Flyers Sign 4 Out of Rookie Camp

After impressives showings at the Flyers Rookie camp in July by all of the attendees, the Flyers have signed four of the participants. Of the signings 3 were defenseman: Jesse Dudas, Logan Stephenson, and J.P. Teswuide. The other was Nic Riopel, a goalie who was drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 draft by the Flyers. All are set to play on the Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL this season.

Jesse Dudas was selected by the Blue Jackets in the 6th round of the 2006 NHL Draft. He has yet to play in the NHL since his draft date.

Logan Stephenson was drafted in the second round of the 2004 entry draft by the Yotes and is 24. He set to play his 2nd season with the Phantoms. Last season Stephenson tallied a goal, 7 assists, and 140 PIM in 62 games.

J.P. Teswuide played for the Houston Aeros of the AHL(Minnesota's Affialate)last season. He put up 2 goals and 6 assits with 111 PIM in 58 games last season.

Nic Riopel has a good frame at 6'0". The 21 year old played 11 games for the Phantoms posting a 4-6 record with a 3.35 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage.

Flyers Roster

Forwards
Blair Betts
Danny Briere
Dan Carcillo
Jeff Carter
Claude Giroux
Scott Hartnell
Ian Laperriere
Ville Leino
Andreas Nodl
Darroll Powe
Mike Richards
Tom Sestito
Jody Shelley
James van Riemsdyk
Kris Versteeg
Nikolai Zherdev

Defenseman
Oskars Bartulis
Matt Carle

Prince of Whoops

Well Flyers fans, i hate to break this to you but this past year's postseason run was all for not. Or atleast in history it went down as the farthest run for the Washington Capitals since the '97-'98 season, when they lost the cup to those pesty Red Wings.

This year was different; the Ovechkin era in full swing, Semin was playing his best offensive game, and Simeon Varlamov was really standing out breaking into the 1-a role(in front of Theodore). Critics said they had bad coaching, not enough defensive depth, even RJ Umberger said they play wrong. This run to the Cup Finals really shut them up. After being taken to game 7 by the Montreal Canadiens and Halak, Washington stood proud. After playing the Boston and doing the impossible coming back from a 3-0 deficit, Boudreau and Washington stood proud. And then fending off the reigning Cup Champs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ovechkin and Washington stood proud.

The finals and the Chicago Blackhawks proved to be too much for a system based on cherry picking and the concept of "Why block a shot, that's why we have a goalie(s?)." The quick feet of Dustin Byfuglien and the gritty nature of Patrick Kane seems too much for the strong Capitals defense. Mix that with Strong defensive play of Brian Campbell and goaltending of $6 million dollar man Huet and you have your cup champions.

Here's to an amazing run Washington.

Pronger to miss time

No not because of the NHL investigating his contract, but because of his knee surgery in July. Last week, Pronger and GM Paul Holmgren thought Pronger would be ready for camp and wouldn't be missing any time. Now CSNPhilly's Sarah Baicker reports that Pronger will not be healed come camp (Full Article).

"I hurt my knee in overtime in Game 1 against Boston," Pronger said Wednesday while working out at Skate Zone in Voorhees. "Moving forward from there it was obviously an issue. I had to get it drained a couple of times. It was pretty swollen through the course of the playoffs, but that's the nature of the game." "I hope to be in the lineup on October 7, but it is still very early on in the process to begin guessing on a timeframe," Pronger said.

Now the Matt Walker deal makes sense!...

In all seriousness Pronger will want to get back and be with the team on opening night in Pittsburgh; however, he knows that he has to be completely healthy if he wants to be in the line-up come late spring. Pronger will take his time coming back and not risk re-injury.

This leaves the Flyers down one defender in training camp making the competition even stronger. The Flyers top 4 (not including Pronger) are set with Meszaros, Coburn, Timonen, and Carle; and if Pronger isn't ready come October 7th there will be 2 spots open on the back pair. Sean O'Donnell is the front runner for the 6th and final spot of the fully healthy lineup, with Bartulis and Walker battling for the back-up role and in the case of Pronger missing time, a spot on the 3rd pairing.

NHL with its gun to the Shootout's Head

Today news broke, i saw from Sam Carchidi, that the NHL is considering changing the Regular Season overtime format. Now the format is after 3 periods end in a tie the game goes to 5 minutes of 4 on 4 then heads to the shootout. However most teams hold back, so they do not lose the game, during the 5 minute period and let the game be decided by the shootout.

Now the NHL is consider using this format: After a game is tied after 3 periods of play the game will head to a 3 minute 4 on 4 period, followed by a 3 minute 3 on 3 period, followed by a 3 minute 2 on 2 period then concluding with a shootout if neccessary.

Another sidenote, during the 2 on 2 play there will only be 1 referee on the ice, leaving the second one to watch play from behind and watch for any infractions.


The NHL seems to have realized that team should not have their season decided on a beautiful move by Daniel Briere, such as what happened to the New York Rangers this past season. The format also has the coaches playing a much larger role in the overtime period. They will have to choose line combos and situations very carefully as the overtime periods war on.

This format will be such an improvement to the now boring overtime format. Fans, such as myself, have come to see the shootout as picking straws with not a very good chance of entertainment. The proposed change will lead to a much greater on ice atmosphere as well, as players will more pumped to jump out there with a lot more open ice.

I approve NHL, lets get a move on passing this already!

Flyers Top Ten: Goals of 09-10 Season

10.Dan Carcillo vs Toronto - Reg. Season


9.Carcillo vs Devils - Eastern Conference Quarters Game 3


8.Pronger vs Chicago - Reg. Season


7.Leino vs Chicago - Stanley Cup Game 5


6.Giroux vs Chicago - Stanley Cup Game 5


5.Richards vs Washington - Reg. Season Home Opener


4.Carle vs NYR - Game 82


3.Gagne vs Boston - ECSF Game 4


2.Richards vs Montreal - ECF Game 5


1.Gagne vs Bruins - ECSF Game 7

Zherdev to wear number 9

After a news period so slow that a typo on the Flyers website said Zherdev was to wear number 99, Zherdev's number was announced. The Russian right winger will wear number 9 this upcoming season. Zherdev is the only Flyer Forward with a one digit number.

Other Jersey Changes:
Jody Shelley will wear #45.
Andrej Meszaros will wear #41.
Sean O'Donnell will wear #6.
Matt Walker will wear #8.

No word on who will be named assistant captain to fill Gagne's role. When Gagne went down with a concussion in the 08-09 season Jeff Carter took the "A". Kimmo Timonen will presumable wear the "A" again this season. Pronger is my guess for the second "A". Mike Richards will retain captaincy.

Report: Flyers contact Niemi's agent

Antti Niemi's agent Bill Zito said today to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune that "4 teams called right after Blackhawks announced they were walking away from goalie. And later a 5th." The Flyers and Paul Holmgren were one of those teams.

No word on any of the other teams; however, 5 teams are a bit of a suprise. Only two teams, the Flyers and the San Jose Sharks, do not have a definate starter in net for next season. The fact that 5 other teams are interested means other teams feel their starters are expandable. This could lead to future trade oppurtunities for the Flyers this offseason.

No word on how much Niemi wants but the fact that Hawks Senior Advisor of Hockey Management ,Scotty Bowman, said "We made several contract offers to Niemi, including a multiyear offer, but couldn't come to agreement." Proving that Niemi's wants are high and that he wants a multi-year deal.

Later reproted by Tim Panatchio that Holmgren said he has no interest in Niemi. Now to wait and see who else is in and if the team who signs Niemi needs to get rid of their current starter.

Hawks walk away from Niemi

The Hawks cast off another of their Stanley Cup pieces due to financial troubles. In arbitration the Stanley Cup champion was award over $2M, the Hawks hardly have the cap to support that deal. The concensus thought was that the Hawks would take one out of the NBA's offseason drama and pull a "sign and trade" deal. Today Eklund broke news that the Hawks were walking away from Niemi and signing UFA goaltender Marty Turco.

All of this leaves Antti Niemi as a Unrestricted Free Agent. The 27 year old goalie is coming off of a great post season run to Lord Stanley's Cup. After arbitration awarded Niemi with a one year $2.75M contract his agent and him will most likely look for a longer term deal with higher pay.

Niemi was looked at as an almost untouchable on a Hawks team being ravished by financial struggles. However the Hawks saw Marty Turco as a more cost effiecient netminder in Chicago high price goalie situation.

If the 'sing and trade' deal went through not many saw the Flyers on the receiving end due to their lack of draft picks. But now with Niemi free of a restrictions he can be signed with no reprecussions. The Flyers are tight on the cap but could still take advantage of the undoubtly mad goaltender.

After leading the Hawks to hockey's goldenland this spring Niemi has to be a little mad for their lack of need for him. Niemi will be looking to prove the Hawks and critics wrong this season. What's a better way to do that then to sign with the most improved team this offseason in the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers have maybe the best defensive corps in the NHL right now, with their top 6 defensemen capable of playing against a top line. The finnish netminder's contract preferences may be the only problem however, as Niemi will want a high pay. If the old saying is true, "A goalie is only as good as the defense in front of him" then Niemi could be the best in the league when all is said and done.