Flyers 2006 Offseason Thread

[Seabiscuit36]

Mike Richards was on 933 wmmr this morning.  Supposedly he's dating(or going on a date with) Lauren Harris Miss FHM 

[PhillyGirl]

Flyers/Devils preseason on CSN next Thursday.

(sorry if already posted)

[Cerevant]

but in general its not even close clarke is infintely a better gm than andy reid...its not debatable

Arrogant juvenile alert.  Again.  Yawn.

Fixed

[Seabiscuit36]

Rumor is Esche is gone.  Boucher may be back in the fold as a backup to nitty.  (this is rumors from flyerphans/o&b boards)

[MDS]

While that is decent news, Nittimakki is still not good enough to win them a Stanley Cup. But pretty much anyone is better than Esche.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Boucher may be back in the fold as a backup to nitty.

Sweet.  My Boucher jersey might be solid again, especially if he changes his number.  OLD SCHOOL.

[Seabiscuit36]

Hitch reupped till 2008, rumor still is bouche signed with the flyers and a trade involving Eshe in the works

[dis12]

OMG! preseason home games this Thursday and Saturday!   it's waaay too early.

anyone interested in my tix for Sat night vs. Ottawa?   very very very cheap.

PM me.



gone - sorry CF compadres.

[Seabiscuit36]

Not sure the validity but the rumor floating is Forsberg went down awkwardly in practice and injured his knee     This was coming from a guy who was watching practice today. 

[PhillyGirl]

sounds like crap to me: 

http://phillyboard.orangeandblack.net/phillyboard/showthread.php?t=21921

[Seabiscuit36]

I hope so PG. 

[Seabiscuit36]

The Forsberg thing was apparently crap.  Man, the other boards have so many village idiots it makes this place look like a Mensa meeting. 

Downie set to impressBy Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Staff Writer

It was the usual training-camp skirmishes you see in hockey: Prospect Steve Downie battling hard against defenseman Martin Grenier a few days ago.

Downie has seldom lost a puck possession or battle in camp despite his 5-foot-10 size. Grenier, who is a monster at 6-5, took exception to the contact and wanted to drop gloves.

"There is no point [in] dropping gloves in camp," Downie said. "We are all going to be teammates. It's not like the old days where you bring in tough guys. It's a skill game now."

Tonight in Moncton, New Brunswick, the Flyers will unleash the 19-year-old Downie on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first of three exhibition games this week.

"I just go to keep my nerves in check and be calm out there," said Downie, who was so pumped yesterday, he remained on the ice an extra 30 minutes. "I can't be worried about other things. It should be fun playing with NHL guys.

"It's my first chance to show what I've got. I've been nervous playing with [our] guys and it's been wearing me down. I'm trying to settle down."

Downie and fellow right wing Stefan Ruzicka will see a lot of ice time in the exhibitions. Conceivably, one of these players could push a veteran off the squad.

"I am not sure that will happen," said coach Ken Hitchcock when asked whether Downie, who has a penchant for fighting and suspensions from his junior days, will be able to control his emotions.

"That is OK. A guy like Steve and Ruzicka are going to get long looks. This is just one of many games. I don't think it matters how they play. They need games under their belt and they need experience. And see where it goes."

Ruzicka, who is 21, seemed equally nervous, although he's already played a regular-season game in the NHL.

"Last year, I played a little bit and I have some experience, but I try not to be too nervous and just do my best," he said. "My linemates, they are friendly and we're ready. I feel I need to play every game 120 percent and show them I can play in the NHL."

Downie will play right wing on Marty Murray's line with Niko Dimitrakos. Ruzicka will play right wing on Mark Cullen's line with Randy Robitaille.

Loose pucks. Ben Eager (torn medial collateral ligament/left knee) still can't go a full 90-minute practice and will be held out of games until the weekend, Hitchcock said... . Joni Pitkanen, who had a second arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in Finland in late August, says his knee is "OK" and it's still healing. The Flyers are trying to be cautious with him. He won't play against the Penguins... . Robert Esche and Martin Houle will share goal.
Hitchcock plans to rotate Esche, Houle, and Antero Niittymaki in the first four exhibitions, then Esche and Niittymaki in the last three. The coach said he still has no idea who his starter is. Last week, Hitchcock explained that he doesn't need a designated No. 1, but two players who act as a perfect tandem, such as what Carolina got out of Martin Gerber and Cam Ward in winning the Stanley Cup. "The starter flip-flopped by the playoffs," Hitchcock said, meaning Ward had the job.

The CCR Line will go tonight - Kyle Calder, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. Hitchcock said he needs to determine in exhibitions whether Carter can handle right wing. If not, he goes back to center... . Tonight's game is on WIP-AM (610), but won't be televised... . Barry Hanrahan was promoted from director of team services to assistant general manager; Bryan Hardenbergh replaced him and will travel with the club full time.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact staff writer Tim Panaccio at 215-854-2847 or tpanaccio@phillynews.com

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sp...ey/15559654.htm

[Sgt PSN]

That was quite a hefty article about 2 guys who seem to have an outside shot at even making the team. 

[Seabiscuit36]

Its that time of year Sarge.  Personally i want to see Jonnsson play.  From everything i've read and heard he's the real deal.  He would be the perfect solution to the slow lumbering D Men we have.  He's faster than Joni, with a similar skill set.

[Sgt PSN]

I don't know shtein about hockey so I'll take your word for it.