The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have acquired 5’11”, 180-pound left wing Kyle Calder from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Michal Handzus, according to club General Manager Bob Clarke.

“Our greatest depth is at center ice,” said Clarke in making the announcement. “Calder is a player who we have coveted for a long time. He can score; he can kill penalties; he can play on any of our top three lines. He is a left wing player somewhat similar to what Michal was for us as a center iceman. We ended up playing Michal a lot on the wing when he really is a center and plays his best at center. We are still very strong at center and now we are much stronger at left wing.”

“Words can not even describe how excited I am right now,” said Calder. “I’m just really looking forward to joining the team. The Flyers have always been one of the teams that I wanted to come to. The dream is finally here and now I have to make the best of it. I’m kind of an up-and-down winger. If I get the opportunity, hopefully I can put the puck in the net. Tha’s kind of how I see myself. I’m kind of rugged. I like to play in the corners, chip the puck in good spots and try to create plays. Philadelphia has a great looking team on paper and on the ice. They have done well every year.” [.continue.]

I’m going to miss Zeus. He might not put up great numbers, but he is a warrior. He plays through injuries and does whatever is asked of him. I am also going to miss the Zeus chants.

Let’s look at what the Flyers gave up.
A 29 year old center at 6-5 217.
Last season played 73 games scored 11 goals, 33 assists, minus 2 with 38 penalty minutes. $2.128 million salary with one year left on the contract.

And what the Flyers got.
A 27 year old WING at 5-11 176.
Last season played 79 games scored 26 goals, 33 assists, minus 4 with 52 penalty minutes. $2.95 million salary in a one year contract.

So the Flyers got a younger, quicker and more offensive player. To do that the Flyers took an 800k salary hit. Good trade I think, especially as deep as the Flyers still are at center and the fact that Richards, Carter and Forsberg are still ‘untouchable’ in regards to trade.

This trade could also be speaking to the fact that Gagne has not been signed yet. Currently the Flyers are at about $39.5 million for payroll. If Gagne gets what he wants in salary which I believe is $5mill or higher it would put the Flyers over the cap. Even so there is the expectation and hope that Gagne will be resigned and be a Flyer for a very long time.

Gagne contract negotiations are still ungoing, and the 26 year old restricted free agent remains unsigned. While Bob Clarke said he is confident that the deal will get done, he hinted that the numbers are apart are not as small as he once let on, “I think with the numbers that are being talked about, any gap is big, because it’s big money we’re talking about.”

Fans at the Wachovia Center will get an extra special treat this coming season, as the Comcast Spectacor owned building will feature a new high tech scoreboard, details here.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have signed 6’0″ 190-pound unrestricted free agent left wing Geoff Sanderson to a two-year contract, according to club General Manager Bob Clarke. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

“Geoff is an exceptionally gifted skater and goal scorer,” said Clarke in making the announcement. “We have obviously increased our goal scoring and increased the speed of our club. It was the intent in the off-season to do that, and Geoff will help us improve in that area.”

“I’m really excited to be joining the Flyers. It’s great to be on an elite team in the NHL that has high expectations to win the Stanley Cup,” said Sanderson. “You look at the lineup they have and I am really excited to be part of it. I would best describe myself as a speed-type forward. I try to generate turnovers on the forecheck and just try to use my speed, which is probably my best asset.” [.continue.]

What another center?! Ok he always plays the wing.
As if the Flyers did not have enough forwards going into the season, heck lets add one more. Does this give any hints of other Flyers not coming back?
Primeau, Kapanen or even Gagne?

The Flyers have not come to terms with Simon Gagne yet, although Clarke stated several weeks ago the deal would get done by last week. The rumors are really starting to get interesting with Gagne.

The Washington Capitals have signed free agent left wing Donald Brashear, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Brashear, 34, appeared in 270 games for the Philadelphia Flyers during the past four seasons, posting 66 points (22 goals, 44 assists) and 648 penalty minutes. He has led the Flyers in penalty minutes in each of the past three seasons (2002-03 through 2005-06). In 2002-03 Brashear was named the winner of the Flyers’ Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the team’s most improved player in a vote of his teammates. [.continue.]

I do have to say I kind of miss not having Brashear on the team and many other Flyers fans feel the same. We enjoyed his physical play and the energy that he brought to the ice. However the negatives were there. First one being the salary cap. His salary was way out of proportion to what his contributions were. Second he was a marked man. Being the heavy weight he was he drew penalties, badly. He had a slashing called on him a couple years ago when he was at closest 15 feet away from the guy. Third being the ‘New’ NHL with the BS instigator penalty under 5 minutes remaining in the game.
Also last year because of his shoulder injury he was not able to fight in the second half of the season which really cut into his game.

At any rate I am glad he found work. It will be interesting to see him play the Flyers.
September 26 in Philly and the 29th in DC are the first two games. If he fights, who will he go with? Richards last year wasn’t afraid to drop the gloves and go.

One thing I haven’t thought about this year yet is who will be the Flyers enforcer?
I think if anyone should step up it should be Hatcher. He is a big guy and for what the Flyers are paying him it should be added to one of his duties.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have re-signed 6’3″, 215-pound defenseman Joni Pitkanen to a new one-year contract, according to club General Manager Bob Clarke. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

“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,” said Clarke in making the announcement. “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.”[.continue.]

I am glad to see the signing. I am a little surprised at the one year deal, but I am guessing it had something to do with the injury last year. Pitkanen was the best defenseman offensively last season until he got injured. He did not have the same impact when he came back in the second half.
If he does well this season I can see him signing a long term deal next year.

Now if we could just get Gagne signed. Clarke did say he would be signed this week. The clock is ticking.