Flyers Season thread

[PhillyGirl]

On the NHL | Esche slams NHL chief
By Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Staff Writer

On a day when the NHL player representatives and their alternates met in Toronto to discuss issues, Flyers representative Robert Esche called NHL commissioner Gary Bettman "a madman."

Esche made his comments after the reps' meeting.

"We're talking to a madman," Esche told Toronto television station Sportsnet. "A guy who has no rhyme or reason. Personally, I don't even think he is a fan of the game.

"I think there are a lot of great owners out there, but there is a madman leading them down the wrong path. And unfortunately, we have no control over what is going on right now."

Bob Goodenow, the NHL Players Association's executive director, tried to soften Esche's comments.

"I think characterizations sometimes, by a lot of people, can be a little overstated," he said.

Esche was not available for further comment last night.

The lockout enters its 48th day this morning. Yesterday's meeting was a chance for Goodenow to update the union leaders on their positions.

Nothing has changed on the union's part.

"We talked about the collective-bargaining process; we had an update," Goodenow said. "It had been some time since we got together with the reps. It was time well spent. All the issues were discussed."

Goodenow said he had no plans to contact Bettman and to try to reopen talks, which broke down in September. He also stressed that the union would not amend any of its proposals, the primary focus being a luxury tax.

"There will be no proposal as a result of today's meeting," he said. "We have already made significant proposals and concessions."

Bill Daly, the league's chief legal officer, expressed disappointment. He said he didn't hold high expectations that something new would come from the union meeting, anyway.

"I can't say it surprises me greatly or mildly," Daly said. "I'm disappointed it wasn't something different. We all wish we could make some progress here."

Goodenow said he would welcome Bettman calling him and reopening talks, but as long as the league is insisting on a salary cap as a starter issue, it was pointless to get together.

So why not begin a dialogue on other issues aside from the cap?

"The rationale and thought process is all of those issues flow out of the bigger issue," Goodenow said. "There are issues that are self-contained like a pension issue... . But right now the focus is strictly set where Gary wants it - as a salary cap."

Daly agreed with Goodenow, saying that until there was an economic system in place that both sides agree on, it's impossible to talk about ancillary issues that feed off that system.

Recently, several NHL players have begun to carp. Some say they would accept a salary cap. Others aren't happy that there haven't been any negotiations. Some, such as Ottawa's Rob Ray, say they will line up as replacement players if the league cancels the season, then opens its doors next season by implementing its own contract.

Among the more outspoken players was Montreal's Pierre Dagenais, who originally questioned why the union was so resistant to a salary cap. He also accused the union of pandering to players at the top end of the salary scale at the expense of those at the bottom. Dagenais emerged from the meeting telling reporters he was mistaken in his views and now supports the union.

"Everyone respects Pierre for taking the time to come here and to educate himself and certainly I think he leaves here with a better understanding of what we're doing," Vancouver's Trevor Linden, president of the players' executive committee, told the Canadian Press.

Goodenow insisted that, contrary to media reports, there were no cracks among his 700-plus union members. Between 60 to 85 reps attended the meeting. "There is absolutely no crack or divisiveness," Goodenow said. "We have 700 members and 700 members will have different opinions and might not agree on something. I can tell you unequivocally, the players in that room today understand the position of the players association and the proposals we have made. It is not a problem for us if a player speaks out and says what they think."

Earlier in the week, Bettman told TSN in Canada that the season was in danger of being canceled altogether.

"I'm hopeful there will be [a season] but I have to tell you there's a real chance there won't be," Goodenow said when asked about Bettman's warning.

Goodenow said if the season was canceled, then the "process" would move to the summer or next fall as the next chance for any negotiations.

"If Gary makes history and cancels the season, we'll deal with it," Goodenow said.

Goodenow admitted having concerns about fan apathy toward the NHL not playing, especially in the United States, where hockey is a distant cousin to the NFL, the NBA and Major League Baseball.

"We're not pleased there's a lockout," he said, then added that it was Bettman's decision to pursue such a strategy, not the union's.

Both the league and union oppose mediation. Goodenow reiterated that position hasn't changed, as both parties believe they are best equipped to draw a resolution without a third party entering the fray.

Goodenow again characterized any attempt by Bettman to unilaterally implement a contract next season by canceling this season as "catastrophic."

The union plans to meet next with player agents on Nov. 17 in Chicago.

[MURP]

dont the owners choose the commish?

[Philly_Crew]

It's hard to know who to support.  If the owners are really losing money and can't control their spending, implement a cap.  It works in the NFL.  The ticket cost has really gotten out of hand for the product that they provide.

[Seabiscuit36]

I watched the flyers win the Stanley cup lastnight i miss hockey  , the best thing was the fans pounding a Bruins fans right along the glass w/1:44 left in the game

[PhillyGirl]

Not Flyers news but...

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/story/7854669

Really sad news.

[PhillyGirl]

A tough break for Fedoruk

Compiled By The Inquirer Staff

When Todd Fedoruk wavered on signing a deal with the Phantoms, it might have been an omen. The tough winger finally signed with the Phantoms, the Flyers' minor-league affiliate, on Wednesday.

That night, he was hit in the face with a puck while sitting on the bench during the Phantoms' 4-2 win over the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at the Wachovia Spectrum.

After undergoing reconstructive facial surgery yesterday, he will miss at least a month.

Fedoruk's AHL statistics: three shifts, one fight, five penalty minutes, one broken orbital bone, one facial reconstruction.

"We would guess that he'll be out for a month, but the fact that he is out at all is a real setback for him," Phantoms coach John Stevens said after practice yesterday.

Even though Fedoruk had just signed on Wednesday, he had been skating with the team for a few weeks, Stevens said.

"He was certainly physically ready to play," Stevens said. "He was pushing himself to get back into game shape. Unfortunately that injury puts him out."

Geez...like Fridge really needed another facial injury!

[henchmanUK]

A tough break for Fedoruk

Compiled By The Inquirer Staff

When Todd Fedoruk wavered on signing a deal with the Phantoms, it might have been an omen. The tough winger finally signed with the Phantoms, the Flyers' minor-league affiliate, on Wednesday.

That night, he was hit in the face with a puck while sitting on the bench during the Phantoms' 4-2 win over the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at the Wachovia Spectrum.

After undergoing reconstructive facial surgery yesterday, he will miss at least a month.

Fedoruk's AHL statistics: three shifts, one fight, five penalty minutes, one broken orbital bone, one facial reconstruction.

"We would guess that he'll be out for a month, but the fact that he is out at all is a real setback for him," Phantoms coach John Stevens said after practice yesterday.

Even though Fedoruk had just signed on Wednesday, he had been skating with the team for a few weeks, Stevens said.

"He was certainly physically ready to play," Stevens said. "He was pushing himself to get back into game shape. Unfortunately that injury puts him out."

Geez...like Fridge really needed another facial injury!

I like Fridge. Him and Brashear are my favourites. Brashear isn't playing anywhere is he?

[PhillyGirl]

No, he's not.

Just want to give another mention to Sergei Zholtok's death....way sad....only 31 years old. RIP

[henchmanUK]

Clarke asks Esche to apologize
By ED MORAN
morane@phillynews.com

Bob Clarke didn't have a problem with his goalie speaking his mind and sticking up for his union brethren when he publicly ripped NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

But he felt that Robert Esche crossed the line and "got personal," when he called Bettman a "madman," and yesterday said he asked Esche to call Bettman and apologize.

"I just said to [Esche] that it was appropriate for him to support his friends and fellow players but inappropriate to get personal," the Flyers general manager said last night. "He agreed and called up and apologized."

Esche could not be reached last night. He made the comments about Bettman to a Toronto television reporter after attending a meeting for player representatives with the NHLPA leadership Tuesday.

"We realize we are talking with a madman," Esche said when asked after the union meeting, "you know, a guy who has no rhyme or reason. I personally don't even think he is even a fan of the game, so that's just my belief."

Clarke said he believed that Esche was frustrated after attending the meeting, during which it was clear that no progress was being made in the NHL lockout.

"I think they got him after the meeting and he was all fired up and that was all," Clarke said.

Roenick update

Jeremy Roenick was in and out of town yesterday after a barrage of tests by the Flyers' medical staff to determine if he is still suffering the effects of the two concussions he sustained last season.

"It was a long day," Roenick said while waiting to board a flight back to Phoenix. "They did the same things that I went though in Montreal."

By that, he was referring to independent tests he underwent last month with concussion specialist Dr. Karen Johnston.

The Flyers asked Roenick to come back to Philadelphia after receiving Johnston's report. At question is Roenick's $7.5 million salary and if he is entitled to the it if it is determined that he would not have been able to start the season if it had begun.

Roenick said no results were discussed and that nothing will likely be released "for a while. Absolutely nothing has been talked out at all. They're just putting together all the information. [Yesterday] was my day to do in Philadelphia what I did in Montreal."

Labor update

NHL executive vice president Bill Daly yesterday stuck to the league's stance that there is no deadline that will signal the end of this season should the lockout go unresolved but conceded that such a point does exist.

"I think there is a practical cutoff point that if we go beyond, there won't a season," Daly said. "But we won't be establishing that. It's just not going to be good for these negotiations. It's the deal that's going to be important, not the deadline."

The lockout reaches 51 days today and there are still no signs that the sides will begin talking again. "If [the NHLPA] wants to get serious, we'll negotiate," Daly said.

For the record, the cutoff date in the 1994-95 season was Jan. 15, after 103 days with no hockey.

[NGM]

No, he's not.

Just want to give another mention to Sergei Zholtok's death....way sad....only 31 years old. RIP

Yeah that really sucks.  You would think something like this could have been prevented but unfortunately, as it always seems in these situations, there was nothing to be done.  RIP

[Geowhizzer]

over 105,000 votes on espn.com about when would you miss the NHL season.  20% said when the playoffs come around.  61% said never.   that says it all.

I must be one of the few that really miss it.  Between the Sundays there is nothing now that the baseball season is over, especially since I can't do much right now (due to back surgery).

The NHL is committing suicide, and no one cares- not even the owners or players.

[Geowhizzer]

It's hard to know who to support.  If the owners are really losing money and can't control their spending, implement a cap.  It works in the NFL.  The ticket cost has really gotten out of hand for the product that they provide.

The trick may be to implement a cap that's not called a "cap," so that each side can claim victory.

@(*@#&#@(* politic-speak has permeated all over, even into sports.

[Geowhizzer]

A tough break for Fedoruk

Compiled By The Inquirer Staff

When Todd Fedoruk wavered on signing a deal with the Phantoms, it might have been an omen. The tough winger finally signed with the Phantoms, the Flyers' minor-league affiliate, on Wednesday.

That night, he was hit in the face with a puck while sitting on the bench during the Phantoms' 4-2 win over the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at the Wachovia Spectrum.

After undergoing reconstructive facial surgery yesterday, he will miss at least a month.

Fedoruk's AHL statistics: three shifts, one fight, five penalty minutes, one broken orbital bone, one facial reconstruction.

"We would guess that he'll be out for a month, but the fact that he is out at all is a real setback for him," Phantoms coach John Stevens said after practice yesterday.

Even though Fedoruk had just signed on Wednesday, he had been skating with the team for a few weeks, Stevens said.

"He was certainly physically ready to play," Stevens said. "He was pushing himself to get back into game shape. Unfortunately that injury puts him out."

Geez...like Fridge really needed another facial injury!

I like Fridge. Him and Brashear are my favourites. Brashear isn't playing anywhere is he?

Brashear is playing in one of those "pick-up" leagues in Canada that are trying to capitalize on the NHL Strike-Out.  I read something about him playing in Quebec with a team called "Radio X."

[PhillyGirl]

I miss hockey really bad.

[NGM]

Me too PG, me too.