The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed 6’2″, 195-pound center Ryan Kesler to a one-year offer sheet, according to club General Manager Bob Clarke. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

“The Flyers have signed a one-year offer sheet with Group Two restricted free agent forward Ryan Kesler,” said Clarke in making the announcement. “The Vancouver Canucks have the option to match the offer or to take a second round pick from the Flyers in next year’s NHL Entry Draft. Obviously, being a Group Two free agent gives Vancouver a week to decide whether or not they want to match our offer.”

TSN is reporting that the Canucks will match the offer sheet.

This move was definitely a surprise. The last offer sheet in the NHL came back in 1998 from the Carolina Hurricanes for Sergei Fedorov, the Wings matched it.

The Flyers do not have any cap so at least one player would have to go. Could this move be telling for a potential retirement of a certain center? While Clarke has been bashed for making no spectacular moves during the off season he has assembled a lot of young potential players with the chance of Kesler being another one. Kesler did line with Umberger at Ohio State. I guess it really doesn’t matter since he won’t be a Flyer, at least this year.

I am a little surprised the reaction of this situation by Jes Golbez. I like the stuff he writes and I will admit his blog is more entertaining and better written then mine. But in regards to the offer sheet signing Jes sounds like a whining 15 year old who just lost his Counter Strike privileges.
How did the Flyers rape the Canucks and get him for next-to-nothing? It is my understanding that the Canucks traded Umberger rights to Rangers, the Rangers didn’t sign him and was let go and he signed with the Flyers. We might not be watching Hatcher at all if he doesn’t pass the physical coming up for training camp which is a possibility. Nedved really isn’t that much overpaid as long as he can stay healthy.