Overseas Warehouses Selling Flyers Winter Classic Jerseys Too Soon

Looking for my next Flyers jersey with Mike Richards shipped to LA, I found myself looking through overseas warehouse sites where excess NHL jerseys are sold for cheap. But while looking I came across something quite weird. These sites are selling a supposed 2012 Flyers Winter Classic Jersey.

These jersey websites have been greatly injuring the market that was once purely owned by the NHL. Now the companies who make these jersey are selling off what the NHL and other retailers do not buy, and at a fraction of the cost. The teams and league put in orders for what jerseys designs and players they would like to purchase, these warehouses then make up a huge amount of these and send them off to retailers. As previously stated the rest are sold online. Point being everything made is made as request of the leagues and retailers.

Here's the best part. The Flyers have not announced their 2012 Winter Classic jersey designs, yet these oversea warehouse sites are listing the Blazers look for sale as the WC jersey.

I look at Winnipeg's predicament, where they were in a rush to put in an order/design for their 2011-12 jerseys. The Flyers most likely were on a similar deadline where the warehouses wanted those designs quickly in order to start mass producing the style so retailers would have it right away.

It seems the overseas conductors haven't been paying too much attention for they are selling the Flyers 2012 Winter Classic jerseys before the game has even been announced. Here's a look at several sites doing so.

Is this a huge mistake by the sellers and the league? What do you think?

2011-12 Eastern Conference Predictions

Now that the dust has settled on the hectic span that is wrongfully named the "offseason," we can now see our teams' pictures coming into focus. That means it's time to start throwing our two cents in on the upcoming six monthes. Here's my 2011-12 NHL Season Predictions for the Eastern Conference.

1. Washington Capitals - Once again the Caps take the East and along with depth scoring and a revamped goaltending group they serve as the early favorites.
2. Philadelphia Flyers - A new look offense is held together by outstanding defensive corps in front of Bryzgalov, a late push shots them into the division lead.
3. Buffalo Sabres - A strong start combined with a slow start by division rivals proves key in Buffalo as they grab their first division title under new ownership.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins - Lack of scoring is made up for by great team play and winning the games they should, a quiet team heading into the playoffs.
5. Boston Bruins - After a first half that had fans wondering the Bruins pulled together in what ends up being the toughes division in hockey.
6. Montreal Canadiens - Carey Price carries a team with a diminishing offense and aging defense. The Vezina contender finally give Montreal what they have sought after since Roy.
7. Carolina Hurricanes - Plenty of depth scoring sees the Canes as the top team at the half way point, but as reality sets in the team falters down the stretch.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs - The Leafs carries by a group of players looking to prove themselves make a late push after a productive trade deadline.
9. Florida Panthers - Outplayed by their division down the stretch, the Panthers inexperience gloomed large come march.
10. New York Rangers - An off year comes to a team who stacked up in the offseason. Under-performing depth players ultimately kill the blue shirts hopes.
11. Tampa Bay Lightning - An awful start sumarized by terrible play in net, the Bolts were headed to an unwelcome top pick in the draft. Until, Dustin Tokarski emerged and the team put together a late push.
12. New York Islanders - Depleted from a hectic offseason, the Isles build up hopes with hot stretches but they are too few and far apart.
13. New Jersey Devils - A new coach sends the Devils back 12 monthes and another dreadful season occurs. Team rebuilds at deadline.
14. Ottawa Senators - Nothing seems to click permanatly and the Sens sell shop to continue to build towards brighter days.
15. Winnipeg Jets - The NHL's newest team has a rough time due to travel and youth, however a first overall pick awaits them come late June.

What do you think? Couple of picks don't sit well with you? Comment below with your thoughts!

Columbus introduces Jeff Carter

Flyers ink their Remaining RFAs

 

This past week the Flyers made well on their deals of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards signing two of the returnees to deals. Jakub Voracek, 21, spent the first three years of his career in Columbus before being shipped to Philly this summer in a deal that included Jeff Carter. Wayne Simmonds, 22, was shipped from Los Angeles in a deal that included Mike Richards.

Voracek was signed for one year at $2,250,000 while Simmonds took what many see as a pay-cut, signing on for two years at $1,750,000 per.

Both of which had already been introduced as Flyers to the media and will be ready for the start of training camp.

Maxime Talbot joins the Orange and Black

The Flyers have signed former Pittsburgh Penguins Maxime Talbot to a 5 year deal worth $9,000,000. The 27 year old spent the previous six years of his career in the Steel City capturing a Stanley Cup in 2009. Talbot is a rowdy fourth liner who was a pivotal player on the Pens penalty kill over his career.

One of the main characters of HBO's 24/7 Caps and Pens series last season joins another team who is now gearing up for Winter Classic of their own. Talbot is a fiery competitor who many say is Ian Laperriere's replacement - not saying anyone can replace Lappy.

Talbot's contract was originally voided by the NHL due to 50% of his salary being dealt in the first two seasons, but the Flyers redid his deal and he is now officially a part of the Philadelphia Flyers organization.

Flyers Sign Andreas Lilja

The Flyers have reached a two year deal worth $1,475,000 with unrestricted free agent defense man Andreas Lilja. The deal has his cap hit at $737,500 for each of his two seasons with the orange and black. Lilja spent last season with the Anaheim Ducks after playing the five previous seasons with the Detroit Red Wings where he captured a Stanley Cup in 2008.

Lilja is a defensive defense man who has had some flaws to match his accomplishments. He was a -15 last season in 52 games with the Anaheim Ducks, after signing in October a season after missing 55 games due to a concussion.

The 35 year old, whose birthday is Wednesday the 13th, is set to try and take over the spot left vacant by Sean O'Donnell on that last defensive pairing. Lilja will provide depth and experience to a team loaded with it. The Swede is undoubtedly looking for nothing more and nothing less than Stanley's Cup.

Flyers win the Jagr Lottery, Sign him for 1 year

On July 1st the Flyers signed soon-to-be 40 year old Jaromir Jagr to a one year deal marking his return to the NHL. Jagr had spent the last three seasons in the KHL since leaving the New York Rangers following the 2007-08 season, his 18th season in the league.

Jaromir is regard as one of the best, if not the best, Russian players of all time. Through his career the sniper had racked up 1599 points in 1273 games, doing so on 646 goals and 953 assists through three different stops.

The Flyers were a late-comer in the bidding as they went on to sign Jagr almost just as reports broke that they were in on him. They had to beat out just one team, the team that Jagr had spend eleven years with - the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the end he signed with a new town after turning down more money than he signed for. The superstar signed on for one season at $3,300,000.

If you are a person scouting for new jerseys, you can expect Jagr to wear number 68, the same number he has worn his whole career.

Jagr would be a great fit in Ville Leino's old spot, next to Daniel Briere and Scotty Hartnell. He spends his time in the high slot luring defenders to create space and gearing up to use his one-timer that has helped him net almost seven-hundred goal in his NHL career.

On a personal note, I am super excited pleased about this signing. I grew up watching Jagr dominate in Pittsburgh and give the Flyers pains with the Capitals. It is always awesome when a superstar wants to play in your city and especially when this is likely his last spot in the NHL.