Then and Now: Niko Dimitrakos

By Craig F
Posted on 06/13/2012 at 9:00 am

Before suffering a groin injury in the middle of February this season, Tom Sestito had played in 14 games for the Philadelphia Flyers posting an assist and 83 PIMs. The Orange and Black obtained Sestito in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets in February of 2011, where the Flyers shipped Greg Moore and Michael Chaput to Ohio in exchange for the hulking forward. Columbus was able to draft Sestito with the third-round pick they acquired in a draft-day deal with the San Jose Sharks in 2004, which sent a fourth-rounder in 2006 and a second-rounder in 2007 San Jose’s …

Bill Meltzer shares his thoughts on Joacim Eriksson, Europeans, and more

By penaltykiller
Posted on 07/26/2011 at 11:00 am

Bill Meltzer writes about the Flyers for hockeybuzz.com and is a contributing writer for NHL.com. Follow him on twitter @billmeltzer. The Flyers haven’t drafted anyone out of Europe in the past two drafts. In total they have only drafted two players out of Europe in the past 5 drafts. However, they do take Europeans that play in North America. Do you feel they are strategically avoiding drafting prospects out of Europe? What are your thoughts on such a strategy if it exists? I don’t they are so much specifically avoiding drafting from Europe as they are prioritizing players they think …

Is Paul Holmgren still the right man for the job?

By Marcello De Feo
Posted on 06/04/2011 at 12:00 pm

Paul Holmgren is a bold man, sure of what he wants and unflinching in his actions. He is willing to pay extra to beat the surge of activity to get his man. As a result, he’s built a team capable — in theory and in his own mind — of competing for the Stanley Cup. However, these actions are adding up and taking an increasing toll on a team that put its eggs in one basket for the 2011 season. That ultimately-failed course has been run, and the team did not win the Cup, yet again, and it is now …

Trade deadline passes quietly for Flyers

By Bob H
Posted on 02/28/2011 at 3:50 pm

The Philadelphia Flyers were dormant as the 2011 NHL Trade Deadline passed as of 3 p.m. (et). Flyers’ GM Paul Holmgren awoke from his slumber to make just one minor deal, acquiring prospect forward Tom Sestito from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for prospects Michael Chaput and Greg Moore. Sestito will be assigned to Adirondack of the American Hockey League. “Well, he’s a big kid, I think he’s got 30-some-odd points down there in the AHL…he was there last year on an entry-level contract. I like the fact that he’s got a chance to play at some point for …

North American Prospect Weekly Report (2/21 – 2/27)

By penaltykiller
Posted on 02/28/2011 at 11:27 am

The North American Prospect Report follows the weekly progress of Flyers prospects playing in the various leagues throughout North America. Forwards: Shane Harper continues to play well in the ECHL. He had 4 points (2 g, 2 a) in four games. Andrew Rowe was loaned to the Road Warriors where he had a goal and an assist in his three games. Ben Holmstrom and Mike Testwuide each scored a goal and assisted on another on Sunday with the Phantoms. Brendan Ranford had a pair of assists in his three games, but was a -4 on the week. Dave Lebrecque scored …

North American Prospect Weekly Report (2/14 – 2/20)

By penaltykiller
Posted on 02/21/2011 at 12:10 pm

The North American Prospect Report follows the weekly progress of Flyers prospects playing in the various leagues throughout North America. Forwards: Eric Wellwood had a strong week offensively. He recorded 4 points (2 g, 2 a) in 4 games. Mike Testwuide also had a nice week offensively. He scored a goal during his second game, and recorded an assist in his third and fourth games. Ben Holmstrom contributed to the Phantoms with a goal and an assist. Rob Bordson also scored his fourth goal with the Phantoms. Andrew Rowe also registered a point for the Phantoms. Shane Harper had 3 …

North America Prospect Weekly Report (2/7-2/13)

By penaltykiller
Posted on 02/14/2011 at 11:44 am

The North American Prospect Report follows the weekly progress of Flyers prospects playing in the various leagues throughout North America. Forwards: Dave Labrecque cooled down to a mere point per game pace on the week. He had a goal and 2 assists over three games played. Brendan Ranford also finished with a goal and 2 assists over his two games. Michael Chaput had a fairly quiet week, finishing with one assist over three games. Shane Harper had a pair of goals in ECHL action. Mike Testwuide scored a goal and assisted on another in the second of the Phantoms two …

North American Prospect Weekly Report (1/31 – 2/6)

By penaltykiller
Posted on 02/07/2011 at 11:36 am

The North American Prospect Report follows the weekly progress of Flyers prospects playing in the various leagues throughout North America. Forwards: Dave Labrecque followed up his 8 point week with a 9 point performance this week. He recorded a goal and an assist in the first of his three games. He followed that up with a 4 point performance (1 g, 3 a) then finished out the week with 3 assists in his last game. Michael Chaput had a goal and assist in his only game action on the week. Tye McGinn recorded an assist in his only game. Brendan …

North American Prospect Weekly Report (1/24 – 1/30)

By penaltykiller
Posted on 01/31/2011 at 12:00 pm

The North American Prospect Report follows the weekly progress of Flyers prospects playing in the various leagues throughout North America. Forwards: Brendan Ranford busted out of his cold streak with a 7 point (2 g, 5 a) performance over three games. He had a pair of 3 point games and had one point in the third. Dave Labrecque outdid Ranford with 8 points in three games. He had a huge 5 point performance (1g, 4 a) on Wednesday. He followed it up with a goal and assist in his next game and finally an assist in the third game. Tye …

North American Prospect Weekly Report (1/17 – 1/23)

By penaltykiller
Posted on 01/24/2011 at 12:10 pm

The North American Prospect Report follows the weekly progress of Flyers prospects playing in the various leagues throughout North America. Forwards: Shane Harper continues to play well in the ECHL. He registered at least a point in each game he played and finished the week with 5 points (2 g, 3 a) in 4 games. Dave Labrecque scored a goal in each of his three games and also added an assist. Tye McGinn had a pair of assists in the first of his two games. Brendan Ranford remains in a goal drought and appears to be struggling offensively with both …

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