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Brashear signs with Capitals

July 14, 2006

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.

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Former Flyers, Hockey, Philadelphia Flyers, Trades-Signings | Leave a Comment 

Branko Radivojevic signs with Wild

July 6, 2006

Branko Radivojevic.

The name alone oozes old-time hockey. It says, “gritty,” “energetic,” “rough and tumble.” All are pretty accurate descriptions of Branko Radivojevic, the latest in a slew of recent signings by the Minnesota Wild that are beginning to make October 5 look like Christmas morning. [.continue.]

Flyers sign Randy Robitaille from the Wild. The Wild signs Branko from the Flyers.
While it was not a trade but free agents signing one still has to compare the two.
The Flyers got an older smaller guy whose offensive numbers were a little better and shoots left.

Always liked Radivojevic, but given the choice between the two I think I would take Robitaille.

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Former Flyers, Hockey, Philadelphia Flyers, Trades-Signings | Leave a Comment 

Johnsson signs with Wild

July 2, 2006

Kim Johnsson

Kim Johnsson's price was too high for the Flyers as he signed with the Minnesota Wild a 4 year $19.4 million contract. Johnsson was acquired from the Rangers in 2001 being part of the deal that sent Eric Lindros to the Rangers. A quality offensive defenseman for the Flyers was +44 for the 4 years in Philadelphia and averaged around 40 points per season until this past year. Johnsson suffered a concussion this past January causing him to miss the last 31 games of the season plus the playoffs.
I would have loved to have Johnsson back, but under the salary cap at almost 5 mill a year? Eh, think that is a little on the high side especially with the amount of decent defenseman that were UFA this year. I was surprised to see him get that much.

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Former Flyers, Hockey, Philadelphia Flyers, Trades-Signings | Leave a Comment 

Veronica Varekova on Maxim

May 21, 2006

Petr Nedved's hot wife Veronica Varekova is on this month's cover of Maxim
I guess that is one reason to keep Nedved next season. :)

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Former Flyers, Off Ice, Philadelphia Flyers | 1 Comment 

Neil Little Selected To Phantoms Hall Of Fame

March 23, 2006


Former Philadelphia Phantom Neil Little has been selected for the Philadelphia Phantoms Hall of Fame. Little, one of the original Phantom players was goalie for the first 8 years of the Phantoms existence. He is the only Phantom to play on both Calder Cup champion teams, 96-97, 04-05.
Little only played two games for the Flyers.
He is the third inductee, after Bill Barber and Frank Bialowas.
There will be a pre-game ceremony for Neil Little’s induction on April 7 at the Spectrum when the Phantoms host the Hershey Bears.
He is currently playing hockey in Europe. [.contine.]

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Former Flyers, Hockey, Off Ice, Philadelphia Flyers | Leave a Comment 

The Best of U.S.

February 28, 2006

When the United States was winning gold in Lake Placid in 1980, there were only 55 American-born players on NHL rosters -- not even three per team. Few of them had careers of any consequence.

Thanks in large part to that monumental Olympic victory, hockey interest throughout the U.S. began to surge and continues to do so. Want proof? There were a record eight Americans taken in the first round of the 2005 NHL draft. [.continue.]

Tom Layberger of Sports Illustrated gives his top 10 USA players of all time.
Two former Flyers made the list. Jeremy Roenick at #7 and John LeClair at #9.

Marke Howe gets an Honorable mention.

Update
It seems that Tom Layberger might be ‘lifting’ some of his work.
It is very coincidental that he wrote this article about a month after a very similiar article over at Japer’s Rink. The articles do look a bit similar. Doesn’t seem to be the first time it has happened either.
I always like to give credit where credit is due. Thanks to Dave for that heads up.

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Former Flyers, Hockey, Philadelphia Flyers | 4 Comments 

Rick Tocchet

February 9, 2006

Rick Tocchet

Former Flyer Rick Tocchet has been accused by New Jersey law enforcement officials of financing an illegal sports betting ring. This has created a big buzz in the hockey world, reports saying this could be a disaster for the NHL.
Me, eh, I don't see it as a big deal. As of right now, it has not been shown that he or another person (including Roenick or "The Great One"s wife) bet on hockey. So there really haven't been any NHL regulations broken.
Dont get me wrong, I think if Tocchet has broken any laws he should pay whatever penalty is appropriate. But, really the only crime shown so far is Uncle Sam not getting his cut, which is why the gambling ring is considered illegal.

The thing is gambling can be and is legal in many situations. When I was a kid some of the females in my family would head to the local fire hall on Thursday nights and play bingo with the proceeds going to the volunteer fire department. Even I pick up a lotto ticket on occasion, gambling again with proceeds going to the state government. And yes, sports betting is also legal. For those interested Sports Interaction, based out of Canada is licensed and regulated in North America is one of the legal places to go. Former NHL quarback Jim Kelly is the public face for this site. Open an account for $20 and place bets as small as $1. Bets on NHL, NFL, MLB, Olympics, PGA, boxing, etc. whatever your sport. Heck, you can even bet on the academy awards or who the next US President is gong to be. Not legal anymore, at least in the US, sad.

So I hope the best for Rick Tocchet, he was a great Flyer. Until he has his day in court I don'¢t think he should be vilified in the media for 'illegal betting'¢.

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Former Flyers, Hockey, Off Ice, Philadelphia Flyers | 1 Comment 

Top 10 Agitators

January 29, 2006

Tom Layberger comes up with his list of Top 10 Agitators.

Former Flyer Ken Linseman came in at #3.
The "Rat" made sure to get in the first and last shots while distracting his opponent up and down the ice. Linseman's antics often resulted in only the retaliatory infraction being called, further incensing his targets -- who often spent the rest of the game preoccupied with trying to get even.

Bob Clarke came in at #7.
After getting under the skin of an opposing player and drawing a penalty, Clarke usually assisted on the ensuing power-play goal. If an opponent took exception to Clarke's tactics and sought to even the score, he was usually greeted by a band of Broad Street Bullies. So, it was usually a lose-lose situation for the guys in the opposite jersey.

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Former Flyers, Philadelphia Flyers | Leave a Comment 

Hockey knight in Asia

January 8, 2006

Like a wandering knight-errant of old, former Edmonton Oiler and 10-year NHL veteran Shjon Podein is roaming far from home in search of not-so-chivalrous adventure.

Based in the picturesque Japanese city of Nikko, he sallies forth on weekly crusades to test his mettle against Vikings, Dragons and Lions - not to mention the usual challenges of a new culture and new language.

Welcome to the Asia Hockey League .... [.continue.]

Former Flyer Shjon Podein talks about playing in the Asian Hockey League.
I wasn’t aware that there was an Asian Hockey League. In recent years there has been several Asian basketball and baseball players make it to the NBA and MLB. I wonder how long before some good hockey players start coming from that region of the world.

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Written by Mike · Filed Under Former Flyers, Philadelphia Flyers | Leave a Comment 

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