2013 Year in Review: Mike Knuble

By Craig F
Posted on 06/11/2013 at 1:00 pm

If there is any question as to whether or not Mike Knuble had a productive season with the Philadelphia Flyers, one just has to take into consideration where the forward was after the Orange and Black were blanked by the New Jersey Devils on January 22. With just three goals in their first three games, the Flyers reached out to Knuble, who was playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, and signed him before the weekend. After the Flyers’ 2-1 win over the New York Rangers two days later, Knuble joined the Orange and Black in Florida for …

Then and Now: Ville Leino

By Craig F
Posted on 05/08/2013 at 11:00 am

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 …

Image courtesy of Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Atlantic Watch: 1/23-1/29

By Craig F
Posted on 01/30/2013 at 11:00 am

The Philadelphia Flyers started the week with a pair of wins, but a pair of lackadaisical efforts led to two losses where they were outscored 7-2. The Orange and Black find themselves at the bottom of the division with a trio of meetings against Southeast Division opponents over the next seven days. With a record of 0-3-0 and playing a team they went 0-6-0 against in 2011-2012, the Flyers’ 2-1 win over the visiting New York Rangers wasn’t expected on Thursday night. After a scoreless opening stanza, the tandem of Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek registered their first goals of …

Knuble redux; Lilja back from AHL

By Bob H
Posted on 01/25/2013 at 12:30 pm

What started out as “whispers” became a source-confirmed bit of news during the first period of last night’s Flyers-Rangers game, which in turn became official on Friday afternoon. Mike Knuble will make his return to Philadelphia after an absence of three-plus seasons after passing a physical. It is a one-year deal reported to be worth $750,000. “Obviously we’re familiar with Mike,” Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said on Thursday night. “He’s a good guy, big, heavy player and we think he’s a good guy to throw in the mix right now…with the injuries we have.” Knuble had been plying his trade …

Then and Now: Nolan Baumgartner

By Craig F
Posted on 01/02/2013 at 9:00 am

After the New York Islanders picked Brett Lindros ninth overall in the 1994 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals selected defenseman Nolan Baumgartner. The four players picked after the Canadian d-man were former San Jose Shark and New Jersey Devil Jeff Friesen, Wade Belak, Mattias Ohlund, and Ethan Moreau. All four of those players turned out to play more seasons in the NHL than Baumgartner, who totaled 10 years at hockey’s highest level. Baumgartner suited up for the Caps, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, and the Pittsburgh Penguins before he became a member of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006. The blue liner signed …

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