Off of Broad: Ryan Kesler was a Flyer

Off of Broad is a section where Ice on Broad Street leaves it domain and wonders onto other teams avenues. In this section news from throughout the NHL will appear. Look for the title and tune in.

Ryan Kesler has shot up the ranks and become not only a top scorer but also one of the most recognized two way players in the game. Now playing in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Vancouver Canucks, Ryan has tallied 19 points in 23 post season games this spring. But at one point the Flyers had signed Ryan Kesler to a contract.

On September 12th 2006 the Flyers had announce they had signed a young center man, then a restricted free agent, by the name of Ryan Kesler to an offer sheet. Here's some of the Flyers release that morning. From the Flyers official Website post on 9/12/06.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed 6'2", 195-pound center Ryan Kesler to a one-year offer sheet, according to club General Manager Bob Clarke. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

"The Flyers have signed a one-year offer sheet with Group Two restricted free agent forward Ryan Kesler," said Clarke in making the announcement. "The Vancouver Canucks have the option to match the offer or to take a second round pick from the Flyers in next year's NHL Entry Draft. Obviously, being a Group Two free agent gives Vancouver a week to decide whether or not they want to match our offer."

At that point Kesler was just 22 years old and fighting for a chance in the NHL with only one season under his belt. Kesler accepted the offer sheet and was just a week away from becoming a Flyer and completing a trio of center men that would also include Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. Everything was going smooth, the Flyers had signed the potential all-star center to a one-year deal and only had to spare a 2nd round pick.

Kesler was drafted 23rd overall in 2003 by the Vancouver Canucks

There was very much uproar from around the sporting world. Hockey fans everywhere doubting the salary cap error and asking for justice. Some fans even calling for the Canucks to do fight fire with fire and sign Joni Pitkanen or Jeff Carter (down the road) to an offer sheet.

Many Canucks fans feared that Kesler would get away from the organization as the Flyers signed him to a 1.9 million dollar deal. A deal that may though Nonis and the Canucks would be reluctant to match. But just days later Nonis fired back matching the Flyers offer on one of his top commodities for the future.

This was the first time that this was utilized in great extent and therefore there was a large backlash for the Flyers as they were labelled as attempting to "steal" Kesler. Even though they were playing within the rule set by the NHL and the NHLPA.

We've seen this recently, as just a few years back, as the then financially hand-cuffed Buffalo Sabres were forced to spend top dollar to match the Edmonton Oilers off sheet to young winger Thomas Vanek. The move was just about as well played as can be, Tambellini took a shot just as the Sabres were losing Drury and Briere. This was thought to be the start of something big, bidding wars for RFAs.

Sadly for some and happily for others the NHL owners and general managers aren't that conniving, or they just haven't seen the benfits. One or the other.

Back on topic, Kesler has since signed a six year extension and is set to be with the potential cup winning Vancouver Canucks for another five seasons after this spring's run ends.