View Full Version : Flyers pull a 'Hatcher' job
Madferret
8-02-05, 9:39 AM
Flyers pull a 'Hatcher' job
Sportsnet.ca -- The Philadelphia Flyers weren't able to lure Adam Foote into the fold, but Bob Clarke has still managed to beef up his blueline.
Sportsnet has learned the Flyers have agreed to multi year deals with big defensemen, Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje. Both men are listed at 6'5, 235 lbs, so clearly it's the Flyers intent to get bigger.
But Philadelphia didn't stop there, adding a third towering defensemen in re-acquiring 6'5 Ottawa native, Chris Therien, the Flyers seventh choice in the 1990 NHL draft. The Flyers have called a 1pm ET media conference to unveil their additions, with sources telling Sportsnet it will include a fourth player in forward Jon Sim.
Hatcher is 33 and very recently became available after becoming a casualty to the buy-out process at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings, along with former teammates Darren McCarty and Ray Whitney.
31-year-old Mike Rathje was drafted 3rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in 1992 and has played his entire career in San Jose.
Hatcher was injured for most of 2003-04 season, playing in just 15 games for Detroit and amassing four assists
Newfie John
8-02-05, 9:42 AM
Whoa, thats a good D.
Madferret
8-02-05, 9:52 AM
Hawks just signed Aucoin to a 4 year deal...not looking good for teams who were blabbing about signing every Tom Dick & Harry UFA is it?
Max Power
8-02-05, 10:01 AM
It?s beginning to be quite apparent that D men are being snatched up first and I guess quickly
Newfie John
8-02-05, 10:02 AM
It?s beginning to be quite apparent that D men are being snatched up first and I guess quickly
Yep, the market appears to be set for Niedermayer, who should sign with Pitsburgh any minute now.
swflyers25
8-02-05, 11:26 AM
Nice defense we are going to have:
Johnsson -- Hatcher
Desjardins -- Rathje
Pitkanen -- Markov
Extras: Therien & Seidenberg
Press conference at 1pm, 4 player announcement. Jon Sim was signed as well.
swflyers25
8-02-05, 11:53 AM
But we lose Danny Markov, what horsesh!t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/12284336.htm?source=rss&channel=philly_sports
To make cap room for all four players, the Flyers traded defenseman Danny Markov to the Nashville Predators, according to league sources. That trade will be announced later today.
Wow, Bobby really went to town with this one. The Philly defence-core is going to be awesome now. Anyone know how much Aucoin signed for?I wonder if they payed him much more than what Long Island offered him. :confused:
But we lose Danny Markov, what horsesh!t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/12284336.htm?source=rss&channel=philly_sports
Did Clarke change nis name to Milbury? :rollover:
Hatcher is a washed up cheapshot artist who could be beaten wide by a goalie in full gear these days, and Rathje is a glorified 2nd pairing defenseman.
:rollover:
TimmyTabasco
8-02-05, 2:17 PM
Rathje is a clone of Malik, basically a pylon on skates :nod:
And, IMO..Hatcher's best days are behind him.
Good news for Nashville, to acquire Markov
Max Power
8-02-05, 2:22 PM
If the new NHL era is true to it's word then these guys will be as useful defensively as Brian McCabe will be *zing*
Ohh I had to say it
All joking aside these not so good on their skates tough as nails players might lose value if the NHL stays true to their word on the rule changes. But who know they might be worth it
swflyers25
8-02-05, 4:13 PM
Hatcher is a washed up cheapshot artist who could be beaten wide by a goalie in full gear these days, and Rathje is a glorified 2nd pairing defenseman.
Hatcher played his best years with Hitch so I think he will be ok. Rathje, not Mr. Excitement out there, not flashy, but the Flyers weren't looking for that. They are looking for guys who can help keep the crease clear in front of Esche and protect guys like Carter and Richards. Hatcher brings captain experience and Cup experience.
Now we have a good group of leaders on this team:
Primeau, Hatcher, Desjardins, Roenick, Gagne, Esche, Johnsson, Knuble, Handzus with young guys like Carter, Richards, Sim and Niitymaki. I think we will be ok.
swflyers25
8-02-05, 4:19 PM
Did Clarke change nis name to Milbury? :rollover:
Gee, this is Danny's 5th team in 7 years. Has to be something to the constant change of organizations. I like him but from what I heard, smokes between periods and not a fan of the weightroom.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/rwsixers/5f294f0c.jpg
All I'm saying, he has off-ice issues that may not have thrilled the management.
They want to win a Cup this year and adding to solid vets in Hatcher and Rathje are good signings. Even Sim is good, won the Cup with Dallas as well.
Hatcher played his best years with HitchSure he did, but playing with a coach that you play well with can't replace wonky bones and with the expected crackdown on obstruction, I can see a few of the players you mentioned wacthing the game from the penalty box. In the new NHL players that can skate well, I mean really well are going to be the types of players a team covets. The days of light to heavy crosschecks to the back are soon to be over, and thats the type of game the Flyers play, the leafs too, but they didn't sign Hatcher, and for that I thank my luck stars. ;) :)
Hatcher + crack down on obstruction + no red-line = huge exploitation of his cltuching and grabbibg style of play and slow speed. Not a good signing IMO, not for the amount of cap room he'll take.
*With surprising amount of $$$ most of these FA's are going for, even if they are quite skilled, keeping de Vries/Smolinski and their contracts doesn't look so bad anymore. :D
OK I'm just reading the details.
Hatcher age 33 - 4 years
Rathje age 31 - 5 years
:confused:
Both big hulking guys over 30. Big mistake IMO to commit on either one of these guys longer 3 years out. But especially Hatcher.
Unless they came dirt cheap... I don't know the figures.
Leafs_Fa_Life
8-02-05, 5:00 PM
Both are making 3.5 million/year, Mel.
swflyers25
8-02-05, 7:42 PM
Sure he did, but playing with a coach that you play well with can't replace wonky bones and with the expected crackdown on obstruction, I can see a few of the players you mentioned wacthing the game from the penalty box. In the new NHL players that can skate well, I mean really well are going to be the types of players a team covets. The days of light to heavy crosschecks to the back are soon to be over, and thats the type of game the Flyers play, the leafs too, but they didn't sign Hatcher, and for that I thank my luck stars. ;) :)
We'll see. We will still be good enough to kick the Leafs butts....again. :nod:
swflyers25
8-02-05, 10:12 PM
As to the Markov trade...someone from the O&Bnet board explains it very well:
It's a matter of timing.
The NHL official dates had 7/29/05 as the deadline for buy-outs.
The official date for starting UFA negotiations was 8/1/05.
Even though there were secret UFA discussions prior to 8/1, the clubs and agents couldn't be sure, or couldn't yet commit, to UFA deals until the real date of 8/1 and full contact with all interested parties.
So, club buy-out decisions had to be made by 7/29 without fully knowing what quality UFAs they were able to get after 8/1.
The Flyers are a good example.
Perhaps this is what happened -
Clarke and Hitchcock were quoted as saying we need 1 or 2 big defencemen (translation: 1 regular in the 6-man unit and 1 extra #7 guy). This was the plan to fit under the cap. It is assumed that Desjardins and Markov was included in the 6-man unit in this plan.
During the wild and intense around-the-clock negotiations for the big defenceman "regular" on 8/1 and into the early morning hours on 8/2, it was clear that the first choice, Hatcher, had too high a demand. Clarke exercised his second choice and quickly came to terms with Rathje before he would lose him to another club. Then he came to terms with the #7 extra guy, Therien. Just before midnight, Clarke was done.
Then surprisingly, post midnight, in the early hours of 8/2, Hatcher came back (perhaps was shaken by the move for Rathje), wanted to play on the Flyers - with Hitchcock - with a chance for another Cup. Clarke had already gotten his 2 guys. The opportunity to add his first choice, Hatcher, at more reasonable Hatcher terms, was too tempting. So, he made a deal with Hatcher, and he ended up with 2 big "regulars" and the 1 #7 extra guy. Eight defencemen.
What is the solution now? Someone has to go. Buying-out Desjardins at this point would count against the Cap. Not a solution. Trading Desjardins was not a solution because he is not attractive to the other teams considering his age and salary.
Therefore, move Seidenberg or Markov? Perhaps Markov was chosen because of the additional unmentioned issues and the significant Cap relief it provides.
At this point in time, with 92 UFA defencemen out there (can be signed without giving anything in trade), it's perhaps a hard sell to get something in return by exercising a trade. Under these circumstances, getting a 3rd-rounder from a weaker team is good. Circumstances, circumstances, circumstances.
Credit Clarke for getting a 2nd-rounder for Fedoruk. A steal. Clearly Anahiem overpaid.
The 2 deals can't be compared. The timing was significantly different, and therefore the circumstances were completely different.
It was all a matter of timing, and Capology.
Actually, in retrospect, because of the timing, it's a choice of Markov for 1 more season, or Hatcher for 4 seasons?
Markov for 1.. Hatcher's salary is going to be an anchor in a two years and he will hold negative value.
swflyers25
8-02-05, 10:30 PM
Markov for 1.. Hatcher's salary is going to be an anchor in a two years and he will hold negative value.
Where can I get one of these?
http://www.magickalgifts.com/quartz-crystal-ball.jpg
:laughing: :laughing:
Where can I get one of these?
http://www.magickalgifts.com/quartz-crystal-ball.jpg
:laughing: :laughing:
Did you watch him play in Detroit last year? The league is getting faster in case you didn't notice, and at this point erosion could take Hatcher wide.
This was by far the worst contract of the day.
Where can I get one of these?
Why, this man (http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20040328/alfie_67054.jpg) has one that never fails. Give him a call.
Why, this man (http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20040328/alfie_67054.jpg) has one that never fails. Give him a call.
I prefer this guys ;)
http://www.gothamist.com/images/2004_06_messiercup.jpg
swflyers25
8-02-05, 10:38 PM
Did you watch him play in Detroit last year? The league is getting faster in case you didn't notice, and at this point erosion could take Hatcher wide.
This was by far the worst contract of the day.
Well, he did tear his ACL and came back late in the season. So, what you are judging him based on 15 games in the regular season and 12 in the post? Am I getting this right? A year off and that will have no effect on his play. It won't help him at all. Whatever.
The league is getting faster in case you didn't notice,
Really, again I ask where can I get a crystal ball. The rules give you the conclusion that will happen. Here is what happens when you play against Hatcher:
http://cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/sykora0610.jpg
Petr Sykora is wheeled off following a big bodycheck by Derian Hatcher. His CAT scan came up normal (AP)
Petr Sykora is a pretty speedy guy, didn't have any problem laying him out.
Also didn't have a problem laying out JR as well:
Enjoy (http://myweb.cableone.net/yoeddy1/fights/Hatcher_Roenick_Jaw.wmv)
Also didn't have a problem laying out JR as well:
Enjoy (http://myweb.cableone.net/yoeddy1/fights/Hatcher_Roenick_Jaw.wmv)
You're bragging that you have a player who can jump up and elbow someone in the face?
The guy refuses to fight his own battles (as I've seen in the playoffs MANY times) and is a cheap shot artist. Have fun with that.
edit:
Take it from someone who plays, his act will get old in Philly. Teammates won't like him running around and them backing him up. He's a puke, and anyone with any amount of character will realize that.
To add to what PDO said, I can find manyexamples of Hatcher getting left in a fast player's dust. One incedent doesn't help prove a point once. Anyway, nobody is denying he can throw a good hit. The problem is he'll have to catch the guy first and is quite slow. As you saw when my Sens played Philly, with Havlat in particular, speedy wingers aren't easy to lay out if they skate with their head up. Under the new rules hatcher can be exploited heavily.
Or this one from Stevens...last time I checked, Kariya's pretty fast.
http://www.neutralzonehockey.com/photos/devils/kariyaKO.jpg
Or this one from Stevens...last time I checked, Kariya's pretty fast.
http://www.neutralzonehockey.com/photos/devils/kariyaKO.jpg
Thing is, Stevens can skate, unlike Hatcher.
swflyers25
8-03-05, 12:33 AM
The guy refuses to fight his own battles (as I've seen in the playoffs MANY times) and is a cheap shot artist. Have fun with that.
http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/hockey/img7286075.jpg
Playoffs last year.
http://adamwlad.321webmaster.com/images/hatcher_vs_buchberger.jpg
Hatcher vs. Buchberger, don't the Stars usually play Edmonton alot in the playoffs. Photo could be from there.
http://puckbunny.50megs.com/derian/hatchvshanahan.jpg
Hatcher vs. Shanahan.
Won't fight? You sure?
Take it from someone who plays, his act will get old in Philly. Teammates won't like him running around and them backing him up. He's a puke, and anyone with any amount of character will realize that.
Again, you are using that crystal ball of yours. A puke that was captain of the Stars for I don't know how long. Let's see, people that know way more about hockey like coaching staff and such think he isn't a puke. Sticks up for players, what a puke. :rolleyes:
As you saw when my Sens played Philly, with Havlat in particular, speedy wingers aren't easy to lay out if they skate with their head up.
:laughing: It's also especially hard to hit a guy like Havlat when he hides in the penalty box while the rest of his team are out there duking out over what he did. As far as the rest of your lineup, obviously people can take care of your wingers, otherwise they would go further in the playoffs. Basically the same squad coming back so no chance of that pesky Leaf curse leaving anytime soon. Only change now is the older goalie. So scared of the Sens. :eek:
Thing is, Stevens can skate, unlike Hatcher.
Great example by the way. If I remember correctly, Stevens didn't have to skate all over the place to nail Kariya. Saw him and saw that he didn't have his head up and laid him out. No blazing speed needed, same thing with Lindros as well.
Max Power
9-09-05, 10:07 AM
I thought I heard something about Hatcher injuring his leg in US training camp yesterday. Unconfirmed I guess and is just hear say.
Is there even a US training camp in progress now?
True Max. Right this way ----> http://www.hockeystation.com/showthread.php?t=1478
doesn't sound overly serious, plus it's the left knee he tweaked, not his surgically re-built right knee.
bluemeanie
9-09-05, 4:19 PM
concerning...no? no.
Hatcher and Forsberg Injured
Read Panaccio tomorrow in the Philadlephia Inquirer...He just informed me that Hatcher will be out 3-6 weeks (knee) and Forsberg is having surgery on Monday (and will miss 2-3 weeks) for removal of bursa sac
Bursa sac? Must be some swedish thing.
Bursa sac? Must be some swedish thing.
Did they put that in when they took his spleen out?:laughing:
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