Flyers 2006 Offseason Thread

[dis12]

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Flyers on Friday re-signed defenseman Joni Pitkanen to a one-year contract.   Financial terms were not disclosed.
Pitkanen, whom Philadelphia picked fourth overall in the 2002 NHL draft, won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers' most outstanding defenseman last season and the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the team's most improved player.
The 22-year-old Finn collected 13 goals, 33 assists and 78 penalty minutes in 58 games with the Flyers last season. Pitkanen established new career highs in goals, assists and points (46) while leading the team in ice time at 23:42.
"Joni Pitkanen is a player who made great strides in his development last season and we feel can one day be one of the top defensemen in the league," Flyers general manager Bob Clarke said. "His importance to the team is along the same lines as Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and R.J. Umberger and it is a priority for us to make sure that our younger players remain in the organization." 
In two seasons with Philadelphia, Pitkanen has 21 goals, 52 assists and 122 penalty minutes in 129 games.

...then why was a 22 year old, quick skating, offensive oriented defenseman only signed to a 1-year contract?

[BigEd76]

Because they can.  He isn't going anywhere for another 4 years...

[BigEd76]

For those that missed it, Brashear signed with Washington....

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

For those that missed it, Brashear signed with Washington....

kerblammo

[dis12]

Because they can.  He isn't going anywhere for another 4 years...

...and your source of this 4-year contract??

[Geowhizzer]

Because they can.  He isn't going anywhere for another 4 years...

...and your source of this 4-year contract??

I believe he means that Pitkannen isn't eligible to become a UFA for four more years.

Don't know if he's right or not (probably is), but I think that's what he means.

[BigEd76]

yup

[SunMo]

...and your source of this 4-year contract??

try and get some semblance of a clue

[SunMo]

http://www.tsn.ca/news_story.asp?ID=171720&hubName=main

[ice grillin you]

text please

[SunMo]

if only i could

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

text please

Philadelphia Flyers centre Keith Primeau has cancelled a trip to Finland, where he was going to train with a professional team.

Primeau played just nine games with the Flyers last season.  He missed the last 73 games of the regular season and the playoffs with a concussion.

''It was going to be four weeks of just practice in an attempt to get my skating legs underneath me and to venture into some contact,'' Primeau said.

Primeau was examined by Flyers team physician Dr. Gary Dorshimer last week, but said he made the decision not to go before talking to Dorshimer.

''I just felt that the day was fast approaching and that I wasn't at a point where I was ready to head over there in the middle of August,'' Primeau said. ''After visiting with Dr. Dorshimer last week, all he did was re-confirm my decision.''

Despite cancelling the training trip, Primeau has yet to make a decision on his playing future.

''Basically, what happens now? I am going to make one more attempt to get myself prepared to play this season, but I also understand that I'm running out of time for opportunities or chances to get myself ready to play,'' Primeau said. ''Not from a physical standpoint, but from a health standpoint. I won't make any decisions one way or the other until I give myself that one more opportunity.''

Primeau still has two years and $6.84-million left on his contract with the Flyers.

[Seabiscuit36]

Geoff Sanderson just signed with the flyers, he had 25 goals for Phoenix last year and can skate.  I can only think Primeau is gone or they are shopping Gagne for real. 

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Shopping Gagne is not smart.

[SunMo]

depends what you can get