swflyers25
8-02-05, 5:57 AM
Philly burbs article mentions an announcement of something today?
Flyers looking for big-name defender
By WAYNE FISH
phillyBurbs.com
While the Flyers had nothing official to announce in the way of free agent signings Monday night, this much we do know: General manager Bob Clarke and his staff worked well past the dinner hour in team offices at Voorhees.
It's a given that the Flyers are hoping to use this free-agent signing period, which began Monday, to secure at least one big name defenseman.
The NHL released its official list of players that are now completely unrestricted and there is plenty to choose from in the way of defense.
Derian Hatcher, set free by Detroit, is near the top of the file along with Sergei Gonchar (late of Boston), Scott Niedermayer (who might not re-sign with New Jersey), Adrian Aucoin, Mike Rathje, Brian Leetch and ex-Flyer Vladimir Malakhov.
Many thought the start of the free-agent period would signal a feeding frenzy around the league. But Monday was relatively quiet. Former Toronto Maple Leafs Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts decided to sign with the Florida Panthers but those were the only big names to settle on a new address.
Knowing he only has four defensemen - Eric Desjardins, Kim Johnsson, Danny Markov and Joni Pitkanen - with extensive NHL experience, Clarke figures he needs to shore up the backline.
"Getting a defenseman or two defensemen is obviously our top priority,'' Clarke said. "We'll call the agents and find out what it's going to cost.''
Much of Monday afternoon was probably spent talking to those various agents on the phone. Even though there is a salary cap in place, agents do have one bargaining chip in that they can use one team's offer against another's.
"Obviously money is a factor,'' Clarke said. Depending on qualifying offers to some of their unsigned Group 2 restricted free agents such as Simon Gagne, Robert Esche and Johnsson, the Flyers do have at least several million dollars in cap room to use on defensemen.
"We have our own list of what our priorities are, as every team does,'' Clarke said. "It's just a matter of whether you have enough room under the cap to get them.''
There are also other big-name forwards out there, such as Mike Modano of Dallas (who played so well for Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock in the 1999 Stanley Cup championship year for the Stars) and former Flyers' No. 1 draft pick Peter Forsberg, so far unsigned by the Colorado Avalanche.
But it's a better bet the Flyers will use what limited money they have left to go after either Hatcher and/or Malakhov, who finished last season with the Flyers but headed home to Russia for the lockout and must be talked into playing in the NHL again.
Late Monday night, Clarke told a member of the Flyers' public relations staff that "there's nothing tonight but something could be announced today [Tuesday].''
Free agents who might be drawing the Flyers' interest:
Derian Hatcher, D (Detroit): A Hitchcock prot?g? from '99 Cup winner.
Sergei Gonchar, D (Boston): Offensive-minded backliner.
Scott Niedermayer, D (N.J.): Norris Trophy winner, puck carrier extraordinaire.
Adrian Aucoin, D (N.Y. Islanders): League leader in minutes played.
Mike Rathje, D (San Jose): Good fit for Flyer system.
Brian Leetch, D (Toronto): At 39, would still look good on Phila. power play.
Vladimir Malakhov, D (Philadelphia): Ex-Flyer's size appealing.
Players and prospects who haven't been re-signed by the Flyers:
Sean Burke, G; Claude Lapointe, C; Marcus Ragnarsson, D; John Slaney, D; Boyd Kane, RW; Neil Little, G; Ryan Ready, LW; Nick Deschenes, Jeff Smith, Radovan Somik, Peter White.
Wayne Fish can be reached at 215-949-4215 or wfish@phillyBurbs.com.
Phillyburbs (http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/101-08022005-522183.html)
Flyers looking for big-name defender
By WAYNE FISH
phillyBurbs.com
While the Flyers had nothing official to announce in the way of free agent signings Monday night, this much we do know: General manager Bob Clarke and his staff worked well past the dinner hour in team offices at Voorhees.
It's a given that the Flyers are hoping to use this free-agent signing period, which began Monday, to secure at least one big name defenseman.
The NHL released its official list of players that are now completely unrestricted and there is plenty to choose from in the way of defense.
Derian Hatcher, set free by Detroit, is near the top of the file along with Sergei Gonchar (late of Boston), Scott Niedermayer (who might not re-sign with New Jersey), Adrian Aucoin, Mike Rathje, Brian Leetch and ex-Flyer Vladimir Malakhov.
Many thought the start of the free-agent period would signal a feeding frenzy around the league. But Monday was relatively quiet. Former Toronto Maple Leafs Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts decided to sign with the Florida Panthers but those were the only big names to settle on a new address.
Knowing he only has four defensemen - Eric Desjardins, Kim Johnsson, Danny Markov and Joni Pitkanen - with extensive NHL experience, Clarke figures he needs to shore up the backline.
"Getting a defenseman or two defensemen is obviously our top priority,'' Clarke said. "We'll call the agents and find out what it's going to cost.''
Much of Monday afternoon was probably spent talking to those various agents on the phone. Even though there is a salary cap in place, agents do have one bargaining chip in that they can use one team's offer against another's.
"Obviously money is a factor,'' Clarke said. Depending on qualifying offers to some of their unsigned Group 2 restricted free agents such as Simon Gagne, Robert Esche and Johnsson, the Flyers do have at least several million dollars in cap room to use on defensemen.
"We have our own list of what our priorities are, as every team does,'' Clarke said. "It's just a matter of whether you have enough room under the cap to get them.''
There are also other big-name forwards out there, such as Mike Modano of Dallas (who played so well for Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock in the 1999 Stanley Cup championship year for the Stars) and former Flyers' No. 1 draft pick Peter Forsberg, so far unsigned by the Colorado Avalanche.
But it's a better bet the Flyers will use what limited money they have left to go after either Hatcher and/or Malakhov, who finished last season with the Flyers but headed home to Russia for the lockout and must be talked into playing in the NHL again.
Late Monday night, Clarke told a member of the Flyers' public relations staff that "there's nothing tonight but something could be announced today [Tuesday].''
Free agents who might be drawing the Flyers' interest:
Derian Hatcher, D (Detroit): A Hitchcock prot?g? from '99 Cup winner.
Sergei Gonchar, D (Boston): Offensive-minded backliner.
Scott Niedermayer, D (N.J.): Norris Trophy winner, puck carrier extraordinaire.
Adrian Aucoin, D (N.Y. Islanders): League leader in minutes played.
Mike Rathje, D (San Jose): Good fit for Flyer system.
Brian Leetch, D (Toronto): At 39, would still look good on Phila. power play.
Vladimir Malakhov, D (Philadelphia): Ex-Flyer's size appealing.
Players and prospects who haven't been re-signed by the Flyers:
Sean Burke, G; Claude Lapointe, C; Marcus Ragnarsson, D; John Slaney, D; Boyd Kane, RW; Neil Little, G; Ryan Ready, LW; Nick Deschenes, Jeff Smith, Radovan Somik, Peter White.
Wayne Fish can be reached at 215-949-4215 or wfish@phillyBurbs.com.
Phillyburbs (http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/101-08022005-522183.html)