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Another one bites the dust

Add Andreas Lilja to the growing list of unfortunates in this offseason. The Swedish defenseman pronounced himself out for the next four months after undergoing hip surgery, according to a report in a Swedish-language publication translated by Bill Meltzer on this otherwise beautiful Sunday. The 37-year-old totaled six assists in only 46 regular-season games for Philly last season, his first here after spending 2010-11 with the Anaheim Ducks. Lilja was also on the shelf due to a high ankle sprain suffered on the day after Thanksgiving in a matinee home victory over the Montreal Canadiens, but returned before Christmas. He …

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 …

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CBA 101 Part 2: 35+ Contracts – The Chris Pronger Story

One aspect of the Collective Bargaining Agreement which is near and dear to the Flyers’ heart is the 35-plus contract; which we’ll cover here in Part 2 of CBA 101. A 35-plus contract is a contract of greater than 1 year, in which the player is 35 years or older when the contract takes effect. So what’s the big deal, right? The stipulation with this kind of pact is that no matter what happens, you can’t be rid of the player’s cap hit unless he is traded or claimed on waivers. Even if you were to send a player on …

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Flyers outworked again, lose 4-2, trail 3-1 in series

In a pivotal Game 4, the Philadelphia Flyers showed signs of frustration and were out shot 43-22 in a 4-2 loss to the Devils at the Prudential Center tonight. Dainius Zubrus registered a two-goal night, while Petr Sykora and Marek Zidlicky both had a goal and an assist in New Jersey’s third straight win in the series. Martin Brodeur made 20 saves on his 40th birthday to give Jersey a commanding 3-1 series lead. Claude Giroux assisted on Scott Hartnell’s opening goal and potted a short-handed tally for a two-point night. Kimmo Timonen and Max Talbot were the only other …

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Ponikarovsky Beats Bryzgalov In Overtime, Gives Devils 4-3 Win

After a pair of failed power-play attempts in overtime, the Flyers let Alexei Ponikarovsky’s first goal of the 2012 playoffs be the game-winner in the Devils’ 4-3 victory tonight at the Prudential Center. The win gives Jersey a 2-1 series lead. Ilya Kovalchuk jumped on the Flyers’ clear in the neutral zone and caught Philly’s skaters in a line change when he hit Ponikarovsky with a pass at the Orange and Black’s blue line. With only one defender back, the Devils’ forward decided to shoot rather than pass. After Ilya Bryzgalov denied his first shot, the former Los Angeles King jumped on …

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Penguins Can’t Fly, Flyers Win Series With 5-1 Victory At Home

In front of the faithful at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday afternoon, the Philadelphia Flyers advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 5-1 win, sending Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins packing. After Philly’s loss in Game 5 on Friday, Scott Hartnell said it was time for the Flyers’ defense and goaltending to get the Orange and Black a win. With Ilya Bryzgalov’s 30-save effort and 40 blocked shots from the defense, Hartnell’s words seemed to properly motivate the club. “It takes a sixty minute, full team effort. Everbody chipped in,” said Bryzgalov after the game. “It was …

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Flyers Dominate Disgraceful Penguins, 8-4, Lead Series 3-0

The Philadelphia Flyers came out and beat the Pittsburgh Penguins today at the Wells Fargo Center 8-4 to move to within one victory of an Eastern Conference Semifinals’ appearance. After Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier stepped up for the Flyers in Games 1 and 2, it was Matt Read in Game 3, as the rookie put home his first two playoff goals in the NHL. His power-play goal late in the second period was the game-winner for Philly. “You look at a guy like Matt Read stepping up with the goals,” veteran Max Talbot said about Read before he commented …

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Voracek Drills Home Game-Winner In Overtime, Flyers Take Game One, 4-3

Trailing 3-0 after 20 minutes, the Philadelphia Flyers embarked on a comeback for the ages, rallying for a 4-3 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins to open up this Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series on Wednesday. Jakub Voracek displayed hard work, and received some luck, on his game winner which halted the action 2:23 into the fourth period. The Flyers carried the momentum gained from their monstrous third period into the extra frame, as Voracek found himself in the corner of the Penguins’ defensive zone to start the series of plays that led to the deciding score. With a wrap-around pass …

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Atlantic Watch: 4/4-4/10

The Flyers finished their 2011-12 regular season with a pair of games that didn’t have any kind of effect on the standings, as they beat the Buffalo Sabres and lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s those same Penguins that the Flyers will play in the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, which starts tonight. Philly’s final home game of the regular season was also their final win, as they beat the visiting Sabres 2-1 on Thursday night. Ville Leino may have had a disappointing year, but he recorded his eighth of the year and second against the Flyers in the second period …

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