 and 94 WIP's Howard Eskin (via Twitter).<br />
<br />
Vanderbeek is <a href="http://215basketball.blogspot.com/2013/08/sixers-ownership-group-wants-to-buythe.html" target="_blank">$230 million in debt</a>, but Harris' purchase will cover that, according to Eskin.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Sources confirm <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sixers&src=hash">#sixers</a> owner josh harris has agreed on the money to purchase <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NJdevils&src=hash">#NJdevils</a>. The purchase will cover all debt of jeff vanderbeek<br />
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) <a href="https://twitter.com/howardeskin/statuses/365938201166233600">August 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23njdevil&src=hash">#njdevil</a> owner jeff vanderbeek has really lost to the bank but <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sixers&src=hash">#sixers</a> owner josh harris will cover that money. Done deal<br />
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) <a href="https://twitter.com/howardeskin/statuses/365938562589409282">August 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
<br />
Vanderbeek owns both the Devils and their home arena the Prudential Center in Newark, so it would seem likely that the sale will include both.<br />
<br />
The news comes just over an hour after reports were released stating that the Sixers are <a href="http://215basketball.blogspot.com/2013/08/report-brett-brown-offered-sixers-head.html" target="_blank">in contract negotiations to make Brett Brown their new head coach</a>.<br />
<br />
Harris' purchase of the Devils could create a reasonable cause for concern among Sixers fans.<br />
<br />
Ed Snider owned both the Sixers and the Flyers before Harris bought the team from Comcast-Spectacor in 2011.<br />
<br />
Under Snider's ownership, however, it always felt like the Sixers were second fiddle to the Flyers, who Snider founded in 1966.<br />
<br />
Harris having a dual ownership of the Sixers and the Devils could allow the Sixers to fall back into the same hole they were in under Snider's control. However, the same is also possible for the Devils. Even both teams thriving or failing at the same time is a possibility.<br />
<br />
As mentioned earlier, a sale of the Devils will probably include the Prudential Center, giving Harris his own arena.<br />
<br />
Could this mean that a relocation to Newark is in the Sixers' future? Yes, but that has a very small chance of happening.<br />
<br />
Harris and the rest of the Sixers' minority owners signed a reportedly long term lease to have the team continue playing in the Wells Fargo Center when they bought the franchise two years ago, <a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/basketball-philadelphia-sixers/lease-means-sixers-likely-not-going-anywhere" target="_blank">according to CSNPhilly.com's John Gonzalez</a>.<br />
<br />
That <span style="font-family: inherit;">lease contains <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">“significant lease provisions and protections” that make it very difficult to break from, <a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/basketball-philadelphia-sixers/lease-means-sixers-likely-not-going-anywhere" target="_blank">according to Gonzalez</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 21px;">Ultimately, the Sixers, more than likely, won't be going anywhere.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 21px;">The bigger concern will likely be for Harris and how he is going to get Flyers fans on board with the Sixers, when they know that he owns one of the Flyers' division rivals.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 21px;">(<a href="http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/08/report-sixers-owners-trying-to-buy-nhls-devils/" target="_blank">Image from NBC Sports</a>)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-21357046747040725852013-08-09T13:52:00.002-07:002013-08-09T13:57:33.433-07:00Jody Shelley calls it a careerAugust 9, 2013<br />
<br />
<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/506/269/134854408_crop_650x440.jpg?1325144204" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/506/269/134854408_crop_650x440.jpg?1325144204" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
Jody Shelley is calling it a career.<br />
<br />
The 37-year old enforcer is hanging up his skates and will be joining one of his former teams in the Columbus Blue Jackets as a broadcaster.<br />
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Shelly has been in the NHL for the past 14 years and ironically enough, his playing career ended closely to the same way it started.<br />
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Shelley played his first game for the Blue Jackets in the 2000-01 season. It was the only NHL game he played in for that year.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to the lockout-shortened 2013 season, when Shelley played only one game for the Flyers, while Zac Rinaldo took over the team's enforcer role.<br />
<br />
Shelley has played for Columbus, the San Jose Sharks and the New York Rangers, before arriving in Philadelphia in 2010.<br />
<br />
Shelley played 89 games for the Flyers from 2010-2013, racking up 191 penalty minutes. He also scored two goals in the 2010-11 campaign.<br />
<br />
For his entire career, Shelley has played in 627 NHL games, tallying 1,538 penalty minutes. He scored 18 goals and 36 assists to total 54 points for his career.<br />
<br />
Shelley took to Twitter to thank his former teams and the fans after announcing his retirement.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I'm proud to have played for <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLFlyers">@NHLFlyers</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NYRangers">@NYRangers</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SanJoseSharks">@SanJoseSharks</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL">@BlueJacketsNHL</a> THANK YOU fans for all the support & well wishes.<br />
— jody shelley (@shelleyhawk45) <a href="https://twitter.com/shelleyhawk45/statuses/365933390668636161">August 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
(<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/jody-shelley" target="_blank">Image from Bleacher Report)</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-52208188715694156412013-08-08T11:53:00.000-07:002013-08-18T21:02:56.898-07:00NHL officially releases preseason scheduleAugust 8, 2013<br />
<br />
<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://groupon.s3.amazonaws.com/sponsorship-imgs/Goods/NHL%20Arena%20Gallery%20Wrapped%20Canvas%20prints/727908605204_NHL_Arena_Gallery_Wrapped_Canvas_Print__Philadelphia_Flyers_-_Wells_Fargo_Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://groupon.s3.amazonaws.com/sponsorship-imgs/Goods/NHL%20Arena%20Gallery%20Wrapped%20Canvas%20prints/727908605204_NHL_Arena_Gallery_Wrapped_Canvas_Print__Philadelphia_Flyers_-_Wells_Fargo_Center.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The NHL officially released the <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=679789&navid=nhl:topheads" target="_blank">2013 preseason schedule</a> on Thursday.<br />
<br />
104 exhibition games will be played over a 16-day span starting on September 14.<br />
<br />
The Flyers will have seven preseason games, starting with a game in London, Ontario's Budweiser Gardens on Sunday, September 15. They will face the Toronto Maple Leafs in one of 15 games being played outside NHL venues.<br />
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Here is the Flyers' complete preseason schedule:<br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" class="data" style="background-color: black; border-collapse: collapse; clear: both; color: black; empty-cells: show; font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; width: 644px;"><tbody>
<tr class="rwEven" style="background-image: url(http://flyers.nhl.com/v2/images/sbRowBg.gif); background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; height: 22px;"><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="110">SUN, SEPT.15</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="76">TORONTO</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">BUDWEISER GARDENS</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">LONDON, ONTARIO</td><td class="left" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">6 PM</td></tr>
<tr class="rwOdd" style="background-color: white; height: 22px;"><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="110">MON, SEPT. 16</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="76">TORONTO</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">AIR CANADA CENTRE</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">TORONTO, CANADA</td><td class="left" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">7 PM</td></tr>
<tr class="rwEven" style="background-image: url(http://flyers.nhl.com/v2/images/sbRowBg.gif); background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; height: 22px;"><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="110">MON, SEPT. 16</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="76">WASHINGTON</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">WELLS FARGO CENTER</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA</td><td class="left" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">7 PM</td></tr>
<tr class="rwOdd" style="background-color: white; height: 22px;"><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="110">TUE, SEPT. 17</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="76">NY RANGERS</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">WELLS FARGO CENTER</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA</td><td class="left" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">7 PM</td></tr>
<tr class="rwEven" style="background-image: url(http://flyers.nhl.com/v2/images/sbRowBg.gif); background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; height: 22px;"><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="110">TUE, SEPT. 24</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="76">NEW JERSEY</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">WELLS FARGO CENTER</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA</td><td class="left" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">7 PM</td></tr>
<tr class="rwOdd" style="background-color: white; height: 22px;"><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="110">THU, SEPT. 26</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="76">NEW JERSEY</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">PRUDENTIAL CENTER</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">NEWARK, NJ</td><td class="left" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">7 PM</td></tr>
<tr class="rwEven" style="background-image: url(http://flyers.nhl.com/v2/images/sbRowBg.gif); background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; height: 22px;"><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="110">FRIDAY, SEPT. 27</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;" width="76">WASHINGTON</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">VERIZON CENTER</td><td class="left" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">WASHINGTON, DC</td><td class="left" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px;">7 PM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Flyers officially begin the 2013-14 regular season campaign at the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday, October 2. They'll open up against the Maple Leafs once again.<br />
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(<a href="http://www.groupon.com/pages/groupon-deal-images-options-gg-nhl-arena-gallery-wrapped-canvas-prints" target="_blank">Image from Groupon.com</a>)<br />
(<a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm?season=20132014&gameType=2" target="_blank">Preseason Schedule from Flyers.NHL.com</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-17828111170244121862013-08-07T20:22:00.002-07:002013-08-07T20:22:45.646-07:00215 Basketball: Sixers ownership group wants to buy...the Devils?!August 7, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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<a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12064839/20120303_hcs_sy4_062.0_standard_352.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12064839/20120303_hcs_sy4_062.0_standard_352.0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Sixers still need to find a head coach, but that may not be team owner Joshua Harris' only priority.<br />
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According to multiple reports, Harris and the rest of the Sixers' ownership group are looking to buy the New Jersey Devils.<br />
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Yup, that's right. That team that just so happens to be in the same division as the hockey team the Sixers have to share an arena with, the owners are trying to buy them.<br />
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The Devils' current owner Jeff Vanderbeek, who owns both the Devils and their home arena the Prudential Center, is $230 million in debt and has been looking to sell the team.<br />
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Attorney Andrew Barroway and his group were also looking to buy the Devils, but so far nothing has ever came of it after reports of the possible sale popped up at the end of June. Fun fact, Barroway also tried to buy the Sixers before Harris eventually did.<br />
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Harris' group bought the Sixers from Comcast-Spectacor in 2011. Should they acquire majority ownership of the Devils, then the Sixers could fall back into the same hole they where in under Comcast-Spectacor's control.<br />
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The Sixers were owned by Comcast-Spectacor from 1996 to 2011, but they always seemed to get put on the backburner while chairman Ed Snider focused on the Flyers, who he founded in 1966.<br />
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That is not to say that Harris' group will do that to the Sixers, but it is possible. The reverse is possible too, they might even be able to balance owning both teams as a matter of fact<br />
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However, the fact that Harris' group is looking to buy one of the Flyers' rivals while the basketball team they currently own is still without a head coach could make some fans question where their heart is.<br />
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But Harris' group doesn't own the Devils yet, so it's best to wait and see how this plays out before Sixers and Flyers fans alike get up in arms.<br />
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In the meantime, what happens first? The Sixers find a head coach or their owners buy the Devils?<br />
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(<a href="http://www.libertyballers.com/2013/4/24/4259634/should-we-trust-76ers-ownership-joshua-harris-doug-collins" target="_blank">Image from Liberty Ballers</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-72001013916423921202013-07-23T08:57:00.000-07:002013-07-23T08:57:23.654-07:00Laviolette named Team USA assistant coach, things could get interestingJuly 23, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.sportsgrid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Laviolette-And-Granato-Argue-628x353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://www.sportsgrid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Laviolette-And-Granato-Argue-628x353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette will be at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, serving as an assistant coach for Team USA.<br />
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Laviolette is from Franklin, Massachusetts and will be heading into his fifth year as the Flyers' coach, after taking over for former coach Scott Stevens during the 2009-10 season.<br />
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He was head coach of Team USA in the 2006 Winter Olympics and in the International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship in 2004 and 2005. Laviolette also played for USA in the 1988 and 1994 winter games.<br />
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Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Todd Richards and Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Tony Granato have also been named assistant coaches for Team USA.<br />
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Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma was named head coach of Team USA at the end of June. This could make this team even more interesting to watch when winter rolls around.<br />
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The rivalry between the Flyers and the Penguins is one of the more heated ones in hockey and it only seemed to escalate once Laviolette became coach, especially in 2012.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/sBUmDH98ygw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Back on April 1 of that year, Laviolette stood up on top of the boards between the benches of the Consol Energy Center, yelling at Bylsma for sending his checking line out in the final minutes of what would become a 6-4 Flyers' win.<br />
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That incident, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke71T2yXXgw" target="_blank">plus a memorable playoff series that the Flyers won in six games</a>, has kept the rivalry going strong.<br />
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Can Laviolette and Bylsma put the past behind them to try and lead America to the gold? Time will tell.<br />
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However, it was Granato, who stood between Bylsma and Laviolette during that game in Pittsburgh, that apparently lobbied for Bylsma to add Laviolette to his coaching staff.<br />
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The Daily News' Frank Seravalli has more on that, which you can read by <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/flyers/Laviolette-named-assistant-coach-for-Team-USA-under-Dan-Bylsma.html" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.<br />
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(<a href="http://www.sportsgrid.com/nhl/penguins-flyers-offer-playoff-preview-line-brawl-and-coach-arguments-ensue/" target="_blank">Image from Sports Grid</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-27465932958606791712013-07-22T14:17:00.000-07:002013-07-25T17:02:45.549-07:00Sochi bound?: Select Flyers invited to Olympic prelim rostersJuly 22, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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The NHL made a deal at the end of last week to allow their <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=678201&navid=nhl:topheads" target="_blank">players to participate</a> in the 2014 Winter Olympics and teams have been putting together their preliminary rosters in preparation of orientation camps.<br />
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Here are the Flyers that will be getting a shot at representing their countries this winter...<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.thescore.com/home/articles/1237796-team-canada-s-preliminary-olympic-roster" target="_blank">Team Canada</a> (Camp from Aug. 25-28):</b> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/_/id/3775/claude-giroux" target="_blank">Claude Giroux</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.eurohockey.com/article/2702-finland-announces-olympic-games-extended-roster.html" target="_blank">Team Finland</a>:</b> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/_/id/942/kimmo-timonen" target="_blank">Kimmo Timonen</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://swehockey.se/ImageVaultFiles/id_28326/cf_113/roster_swe_12-14_aug_2013.PDF" target="_blank">Team Sweden</a> (Camp from Aug. 12-14):</b> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/_/id/3163/nicklas-grossmann" target="_blank">Nicklas Grossmann</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/5774/erik-gustafsson" target="_blank">Erik Gustafsson</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=678926" target="_blank">Team Switzerland</a>:</b> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/_/id/3256/mark-streit" target="_blank">Mark Streit</a><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/7/22/4546468/sochi-olympics-2014-usa-hockey-orientation-camp-roster" target="_blank">Team USA</a> (Camp from Aug. 26-27): </b><a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/laviolette-named-team-usa-assistant.html" target="_blank">Peter Laviolette</a> will serve as an <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=678559" target="_blank">assistant coach</a> to <a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/213692841.html" target="_blank">head coach Dan Bylsma</a>.<br />
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There are also a few former Flyers that have been chosen to preliminary rosters. Here they are...<br />
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<b>Team Canada:</b> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/2383/jeff-carter" target="_blank">Jeff Carter</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/2387/mike-richards" target="_blank">Mike Richards</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/2002/patrick-sharp" target="_blank">Patrick Sharp</a>. Former Flyers head coach <a href="http://www.ksdk.com/sports/article/389303/6/Ken-Hitchcock-Named-Assistant-Coach-for-Team-Canada-">Ken Hitchcock</a> is on Canada's coaching staff as an assistant coach to <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2013/07/21/mike-babcock-team-canada-coach/2573745/">Mike Babcock</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/7/22/4545954/sochi-olympics-2014-russia-mens-ice-hockey" target="_blank">Team Russia</a> (Camp from Aug. 23-24):</b> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/5571/sergei-bobrovsky" target="_blank">Sergei Bobrovsky</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/7/22/4546468/sochi-olympics-2014-usa-hockey-orientation-camp-roster">Team USA:</a></b> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/3822/james-van-riemsdyk" target="_blank">James Van Riemsdyk</a>.<br />
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<b>Team Finland:</b> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/2136/joni-pitkanen" target="_blank">Joni Pitkanen</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/3945/ville-leino" target="_blank">Ville Leino</a>.<br />
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Not all countries have submitted their rosters or camp dates yet. This article will be updated as soon as the rosters become available.<br />
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The 2014 Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia. The NHL will stop the regular season from <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=678201&navid=nhl:topheads" target="_blank">Feb. 9-25</a>, in order to let their players participate.<br />
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(<a href="http://articles.philly.com/2012-01-18/sports/30639631_1_claude-giroux-darroll-powe-scott-hartnell" target="_blank">Image from Philly.com</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-65726134448607002662013-07-20T11:10:00.001-07:002013-07-20T12:19:23.178-07:00Sean Couturier gets two-year extensionJuly 20, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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Getting pending restricted free agents under contract has been a top priority for the Flyers this season.</div>
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They already signed <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/gustafsson-signed-to-one-year-deal.html" target="_blank">defensemen Erik Gustafsson</a> and <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/lauridsen-signed-to-tow-year-extension.html" target="_blank">Oliver Lauridsen</a>, who already hit restricted free agency, to deals and signed their captain Claude Giroux, who would have become a restricted free agent after the 2013-14 season, to an <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/giroux-extension-incoming.html" target="_blank">eight-year contract extension</a>.</div>
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Now the Flyers have signed forward Sean Couturier to a two-year contract extension.</div>
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The deal is worth $3.5 million with a cap hit of $1.75 million per, according to <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=19177" target="_blank">Flyers' inside reporter Anthony SanFilippo</a>.</div>
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Couturier was set to become a restricted free agent next summer, with the 2013-14 season being the last in his <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/2115" target="_blank">three-year entry level deal</a>.</div>
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The contract extension won't kick in until the 2014-15 season.</div>
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The lockout-shortened 2013 season was a bit of a disappointing one for Couturier. </div>
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The 20-year old forward scored just four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 46 games last season, after a great rookie year in the 2011-12 campaign, when he scored 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points in 77 games.</div>
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Couturier played for the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, during the lockout, putting up 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points in 31 games.</div>
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The Flyers picked Couturier eighth overall in the 2011 NHL Draft, after they acquired the pick, Jakub Voracek and another pick in the third round from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Jeff Carter.</div>
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Couturier had an immediate impact on the Flyers in his rookie year, especially on the penalty kill.</div>
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In the first round playoff series against the Penguins in 2012, Couturier was matched up with NHL MVP Evgeni Malkin and shut him down for most of the series.</div>
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Couturier also scored a hat-trick in game two of that series.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Hu4NtlciiLI" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Hopefully, the disappointing 2013 season was nothing more than a sophomore slump for Couturier and he'll have a much better year this season.<br />
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Couturier does seem to be highly coveted around the league, as a lot of trade rumors the Flyers have been involved in for players like Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle and now former Anaheim forward Bobby Ryan have involved the teams asking for Couturier in return.<br />
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So here's hoping that a highly touted prospect like Couturier has a lot more in store for the Flyers.<br />
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<b>Extra Note:</b> Brayden Schenn, who put up 26 points for the Flyers last year, is set become a restricted free agent after the <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/1624" target="_blank">2013-14 season</a>. The 21-year old forward is another young player that teams around the league have been placing a lot of value on, so with Couturier now under contract, it seems that Schenn will likely be the next player the Flyers address.<br />
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(<a href="http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2012/4/13/2947387/he-may-look-like-a-vampire-but-sean-couturier-is-fucking-awesome" target="_blank">Image from Broad Street Hockey</a>)<br />
(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4NtlciiLI" target="_blank">YouTube video from Phnatasy Phils</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-72711192723991593532013-07-20T11:05:00.002-07:002013-07-20T12:18:33.218-07:00Important games on the scheduleJuly 20, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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The NHL finally released the schedule for all 30 of its teams on Friday, leaving some interesting match-ups on the <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/app" target="_blank">Flyers' schedule</a>. </div>
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Some of it's due to <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=678238&navid=DL|NHL|home" target="_blank">conference re-alignment</a>, while the rest of it is the result of the team's acquisitions and departures during the offseason.</div>
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So, let's take a look...<br />
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<b>Oct. 2, 2013: vs. Toronto</b></div>
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The Flyers will open up the season at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who made the playoffs for the first time in nine years last season. James Van Riemsdyk returns to Philadelphia, as the Flyers look to get their year started on the right track.</div>
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<a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/003/247/345/hi-res-162045246_crop_650x440.jpg?1373121782" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/003/247/345/hi-res-162045246_crop_650x440.jpg?1373121782" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Oct. 5, 2013: at Montreal</b></div>
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The Flyers will hit the road for their second game of the year. It will be the first time that Danny Briere faces the Flyers after they <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/06/danny-briere-thank-you.html" target="_blank">bought out his contract this summer</a>. Something that will likely be different is that Danny Briere won't be booed by Habs fans anymore when the Flyers are in town.</div>
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<b>Oct. 12, 2013: at Detroit</b></div>
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Had it not been for conference re-alignment, this game probably wouldn't have been as notable. But since conference re-alignment is the case, it will be the first time the Flyers play the Red Wings as an Eastern Conference opponent and it will happen in Joe Louis Arena.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8BQWxC75eE/URsYYbCBSPI/AAAAAAAABOw/cujtlyZK_HM/s1600/mark-streit-ny-islanders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8BQWxC75eE/URsYYbCBSPI/AAAAAAAABOw/cujtlyZK_HM/s400/mark-streit-ny-islanders.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Oct. 26, 2013: at New York Islanders</b></div>
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<a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/streit-after-islanders-playoff.html" target="_blank">The Islanders' former captain</a> Mark Streit returns to Long Island for the first time as a Flyer.</div>
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<b>Nov. 1, 2013: vs Washington</b></div>
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<b>Nov. 5, 2013: at Carolina</b></div>
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Conference re-alignment makes these games notable once again, as they will be the first time the Flyers play the Capitals and the Hurricanes as division rivals.</div>
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<a href="http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/B97206922Z.120130717221035000G3V3CTBS.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/B97206922Z.120130717221035000G3V3CTBS.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Nov. 19, 2013: vs. Ottawa</b></div>
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Trade rumors involving former Anaheim forward and Cherry Hill native Bobby Ryan and the Flyers have been popping up everywhere over the past two years. But Ryan was finally traded this past summer...to the Senators. It's going to be interesting to see how the Wells Fargo Center crowd reacts to Ryan after all the speculation.</div>
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<b>Nov. 27, 2013: at Tampa Bay</b></div>
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After the Tampa Bay Lightning bought out the contract of their former captain in the summer, <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/after-14-years-with-lightning.html" target="_blank">Vincent Lecavalier will return to the place where he spent the first 14 years of his career</a> wearing orange and black.</div>
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<b>Dec. 11, 2013: at Chicago</b></div>
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The Flyers will head to the United Center to play the defending Stanley Cup Champions. <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/holmgren-on-emery-all-he-does-is-win.html" target="_blank">Ray Emery will also be facing his former team of the past two years</a>, after having a great year for them as their backup goaltender.</div>
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<b>Dec. 12, 2013: vs. Montreal</b></div>
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Danny Briere, <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/06/danny-briere-thank-you.html" target="_blank">who became fan-favorite during his six years in Philadelphia</a>, will play in the Wells Fargo Center as a member of the opposing team in the Montreal Canadiens.</div>
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<a href="http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/359/082/167513484_crop_north.jpg?w=650&h=440&q=75" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/359/082/167513484_crop_north.jpg?w=650&h=440&q=75" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Dec. 19, 2013: vs Columbus</b></div>
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Again, conference re-alignment take over here. The Blue Jackets will be one of the Flyers' divisional opponents for the first time. Plus, Sergei Bobrovsky and <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/04/mason-headlines-flyers-trade-deadline.html" target="_blank">Steve Mason</a> will both be playing their former teams for the first time since the both of them were traded. This game is the first part of a home-and-home series. The Flyers will travel to Ohio to play the Blue Jackets in Columbus on the 21st.</div>
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<b>March 24, 2014: vs Los Angeles</b></div>
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Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Justin Williams pay a visit to Philadelphia, because the lockout kept them and the rest of the Kings away from the Flyers.</div>
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As members of the Atlantic Division, the Flyers had four teams to compete against in their division with the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins.</div>
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But the release of the 2013-14 schedule also made the NHL's <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=678238&navid=DL|NHL|home" target="_blank">conference realignment official</a>.</div>
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The Atlantic Division still exists, but the Flyers, Devils, Rangers, Islanders and Penguins are no longer a part of it.</div>
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Instead, they will make up the new <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=678193&navid=DL|PHI|home" target="_blank">Metropolitan Division</a> in the Eastern Conference along with the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Washington Capitals.</div>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 169px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><u>METROPOLITAN</u></td><td style="text-align: center;"><u>ATLANTIC</u></td><td style="text-align: center;"><u>CENTRAL</u></td><td style="text-align: center;"><u>PACIFIC</u></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="txt12"><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Carolina Hurricanes</span></span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Boston Bruins</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Chicago Blackhawks</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Anaheim Ducks</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Columbus Blue Jackets</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Buffalo Sabres</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Colorado Avalanche</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Calgary Flames</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">New Jersey Devils</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Detroit Red Wings</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Dallas Stars</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Edmonton Oilers</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">New York Islanders</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Florida Panthers</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Minnesota Wild</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Los Angeles Kings</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">New York Rangers</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Montreal Canadiens</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Nashville Predators</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Phoenix Coyotes</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">PHILADELPHIA FLYERS</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Ottawa Senators</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">St. Louis Blues</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">San Jose Sharks</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Pittsburgh Penguins</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Tampa Bay Lightning</span><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Winnipeg Jets</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Vancouver Canucks</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Washington Capitals</span></td><td><span class="txt12Strg" style="font-weight: bold;">Toronto Maple Leafs</span></td></tr>
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Here are all the divisional games the Flyers will have in the upcoming season:</div>
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<b>Oct. 6, 2013: at Carolina</b></div>
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<b>Oct. 17, 2013: vs. Pittsburgh</b></div>
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<b>Oct. 24, 2013: vs. New York Rangers</b></div>
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<b>Oct. 26, 2013: at New York Islanders</b></div>
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<b>Nov. 1, 2013: vs. Washington</b></div>
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<b>Nov. 2, 2013: at New Jersey</b></div>
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<b>Nov. 5, 2013: at Carolina</b></div>
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<b>Nov. 7, 2013: vs. New Jersey</b></div>
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<b>Nov. 13, 2013: at Pittsburgh</b></div>
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<b>Nov. 23, 2013: vs. New York Islanders</b></div>
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<b>Dec. 15, 2013: at Washington</b></div>
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<b>Dec. 17, 2013: vs. Washington</b></div>
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<b>Dec. 19, 2013: vs. Columbus</b></div>
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<b>Dec. 21, 2013: at Columbus</b></div>
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<b>Jan, 7, 2014: at New Jersey</b></div>
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<b>Jan 12, 2014: at New York Rangers</b></div>
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<b>Jan 18, 2014: vs New York Islanders</b></div>
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<b>Jan 20, 2014: at New York Islanders</b></div>
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<b>Jan 21, 2014: vs. Carolina</b></div>
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<b>Jan 23, 2014: at Columbus</b></div>
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<b>March 1, 2014: vs. New York Rangers</b></div>
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<b>March 2, 2014: at Washington</b></div>
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<b>March 5, 2014: vs. Washington</b></div>
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<b>March 11, 2014: vs. New Jersey</b></div>
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<b>March 15, 2014: vs. Pittsburgh</b></div>
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<b>March 16, 2014: at Pittsburgh</b></div>
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<b>March 26, 2014: at New York Rangers</b></div>
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<b>April 3, 2014: vs. Columbus</b></div>
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<b>April 12, 2014: at Pittsburgh</b></div>
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<b>April 13, 2014: vs. Carolina</b></div>
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To see the Flyers' full schedule for the 2013-14 season, <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/app" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
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(Images from <a href="http://articles.philly.com/2013-02-25/sports/37291323_1_riemsdyk-luke-schenn-last-summer-jake-voracek" target="_blank">Philly.com</a>, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1695359-pros-and-cons-of-montreal-canadiens-signing-daniel-briere">Bleacher</a> <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1641599-sergei-bobrovsky-wins-2012-13-vezina-trophy" target="_blank">Report</a>, <a href="http://www.hockey-trades.com/2013/02/nhl-trade-rumors-mark-streit-nears-end.html" target="_blank">Hockey-Trades.com</a>, <a href="http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/1142768-ryan-doesn-t-want-to-fill-alfie-s-role" target="_blank">The Chronicle Herald</a>, <a href="http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2013/7/2/4488154/vinny-lecavalier-flyers-contract-nhl-free-agency-2013" target="_blank">Broad Street Hockey</a>, <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nhl/news/20130313/chicago-blackhawks-ray-emery/" target="_blank">Sports Illustrated</a>, <a href="http://3dphillysports.com/tag/daniel-briere/" target="_blank">3D Philly Sports</a>, <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2012-05-29/los-angeles-kings-mike-richards-jeff-carter-trades-reaction-philadelphia-flyers" target="_blank">Sporting News</a>, <a href="http://www.uwishunu.com/2013/01/hockey-is-back-the-flyers-to-thank-fans-by-hosting-a-free-open-practice-this-thursday-january-17-at-the-wells-fargo-center-before-kicking-off-their-2013-season-at-home-on-saturday-january-19/" target="_blank">U Wish U Nu</a>)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-29661795042646211692013-07-15T14:53:00.002-07:002013-07-15T15:47:03.902-07:00Hextall returns to Flyers as assistant GMJuly 15, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b></div>
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Ron Hextall has made his way back to the Flyers.</div>
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<a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=678000&navid=DL|PHI|home" target="_blank">The Flyers named</a> Hextall assistant general manager and director of hockey operations on Monday.<br />
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The former goaltender previously served as the assistant GM for the Los Angeles Kings, who won the Stanley Cup in 2012, from 2006 up until this past season.</div>
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He was also a scout for the Flyers after he retired as a player in 1999 and was promoted to director of pro hockey personnel in 2002. Hextall then left for Los Angeles following the 2005-06 season.</div>
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Hextall, now 49, played 13 years in the NHL (1986-99), 11 of them were in Philadelphia (86-92, 94-99). He established himself as one of the most memorable Flyers during his career, not just for his play in net, but by also becoming the first goaltender to score a goal...</div>
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....And by not taking crap from anybody.</div>
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(<a href="http://www.cardboardconnection.com/does-ron-hextall-belong-in-the-hall-of-fame" target="_blank">Image from CardBoardConnection.com</a>)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-82649291231279424152013-07-10T13:33:00.000-07:002013-07-10T13:33:23.613-07:00Lauridsen signed to two-year extensionJuly 10, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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The Flyers re-signed another one of their restricted free agents on Wednesday in defenseman Oliver Lauridsen.<br />
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Lauridsen will be getting a two-year contract extension after the two-year entry level deal he originally signed ended after the 2013 season.<br />
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The 24-year old defender made his NHL debut towards the end of the Flyers' disappointing season, thanks to a good bit of injury problems on the blue line.<br />
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He played in 15 games, scoring two goals and an assist with an averaged 15:08 of ice time.<br />
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He played well defensively since making his debut in a 3-1 home win against the Boston Bruins on March 30, but with nine defenseman already under contract for 2013-14, it is likely that Lauridsen will be spending most, if not all of this upcoming season in the minors with the Adirondack Phantoms.<br />
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(<a href="http://flyersfaithful.com/2013/05/28/2013-year-in-review-oliver-lauridsen/" target="_blank">Image from Flyers Faithful</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-9603818765487758502013-07-10T13:01:00.000-07:002013-07-11T13:21:44.987-07:00Broad Street Bullies coach Fred Shero finally gets elected to Hockey Hall of FameJuly 10, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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The honor was long overdue, but it's finally happening.<br />
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The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its newest inductees on Tuesday. The list includes greats players like Scott Niedermayer, Brendan Shanahan and Chris Chelios and now, finally, former Flyers coach Fred Shero.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I am thrilled to hear that Fred Shero was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame" <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=677357&navid=DL|PHI|home&navid=DL|PHI|home" target="_blank">Flyers chairman Ed Snider said in a press release</a>. "There’s no sense looking back as to why it didn’t happen sooner, because today’s a happy day to celebrate the fact that a guy that deserves it immensely has finally been elected to the Hall of Fame. It’s a great day for the Philadelphia Flyers."</span></span><br />
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After the Flyers came into the NHL via expansion in 1967, Shero took the reigns as head coach in 1971.<br />
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Shero is most well-known for coaching the famous (infamous? depends on who you ask I guess) Broad Street Bullies of the 1970's, leading the Flyers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in 1974 and 1975. It's something the franchise has failed to do ever since.<br />
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Shero was also a revolutionary in professional hockey.<br />
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He was one of the first coaches to study game film to pick up on opponent's tendencies, was the first coach ever to have assistant coaches on the bench with him and was the first to implement morning skates. All of these elements are common practice in today's NHL.<br />
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Shero also traveled to the Soviet Union to learn how the Russians played hockey and adapt that style of play to his team. The trip payed off, not only with two Stanley Cup victories, but with the famous Flyers win over the Soviet Red Army in 1976.<br />
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In 1974, Shero won the first Jack Adam's Award for the NHL's coach of the year. He only coached 10 years in the league, with his final year being in 1981. Shero coached the New York Rangers for three years after his seventh with the Flyers in the 1977-78 season.<br />
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Shero passed away from stomach cancer in 1990. It turns out that it would take 23 more years before his accomplishments would be recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame.<br />
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Before game six of the 1974 Stanley Cup Final, the night the Flyers would go on to win their first Cup, Shero wrote a message on a chalkboard in the team's locker room. A message that will live forever in Flyers' lore.<br />
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<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b63752914d30fd7232172214eb85ab73/tumblr_mm3kuwkAYj1rhg3exo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b63752914d30fd7232172214eb85ab73/tumblr_mm3kuwkAYj1rhg3exo1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(<a href="http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130709/SPORTS03/130709357/nhl-former-flyers-coach-fred-shero-elected-to-hockey-hall-of-fame" target="_blank">Cover Image from The Mercury</a>)<br />
(<a href="http://fuckyeahphiladelphiaflyers.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Quote Image from Tumblr</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-53585164537493079712013-07-10T12:07:00.001-07:002013-07-10T12:07:52.303-07:00Gustafsson signed to one-year dealJuly 10, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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The Flyers signed defenseman Erik Gustafsson to a one-year, $1 million contract on Tuesday and it is a one-way deal, according to <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=18985&navid=DL|PHI|home" target="_blank">Flyers Inside Reporter Anthony SanFilippo</a>.<br />
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The 24-year old defenseman completed the final year of his three-year entry-level deal this past season. He started the season with the AHL affiliated Adirondack Phantoms, but was able to make his way up to Philadelphia, averaging 20:09 of ice time in 27 games.<br />
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Gustafsson finished the 2013 season with three goals, five assists and a minus-1 rating. He has played in 60 games for the Flyers over the past three seasons, scoring four goals and nine assists with an overall plus-10 rating.<br />
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Although a bit undersized a 5' 10" and less than 200 pounds, Gustafsson is a mobile defenseman, which allows him to be a good two-way player.<br />
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With Gustafsson signed for the year, the Flyers now have nine defenseman under contract. They are currently <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/" target="_blank">more than $2 million over the NHL's $64.3 million salary cap</a>.<br />
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(<a href="http://philaphans.com/flyers/2013/05/07/meltzers-musings-gustafsson-stands-out-bryz-vs-usa-canada-vs-norway/" target="_blank">Image from PhilaPhans</a>)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-88114570471690883442013-07-10T03:18:00.001-07:002013-07-10T03:18:55.482-07:00After 14 years with Lightning, Lecavalier wears colors of a different teamJuly 9, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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It's hard to imagine Vincent Lecavalier wearing the colors of any other team but the Tampa Bay Lightning.<br />
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On Tuesday, though, the day finally came.<br />
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At the conclusion of the introductory press conference for the Flyers' newest signings in center Lecavalier, defenseman Mark Streit and goaltender Ray Emery, the three of them put on their orange and black sweaters for the first time (well, second time in Emery's case).<br />
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No one looked more different than Lecavalier.<br />
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The former Lightning captain had his contract <a href="http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/06/27/lightning-will-buy-out-lecavalier/" target="_blank">bought out</a> at the end of June. He was in the fourth of an <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/884" target="_blank">11-year, $85 million contract</a> that carried an annual cap hit north of <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/884" target="_blank">$7.7 million</a>.<br />
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The 33-year old center spent all 14 years of his career, thus far, in Tampa Bay and won a Stanley Cup in 2004 with the only franchise he has ever known.<br />
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"When I got the call last week it was pretty hard," Lecavalier said. "I've been a Lightning for 14 years, but I think it's a fresh start."<br />
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"[Philadelphia is] a great hockey market and a great organization," he said. "You got great young players like Claude Giroux. A lot and lot of good young players and I'm just happy to be here and help this team out."<br />
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It didn't take long for Lecavalier to decide on where he wanted to play next.<br />
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About a week after being notified that the Lightning were going to buy out his contract, Lecavalier agreed to terms on a <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/lecavalier-agrees-to-terms-with-philly.html" target="_blank">five-year, $22.5 million deal </a>with the Flyers.<br />
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After he signed the new contract, Lecavalier said that the Flyers became his <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=677048" target="_blank">top choice</a> after he had a first meeting with them. He reinforced that at the press conference on Tuesday.<br />
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"I said that last week, but I went through a lot that day being bought out," Lecavalier said. "But like any other player, I made a list and right after I met with this organization they went straight to the top of the list."<br />
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"From [head coach Peter Laviolette's] style of play to just the organization, the team, the players, the roster, who I was going to come and play with, I was just really excited about it," Lecavalier added. "I left that meeting, I was like "wow this is a great meeting," and I was talking to my agent, my brother was there. So, that is when I decided that I want to be part of the Flyers."<br />
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The Flyers wanted him to be a part of their team as well. It's hard for any of the 28 (can't include the Lightning) NHL clubs to not want him.<br />
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Even though his offensive production has gone down over the past few years, Lecavalier is still very capable of being a 20-plus goal scorer and is a more than capable second-line center, should Laviolette opt to use him in the lineup that way.<br />
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Plus, Lecavalier has scored 383 goals and 491 assists in 1,037 regular season games, won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (league's leading goal-scorer) in the 2006-07 season, has 52 points in 63 career playoff games and helped Tampa Bay win its first Stanley Cup in 2004.<br />
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A veteran with that much experience can help any team.<br />
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"When you get to the playoffs you go through a lot of ups and downs in a few months," Lecavalier said. "You need that leadership, that experience. Guys like, even <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8445000" target="_blank">Dave Andreychuk</a>, he had never won the cup, but he brought that experience to calm the guys down in the locker room and all that."<br />
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"I've been in the league for 14 years now," he said. "I'll definitely try to bring that experience to help out the younger guys and guys that have never been in the playoffs or have been there."<br />
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Lecavalier wants to help the Flyers as much as he can and feels that coach Laviolette's system is a good fit for him to be able to do so.<br />
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"[Laviolette's system] is really upbeat and I really like that," Lecavalier said. "I want to be on my toes when I play the game. I don't want to be on my heels."<br />
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"Obviously, a smart defensive game is really important," he noted. "I think he has that as a coach, he's a very smart coach. But when you get the puck you want to go, you want to skate. You want to play to in their zone. From playing against him here in Philly and Carolina I thought it was a really tough team to play against and that is why I want to be a part of it."<br />
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Lecavalier likes what he sees in the Flyers and put pen to paper to be a part of their immediate future. Now he is set on trying to bring hockey's ultimate prize to a city that hasn't had it in 38 years.<br />
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"We want to win," Lecavalier said. "We're guys (him and Emery) who have won the Stanley Cup and I want to bring that to Philly."<br />
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(<a href="http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/gallery/im:urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,lego:19780928:top,photo,e3263b70-f6a6-36d8-9c30-403a772ace35-l:1" target="_blank">Image from Yahoo Sports and the Associated Press</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-41089251886125711992013-07-10T01:39:00.000-07:002013-08-10T09:56:45.618-07:00Streit after Islanders' playoff appearance: "It was time to move on"July 9, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.delcotimes.com/content/articles/2013/07/09/sports/doc51dc940ba82ca812017917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://www.delcotimes.com/content/articles/2013/07/09/sports/doc51dc940ba82ca812017917.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mark Streit had spent the past five of his eight (technically four of seven) NHL seasons playing for the New York Islanders.<br />
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But even though the Islanders made the playoffs for the first time in six years, with him as their captain, the 35-year old Swiss defenseman felt it was time to move on.<br />
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"It was a pretty good season with the Islanders," Streit said. "But after the season was done, I just had that feeling that it was time to move on for me."<br />
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After the Islanders first round exit in the playoffs, Streit made a mental list of teams he would have liked to play for, like any other player hitting the market would have.<br />
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Streit was at the end of a five-year contract with New York and was set to become a free agent. Then his negotiating rights were traded to the Flyers, a team that was on the top of his list.<br />
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"I had a few teams on my mind and the Flyers were on the top of that list," Streit said during Tuesday's introductory press conference at the Wells Fargo Center. "I always loved playing here against them. I thought they had a great team, a great mix between younger and older players, a lot of skill, a lot of creativity and it was tough to play against those guys."<br />
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"[Philadelphia] is a great hockey town, with great tradition," Streit continued. "As soon as I got traded, I was really hoping to get something done here. I'm so excited and thankful that they gave me the opportunity. I'm really thrilled and I think this team has really big potential. "<br />
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Streit signed a <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/1076" target="_blank">four-year, $21 million</a> deal shortly after being acquired by Philadelphia. Given his age and the annual <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/1076" target="_blank">$5.25 million cap hit</a> his contract carries over the next few years, more than a few fans are concerned that he won't last very long into his tenure with the Flyers.<br />
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But Streit has played in fewer seasons than most other players in his age range, especially defenseman. It's a little tidbit that he believes make a huge difference in terms of durability.<br />
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"I think it is a big difference when you're 35 and you've played 15 years in the league or you've played eight," Streit said. "The wear and tear is big in hockey, in the NHL, but I feel great. I'm healthy."<br />
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It took Streit until he was 26 to make it to the NHL, which is the reason why he doesn't have as many years under his belt compared to a player who got drafted at 18 and played until they were 40.<br />
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He was picked up by the Montreal Canadiens in the ninth round of the 2004 NHL Draft, where he would spend this first three years before landing with the Islanders.<br />
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Streit has been able to stay relatively healthy during his NHL career, playing in a majority, if not all, of his team's games.<br />
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The only exception was the 2010-11 season, when he was out for the entire year with a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTGSdh0vo7Y" target="_blank">severe shoulder injury</a>.<br />
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"I had one unfortunate season with the Islanders when I was hurt the whole year," Streit said. "But other than that, I played almost all the games every year. So, I'm in good shape. I want to play for a long time and I really think I can help this team."<br />
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Playing in all 48 of the Islanders' games last season, Streit averaged 23:21 of ice time and scored six goals and 21 assists. He is a defenseman that can move the puck and play offensively when needed, which is an element last year's Flyers needed more of.<br />
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(<a href="http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/07/09/sports/doc51dc940ba82ca812017917.txt?viewmode=fullstory" target="_blank">Image from the DELCO Times</a>)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-30877599667754168992013-07-09T21:50:00.001-07:002013-07-09T21:50:30.273-07:00Holmgren on Emery: "All he does is win"July 9, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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The Flyers introduced their newest members on Tuesday in center Vincet Lecavalier and defenseman Mark Streit. They also welcomed <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/ray-emery-part-2.html" target="_blank">goaltender Ray Emery</a> back into the fold.<br />
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During the introductory press conference at the Wells Fargo Center, general manager Paul Holmgren had very high praise for the 30-year old goaltender.<br />
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"If you look at Ray's record since he has been back in the NHL, all he does is win. All he does is win," Holmgren said.<br />
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"And even go back to the short time he was here," Holmgren continued. "I remember his last game, we shut out Calgary 3-0 and the next morning I get a phone call, his hip is bad."<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">That shutout against Calgary was back on February 1, 2010, when Emery made 18 saves to keep the Flames off the board.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">The Flyers took a chance by bringing Emery back to the NHL on a one-year deal prior to the start of the 2009-10 season. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">He played five seasons for the Ottawa Senators before attitude issues led to him spending a year playing in the Russian KHL.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Emery's comeback with the Flyers was unfortunately short lived. He was diagnosed with </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">avascular necrosis in his right hip</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> after the shutout against Calgary. He only played 29 games in goal for the Flyers and it was possible that his condition could have kept him from ever playing again.</span><br />
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"It was pretty upsetting," Emery said of the situation during the press conference. "I remember having a meeting with [Holmgren] and Jim McCrossin (<a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=35739" target="_blank">the Flyers' athletic trainer</a>) when I found out I had that condition."<br />
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"I could kind of tell by the look on their faces that it was a pretty serious thing," Emery said.<br />
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Emery told the media in attendance at the Wells Fargo Center that he was grateful for the work the Flyers put in to getting him the best possible surgery three years ago, <a href="http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/04/ray-emerys-one-in-a-million-comeback-from-grueling-hip-surgery/" target="_blank">one that ended up requiring having part of his fibula used to replace his hip</a>, and saving his playing career.<br />
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"I"m fortunate to the organization for the diligence they put in to finding the best surgery," Emery said. "It's kind of an experimental surgery and every year [the hip] just keeps getting better and better."<br />
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"For them to put that much effort into it...they flew me all over the place to look for doctors and all that," Emery added. "So coming back, especially after how things have went, it's real special for me to get a chance to play for them and hopefully do well in the situation. Just from that effort they put in to saving my hip and allowing me to play."<br />
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Emery was able to make his way back to the ice, but only after a long and grueling rehab process following the surgery.<br />
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He played 10 games in net for the Anaheim Ducks in the 2010-2011 season, earning a 7-2 record with a 2.28 goals against average (GAA) and a .926 save percentage.<br />
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Emery went to the Chicago Blackhawks the next season, where he would serve as the backup to starting goaltender Corey Crawford.<br />
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In the 2011-12 season, Emery had a 15-9 record with a 2.81 GAA and a .900 save percentage in 34 games.<br />
<br />
Despite being the backup, the lockout shortened 2013 season was a very impressive one for the goaltender. In 21 games Emery recorded a remarkable 17-1 record with a 1.94 GAA and a .922 save percentage, playing a role in helping the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks start the season with a 24-game point streak.<br />
<br />
Since the Flyers brought him back into the NHL in 2009, Emery has gone 55-23 in 94 games over the past four seasons. So, Holmgren's statement that all Emery does is win isn't that far-fetched.<br />
<br />
Emery has been fairly successful in the NHL after beating the odds against an injury that could have easily ended his career. The Flyers rewarded him for his success by giving him a <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/ray-emery-part-2.html#uds-search-results" target="_blank">one-year, $1.65 million contract</a>, a chance at more playing time and and a mulligan for his first time in Philadelphia.<br />
<br />
"Being here in the past and the last time I came here, I was super excited about [playing here] just as I am now," Emery said. "I kept the relationships within the team and have a lot of friends in the organization."<br />
<br />
"Knowing how classy of an organization it was, knowing how passionate (Flyers' Chairman) [Ed Snider] is, knowing how passionate [Paul Holmgren] is, knowing (<a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/01/paddock-now-assistant-coach.html" target="_blank">assistant coach</a>) John Paddock from the start of my pro career, I was just really really excited about that opportunity and a chance to work with (goaltender)[Steve Mason], a great young goalie, and especially the type of team that they have," Emery said. "I heard that [Vincent Lecavalier] had just signed. I know Claude Giroux and I can go on and on. I'm just excited about the entire situation."<br />
<br />
We'll have to wait until the beginning of the upcoming season to see if Emery can continue to prove Holmgren's "all he does is win" statement true.<br />
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In the meantime, feel free to listen to the song below. Just replace anything Tim Tebow with Ray Emery in your head.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zMK9FKMG3Nc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
(<a href="http://espn.go.com/espn/photos/wire/_/id/90/photo/3088554/nhl" target="_blank">Image from ESPN.com</a>)<br />
(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMK9FKMG3Nc" target="_blank">Youtube Video from ESPN 1st Take</a>)<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-15630678831850712742013-07-05T09:29:00.001-07:002013-07-05T14:37:09.031-07:00Ray Emery Part 2July 5, 2013<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>By Nick Tricome</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Philadelphia+Flyers+v+New+Jersey+Devils+kngweCzoSrJl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Philadelphia+Flyers+v+New+Jersey+Devils+kngweCzoSrJl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Free agency opened at noon and the Flyers went and found a goaltender almost immediately.</div>
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They signed Ray Emery to a one-year, $1.65 million contract, giving him another shot in Philadelphia.</div>
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Emery had a previous stint with the Flyers in the 2009-10 season, but only played in 29 games before being diagnosed with <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">avascular necrosis in his right hip. After that, it looked like Emery would never play again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Fast forward three years and Emery is coming off an impressive season with the Chicago Blackhawks, even though he served as backup to Corey Crawford.</span></span></div>
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Emery had a 17-1-0 record in 19 starts this season, with a 1.94 goals against average and a .922 save percentage. He also had three shutouts in 2013.</div>
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The Flyers also have Steve Mason, who they acquired at this year's <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/04/mason-headlines-flyers-trade-deadline.html" target="_blank">trade deadline</a>, under contract for the 2013-14 season.</div>
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Between Mason and Emery, the Flyers are spending <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/flyers/" target="_blank">$3.15 million of cap money</a> in goal for the upcoming season. Had they kept Ilya Bryzgalov, the Flyers would have been paying <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/1141" target="_blank">$5.67 million</a>, not including Mason's cap hit.</div>
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<h2>
Flyers add one more goalie</h2>
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The Flyers also signed goaltender Yann Danis to a one-year, two-way contract, according to the <a href="https://twitter.com/AnthonySan37/status/353199968275800064" target="_blank">Flyers' inside reporter Anthony SanFilippo</a>.</div>
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Danis, 32, has spent a majority of the past two seasons playing in the AHL with the Edmonton Oilers affiliated Oklahoma City Barons. He will more than likely stay in the AHL, playing for the Adirondack Phantoms.</div>
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(<a href="http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/Oye7wbhWNUj/Philadelphia+Flyers+v+New+Jersey+Devils/kngweCzoSrJ/Ray+Emery" target="_blank">Image from Zimbio.com</a>)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-74354504418665379442013-07-04T19:12:00.001-07:002013-07-04T19:12:38.411-07:004th of July Notes: Briere signs with Habs, Hall re-signs, Flyers pushing for EmeryJuly 2, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<a href="http://nationalpostsports.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/briere.jpg?w=620" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://nationalpostsports.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/briere.jpg?w=620" width="400" /></a></div>
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Free agency doesn't start until tomorrow, but that hasn't stopped teams from making moves on the 4th of July.<br />
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<h2>
Briere signs with Montreal</h2>
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He chose the Flyers over Montreal six years go, but now Danny Briere has finally made his way to the Canadiens.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Briere signed a 2-year, $8 million deal with Montreal, which probably means he won't be booed at the Bell Centre anymore when he gets the puck.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Flyers bought out Briere's contract after an underwhelming season, but he did a lot during his time in Philadelphia, which you can read more about by clicking <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/06/danny-briere-thank-you.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Although he is no longer a member of the Flyers organization, Briere will still remain on the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation's <a href="https://twitter.com/SniderHockey/status/352933824155496448" target="_blank">board of directors</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, Briere is heading north of the border now. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCYq3VVyMig" target="_blank">Montreal is calling</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
(<a href="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/07/04/danny-briere-agrees-to-two-year-deal-with-canadiens/" target="_blank">Image from the National Post</a>)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Adam Hall staying in Philly for another year</h2>
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<a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/sites/csnphilly/files/070413_adam-hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://www.csnphilly.com/sites/csnphilly/files/070413_adam-hall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The Flyers claimed Adam Hall off waivers last season, and now they have re-signed him to a <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=18889" target="_blank">one-year deal worth $600,000</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The 32-year old forward was brought to Philadelphia in April and played 11 games late in the season.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Hall didn't put anything up in the goals or assists columns during those 11 games, but played well in other areas of the game. He finished his year with the Flyers with a minus-1 rating.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Hall played 20 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning and six games for the Carolina Hurricanes last season, before being claimed by the Flyers.</div>
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(<a href="http://www.sportspyder.com/teams/philadelphia-flyers/articles/9505802" target="_blank">Image from SportSpyder.com</a>)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Flyers making a push for Emery</h2>
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<a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/771/578/92696170.jpg.15615.0_crop_340x234.jpg?1260338446" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/771/578/92696170.jpg.15615.0_crop_340x234.jpg?1260338446" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
One of the things the Flyers will be looking for on Friday is a goaltender.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Ray Emery, who served as backup to Corey Crawford with Chicago Blackhawks, was originally expected to stay put in Chicago.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
However, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun tweeted that this is no longer the case, reporting that Emery wants a shot at being a starter.</div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Ray Emery very likely moving on from Chicago, looking for bigger role, chance at 1 or 1a spot. I'd put Philly as front-runner.<br />
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) <a href="https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/statuses/352891153810604032">July 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
Frank Seravalli of the Daily News also tweeted that the Flyers are making a big push for Emery.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Flyers are also making a big final push for Ray Emery. Was said to be very close to re-signing with Hawks a bit ago. Now they're in the mix.<br />
— Frank Seravalli (@DNFlyers) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNFlyers/statuses/352864246926802944">July 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<div>
Emery, 30, already had a stint in Philadelphia back in the 2009-10 season, but only started 29 games.<br />
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After a season with Anaheim, Emery's career went on the rise when he joined Chicago, especially after last season.<br />
<br />
Emery started 19 games for the Blackhawks in 2013 and went 17-1-0 with three shutouts. He had a very low 1.94 goals against average and a very high .922 save percentage.<br />
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So, are the Flyers in for Ray Emery part two? It probably won't be long until we find out.<br />
<br />
(<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/305387-will-the-flyers-replace-ray-emery-for-good" target="_blank">Image from Bleacher Report</a>)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-29980948916756748052013-07-04T11:06:00.001-07:002013-07-05T13:21:30.209-07:00UPDATED: Giroux's extension finalized and agreed toJuly 4, 2013<br />
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<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/files/2013/01/Giroux2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/files/2013/01/Giroux2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>UPDATE #2: </b>It's official, Giroux signed to the eight-year contract extension.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Flyers&src=hash">#Flyers</a> officially confirm Claude Giroux has signed an 8-year contract extension. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NHL&src=hash">#NHL</a><br />
— Anthony SanFilippo (@AnthonySan37) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnthonySan37/statuses/353161441244749825">July 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
Here is the <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=676638&navid=DL|PHI|home" target="_blank">press release statement</a> by GM Paul Holmgren concerning Giroux's deal.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">“We are pleased to announce that we have agreed to an eight-year contract extension with Claude Giroux</span><span style="background-color: white;">,” <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=676638&navid=DL|PHI|home" target="_blank">Holmgren said</a>. “Claude is a high-quality young man that over the past few years has blossomed into our best player and also one of the top players in the league. We look forward to more and better things to come from Claude over the next number of years as we try to achieve our goal of becoming a championship team.”</span></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>UPDATE: </b>Giroux's contract extension has been finalized, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun. He will sign an 8-year, $66.2 million deal that has a full no-movement clause.<br />
<br />
Giroux's annual cap hit will be $8.275 million starting in the <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/748" target="_blank">2014-15 season</a>.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
An update on Giroux deal I tweeted about earlier today... It's finalized now: 8 years, $66.2 M _ $8.275 M AAV. Includes full NMC<br />
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) <a href="https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/statuses/352965204730060800">July 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<b><u>ORIGINAL</u></b><br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Claude Giroux is going to be a rich man in a couple days.<br />
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<br />
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun tweeted that the Flyers are close to reaching an eight-year deal with their captain that will be worth over $8 million per year.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Hearing that Claude Giroux and the Flyers are close to agreeing to an 8-yr deal worth north of $8 M a year...<br />
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) <a href="https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/statuses/352842831959822339">July 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<br />
TSN's Darren Dreger tweeted more details a few minutes later, reporting that Giroux will receive close to $8.3 million per year and that the deal will be announced by the weekend.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun">@Real_ESPNLeBrun</a>. Just ironing out a few wrinkles and it will be announced within a day or 2. Sources suggest closer to $8.3 per.<br />
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/statuses/352845620958076928">July 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
Giroux's potential contract extension will put his salary within the range of players like <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/311" target="_blank">Ryan Getzlaf</a> (8 years, $66 million) and <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/312" target="_blank">Corey Perry</a> (8 years, 69 million) of the Anaheim Ducks, who signed contract extensions with Anaheim towards the end of the season.<br />
<br />
No exact cap hit for Giroux's deal is known yet, but Getzlaf has an $8.25 million cap hit and Perry's is 8.625 million if that is anything to go off of.<br />
<br />
The contract extension comes as no real surprise, as fans and media alike expected Giroux to get a maxed out deal even before he was named captain at the beginning of 2013.<br />
<br />
Giroux was set to become a <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/flyers/" target="_blank">restricted free agent</a> after this upcoming season, but it looks like that won't be a reason to worry anymore. With that said, improving the rest of the team the will be.<br />
<br />
The Flyers don't have a lot of money to spend <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/lecavalier-agrees-to-terms-with-philly.html" target="_blank">this offseason</a> before exceeding the <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/" target="_blank">$64.3 million salary cap</a>. Luckily, the deal won't go into effect until the <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/flyers/" target="_blank">2014-15 season</a>.<br />
<br />
So, with free agency opening Friday, GM Paul Holmgren will have some room to move when he will likely try to strengthen the Flyers' defense as much as possible. He will also be trying to find another goalie to go with Steve Mason (<a href="https://twitter.com/RenLavoieRDS/status/352851934593560576" target="_blank">already being worked on, apparently</a>).<br />
<br />
Giroux's contract is a big one, but no one can say that he didn't do anything to deserve it, as he has had a big impact on the Flyers over the past four seasons.<br />
<br />
In the 2009-10 season, his first full year in the NHL, Giroux scored 16 goals and 31 assists for 47 points. He was great in the playoffs that season, scoring 10 goals and 11 assists, which included a memorable <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWWa5u48Yl0" target="_blank">overtime winner in game three of the Stanley Cup Final</a>. He only got better from there.<br />
<br />
Giroux recorded 76 points in the 2010-11 season, then 93 in the 2011-12 campaign.<br />
<br />
In the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Giroux was one of the best players on the ice, giving a performance that established him as the next Flyers captain. He scored eight goals in the postseason, <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/06/danny-briere-thank-you.html" target="_blank">matching former teammate Danny Briere</a> for most playoff goals up until the Stanley Cup Final. A <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4NtlciiLI" target="_blank">hat-trick in game two</a> of the quarter finals against Pittsburgh and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tit_fbYnmLc" target="_blank">first goal of game six</a> in that same series are the most noteworthy of those goals.<br />
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Despite missing the playoffs this past season, Giroux still scored 13 goals and 35 assists for 48 points in the lockout shortened 48-game season, averaging a point per game.<br />
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The contract extension, if reports of this deal are true, will last Giroux, 25, until he is 33.<br />
<br />
(<a href="http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/2013/01/16/flyers-make-perfect-decision-in-naming-claude-giroux-captain/" target="_blank">Image from Rant Sports</a>)<br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-88142106792113465382013-07-03T11:10:00.000-07:002013-07-03T11:10:01.583-07:00Notes from TuesdayJuly 3, 2013<br />
<br />
<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Erik+Gustafsson+YlYBRyDuQLjm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Erik+Gustafsson+YlYBRyDuQLjm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/07/lecavalier-agrees-to-terms-with-philly.html" target="_blank">Vinny Lecavalier signing</a> took up a lot of attention yesterday, but there was some more Flyers-related news that broke.<br />
<br />
Here is a quick look...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<h2>
Flyers issue qualifying offers</h2>
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<a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=676354" target="_blank">Qualifying offers have been issued</a> to restricted free agents Erik Gustafsson, Oliver Lauridsen, Brandon Manning and Eric Wellwood.<br />
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Gustafsson and Lauridsen are both defensemen who saw playing time in the NHL this past season.<br />
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Gustafsson played in 27 games for the Flyers in the 2013 campaign, averaging just over 20:09 of ice time.<br />
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Lauridsen was called up in the latter part of the season, appearing in 15 games with 15:08 of average ice time.<br />
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Manning, also a defenseman, played in the last six games of the year, averaging 14:48 of ice time. He also saw playing time in the 2011-12 season, when he was called up for four games.<br />
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Wellwood, a forward, was on the roster for the first four games of 2013, but never registered a point before being sent back to the Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL.<br />
<br />
Wellwood was first called up to the Flyers in the 2010-11 season for three games. He got even more time the next season, when he recorded five goals and four assists in 24 games.<br />
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This year wasn't a good one for Wellwood, mainly because <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/see-gruesome-bloody-skate-left-behind-eric-wellwood-144821734--nhl.html" target="_blank">this happened</a>.<br />
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(<a href="http://www.zimbio.com/Erik+Gustafsson" target="_blank">Image from Zimbio.com</a>)<br />
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<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fedotenko leaving for Russia</span></h2>
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<a href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ruslan+Fedotenko+2TMfJ-QUK2Em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ruslan+Fedotenko+2TMfJ-QUK2Em.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ruslan Fedotenko is leaving Philadelphia and the NHL entirely.<br />
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The 34-year old forward signed a <a href="http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2013/7/2/4487474/ruslan-fedotenko-khl-contract-flyers" target="_blank">three-year, $9 million deal</a> to play in the Russian KHL.<br />
<br />
Fedotenko will be returning to his home country, after spending the past season as a fourth-liner with the Flyers.<br />
<br />
In 47 games this year, Fedotenko scored four goals and nine assists. It was his second stint with the Flyers, after playing his first two NHL seasons (2000-2002) in orange and black.<br />
<br />
(<a href="http://www.zimbio.com/Ruslan+Fedotenko/pictures/pro" target="_blank">Image from Zimbio.com</a>)<br />
<br />
<h2>
Preseason schedule announced</h2>
<div>
The Flyers' preseason exhibition games will begin on Sunday, Sept. 15, with a match-up against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They will have six more preseason games from there, which you can see <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm?season=20132014&gameType=1" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-73634397499278441422013-07-02T22:00:00.001-07:002013-07-22T11:50:05.950-07:00Lecavalier agrees to terms with Philly, but Flyers still have issues to addressJuly 2, 2013<br />
<br />
<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media2.wxyz.com//photo/2013/06/29/2013_0629_Vincent_Lecavalier_20130629201928_320_240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://media2.wxyz.com//photo/2013/06/29/2013_0629_Vincent_Lecavalier_20130629201928_320_240.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Flyers secured one former captain when they reached <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/flyers/2013/06/29/flyers-mark-streit-signing/2474849/" target="_blank">a deal with defenseman Mark Streit</a>, and now they secured another.<br />
<br />
Center Vincent Lecavalier, the former Tampa Bay Lightning captain who was bought out of his contract a week ago, has agreed to five-year, $22.5 million contract with Philadelphia. The deal will carry a $4.5 million cap hit, along with a no-movement clause.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The winner of the Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy for the 2006-07 season, Lecavalier has played in 1037 games-- all of them with Tampa Bay-- over a 14-year career.<br />
<br />
The 33-year old forward has 383 goals and 491 assists for a total of 874 points. But while adding a scoring threat like Lecavalier is a good move, the deal won't give the Flyers a lot of room to move, at least for now.<br />
<br />
With Lecavalier's contract on the payroll, the Flyers are <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/" target="_blank">$318,522 over</a> the NHL's set $64.3 million salary cap, even after buying out the contracts of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2263369"></span>Danny Briere<span id="goog_2263370"></span></a> and <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/06/flyers-use-second-compliance-buyout-on.html" target="_blank">Ilya Bryzgalov</a>. That's a problem.<br />
<br />
The Flyers' still have a few important needs to address, based on the way the roster looks right now. They need to strengthen up their defense as much as possible and also need to find a goaltender that can split time with Steve Mason at the very least.<br />
<br />
Defenseman, and currently the longest tenured Flyer on the roster, Braydon Cobrun has popped up <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20130701_Flyers__next_big_moves_will_wait.html" target="_blank">in trade rumors with the Edmonton Oilers</a>. That would free up <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/flyers/" target="_blank">$4.5 million of cap space</a> if GM Paul Holmgren can move him. Plus, Chris Pronger will go back on the long-term injured reserve list when the season starts in October, taking his <a href="http://www.capgeek.com/flyers/" target="_blank">$4.94 million cap hit</a> off the books.<br />
<br />
So, because of Pronger, the Flyers have a bit more flexibility than there appears to be. And they'll have more room to spend if they can trade Coburn by the time free agency opens on July 5.<br />
<br />
There also could be other ways Holmgren can free up more cap space, maybe by moving players that haven't been brought up in the rumor mill yet.<br />
<br />
Having a guy like Lecavalier on the team is great. A 6' 4", 223 lbs. center that is capable of scoring 20 or more goals a year is something that all 30 NHL teams would like to have, even if a team has a lot of centers already (Claude Giroux, Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier, Max Talbot and possibly Scott Laughton).<br />
<br />
However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to this team before they can be considered serious contenders for the Stanley Cup. Work on the blue line and between the pipes.<br />
<br />
As it stands right now, there isn't a lot of money to spend and Lecavalier's contract plays into that. But who knows, maybe the financial outlook will be completely different for the Flyers by the time July 5 rolls around.<br />
<br />
(<a href="http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/sports/hockey/red_wings/red-wings-begin-pursuit-of-vincent-lecavalier" target="_blank">Image from WXYZ.com</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-36546952633514175262013-06-25T10:50:00.001-07:002013-07-29T21:06:37.923-07:00Flyers use second compliance buyout on BryzJune 25, 2013<br />
<br />
<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/UaAvntprPliUDQA2.leY9g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnhlexperts/144029484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/UaAvntprPliUDQA2.leY9g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnhlexperts/144029484.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Flyers wasted no time using their second compliance buyout.<br />
<br />
Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, who has been one of the Flyers' more interesting characters over the past two years, has been informed by the organization that his nine-year, $51 million contract will be bought out.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I met with Ilya this morning and informed him that we are going to exercise a compliance buyout of his contract," <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=675163&navid=DL|PHI|home" target="_blank">GM Paul Holmgren said in a press release</a>. "This was a very difficult business decision to make for us and we want to thank Ilya for his time here and wish him all the best moving forward.”</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
The announcement on Bryzgalov's contract comes just under a week after the Flyers confirmed that they will use their first compliance buyout on <a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/06/danny-briere-thank-you.html" target="_blank">Danny Briere's</a> contract. Both buyouts will come into effect on Wednesday night.<br />
<br />
The Flyers acquired the rights to Bryzgalov's contract from the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2011 off-season, coming off a 2010-2011 campaign where they had to use three different goaltenders to get past the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the playoffs.<br />
<br />
Bryzgalov, who helped Phoenix get to the playoffs in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, was brought in to be the clear cut starting goaltender.<br />
<br />
The Flyers, now infamously, traded their former captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings and star forward Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets, which cleared enough cap space to sign Bryzgalov to what would be seen by many fans as a very steep $51 million deal.<br />
<br />
Bryzgalov's first season as a Flyer proved to have many ups and downs, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-FvRyQOlbc" target="_blank">but his words and bizarre personality</a> off the ice tended to make more news than his on-ice performance, which varied from either inconsistent, to good or to player of the month status if you take <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/splits/_/id/1221/year/2012/ilya-bryzgalov" target="_blank">March 2012</a> into account.<br />
<br />
However, nothing about Bryzgalov's play justified him being payed $51 million, and when compliance buyouts were introduced as a result of the NHL Lockout's end, Bryzgalov was an immediate target for buyout speculation.<br />
<br />
With only 48 games to work with this past season, Bryzgalov had to prove that he was an elite goaltender. Unfortunately, despite having started 40 of the Flyers' 48 games, a .900 save percentage and a 2.79 goals against average just wasn't going to cut it, especially with the Flyers missing the playoffs.<br />
<br />
Bryzgalov was a love him or hate him player amongst Flyers fans, and his relationship with the media was always rough, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/ilya-bryzgalov-parting-words-flyers-media-done-besides-202935210.html" target="_blank">especially after he gave them a lesson in journalism at the end of the season</a>.<br />
<br />
Although Bryzgalov's time in Philadelphia was anything but a smooth run, he tweeted a thank you message to the fans after news broke of the buyout.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I want to say thank you to all my Flyers Fans for being with us in good and not so goods times during this season! Will miss u guys)<br />
— bryzgoalie30 (@bryzgoalie30) <a href="https://twitter.com/bryzgoalie30/statuses/200283448051638273">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
Bryzgalov also <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/22534211/ilya-bryzgalov-releases-statement-on-buyout-grateful-for-time-in-philly" target="_blank">released a statement</a> through his agent Rich Winter, thanking the Flyers organization for his time in Philadlphia:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"As my family and I move forward to meet the new challenges ahead, I could not leave Philadelphia without publicly thanking Mr. Snider for the faith he showed in me when he committed to the long term contract that has secured my family's financial future and acknowledging his passion for the game of hockey. Jeniya and I really appreciate his faith in me and what he has done for our family. Mr. Snider has an amazing energy for the deals he does and for winning. Hockey fans in this area should consider themselves lucky to have the team they cheer for led by a man who is as passionate about winning and doing whatever it takes to win as Flyers' fans are. Getting to know Mr. Snider, has been a great experience. To see his passion for this game has been inspiring.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I am grateful for teammates, to management and fans for the support I felt from so many of them through some very dark days and difficult situations. I have made many friends here -- on the team, in the organization, among the media and throughout the community. Don't ever think that I didn't appreciate the kind comments of support made in the media by teammates and management and in private by so many very nice people I met on the streets of Philadelphia and in the surrounding area.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I appreciate this experience more than many of you will know. I will learn from it. I have always said that a heavy sword makes a very strong arm. I intend to take this experience with me to my new team, to help me be stronger -- a better player and, hopefully, a better person. At the end of the day, that is the challenge we all need to wrestle with.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I look forward to the bright future ahead, but will never forget my time with the Philadelphia Flyers. For this time and this experience, I am grateful."</span></blockquote>
Some fans are happy to see Bryz go, while others will miss him. But it can't be denied that he was certainly entertaining.<br />
<br />
From philosophical rants about space and the universe to wearing an awesome looking Star Wars mask, Bryz, for better or worse, brought something unique to Flyers' hockey.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/chatting-ilya-bryzgalov-1-philadelphia-flyers-people-only-210103643.html" target="_blank">Image from Yahoo Sports</a>)</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-90666146017616575272013-06-21T10:31:00.002-07:002013-06-26T11:58:52.583-07:00Danny Briere...Thank YouJune 21, 2013<br />
<br />
<b>By Nick Tricome</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.nhl.com/images/upload/2010/06/Briere_Danny_PHI_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://cdn.nhl.com/images/upload/2010/06/Briere_Danny_PHI_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
So the
reports were true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
On
Thursday, the Flyers<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=674673&navid=DL|PHI|home">confirmed</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that Danny Briere will have his contract bought out 48
hours after the Stanley Cup Final ends. Then, he will be a free agent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It's the
end of an era in Flyers history, but endings allow time for reflection.</div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It has
been just under seven years since Briere signed an eight-year, $52,000,000
contract with Philadelphia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
The
2006-07 season was the worst in the Flyers' history; a team that had a whole
lot missing finished with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=20062007&type=CON#?navid=nav-stn-main">the
worst record in hockey</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
With Paul
Holmgren taking over as general manager, the Flyers acquired a lot of players
that would go on to shape the outlook of the team over the years at the 2006-07
trade deadline and in the 2007 off-season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
They got
Braydon Coburn in a trade with Atlanta at the deadline, and then traded with
Nashville for Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell in the off-season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
But the
biggest highlight of summer 2007 for the Flyers was the center they signed out
of a free agent class that had two other highly touted centers in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2922738">Chris Drury and
Scott Gomez</a>: it was Briere.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Since
that summer, the Flyers made the playoffs every season, with the exception of
this past lockout-shortened one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Although
Briere's<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/102/danny-briere">regular season
production</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>never lived up to the steep price of his contract, he more
than made up for it come<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/102/seasontype/3/danny-briere">playoff
time</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
How far
the Flyers would go in the playoffs was always uncertain, but one thing was
almost always guaranteed: Danny Briere was going to score, and he was going to
score a lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It was
sometimes unbelievable how quickly Briere could flip the switch once April
rolled around, but he did it time and time again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It never
seemed to matter whether Briere had a 30-goal season or a 16-goal season,
because he was going to find the back of the net once the puck dropped in game
one of the playoffs. His 37 goals across 68 playoffs games is a testament to
that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
In fact,
Briere scored seven of those goals in last year's glorious<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke71T2yXXgw"><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>first round series against the
Penguins</a>.
Then he scored<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GE4egIC3nQ">the overtime winner</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>in game one of the second round against the Devils. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
He,
along with his teammate Claude Giroux,<a href="http://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/NHL_2012_leaders.html"><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>led the playoffs in goals</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>until the Stanley Cup Final... and they were eliminated in
the second round. Think about that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It took
until the Stanley Cup Final for someone on the Los Angeles Kings or the New
Jersey Devils to score as many goals as Briere did, and he played in way fewer
games than them. He truly earned the name Mr. Playoffs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
But, as
great a playoff performer as Briere was for the Flyers, it couldn't be denied
that he had a rough regular season in the 2011-12 campaign.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
With<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://215hockey.blogspot.com/2013/01/ladies-and-gentleman-nhl-is-back.html">compliance
buyouts being introduced<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></a>as a result of the lockout's end, another bad season for
Briere, and no playoffs for the Flyers in 2013, rumors started spreading that
the Flyers were going to use one of those buyouts on him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It's
unfortunate, given how much of a fan-favorite he is in Philadelphia, but it
made sense. The Flyers had to clear up cap space to make moves that will
hopefully improve the team. Keeping a 35-year old player with a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.capgeek.com/player/749">$6.5 million cap hit</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for the next two years, that only scored six goals this
season, isn't one of the best ideas if you're running an NHL team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
However,
knowing that Briere's run in Philadelphia is over is still bittersweet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Yes, the
fact that one of the most beloved players in franchise history isn't a Flyer
anymore is sad, but he did give Flyers fans some great memories over the past
six years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Even
though he will be playing for a different team next season, Briere loves
Philadelphia so much that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/hockey-philadelphia-flyers/bought-out-briere-says-philly-will-always-be-home">he
said this city is what he and his kids consider home</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
So, Danny
Briere, thank you for all the memories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thank you
for showing us that even the little guy can play in the big leagues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thank you
for all the goals you scored on the Penguins in the playoffs and the ones you
scored on the Sabres the year before.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thank you
for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GE4egIC3nQ" target="_blank">re-scoring that overtime goal</a> against
the Devils in the second round.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thank you
for scoring the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0SxR7w5GGk">tying
goal in game seven against Boston</a>. The one
that kept 2010's historic comeback alive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thank
you, especially, for your <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Aw7X-uR1o">shootout goal against the
Rangers</a> on the last day of the 2010 season.
The goal that would help launch an incredible and unexpected run to the Stanley
Cup Final.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Thank you for all the other clutch playoff goals, and getting the goal horn changed to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5wJ6cMIT4U" target="_blank">Doop</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thank you
for showing us<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLEIqcgOclY">you could fight</a>, and completing the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFJ_K8hfqNc">hat-trick in that same game</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to win it in overtime.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thank you
for never shying away from the media, even during tough times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thank you
for being a source of leadership for the team, for giving<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHKX48PLxQ8">Claude Giroux</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pniU52eHG0Q">Sean Couturier</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a place to live, and for wearing the orange and black with
pride night-in and night-out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thank you
for choosing Philadelphia in the first place, and being the perfect example of
what it means to be a Philadelphia Flyer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
As long
as you consider Philadelphia home, you will always be welcomed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Thanks
for everything, Danny. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Maybe you
will finally get to hoist the Stanley Cup with whatever team you go to next.<o:p></o:p></div>
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(<a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=549922" target="_blank">Cover Image from NHL.com</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4614607208730452810.post-55650329029373205182013-06-06T16:55:00.001-07:002013-06-06T16:55:05.807-07:00Update: We're Back!<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">June 6, 2013</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">It took some time, but I'm finally back to updating 215 Sports again! I have some help this time too! My friend, Mike Patterson, will now be helping me write for the blog. Content should be added more regularly now with Mike in the mix.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">In addition, adding Mike also allows 215 Sports to expand. A new page called 215 Basketball will open up on the blog soon. Mike will do the best job he possibly can to keep you up to date with the 76ers on the new page.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Phillies coverage will resume tonight with the opener of a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Flyers coverage will start up again after the Stanley Cup Finals end and Sixers coverage will follow the same route, starting after the NBA Finals.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Now we jut need to find an Eagles and a Union writer and we're set! If you're interested, </span><a href="mailto:nicktricome215@gmail.com" style="background-color: white; color: #2020d0; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">e-mail me</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Once again, I apologize for the halt in coverage. I'm very sorry that I had to stop posting for a while and I cannot thank you enough for your patience.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Go Flyers! Go Phillies! And now, go Sixers!</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">- Nick Tricome</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12922883786241753740noreply@blogger.com0