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CBA Explained: Cap Advantage Recapture penalty

This week CBA Explained will dive into one of the more unique aspects of the new collective bargaining agreement; the “Cap Advantage Recapture” provision. It is designed to penalize teams for signing players to “back-diving” contracts that serve to reduce a player’s cap hit. It has the potential to haunt teams that signed players to these cap circumventing deals, even if those players were traded away. This led to some worry for Flyers fans in the cases of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. As stated in the summary of terms: “For all existing SPCs with terms in excess of six (6) …

Brandon Alderson (left) with the Greyhounds. Image courtesy of kitchenerrangers.com

Future Flyers Report: Stolarz and Alderson Sign, Wahl Added

The Philadelphia Flyers signed a pair of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to entry-level contracts this week. One of those was expected, as goaltending prospect Anthony Stolarz inked a deal. The other signing wasn’t, as forward Brandon Alderson also joined the organization. Stolarz continues to impress in the OHL with the London Knights. With three wins this week, Stolarz extended his winning streak to seven straight starts and improved his record to 11-2-1 with the Knights. During this personal winning streak, Stolarz has produced three games where he has allowed one goal against or less and two games where he allowed …

harryzintense

Shanabanned: Harry Z gets four games

This is the kind of season it’s been so far: the National Hockey League ignores the fact that the Philadelphia Flyers are taking time off from their busy schedule to hold their annual carnival on Sunday afternoon, issuing a four-game suspension to Harry Zolnierczyk. Zolnierczyk was given a major for charging and a game misconduct near the midway point of the first period in a 2-1 Flyers win, after issuing a hard hit to Ottawa defenseman Mike Lundin. Lundin left the game and did not return with a suspected head injury. Hit up the link to see Brendan Shanahan’s explanation. …

Image courtesy of Amy Irving http://www.Facebook.com/38Photography

Flyers Outlast Sens In Goalie Duel

Wayne Simmonds scored on a beautiful goal in the second period, beating Ottawa goaltender Ben Bishop between the pads to give the Flyers a two-goal lead in an eventual 2-1 victory on Saturday afternoon. Simmonds started the play in his own end, gave an outlet pass to Danny Briere, who dropped it off for Brayden Schenn, who fed a cross-ice pass to Simmonds who went forehand, backhand, and eventually five-hole to beat Bishop. Also scoring for the Flyers was Jakub Voracek, notching his co-team leading ninth goal. Ilya Bryzgalov was stellar again for the Flyers, stopping 33-of-34 shots. The Flyers …

Image courtesy of www.kitchenerrangers.com

Stolarz, Alderson locked in; Sestito goodbye, Leighton sent down

The Philadelphia Flyers were a busy organization on Friday. First, they announced the signings of free agent winger Brandon Alderson and goaltender Anthony Stolarz to entry-level contracts. In 59 games played with the Sault. Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, Alderson has totaled 25 goals 32 assists for 57 points. The Oakville, Ontario native is listed as 6-foot-5, and 212 pounds and brings much needed size to the winger position in typical North American Flyer fashion.  Last year with the Greyhounds, Alderson registered 30 points in 69 games played. Prior to playing for Sault. Ste. Marie, the 21-year …

Gagne and Knuble

Breaking down the Bullies: Gagne makes sense

It’s becoming an ugly trend for the Flyers. Week after week, they fail to establish momentum, instead opting to tread water at the .500-mark in the win-loss column. The past four games have provided no relief. After a stellar win in Pittsburgh, the team followed it up with a completely deflated effort against the Panthers. They seemed to rebound with a come-from-behind victory over the Jets, but any thoughts of a winning streak quickly vanished as they failed to deliver against the Maple Leafs. This time, Paul Holmgren had seen enough. His (first?) response was swift, yesterday sending a conditional …

HE'S BACK!!! Image courtesy of lehighvalleylive.com

Atlantic Watch: Gagne Returns, Pens and Rangers Deal With Injuries, Devils and Islanders Endure Goaltending Woes

The Philadelphia Flyers won a pair of exciting contests this week, but they also lost two games where they could have easily grabbed points. With the return of a familiar face, the Orange and the Black look to reach .500 with two tilts against teams below them in the standings and a matinee against a Northeast Division foe. The Flyers started their week, and concluded their road trip, with an exciting 6-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. Jakub Voracek put the game-winner past Tomas Vokoun with 1:31 left in regulation to complete his hat trick, …

Homer, Gagne talk about busy Tuesday

Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers Flyers GM Paul Holmgren Will Gagne make the team better? PH:  “He improves our depth up front automatically. Obviously with the injury bug and Matt Read being out and now we lost Tye McGinn last night for a few weeks. We have some holes.  Simon is a guy who has a lot of experience and played in a lot of positions, penalty kill, power play and regular shifts.  He is a good two way player that can skate.   We think he will add to us a lot.” What’s wrong with Tye? PH:  “He has a …

gagnekings

Return with some bling: Cup winner Gagne comes back to Philly

Proving once more that if you’re once a Flyer, chances are you could be a Flyer at least one more time before your career is complete, the Orange and Black made the surprise announcement Tuesday afternoon that they have brought back one-time star forward Simon Gagne. The 33-year-old was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings for a conditional fourth-round pick which once belonged to perennial trading partner Phoenix. According to Lisa Dillman of the LA Times, it is a third-round selection if the Flyers make the playoffs and a fourth-rounder if not. “Simon is an experienced veteran who will help …

marklaforest

“Trees” and the Motown Blitz: 25 years later

One thing astute observers could say about the successful Alumni Game which took place two days before the 2012 Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park, was that former Flyers goaltender Mark Laforest put together his finest performance while wearing the Orange and Black. He came back to the Quaker City for the first time since absorbing an 8-2 loss while playing for the Ottawa Senators in March of 1994, worked the majority of minutes in between Bernie Parent and Neil Little, and posted a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers’ old-timers. Now 52 years old, Laforest’s first spin with …