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European Update 5

Scott Hartnell’s Operation Hat Trick stole the local headlines, but our boys in Orange and Black continued to do their thing in Europe. Here we go… Matt Read (Södertälje SK – Sweden) – Read has not had the best week. He was held pointless in three games. Games Played: 3. Goals: 0. Assists: 0. Points: 0 Nicklas Grossmann (Södertälje SK – Sweden) – Grossman has completed his four-game contract with Södertälje SK. Where will he go from here? Games Played: 3. Goals: 0. Assists: 0. Points: 0. Blocked Shots: A lot. Danny Briere (Berlin Polar Bears – Germany) – Briere …

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European Update 4

It’s your trusty Flyers Faithful writer keeping you abreast with all the work your Euro-bound Flyers are doing. There have been some big changes for our beloved Orange and Black in the last week. Wayne Simmonds has come home while Nic Grossmann and Bruno Gervais have left. If the lockout continues, Braydon Coburn and Kimmo Timonen have said they will sign with KalPa — the team owned by Timonen and Scott Hartnell. So, without further ado… Matt Read (Södertälje SK – Sweden) – Read’s team had three games this week, but Read only played in two. Read injured his foot …

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NHL proposal, as is, hurts Flyers

On Tuesday, the NHL made a new proposal to the NHLPA in which they offered a 50/50 split of Hockey Related Revenue, down from their initial proposal of 57/43. It was seen by many to be the first step towards some real progress in coming to an agreement on a new CBA, and saving an 82-game season. Yesterday, NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr sent a letter to all players and agents in which he explains why he is less than thrilled with the proposal. Personally, I’m not the least bit surprised by the response. In fact, I think anyone who …

Nik Grossmann should fit in well.. pic c/o Getty Images

Definitive Defensive Deficiencies

There is nothing wrong with good news regarding the lockout; but if the season were to get underway soon, would you be comfortable starting the cup run with the defense as it stands today? It would seem that the thin blue line is unable to withstand any more big blows after losing Andrej Meszaros before the season began, and even after trading a young, talented winger in James van Riemsdyk for  defenseman Luke Schenn, the Flyers defense still remains anything but complete. There are some notable familiar faces who remain. Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn lead the pack, and Nik …

Photoshop courtesy of the awesome Geoff Mang.

Lockedupations

You know those polls at sporting events that they put up on the jumbotron where they ask the athletes what they’d do if they weren’t an athlete? We all laugh with glee at the thought of alternate universe Bernie Parent hosting a variety show or Dan Carcillo as a high school janitor. With a lockout looming on the horizon, Kim and Steve have speculated what the current Flyers will end up doing with no hockey to play. Scott Hartnell & Kimmo Timonen: Fighting crime as The Orange Hartnell and Kimmo When Scott Hartnell decides to take the law into his …

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A look around the Atlantic Division

By now, we know that the Flyers have “struck out” on all big free-agent items and failed to acquire Shea Weber. Right now, if you had to grade the Flyers offseason, what would you give them? Furthermore, what grade would you give the rest of the Flyers’ Atlantic Division foes? Let’s take a look at the rest of the division’s key acquisitions and losses, and where each of its member teams stand thus far through the end of free agency. New York Rangers Key Additions: F Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, Arron Asham. Key Losses: F Brandon Prust, F Brandon Dubinsky, …

Bikini Hockey League

On a lockout, the offseason, and more

After the Minnesota Wild signed both Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, a trend became apparent: small-market teams were spending big money while traditional big spenders remained relatively quiet. At first, this seemed to be because teams like the Flyers and Rangers were not only making big bids for the aforementioned All-Stars but were also tied up in trade talks for Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan. Now that the Collective Bargaining Agreement talks are underway, one has to wonder if the owners of big-market teams kept GMs on a short leash to see how the negotiations played out. Last offseason, many …

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Flyers face decisions with crowded blue line

As I’m sure you are now aware, yesterday the Flyers signed Bruno Gervais to a two-year contract with a cap hit of $825k. That fact in itself isn’t too terrible. The guy is 27 years old, right handed (which must be Homer’s #1 requirement this offseason), and played over 14 minutes a night last season with Tampa Bay. In fact, he had two seasons with the Islanders where he averaged over 20 minutes a night. So the guy is probably a relatively adequate third pairing guy, that comes at a good price. However, that isn’t the problem. As Bill Meltzer …

Atlantic Watch: 2/8-2/14

The Flyers managed to hold on for a one-goal win Thursday before they dropped both of their games on the weekend to go 1-2-0 this week. The win was the Flyers’ second since the All-Star break, as they are 2-4-2 since the break with both wins coming at home. Philly looks forward to two games against Eastern Conference teams outside the playoff picture in the next few days, as well as a meeting with the Penguins to determine crucial points in the standings. On Thursday, Brayden Schenn potted the game-winner in the second period to give the Flyers just enough …

Stamkos And Garon Lead Lightning In 5-1 Victory Over Flyers

Steven Stamkos had a two-goal night and Mathieu Garon made 31 saves to led the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 5-1 home victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite out shooting the Lightning 32-16 and forcing them into 11 icings while Tampa Bay didn’t force them into any, the Flyers leave Tampa Bay after an unfortunate loss they didn’t deserve. Scott Hartnell scored the Flyers’ only goal of the game while Ilya Bryzgalov stopped a mere 11 of the 16 shots he faced as the Flyers lost for the fourth time in their last five games.  Hartnell was snakebitten early on, victimized by Garon with a huge save during 5-on-5 …

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