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UPDATED: Flyers Trade Possibilities, Hamhuis Rumors |
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Written by Mike Santa Barbara on Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:31
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*** Flyers Looking at Goaltenders ***
A few rumors have linked the Flyers to Dwayne Roloson. A few sources have said they are "close" to a deal. While others say there is "no shot." Gotta love the trade deadline.
As far as the Hamhuis rumors, they are still floating around, now with the Flyers maybe acquiring Dan Ellis along with Hamhuis.
Now that Emery is out for the year it seems to be a good guess that the Flyers will pick up a goaltender before the deadline. Although that isn't their only need, things could get interesting very quickly.
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Something is a brewin' in Flyerdom, that's for sure.
On Monday the Flyers put goaltender Ray Emery on the Long-Term Injury list. Also, waiving defensemen Danny Syvret and little used tough guy Riley Cote. This little cap-clean up has freed up a little over $2 Million for the Fly guys.
The Flyers are rumored to be looking for a scoring forward and a defensemen. Rumors the last 24 hours have been that a deal with the Nashville Predators for defensmen Dan Hamhuis is all but done. The rumored deal would send defensemen Ryan Parent to Nashville for Hamhuis. Parent if you remember, was actually traded to the Flyers from Nashville in the Peter Forsberg deal. Would be a great deal for the Flyers, though two things to consider. One, Hamhuis is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, I can't imagine the Flyers making the deal if they don't have a good chance at resigning him. Two, giving up only Parent seems a little flimsy, giving his alarming injury history at a young age it's hard to imagine he'd be the only piece in the deal.
The Flyers have also been rumored to be interested in Raffi Torres and Milan Jurcina of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Also, Atlanta Thrashers forward Colby Armstrong has been linked in rumors with the Flyers.
More to come later this afternoon.........
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Written by Joshua Bartle on Wednesday, 17 February 2010 20:22
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Only the Flyers could get themselves into a goaltending controversy that involves three goalies.
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Flyers Beat Habs Again; Emery's Injury Career Threatening? |
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Written by Mike Santa Barbara on Sunday, 14 February 2010 17:59
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The Flyers head into the Olympic break after two impressive home-and-home sweeps of the Devils and Habs.
The Flyers destroyed the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre 6-2, and it wasn't even that close. The Flyers ended whatever hopes the Habs had of winning the game after the 1st period, carrying a 3-0 lead into the break.
Without getting into a recap of the game, I'll just report on things that caught my eye.
1. The Habs aren't big enough
The Canadiens lost battle after battle in the corners and along the boards. A first period KO by Ian Lapierre seemed to make the Habs turtle into their shells. They simply can't play a banging type game, if they make the playoffs they'll be disposed of early. The physical nature of the Flyers made the Habs motionless, no one moving their feet, little to no fore-checking going on. And you can bet if they do make the playoffs, which ever team they draw will take a look at these last two games against the Flyers.
2. Flyers Defense is Getting Better
If the Habs do have an upside, it's their offense. And I realize they are without some important parts of their team, although, every team in the NHL must deal with injuries. The Flyers defense did a fantastic job of keeping things to the outside, and not giving guys room to skate. They did an especially good job of standing guys up at the blue-line. Also, recognizing what the Canadiens options offensively on the ice were and simply taking them away. To use a Football analogy, they made them one dimensional. Credit can't be taken away from Peter Laviolette for his line combo's, and doing a fantastic job of matching up lines, especially on the road.
3. Leighton is a Good Option, For Now
Mike Leighton has done a fantastic job in net for the injured Ray Emery. He's done everything they've asked him to do and then some. His confidence is clearly rising, and that can only be a good thing. For now Leighton is a good option, though the Flyers would be wise to keep looking around for a goaltender. Come playoff time, a battle tested goaltender can be the difference between a deep run, or a first round exit.
4. Montreal Journalists are the Worst
Montreal writer Mike Boone's disgusting article about the Flyers yesterday comparing watching them to "watching Hitler's Germany marching into Berlin Stadium in the 1936 Olympics," is simply irresponsible and uncalled for. More evidence that there has to be some sort of accountability in blogging. How this guy still has a job in beyond me. If you want to see a good recap on this check out my colleague from PhinallyPhilly.com, Dave Foley's piece here.
Emery's Injury Career Threatening?
The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that Ray Emery's injury may indeed be career threatening. Dr. Arthur Bartolozzi called the injury "career threatening." The Flyers have decided to rest Emery for the 3 week break, to see if his injury improves. Word is, if it dose not, surgery is the next option.
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Flyers Win Spirited Affair Against Beaten Up Habs |
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Written by Mike Santa Barbara on Saturday, 13 February 2010 01:15
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After sweeping a home-and-home against the front running New Jersey Devils the Fly guys jumped into another home-and-home against the Montreal Canadiens Friday Night at the Wachovia Center(Soon to be renamed the Wells Fargo Center.)
Coming into the game the Habs had just knocked off the Washington Capitals who have looked unbeatable lately. The loss ended the Caps 14 game winning streak. Also, the organization was in sort of an upheaval as earlier in the week Bob Gainey resigned as General Manager after 5 years at the helm. His replacement Pierre Gauthier wasted little time getting comfortable in his newly acquired GM chair. Making a deal Thursday for the much traveled Dominic Moore.
With injuries piling up and their GM jumping ship a trade for a player whose been on 7 teams in 7 years won't excite most fans. And "most fans" doesn't begin to describe Montreal Canadien fans, so you can imagine how they felt. And to part with a 2nd round pick to get him? Sure there weren't many Hab fans going out to purchase their Dominic Moore jersey's. Hard to believe this team had won 4 of 5 coming into Friday's contest with the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Flyers struck first with a goal by Jeff Carter, er um, I mean Scott Hartnell? There was a lot of mystery over who would get the goal. It seemed like it could be Carter's goal, then again it looks as if Hartnell tipped it in. When an official asked Hartnell if it was his goal he insisted it was Carters. So Carter was credited, then later on in the game they took another look at it and it was settled, Hartnell would get the goal.
Now that we've wasted an entire paragragh on one goal let's get back to the recap.
The Flyers took that long winded goal I just described into the locker room at the end of the 1st period, 1-0 Flyers.
The Flyers entered the 2nd period already on the power play and struck quickly. This time there was no doubt it was Jeff Carter's goal. As a slap shot from just inside the blue-line snuck between Montreal goaltender Carey Price's legs. 2-0 Flyers.
Just 2 minutes later Matt Carle scored on a dribbler from the point, that looked as if Aaron Asham may have touched it. However, after the Jeff Carter/Scott Hartnell goal fest they credited to Carle. 3-0 Flyers.
All seemed to be going well, the Flyers were rolling, the Habs were on their heels. The 2nd period came to a quick end and the Flyers took their 3-0 lead into the locker room.
However, just five minutes into the 3rd period the Habs had already struck twice. Once by former Flyer Glen Metropolit and the other goal coming from the fore mentioned Dominic Moore(paying dividends already.)
Now it was the Flyers who were on their heels. The Habs were all over the ice after Moore's goal, they had the legs, the Flyers were just trying to keep up. Then the Habs took a few penalties, giving the Flyers two chances at ,albeit short, two-man advantages.
The Flyers weren't able to capitalize on either.
With a little under a minute to go in the third Darrell Powe was nailed with a 5 minute major boarding penalty along with a game misconduct. Giving the Habs one more shot at tying the game. They weren't able to muster up any legit scoring chances and the Flyers held on for the 3-2 win.
After the game things got a little heated as tough guy Alaskan Scott Gomez decided to attack the equally as tough Kimmo Timonen? Timonen ended up recieving 2 minutes for roughing and a 10 minute misconduct. Gomez who was the aggressor received only 2 minutes. So basically Kimmo received 12 minutes of penalties for defending himself. And everyone complains when Dan Carcillo fights a willing participant in Marian Gaborik? Scott Gomez attacked Timonen over a pile of people, because he was angry his team lost. And he receives a slap on the wrist 2 minute rough? NHL officials have been a joke practically all season long when it comes to matters like this. And if they don't crack down soon, bad things are going to happen, players are going to get hurt. Call the game both ways and stop guessing. Hopefully the NHL officials will use the Olympic Break to review their refereeing manuals.
Also, since the penalties came with under 5 minutes to go, the league will review it. Also Powe's hit will be reviewed by the league for any possible suspensions.
Stay tuned.....because the fun continues Tomorrow night in Montreal for round 2!
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