With Pronger on patrol, What's Next for the Flyers?

Another team that pulled itself, in just a few years, out of the basement and rocketed back into contention, the Flyers this year looked like they were ready to rock n' roll like the Broad Street Bullies of Philly's glory days.

But, ah, goaltending...the wobbles of the waffle stoppers, Smarty Marty Biron and 'Auntie' Niittymaki (he of the thoroughly impossible to spell name) scotched their shot at the silver as the Pens popped 'em off in Round Numero Uno.

There were explanations: the injury to Mighty Mike Richards, among other things...but much is expected in the City of Brotherly Love.

And that darn salary cap...

So what happens going forward? Yahoo Sports gives us a look:

INSIDE SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

YAHOO SPORTS, JUNE 1 2009

If the Flyers are contemplating a blockbuster deal to land them a top-flight goaltender or All-Star defenseman, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren certainly isn’t showing his hand less than a month before the NHL draft.

Instead, Holmgren continues to maintain his goal this summer is to keep his top nine forwards intact while trying to strengthen the team on defense and in goal.

Does that mean Atlanta’s Kari Lehtonen will replace Marty Biron as the Flyers’ No. 1 goalie? Does it mean Florida’s Jay Bouwmeester will be united with Kimmo Timonen on the Flyers’ top defense pairing?

Reading between the lines, it appears Holmgren would not be opposed to keeping Biron between the pipes and freeing up enough money to chase a game-changing defenseman like Bouwmeester.

“I think we need to look at it and see,” Holmgren said when asked about improving the team’s blue line. “Kimmo is our security blanket and we’ve got some young guys, Ryan Parent, Matt Carle, Braydon Coburn and Luca Sbisa, scratching the surface. We will look at what’s available this summer and see if we can add to the strength of our defense. I think we have a good nucleus, but we need to build on it.”

As for his starting goaltender, Holmgren said he has had contract discussions with Biron’s agent, Gilles Lupien, and will continue those conversations “and see if we can get something done.”

Holmgren said he is also contemplating bringing back Antero Niittymaki as a backup next season, although that appears unlikely.

Season Highlight: In the greatest home comeback in the history of the franchise, the Flyers rallied from a 5-1 deficit after two periods on Dec. 11 to defeat visiting Carolina 6-5 in overtime.

Scott Hartnell completed a hat trick with two goals in the third period and Scottie Upshall and Simon Gagne also scored in the final period, setting the stage for Gagne’s game-winner in overtime.

Flyers fans in attendance were witnesses to history: It was the first time in Flyers history that the team trailed by four or more goals in a game at home and ended up winning the contest.

The only other time in club history that the team trailed by four or more goals in a game and won was Feb. 23, 1988 at Detroit, when the Flyers trailed 5-1 and wound up winning the game 11-6.

Scott Hartnell kicked off the comeback for Philadelphia with his second goal of the night less than two minutes into the third period and followed that up five minutes later for his third goal of the game to close the gap to 5-3.

“We came in (after the second period), and (coach John Stevens) basically said you’re playing like a bunch of pansies,” Hartnell said. “We turned it on for 20 minutes—you get one quick, you never know what’s going to happen.”

Turning Point: The Flyers held the fourth seed in the conference from Feb. 6 until the final weekend of the regular season, when a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers in the season finale dropped them from the fourth seed to the fifth, giving the Penguins home ice against them in the first round.

In the two losses the Flyers suffered in their final three games, they were forced to dress a defenseman with no prior pro experience because they were at the salary cap threshold.

“We lost home-ice advantage down the stretch, which was disappointing, and I really thought it cost us in the long run,” Flyers captain Mike Richards said.

Notes, Quotes

• Several members of the Flyers organization were saddened by the news of Peter Zezel’s death on May 26. Zezel began his 15-year NHL career with the Flyers in 1984 and played parts of five seasons with the club. He was 44.

“In the time that we were teammates in Philadelphia, he was probably one of the most popular guys, not just with the Flyers, but among all sports figures in Philadelphia,” former Flyer Rick Tocchet said. “Peter was a matinee idol. He was one of those guys who was infectious. He had a fan base of girls that in all the years I’ve played in the NHL, I have never seen a guy that had so many girls flock to him. He was very fan friendly. I never saw him turn down signing an autograph.”

• Even before the conference finals began, Flyers coach John Stevens was convinced the Red Wings and Penguins would butt helmets for the Stanley Cup, and this time he thinks the Penguins stand a better chance.

“I think Pittsburgh could give Detroit a run this year,” he said. “I think Detroit has been the best team and until they get dethroned, they are the best team, but I think Pitt can give them a run.”

Roster Report

Most Valuable Player: It’s a tossup between Mike Richards (30-50-80) and Jeff Carter (46-38-84), but we’ll take Richards for his overall two-way play. Richards scored a league-high seven shorthanded goals (Carter had four) and led all Flyers forwards in ice time with an average per game of 21:44. Look for those minutes to drop next season when the team tries to give him a breather on penalty kills.

Most Disappointing Player: Groin injuries limited center Danny Briere to just 29 games this season, and when he returned for good, the Flyers’ chemistry was disrupted. Briere put up decent numbers (11-14-25), but the Flyers were 11-14-4 when he was in the lineup and 33-13-7 when he was not.

“The team was running along pretty good without Danny,” GM Paul Holmgren said. “We had to get him in and all of a sudden roles change again. It’s difficult not only for the player but for the coaches and the other players when he comes back in.”

Free Agent Focus: Goaltenders Marty Biron and Antero Niittymaki, right wing Mike Knuble and defenseman Andrew Alberts are the Flyers’ four key unrestricted free agents. GM Paul Holmgren says he would like to keep all four, but look for them to have serious discussions with only Knuble and Biron.

At 36, Knuble is a veteran presence in the locker room who produced 27 goals and could be a good mentor for top prospect James van Riemsdyk. The New York Rangers have reportedly expressed interest in Knuble.

Biron is well-liked in the Flyers dressing room and played well enough in the playoffs to win, although not as well as Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury. The Flyers would like to sign a high-end goaltender, but there are no significant upgrades over Biron available.

If the Flyers free up money by trading Danny Briere or Joffrey Lupul, they might have the cash to re-sign Knuble and Biron.

Don’t be surprised if the Flyers turn their attention to unrestricted free agent John Madden in an attempt to find a gritty fourth-line center who can win faceoffs. The Flyers finished dead last among playoff teams with a 44.3 percent success rate on draws. Madden can also take away some of the ice time Mike Richards has logged on the penalty kill.

Player News:

• LW Simon Gagne, just five days after witnessing the birth of his first child, a boy named Matthew, was back in the hospital May 28 having a bone spur and adhesions removed from his right hip.

Gagne underwent the procedure by Nashville specialist Thomas Byrd and felt well enough to board a flight back to Philadelphia the same night.

According to general manager Paul Holmgren, Gagne will require a recovery period of 4-6 weeks.

“I feel pretty good,” Gagne said. “Maybe two or three hours after the surgery, I was back at the hotel having lunch.”

Gagne, 29, said he felt some pain in his hip throughout the season, but not enough to keep him out of the lineup. After missing all but 25 games with concussion symptom the year before, Gagne played in 79 of the Flyers’ 82 games this season, finishing second on the team in goals with 34 and third in points with 74.

• Having been bothered by his contacts drying up during games and encouraged by the progress of Gagne, Flyers center Danny Briere underwent corrective eye surgery May 19.

“There were times during the games this season it was kind of annoying when I was wearing contact lenses,” Briere said. “They would get dry and start to bother me a little bit sitting on the bench. They told me it was a safe procedure and would be safe to play hockey.”

Gagne had the same procedure performed May 5 and now has 20/20 vision.

Briere’s procedure is called PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and takes about seven minutes per eye. The primary difference between PRK and LASIK procedures is that PRK requires a few weeks before the patient has 20/20 vision, while LASIK surgery produces results in just a few days.

Briere, 31, recorded 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 29 regular-season games for the Flyers and added one goal and three assists in six playoff games. He missed 53 games due to a groin injury.

Medical Watch:

• C Mike Richards underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and is scheduled for left shoulder surgery on May 18.

• LW Riley Cote underwent surgery on his finger on April 7.

• D Randy Jones is recovering from hip surgery.

---

How do the Flyers look to you?

504Heater wrote:Get a real goalie and let it ride. No changes needed.

Emery would suit their style. How's the nightlife in Philly? It's got to be better than Buffalo, right?

wprager wrote:

504Heater wrote:Get a real goalie and let it ride. No changes needed.

Emery would suit their style. How's the nightlife in Philly? It's got to be better than Buffalo, right?

There style is a guy who can stop the puck, Emery can't do that. JS Giguere is the guy they would be going after. JVD and something else should be able to get it done.

Emery can stop the puck better than Biron. Hextall could also teach him a few stick-tricks so he can keep his crease clear without resorting to whining to the officials.

wprager wrote:Emery can stop the puck better than Biron. Hextall could also teach him a few stick-tricks so he can keep his crease clear without resorting to whining to the officials.

I would take Biron over Emery in a heart beat. There are so many fundimental flaws in Emery's game it was shocking to see last year in Ottawa.

Forget the off ice garbage, teams figured him out. The new Jim Carey,

From Tim Panaccio at Comcast Sports Philadelphia:

Flyers to Sign G Emery

Tim Panaccio, CSNPhilly.com, June 3, 2009

PITTSBURGH – Barring a collapse in negotiations, the Flyers are expected to sign Ray Emery as their starting goalie for next season.

Several general managers at the Stanley Cup Final consider the matter a “done deal.” Emery was Ottawa’s property until released by the Senators last June.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren declined to confirm what others are saying at the Cup Final.

“We’ve had conversations with his agent [J.P. Barry] about a lot of things,” Holmgren said. “But I’m not going to comment on our internal discussions of players.”

Barry told CSNPhilly.com he is confident a contract will get done.

"We have been talking several weeks now," Barry said from Calgary, Alberta. "Paul has done due diligence on Ray. I'm hopeful it will lead to a contract."

Ottawa GM Bryan Murray told CSNPhilly.com that Emery, who has a complicated off-ice history, deserves a second chance.

“Philadelphia has always had great teams, it’s a very good organization, and they certainly treat their players first class,” Murray said. “I think Ray, or whoever went there, falls into the groove a little bit. Ottawa was the same.

“He went to Russia, and from what I understand, he had a very good year. He’s young. He certainly has ability.”

A martial arts expert who set a junior club record for fighting – a rarity for a goalie – the 26-year-old Emery spent five seasons with the Senators before going to Russia. He was drafted 99th overall by Ottawa in 2001 under then GM John Muckler.

Playing for Atlant Mytischi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) last season, Emery posted a 2.12 goals against average and .920 save percentage with a record of 22-8.

Emery can’t sign until July 1 even though he is coming from Russia and not another NHL team.

“Ray's status as a veteran UFA in the NHL doesn't allow him to sign a contract for a future year until July 1,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an e-mail to CSNPhilly.com.

Upon his return from Russia in late March, Emery had his driver’s license suspended for a week and was charged with “stunt driving” on Hwy. 416 in Ontario. Grenville County Ontario Provincial Police impounded his Hummer.

“He drove too fast,” Murray said. “Sometimes he was out later than he should have been. He missed a plane. Once or twice only.”

In June 2007, Emery was involved in an alleged road-rage incident with a 65-year-old Kanata resident. In February 2008, Ottawa police stopped Emery after he allegedly cut off one of their police cars. Emery later admitted on television he had been stopped by police about 30 times over a two-year period.

It was reported in Russia that Emery has cleaned up his act. The Flyers, others say, have done thorough research on Emery while he was in Russia and believe the worst is behind him. Murray said Emery’s problems in Ottawa tended to be magnified.

“He didn’t have many problems on the ice other than there was a little stretch when he didn’t play as well as he had been playing for us,” Murray said. “He’s a good goaltender. He’s a good athlete. He had issues where he tried to do more off the ice than he should have done.”

Would Emery be a sound investment for the Flyers? Murray was very direct on the matter.

“Well, he wasn’t in Ottawa because he was scrutinized so much,” Murray replied. “He missed a plane in Ottawa and every media person knew about it and wrote about it. When you are late for practice, we have 30 press guys in the stands with TV cameras going. They see that happen.

“You’d like to think and I believe this to be true. With every young man you’ve dealt with, that as they get older, a little more maturity about them, a little more experience and commitment, I think you learn to follow the rules better. Maybe we make them almost too automated. In some respects.”

Murray, like other GMs here, believe the Russian experience may have made Emery appreciate what he had here in the NHL.

“Maybe Ray going to Russia was a good experience for him and maybe now he wants to come back and be a real solid pro,” Murray said.

Emery carried the Senators into the Cup Final in 2007 against Anaheim. So what happened the season after?

“I don’t know why Ray got out of whack the way he did,” Murray said. “The year before (2007), he certainly was a young man on the rise and looked like a solid goaltender for a lot of years in the National Hockey League.”

There were various rumors about Emery’s off-ice behavior during the 2007 Cup Final.

“I didn’t hear that and being the coach at the time, I didn’t see that and maybe my eyes were closed,” Murray admitted. “I don’t know if it was true or not. But some months later, I heard a couple stories. We hear stories all the time about our athletes. Some are exaggerated a great deal, some are proven true.

“The only game he didn’t play good in [during the Final] was the final game. We took a couple penalties early, got behind and we got blown out. Every playoff game, with the except of a few goals, he was as good as you would expect from a young goaltender.”

One Western Conference GM said Emery deserves some Brotherly Love from Philadelphia if he signs.

“Every person deserves a second chance and this guy has cleaned up his act,” the GM said. “Tell me you haven’t done something bad when you were younger and got a second chance? Why should Emery be any different?”

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net.

Neely4Life wrote:

wprager wrote:Emery can stop the puck better than Biron. Hextall could also teach him a few stick-tricks so he can keep his crease clear without resorting to whining to the officials.

I would take Biron over Emery in a heart beat. There are so many fundimental flaws in Emery's game it was shocking to see last year in Ottawa.

Forget the off ice garbage, teams figured him out. The new Jim Carey,

Agreed... high blocker side = goal... book it.

Cross crease pass he is done too. Get him going post to post it's over. Emery has such a low hockey IQ its kind of sad. He has tons of trouble reading the play and anticipating what's coming.

Biron and Emery.... where could this go?

:fighting:

Just watch...Emery might come back and make his critics look like fools...or not.

Such is Hockey Karma.

I dont think there is any shot Emery could win with a poor team in front of him, no shot. Going to Colorado on a short term contract would be suicide. Philly he has a shot to succeed, but I still think he will drop the ball.

Neely4Life wrote:I dont think there is any shot Emery could win with a poor team in front of him, no shot. Going to Colorado on a short term contract would be suicide. Philly he has a shot to succeed, but I still think he will drop the ball.

Emery's a much better fit in Philly. Both personally and professionally. He and Mike Richards will rock the casbah. The babes in Philly will love The Rayzor.

I feel so vindicated all of a sudden

I also think that we will see a different player. He *is* and *will be* better than Biron. I garentee it.

He's def not better than Biron.

Will hockey mom Sarah Palin get invited back next season?

Neely4Life wrote:He's def not better than Biron.

I disagree, and just because of that, you are wrong and I am right.

There, do you understand now?

Umm, bud, Emery has had ONE good year in the NHL and Biron has been solid for years. Biron is a better goaltender, better fundimentals, reads the play better 10 fold.

TSN has their off-season game plan for the Flyers up...

Source: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=280729

Off-Season Game Plan: Flyers

Despite a first-round playoff exit, the Philadelphia Flyers have a quality young roster that should be in contention for years to come, so long as budgetary issues don't hold them back.

Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Flyers can do to get over the hump.

While accumulating talent over the past couple of seasons, the Flyers have issued some sizeable long-term deals, putting them in a challenging cap position this summer.

The first order of business for the Flyers should be sorting out their goaltending situation, as the top three goaltenders in the organization (Martin Biron, Antero Niittymaki and Scott Munroe) are all unrestricted free agents.

Furthermore, given the rumours around the trade deadline, the Flyers would figure to enter into the Jay Bouwmeester sweepstakes, which is obviously going to be a high-stakes game and one that doesn't seem to fit with the Flyers' budget.

However, the Flyers have proven to be creative in their efforts to make blockbuster moves and maneouvre around salary cap restrictions, so it would be foolhardy to discount their potential involvement in major moves this summer.

Given their finish in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff pack, the Flyers probably need another big splash that can lift them to the next level of top Cup contenders.

GM/COACH - Paul Holmgren/John Stevens

Returning Forwards

Player Rating Salary
Mike Richards 89.22 $5.6M
Jeff Carter 87.99 $5.0M
Simon Gagne 83.37 $5.25M
Scott Hartnell 76.70 $4.2M
Claude Giroux 74.00 $850K
Joffrey Lupul 73.89 $4.25M
Daniel Briere 73.28 $8.0M
Arron Asham 63.36 $640K
Darroll Powe 61.35 $533K
Daniel Carcillo 60.60 $938K
Riley Cote 54.22 $525K

Free Agent Forwards

Player Rating Class '08-'09 Salary
Mike Knuble 73.14 UFA $2.8M

Top Prospects: James van Riemsdyk (17-23-40, plus-14 in 36 GP; New Hampshire-HE), Andreas Nodl (6-14-20, even in 39 GP; Philadelpia-AHL), Jonathan Matsumoto (29-34-63, minus-12 in 7 GP; Philadelphia-AHL), Patrick Maroon (23-31-54, plus-2 in 80 GP; Philadelphia-AHL)

Mike Richards built on his 75-point season in 2007-2008 with an 80-point campaign on 2008-2009. He's a premier two-way player who does it all; leading the league in shorthanded goals while also putting up 33 power play points. Of some concern is that Richards' hell-bent style of play may already be taking a toll on his body and he's had surgery on both shoulders this off-season.

In his fourth NHL season, Jeff Carter emerged as an elite goal-scorer, leading the Flyers with 46 goals, 84 points and a plus-23 rating. Along with Richards, Carter should be a cornerstone for Philadelphia to build around.

Riding shotgun with Carter, Scott Hartnell enjoyed the best year of his career, notching a career-best 30 goals and 60 points. He's not shy about getting involved physically, so Hartnell can be a major pain to play against.

Simon Gagne returned from a concussion-plagued 2007-2008 season to re-establish his credentials as a top scoring winger. In addition to his 74 points, Gagne was a double-digit plus player (plus-21) for the seventh time in nine NHL seasons.

An impressive second-half audition has quickly created great expectations for Claude Giroux, the smooth playmaker who showed some grit in the postseason as well. Though he scored 27 points in 42 games, Giroux could be a big-time scorer soon.

Joffrey Lupul is as streaky as they come, yet still finished with more than 20 goals for the third time in his five-year career. With a contract extension kicking in for next season, though, Lupul needs to put up more than 50 points to provide a decent return on investment.

Injuries limited Daniel Briere to just 29 games, but he still put up 25 points. Briere could still be a serious point producer in the right situation, but he may not be able to provide a great return investment since the Flyers already have a couple of point-per-game pivots. As such, Briere could be a candidate to be moved, despite his no-movement clause.

Gritty Arron Asham hasn't lost any of his combative spirit, racking up a career-high 17 fights and 155 penalty minutes, while chipping in 20 points. The veteran provides good value on the fourth line.

Darroll Powe established himself as an NHLer, hustling and hitting for 60 games. He definitely adds some grit, but needs to improve if he's going to play a bigger role.

After showing some offensive promise in his rookie season in 2007-2008, havoc-wreaking Daniel Carcillo couldn't get going last season and managed just three goals and 14 points, split between Phoenix and Philadelphia. With so many talented forwards in Philadelphia, there should be a complementary role for Carcillo that gives him a chance to be a 20-goal scorer.

Riley Cote takes on all comers, accumulating 22 fights last season, but he doesn't have the size of the league's true heavyweights and has just one goal in 141 career games, so he should remain in a limited role.

The Flyers have lots of talent up front, with more on the way in the body of James van Riemsdyk, but someone may need to be moved in order to create cap room that will allow for other acquisitions.

Returning Defencemen

Player Rating Salary
Kimmo Timonen 78.36 $7.0M
Braydon Coburn 74.11 $1.4M
Matt Carle 72.17 $3.5M
Randy Jones 66.53 $3.0M
Ryan Parent 62.35 $765K
Mike Rathje N/A $3.5M

Free Agent Defencemen

Player Rating Class '08-'09 Salary
Andrew Alberts 66.44 UFA $1.4M
Derian Hatcher N/A UFA $3.5M

Top Prospects: Luca Sbisa (4-11-15, minus-4 in 19 GP; Lethbridge-WHL), Kevin Marshall (9-29-38, plus-23 in 61 GP; Quebec-QMJHL), Mike Ratchuk (5-12-17, minus-7 in 77 GP; Philadelphia-AHL)

Veteran Kimmo Timonen is a reliable workhorse, but he also finished with a career-low three goals, not scoring after the first week of December. Now 34, Timonen will benefit from additional help and maturity in the supporting cast.

Braydon Coburn didn't develop as expected, yet still logged big minutes on the Flyers blueline. He possesses a rare combination of size, mobility and passing ability, so he should be more productive than he was last season. He'll also be a veritable bargain for one more year.

Though the shine has come off Matt Carle somewhat after his 42-point rookie season in 2006-2007, he generally played well for the Flyers after coming over in an early-season trade from Tampa Bay. He's not physical, at all, but is certainly capable of moving the puck effectively for 20-plus minutes per game.

A hip injury limited Randy Jones to just 47 games, but he performed well in his shortened season and he's valuable because he has the size, mobility and skill to contribute in any situation.

Ryan Parent is on the verge of a full-time role after a couple of partial seasons and he showed well late last year, working in a shutdown role. Next season should be an opportunity for him to have a real impact as a defensive presence for an entire season.

Mike Rathje hasn't played since 2006-2007, yet still has a year remaining on his contract, so he'll presumably spend another season on the Long Term Injury list, leaving the Flyers room under the cap.

While this is a solid group, don't be surprised if the Flyers renew their pursuit for Jay Bouwmeester, who was reportedly in the Flyers' sights before the trade deadline. If not Bouwmeester, adding a physical presence like Mike Komisarek might have some appeal as well.

Additionally, Luca Sbisa could bid for a spot again, after spending a promising half season in the NHL before he was returned to his junior team.

Free Agent Goaltenders

Player Rating Class '08-'09 Salary
Martin Biron 75.09 UFA $3.5M
Antero Niittymaki 71.73 UFA $1.375M

Top Prospect: Johan Backlund (2.56 GAA, .907 SVPCT, 4 SO in 49 GP; Timra-SEL)

Goaltending has been a trouble spot for the Flyers and, while Martin Biron has provided stability, he's not at the elite level of starting goaltenders in the league. If the Flyers decide to go in another direction, there seems little doubt that Biron will land a starting job elsewhere because he's proven that he's certainly capable of starting for a playoff team.

Antero Niittymaki has improved over the last couple seasons, to the point that he might be able to challenge for a starting job somewhere, but that would require a leap of faith for it to be the Flyers since Biron's numbers have been better behind the same defence for the last two seasons.

With a blank slate in goal, the Flyers could take a shot at a free agent like Nikolai Khabibulin or Ray Emery. If trade deadline rumours are to be believed, there also could be interest in dealing for Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen. Depending on the cost, Biron could end up being the most reasonable option.

DRAFT
21st - Carter Ashton, David Rundblad, Louis LeBlanc.

FREE AGENCY
The Flyers have approximately $51-million committed to salaries for next season.

Needs: Depth forwards, one top four defenceman, another defenceman, two goaltenders

What I said the Flyers needed last year: One top four defenceman

Who did they add? Darroll Powe, Ossi Vaananen, Luca Sbisa.

TRADE MARKET
Daniel Briere, Joffrey Lupul, James van Riemsdyk, Randy Jones.

Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@ctv.ca

--

Sources say Flyers to announce Emery deal today

ED MORAN, Philadelphia Daily News, June 10, 2009
morane@phillynews.com

Negotiations with Marty Biron have not ended, but when the Flyers announce today that they have a deal in place to sign free-agent goalie Ray Emery, it is likely to hasten the conclusion.

According to team sources yesterday, a deal has been reached that will make Emery a Flyer for 1 year and pay him $1.5 million.

The deal will not be signed until July 1, when the NHL's free-agency period begins.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren is scheduled to meet the media this morning at 11 at the team's practice facility in Voorhees, N.J., to discuss the deal and the thinking behind signing Emery. Emery was bought out of his last contract with the Ottawa Senators after off-ice problems caused a rift with the team. He was the goalie when the Senators went to the Stanley Cup finals in 2007.

Emery played in Russia last season.

Biron is reportedly seeking a 5-year deal worth at least $5 million a year. That kind of contract is more than the Flyers can handle under the current salary cap.

The Flyers still have to decide if they want to sign unrestricted free agent forward Mike Knuble and are still very interested in signing Florida free agent defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.

Several teams are believed to be talking with Florida about a trade that would give them the contract rights to Bouwmeester before the free agent market opens; the Flyers are one of those teams.

Flyers Comcast Sports Net reporter Tim Panaccio talks with new Flyer Ray Emery.

ONE ON ONE WITH RAY EMERY
Tim Panaccio/CSNPhilly.com, June 12, 2009

This is a Q&A with Flyers goalie Ray Emery conducted Thursday afternoon via telephone from his home in Ottawa. We discussed topics not addressed at Wednesday's introductory press conference. Subjects included how playing in Russia differed from the NHL, how he can make a difference with the Flyers, being African-Canadian and his use of recreational drugs.

Tim Panaccio: Why Russia and not the Swedish Elite League or another European league?

Ray Emery: Russia was the best option. I didn’t know what to expect. They had a new league starting up and a lot of bigger-named players going there than they had in the past. They offered me a good deal. It was take-it-or-leave-it at the time, so I took it.

TP: Were you looking to make it harder on yourself by going to Russia -- to be challenged? It’s a harsh way of life over there.

RE: Not really. It wasn’t harder. It was a little easier than the previous year I had [in Ottawa].

TP: Did it make you a better person and more appreciative of the NHL?

RE: Yeah, yeah, in different ways. I definitely appreciated the competition you have here [in the NHL]. The way players are treated here is a lot different than over there. The main thing was their lifestyle. Just [having] conversations with people and being around people you are familiar with and being close to family. Things like that were pretty tough.

TP: You said in an interview last summer [with ESPN.com] you were trying to hide from people. Can you explain that?

RE: The last little while I was here and even that year [2006-07] we had some success in Ottawa, sometimes it got to be overwhelming, especially in Canada, when not much is happening. It’s nice to be able to go for a beer and no one is asking to pose for pictures or asking for this and screaming or whatever they’re doing. I got kind of drained after a couple years. It got to the point, especially when things started turning negative, it was uncomfortable for me to be in public.

TP: Your agent [J.P. Barry] said you had a close relationship with him for a long time, then stopped talking to him when things went wrong and eventually wrote him a letter asking for help. Talk a little about that.

RE: I had a tough time and was just, you know, I just stuck to myself. I thought I could work myself out of tough stuff that was happening. I kind of got away from a lot of people; family, friends, everything. That’s how it came about. Like you said, we had a real good relationship before that. I knew I wanted to stay with J.P. I knew him well, knew his family and everybody there. I came back and asked him to give me another shot and swing this thing around.

TP: How long were you in anger management counseling and what did it do for you?

RE: I was in anger management for the league back in 2001 or something like that. But I was seeing a sports psychologist and different people along that line. Not really an anger team, but just overall dealing with life. I found a lot of good ways of looking at things. Solutions for when things come about. It was a take-it-or-leave-it type of thing. When you talk to professionals like that, you can take a lot of things from it.

TP: The Flyers said they did a lot of background checking on you when you were in Ottawa and afterward. I remember covering the final against Anaheim. There were a lot of rumors you were using recreational drugs at that time. The Flyers say you are a clean guy and they’ve gotten clean reports. Was that true at the time?

RE: Ah, no, I don’t think it was true at the time.

TP: Had you used recreational drugs in Ottawa before?

RE: Ah, I mean, I’ve lived I think a pretty average adolescent life, and that’s as far as I want to get into that.

TP: Looking back on Ottawa, do you feel you made yourself a target? Or did people target you because you were different?

RE: A little of both. I was the toast of the town because I was different, for a while something a little different. When things started to go bad, it was easier to throw me down that much quicker because I was different in a lot of ways. It was a good thing when it started and then it got that much worse when things turned negative, I think.

TP: Was it harder on you being African-Canadian in Ottawa than it would have been for another player?

RE: Like I said, that’s kind of the same question like I said when things went wrong. I don’t think people identified with me, you know? If someone looks like you, does the same things that you do and you kind of get a feel for them and it’s a lot easier to give them the benefit of the doubt when something goes wrong. If they don’t, you don’t know anyone who has been into those types of things, looks like that, talks like that, whatever. It’s a lot easier to kind of dismiss something ... that’s the same reason why people loved me up here. I maybe brought something different to their hockey entertainment or whatever.

TP: The Flyers have lacked intensity on the ice and in the dressing room to “get up” for games for several years now. Is this one area where Ray Emery can make a critical difference?

RE: Yeah, definitely. When a goalie is into a game, when a goalie is fiery about things and ready to roll, I think all the guys kind of rally around that and that’s one of the things I am good at. When the boys see that I am ready to go, I got a lot of buddies on the team, it’s a lot easier to get up when you are playing for the guy [sitting] beside you. Guys are really into it. They don’t want to let anyone down.

TP: When you left Ottawa, did you leave on good terms with some of the guys you had spats with?

RE: I never really had any problems with the guys. We got into [things] at practice but those guys were all my best friends. It’s like a brother almost. You’re fighting in the afternoon and then you’re hanging out playing video games that night or something. I don’t have any problems with anyone here in Ottawa. I’ve been flying around with them this summer, all the boys, golfing and going to movies and different things. We have a pretty tight group here.

TP: You played with Denis Bodrov in Russia. He’s one of the Flyers’ prospects they have had trouble signing. What did you think of him as a player?

RE: Yeah, I talked to Paul [Holmgren]. We call him Bob over there. He’s a smart defenseman, a big dude. He can definitely play the game. I think he is a way’s away from coming over here to play. But they can definitely turn him into a player.

TP: Robert Esche’s nickname here was “Silent Bob” because he didn’t talk during the playoffs one year.

RE: I was buddies with him over there, too.

TP: Yeah, the two of you went to the Russian outdoor All-Star Game. That must have been a very different experience than an NHL All-Star Game.

RE: I’ve never been to the NHL All-Star Game, but was in an American League one once. [The Russian game] was outdoors. We had a North American team and Russian team. It was all right. We had a good time, a big banquet. But it was minus-18 out there. We were outside for like seven hours. We were freezing. It was beautiful.

TP: How many people there?

RE: There weren’t very many, about 1,500 people or something like that. That rink they built sits about 2,000.

TP: Barry Smith told me one of the odd things about this Russian league is that you had these millionaire athletes in these Spartan conditions. Was it unusual, to say the least, in that environment?

RE: Yeah, there is a big difference. Even in the league there are teams with a $40 million payroll and teams with a $4 million payroll. There are teams you have great games against and some teams it’s not even a challenge. It’s a challenge to get into the small towns they are playing in and spend a day there. It’s the same thing with hotels. There’s Ritz-Carlton’s in Moscow and then there’s well, I don’t think they would let people [here] stay in some of the hotels we stayed in, some of the smaller cities that don’t really have hotels. There is a big discrepancy between the nice spots and the tough ones. If I didn’t have to go to some of those places, I wouldn’t. But it was good to see and experience and it was a good thing for me.

TP: Where are you going to live – Jersey or Philly?

RE: I’m not sure. They’re half and half how guys are split up, guys in Philly and some guys down past the practice facility. I’m going to check out my options and go from there.

Ray is a changed man by the sounds of it, wish him the best.

Ill take Biron over Emery every day of the week. People seem to froget Emery couldnt stop a shot to save his life last year, and even he was successful he was an average goaltender.

Emery is the most over rated (on ice) goaltender to play in the league since Jim Carey.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Umm, bud, Emery has had ONE good year in the NHL and Biron has been solid for years. Biron is a better goaltender, better fundimentals, reads the play better 10 fold.

I couldn't disagree more. Emery is better than Biron. Immediate upgrade for the Flyers.

Now I hear that Esche has joined the Flyers. Not elite goaltending, but an upgrade IMO.

If either (or both) of these can reporduce the success they had in Russia, the Flyers will be benefitting from some bargain basement pricing in goal. More than anything, being able to stay competitive while not breaking the bank on Biron will help the Flyers in other areas.

davetherave wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:I dont think there is any shot Emery could win with a poor team in front of him, no shot. Going to Colorado on a short term contract would be suicide. Philly he has a shot to succeed, but I still think he will drop the ball.

Emery's a much better fit in Philly. Both personally and professionally. He and Mike Richards will rock the casbah. The babes in Philly will love The Rayzor.

Who's the post-op tranny sitting on Richards' lap?

hemlock wrote:



Who's the post-op tranny sitting on Richards' lap?

You can always write a letter to Mike Richards and ask him...

Mike Richards
c/o Zack Hill, Senior Director of Communications
Philadelphia Flyers
3601 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
United States

davetherave wrote:

hemlock wrote:



Who's the post-op tranny sitting on Richards' lap?

You can always write a letter to Mike Richards and ask him...

Mike Richards
c/o Zack Hill, Senior Director of Communications
Philadelphia Flyers
3601 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
United States

lol. I'm surprised you took the time to dig this info up. Thanks though, but I don't need to know that badly

Comcast Sports Network in Philadelphia reports on the Flyers, their objectives and UFA intentions...including JayBo:

Flyers Ready for Another Run at JayBo
Tim Panaccio, CSNPhilly.com, June 17, 2009

JayBo is a goner, and the move likely will happen at next week’s NHL draft in Montreal.

That was the candid opinion of Flyers’ general manager Paul Holmgren, Wednesday, as he met with reporters to talk about the upcoming draft in Montreal.

“I’d say there’s probably a good chance of that happening,” Holmgren said at Skate Zone, when asked whether Florida will deal defenseman Jay Bouwmeester’s rights next week.

Just as they were in the hunt during the March trade deadline, the Flyers are one of several clubs expected to make a strong pitch for the 25-year-old blue liner.

Most of the questions asked of Holmgren concerned the Flyers’ defensive shortcomings, lack of a backup goalie, and whether or not they plan to re-sign key veterans, such as Mike Knuble.

It’s very likely that Panthers assistant GM Randy Sexton, who is handling the club’s chores with Bill Torrey, will try to arrange something along the lines of what the Flyers negotiated with Nashville in June 2007: getting the rights to Kimmon Timonen and Scott Hartnell, then signing both before the July 1 free agent period began.

It gave the Flyers the jump on everyone, although people seem to forget that Bob Clarke did the very same thing in 2001 by arranging a trade for Jeremy Roenick with then-Phoenix GM Cliff Fletcher a few days before free agency period began on July 1.

“What we did with Timonen? I’m not sure what Florida is thinking,” Holmgren said. “We had a specific time frame when we talked with Nashville to sign those players. We had different deals for different guys. I’m not sure [what carries over] ... Bouwmeester is a young guy kind of in his prime here.

“I think the trade market is going to be very active.”

No one knows what JayBo will command, given he earned $4.875 million last season. The Flyers are about $6 million under the anticipated cap of $56.7 million or so, but they have other players to re-sign and would need to move salary.

“I’m not sure,” Holmgren said of what Bouwmeester would cost. “That’s a good question. He is certainly, because of the position he plays and his age, he’s a little different animal.”

A 6-foot-4, 212-pound animal the Flyers would like on their blue line.

There is some debate whether the Flyers need more scoring or more toughness from their defense. They received a league-low 20 goals – including Ossi Vaananen, who was traded – from their defense.

“As our defense continues to develop and fall in line with how we play, I think we’ll score more,” Holmgren said. “Braydon Coburn is still scratching the surface. I think Matt Carle will fit in here.

“Jonesy [Randy Jones] was not a healthy player last year. And Kimmo chipped in [43] points and will do the same and even better if we play a more up-tempo, aggressive style. Which I know John wants to do.

“I look at the two teams in the Stanley Cup finals, and when you get to that point in the season, the team that wins is the team that comes together as a unit and competes and sacrifices for each other.

“I don’t think Pittsburgh’s defense, other than [Brooks] Orpik being a heavy hitter, is much different than ours. They’re mobile, they move the puck. [Rob] Scuderi is like Ryan Parent. Not much different than Parent in his ability to defend. He doesn’t put up a lot of points. Hal Gill is a great big guy who is a defender.”

Pittsburgh also had Sergei Gonchar, an offensive weapon the Flyers and many other NHL clubs lack on the blue line. Gonchar made an enormous difference to the Pens once he returned the lineup this season from a shoulder injury.

“I like our defense,” Holmgren said. “I think we are on the right path here. Does that mean we won’t try to look at adding a different element? No. I recognize the fact we don’t have a big hammer back there, who makes life uncomfortable for the other team. That’s easier said than done sometimes.”

Re-signings
Holmgren said that goalie Marty Biron is changing agents, but the club remains in the dark as to what Biron wants in terms of money or length of contract, and time is running out; he added that the club still would consider re-signing Antero Niittymaki.

Interestingly, Holmgren said if the team re-signs Scott Munroe, he doesn’t see him backing up Ray Emery. Which sort of opens the door for … Robert Esche “if” he can void the final year of his Russian deal, which the NHL frowns upon unless the Russian club is compensated.

SKA St. Petersburg coach Barry Smith says Esche owes him another year, or any NHL team signing him has to fork over a goalie.

“He played both years [in Russia],” Holmgren said of Esche. “He’s changed. I talked to him for a couple hours last week. I think he is a different guy. Older, more mature. I think his family is a bigger issue in his life now. I think he struggled with things back at the end of his time here.”

Holmgren would like to re-sign Knuble before July 1, but there is no agreement on length of contract as of yet. Same for Andrew Alberts.

Hunting the puck
Holmgren said he told coach John Stevens to come up with a new offensive scheme that is going to test the Flyers’ energy level.

“I want us to be more aggressive,” Holmgren said he told Stevens. “I talked to John right after the season … The next time we met, I wanted him to come back and show me how we’re going be more aggressive.

“I think we’re on the same page in that regard. I would assume our team next year will be more of a hunt-the-puck team than we were this year. We’re not a passive team, but that is the game now.

“You hunt the puck in all zones, whether on the forecheck or coming back. The way you backtrack through the neutral zone. Pressure the puck on all sides. I think we’re a better skating team than people give us credit for and we need to take advantage of that.”

Staying put?
The Flyers have the 21st pick in the draft and while Holmgren admitted he would like to trade up, he said he would also consider trading down so he could get multiple picks in the second round.

The Flyers have no picks in the second round and no picks in the fourth round. Holmgren said see big gaps in the talent available between the 10th and 21st picks, either.

Lyle 'Spector' Richardson weighs on the latest re: the Flyers and JayBo.

Flyers Interested in Bouwmeester
Lyle Richardson, SpectorsHockey.net, June 17, 2009

Despite limited salary cap space for next season the Philadelphia Flyers are believed interested in landing Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Get the details on this and other Flyers trade and free agent news.

CSNPHILLY.COM: John Boruk reports a league source claims Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester has a "wish list" of six teams to the Panthers he'd prefer sign with, and the Philadelphia Flyers are supposedly on that list.

Tim Panaccio reports Flyers GM Paul Holmgren believes Bouwmeester's rights could be dealt prior to July 1st, possibly by the NHL entry draft next week. Panaccio believes it's very likely the Panthers will try to shop Bouwmeester's right akin to similiar moves made by the Nashville Predators two years ago when they dealt the rights of Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell to the Flyers in mid-June.

Panaccio reports it's unknown how much Bouwmeester, a UFA on July 1st, is seeking for a contract but Boruk reports it's believed he'll seek a long-term contract worth over $7 million per season.

PHILLY.COM: Sam Carchidi reports Holmgren would have to move a player to free up cap space (perhaps Joffrey Lupul?) for a draft pick if he hopes to pursue a potential UFA defenseman like Jay Bouwmeester. Mike Komisarek would also be available but Holmgren said he believed the Montreal Canadiens were trying to re-sign him.

Holmgren also said he's exploring moving up or down in the draft (he holds the 21st overall pick) and is also trying to acquire a second round pick, having dealt his away in 2008 for Vinny Prospal.

Meanwhile, Danny Briere declined to comment on a report the Flyers were shopping him to the Canadiens and LA Kings, Holmgren said he's had talks with former Flyers goalie Robert Esche, the club is still talking with Mike Knuble, Andrew Alberts and Antero Niittymaki while Martin Biron has changed agents.

SUN-SENTINEL.COM: Steve Gorten reports reports Florida Panthers assistant GM Randy Sexton said he's spoken with every general manager in the league regarding potential trades, including a trade of impending UFA Jay Bouwmeester.

Sexton said he's still in frequent contact with Bouwmeester's agent but declined to comment further.

Bouwmeester's agent Bryon Baltimore meanwhile denied giving the Panthers a list of teams his client would like to play for but would be open to discussing that with the Panthers. Baltimore also said Bouwmeester would prefer to return to Western Canada but isn't limiting himself to where he could go.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: I also believe Bouwmeester's rights could be shopped by next weekend and whichever team lands him could have him quickly re-signed. If it's the Flyers they'll definitely need to move some salary to free up cap space but remember, they can be over the cap by up to ten percent during the off-season just as long as they're back under it before the start of next season. That means they don't have to make a trade right away to free up that cap space.

Just add a defenceman. They're set at forward and obviously they're looking at Emery.

Timonen and Coburn are very good defencemen. Carle's alright. Sbisa's a good young'un. So is Parent.

I'd still look at moving one of their forwards to either create space for a defenceman signing or to acquire a defenceman in a trade.

They're a very deep team. Not sure about Stevens as a coach though.

I don't know if this has been discussed, and I'm sorry if it has been.

Michel Langevin, journalist, a good friend of Daniel Briere (both Gatineau natives) has a program on CKAC Sports (montreal radio). He called Daniel brière last week and Brière told him that he had a call from Holmgren, telling him to stay calm, because he is not being shopped, and he has NEVER shopped him. In fact, some teams have asked for his availability and Holmgren said he wasn't available.
The reason why Holmgren called Briere to comfort him is, a Phyladelhia newspaper, after reading Hockeybuzz ( ), published an article saying that Holmgren was trying to get rid of Briere. Then a Montreal newspaper, after reading the Phyladelphie article, published it also (2nd ).

So, my question is, hwhy the f*** do journalists read, and most importantly believe, what is written on HB???

marakh wrote:I don't know if this has been discussed, and I'm sorry if it has been.

Michel Langevin, journalist, a good friend of Daniel Briere (both Gatineau natives) has a program on CKAC Sports (montreal radio). He called Daniel brière last week and Brière told him that he had a call from Holmgren, telling him to rest assured, because he is not being shopped, and NEVER shopped him. In fact, some teams have asked for his availability and Holmgren said he wasn't available.
The reason why Holmgren called Briere to comfort him is, a Phyladelhia newspaper, after reading Hockeybuzz ( ), published an article saying that Holmgren was trying to get rid of Briere. Then a Montreal newspaper, after reading the Phyladelphie article, published it also (2nd ).

So, my question is, hwhy the f*** do journalists read, and most importantly believe, what is written on HB???

Desperation for material.

But, no offence, CKAC isn't exactly the greatest, most accurate source when it comes to rumours either.

asq2 wrote:

marakh wrote:I don't know if this has been discussed, and I'm sorry if it has been.

Michel Langevin, journalist, a good friend of Daniel Briere (both Gatineau natives) has a program on CKAC Sports (montreal radio). He called Daniel brière last week and Brière told him that he had a call from Holmgren, telling him to rest assured, because he is not being shopped, and NEVER shopped him. In fact, some teams have asked for his availability and Holmgren said he wasn't available.
The reason why Holmgren called Briere to comfort him is, a Phyladelhia newspaper, after reading Hockeybuzz ( ), published an article saying that Holmgren was trying to get rid of Briere. Then a Montreal newspaper, after reading the Phyladelphie article, published it also (2nd ).

So, my question is, hwhy the f*** do journalists read, and most importantly believe, what is written on HB???

Desperation for material.

But, no offence, CKAC isn't exactly the greatest, most accurate source when it comes to rumours either.

yeah, but this comes from Michel's mouth directly, and I doubt he's lying about having a phone call with Daniel Brière, a good friend of his.