The Philadelphia Flyers announced their 2011-12 preseason schedule on Monday. Included is a return to the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario. DATE OPPONENT ARENA TIME Tue., Sept. 20 @ Toronto Air Canada Centre TBD Wed., Sept. 21 vs. Toronto Wells Fargo Center 7 p.m. Thu., Sept 22 vs. Detroit John Labatt Centre TBD Fri., Sept 23 @ Detroit Joe Louis Arena TBD Mon., Sept 26 vs. NY Rangers Wells Fargo Center 7 p.m. Thu., Sept 29 vs. New Jersey Wells Fargo Center 7 p.m. Quoth Peter Luukko: “London truly is our home away from home. The fan support in …
Renewing the case for Tim Kerr
With the recent announcement that former Flyers defenseman Mark Howe will be among the class enshrined this coming November into the Hockey Hall of Fame, it’s a given that thoughts will turn to other members of those 1980s teams who might deserve a shot at immortality. One such overlooked player is Tim Kerr, an oak of a man who patrolled the area around the crease and left defenders and goaltenders alike struggling for ways to stop him during the latter half of the decade. Below is a dressed-up re-print of a column I wrote for The Phanatic Magazine back in …
Another One Bites the Dust
Once again, a minor-league hockey club within getaway distance has decided to fold its tent. The New Jersey Devils announced on Wednesday that their ECHL affiliate in Trenton will suspend operations, starting with the 2011-12 season. A release on the team’s website said the Devils are “restructuring the organization’s player development system to be more in line with other NHL franchises.” The Trenton Devils are the only club in the ECHL, which is the next tier down from the American Hockey League, which is wholly owned by their NHL parent club. Founded as the Trenton Titans in 1999 as an …
Phantoms to switch divisions as AHL realigns
The American Hockey League took one more step towards mimicking the NHL on Tuesday, announcing a realignment plan that moves all 30 of its member clubs from four to six divisions. Adirondack, which had been placed in the eight-team East Division of the Eastern Conference last season, now moves into the newly-created Northeast Division but remains in the Eastern Conference. The Phantoms will be joined by the Albany Devils, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Springfield Falcons and the re-branded Connecticut Whale. Here is the full breakdown, thanks to the AHL’s release: Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Manchester Monarchs (LA) Portland Pirates (PHX) Providence …
Fun with Numbers
This is late, but we felt it should be covered… Multiple sources, stemming from an original post from TSN of Canada’s Gord Miller, are saying that the contract the Flyers gave Max Talbot on Friday circumvents the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Talbot was in line to make the following over the life of his five-year deal: $2.5 million, $2.25 million, $2.25 million, $1 million and $1 million. However, Article 50.7 of the CBA says that a player cannot have their salary decrease from one season to the next by more than half the amount of the first two year’s salaries. The …
Jagr speaks on Saturday
Q: Why Philadelphia, over Pittsburgh or other teams? Before I start talking, it surprised me when you said money – there were a lot more teams with a higher offer than Philadelphia. I didn’t think I was going to go there, but after the conversation with the coaches and Chris Pronger, I started to like it and I also like that there is something to this from their side, and that was important to me. Q: What did you like about Philadelphia that swayed you here? “There’s a lot of things. When you’re talking to the GM and the coaches, …
Holmgren’s July 1 recap
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers Q: What went into the Jagr signing? “Well, obviously it sort of just started innocently yesterday. I just sent a text to Petr Svoboda, his agent, who also represents Jake Voracek, and I didn’t know who was involved. I read over the last few days it was just Detroit and Pittsburgh were the teams, so I just sent him a text about if Jaromir would have interest in playing for Philadelphia and it just kind of went from there, and culminated today with our signing of him. So we’re excited to have Jaromir. He’s going …
Talbot conference-call transcript
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers Q: On coming to Philadelphia “It’s a great team and that was definitely a big part of my decision. I wanted to go to a team that had a chance to win a championship this year, and maybe more than one, because you look at the youth and the moves they made lately with the new goalie and everything. I’m really excited to join the Flyers.” Q: You’ve played so many huge games against the Flyers – what’s your impression of coming to Philadelphia? “It’s obviously going to be really challenging. It’s such a big …
BREAKING NEWS: Flyers sign Jagr
Per Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren: The Philadelphia Flyers have agreed to a contract with free agent RW Jaromir Jagr. See updated story here.
F-Day News
The Flyers got in on the madness quite early after the noon start of free-agent frenzy, locking up Braydon Coburn on a two-year extension and reportedly bringing Michal Handzus back. More to come as the day progresses…