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2013 Year in Review: Jakub Voracek

There weren’t too many bright spots to pick out of the Philadelphia Flyers’ 2013 season, but the production and growth of Jakub Voracek could be one of the biggest positives to take away from the non-playoff campaign. With impressive numbers offensively and being considered one of the more consistent players for the Orange and Black throughout their 23-22-3 season, Voracek exceeded the expectations many had for him before the start of the shortened year. Out of his five seasons in the NHL to date, Voracek’s 46 points were tied for his second-lowest point total for a season. However, considering there …

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Flyers face decisions with crowded blueline…again

So I sit down to begin this article, and I write the headline “Flyers face decisions with crowded blueline” and then I think to myself… “wait, didn’t I write something similar last summer”. Of course I go take a look and, sure enough, I did. I wrote almost the same exact article last summer that I am about to begin now. It’s the same story, with different players, and some slightly different circumstances. The major difference is timing. Last summer I wrote the article after the Flyers had made their defensive acquisitions. They knew who they had and it was just …

Ilya Bryzgalov - Courtesy of Frenz Photography

It pains me to say it…but Ilya Bryzgalov’s comments are hypocritical

Yesterday, Dmitry Chesnokov of Puck Daddy published the transcript of a video interview done by SovSport’s Pavel Lysenkov and KHL.RU‘s Alexander Shevchenko with Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. It pains me a little bit to be writing this because I really like Bryzgalov. All hockey related items aside, I think he is a very intelligent, likable guy, and I genuinely feel bad for the hoopla that has gone on around him in the past two years. In fact, I tweeted this yesterday  and truly mean it. I kind of want to just hang out with @bryzgoalie30 really badly. He’s a cool dude. …

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2013 NHL Entry Draft: Mock Draft Two

Breakdown by League: QMJHL – 8 OHL – 8 WHL – 7 USHL – 2 SM-liiga – 2 SEL – 2 KHL – 1   1. COL – Seth Jones, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) Jones is one of the most complete and exciting prospects we’ve seen in years. His combination of size, smarts, mobility, and puck-handling skills are unmatched by any player in this draft and previous drafts. He is a generational talent with the ability to anchor the blue line at an All-Star level for a decade. Jones is the closest thing to a sure bet as a prospect …

Former Flyer, Sergei Bobrovsky, is among the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy.

Former Flyer Bobrovsky nominated for Vezina Trophy

The National Hockey League announced its finalists for the Vezina Trophy this morning. The three finalists are all worthy candidates.  The first being last year’s Vezina winner Henrik Lundqvist, goalie for the New York Rangers.   The second is San Jose Sharks’ tender and Stanley Cup winner Antti Niemi.  The final nominee is former Philadelphia Flyers and current Columbus Blue Jackets’ goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky was traded to Columbus last offseason for three draft picks and he easily stepped into the starting role for the Jackets.  Bob took over for a revolving goalie carousel that included Steve Mason, Curtis Sanford and …

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Then and Now: Ville Leino

After spending parts of six seasons in the SM-liiga, Ville Leino became a member of the Detroit Red Wings’ organization for the 2008-2009 campaign. The forward spent time with the Tampereen Ilves, HPK, and Jokerit before he spent most of his first season with the Wings’ franchise in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Leino saw regular season and postseason action for both the Griffins and Red Wings during 2008-2009, as he posted 46 points in 57 games with Grand Rapids and nine points in 13 tilts with Detroit. In the AHL playoffs, Leino totaled three goals and 10 …

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2013 NHL Entry Draft: Mock Draft One

With the NHL Draft lottery completed, Jared Abbott and I wanted to put out our first mock drafts of the first round . Here is his mock. Leading up to the draft we’ll be putting out several iterations of a first round mock. As the draft order becomes finalized and teams’ rosters begin to take shape it will surely effect the projected picks. Of course, there is always the possibility of trades as well, which could dramatically alter the mock.   1. Colorado- Seth Jones (D) Portland Winterhawks (WHL) What else is there to say? Jones is the best overall prospect in …

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Around the Net May 7, 2013: NHL Playoff roundup;more

Welcome to Around the Net, a weekly look through linkage at the Philadelphia Flyers and other news from around the NHL. A quick personal note,my team, Team I.R., needs one more for this weekends roller hockey tourney. An NHL ringer would be greatly appreciated ( hint, hint T.J.). Fast Eddie Does Ed Snider get a pass in Philadelphia? [Philly.com- Sam Donellon] Flyers sign another goalie Niagara goalie Carsen Chubak signs with the Phantoms: [Philly.com- Sam Carchidi] [Hockeybuzz-Bill Meltzer] Stanley Cup Playoffs Even though we aren’t in it, they still carry on: [Puck Daddy] [The Hockey News] Get some Philadelphia Phillies tickets here. They are …

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Offseason salary cap woes, Flyers currently sit over $64.3 million limit

On this week’s CBA Explained I didn’t want to just explain how the salary cap functions in the offseason, I wanted to illustrate the current state of the Flyers. It’s no secret that the Flyers have salary cap problems, but I wanted to see just how limited they would be this offseason. The salary cap is calculated slightly differently during the offseason than it is during the regular season. For one, teams are temporarily allowed to exceed the upper-limit by 10% during the offseason for the sake of maneuverability. (The new CBA Summary of Terms does not indicate any change in …

Thanks to PA Herald

Chubak joins organization on AHL contract

The Phantoms goaltending situation for next season might have become a little clearer on Sunday, as the organization added heralded goaltender Carsen Chubak to an American Hockey League deal. As a junior, the 24-year-old backstop helped guide his program to an NCAA Tournament berth — a loss to North Dakota — but finished tied for first in all of D-I with six shutouts, along with a 1.91 goals-against average, .939 save percentage and 23-7-5 record. He was one of 10 original finalists for the Hobey Baker, but was left out of the final three. In three seasons with the Purple …