Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 12

Camden Courier-Post

"The Flyers have expressed interest in bringing former captain Peter Forsberg back to Philadelphia, but it appears the 36-year-old Swede is not quite ready to commit himself to an NHL comeback. At least not yet. One day after Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren told reporters in Toronto he would entertain the idea of putting Forsberg back in orange and black, a report by the Canadian Website tsn.ca said Forsberg instructed his agent, Don Baizley, not to pursue contract talks with any NHL teams until he feels more comfortable skating. The Rangers, Flyers, Bruins and Canucks are among the teams that have expressed interest in Forsberg, who has not played a full NHL season since 2002-03. ..."

Flyers may get Briere, van Riemsdyk back

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November 11

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Flyers center Jeff Carter may have injured line mates Danny Briere and James van Riemsdyk back for tomorrow's game against visiting Ottawa.Briere, who has missed the last four games - all wins - with a leg strain below his right quad, went through a full practice in Voorhees yesterday and said he felt no discomfort.Van Riemsdyk also participated in a full practice; the rookie left winger suffered a broken left pinkie in Saturday's 2-1 shoot-out win over St. Louis and missed the last half of the game. He had the finger, which was also cut and required more than 20 stitches, heavily taped yesterday.The Flyers are hopeful both will play tomorrow, but it depends on how they feel after today's ..."

Russian league team pushing to sign Forsberg

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November 4

Denver Post

"The Russian team Ak Bars Kazan in recent days has made a significant push to sign former Avalanche star Peter Forsberg, attempting to steal him away from a potential NHL comeback. According to various news reports in Sweden and Slovakia, Ak Bars Kazan, a team from the country of Tatarstan, offered a large contract to Forsberg to play in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League. Forsberg also is being pursued by several NHL teams. Yahoo Sports reports the Philadelphia Flyers are the leading candidate to lure the former all-star back to NHL. The Washington Capitals, Montreal Cananiens and the Avalanche also have shown interest, according to Yahoo."

Gagne set for surgery, will miss 6 to 8 weeks

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November 3

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Flyers left winger Simon Gagne will have hernia and abdominal surgery today and will miss six to eight weeks, general manager Paul Holmgren said before last night's game against Tampa Bay. That means Gagne will miss at least the next 20 games. Gagne tried to play through discomfort and managed just one goal in nine games before one ultrasound showed he was suffering from two small hernias. William Meyers will perform the surgery, described by Holmgren as minimally invasive, at Hahnemann University Hospital. After the 2006-07 season, Gagne has had similar hernia and abdominal surgery performed by a different doctor. "He had repairs in both of those areas before, so the doctor wants to go ..."

Briere leaves practice with lower body injury

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October 30

Camden Courier-Post

"Already facing the loss of Simon Gagne, the Flyers saw Danny Briere leave the ice Friday with what appears to be another groin strain. Briere almost certainly will miss Saturday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. He missed 53 games last season with a series of groin and abdominal injuries."

Gagne has two hernias

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October 28

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Flyers received bad medical news on Simon Gagne yesterday.An ultrasound exam revealed that the Flyers' left winger is suffering from two small hernias and will be sidelined indefinitely, the team announced.General manager Paul Holmgren said the Flyers' medical staff would meet with Gagne today to "discuss all options." At that point, the Flyers should know how long Gagne will be sidelined.It sounds as if surgery is forthcoming."That's an option. Whether it's the realm we go, I'm not sure," Holmgren said before last night's 4-2 loss to the Capitals.Holmgren said Gagne's hernias were not related to off-season hip surgery or to the groin problems he experienced in the summer. He suffered ..."

Ultrasound may reveal root of Gagne's troubles

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October 27

Camden Courier-Post

"Flyers left wing Simon Gagne has been saying for weeks that tightness in his surgically repaired right groin has robbed him of his explosiveness and affected his ability to create offense. All the while, Flyers coach John Stevens and general manager Paul Holmgren insisted Gagne's troubles were more mental than physical, saying he only needed to score a goal or two to get back on track. Tuesday, Stevens and Holmgren acknowledged Gagne has lost some of his explosiveness and sent the 29-year-old forward to a Philadelphia hospital for an ultrasound on his groin area. "I don't think he's 100 percent," said Stevens, who likely will not have Gagne in the lineup when the Flyers visit the ..."

Flyers acquire Legein from Columbus

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October 20

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Flyers today acquired right wing Stefan Legein from Columbus in exchange for defenseman Michael Ratchuk. Legein will report to the Flyers AHL affiliate in Adirondack."

Flyers keep van Riemsdyk out of lineup after head injury

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October 9

Philadelphia Daily News

"The Flyers kept rookie forward James van Riemsdyk, who posted three assists in his first three NHL games, out of the lineup in last night's 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh because of the head injury he suffered on Tuesday night.Van Riemsdyk needed to be helped off the ice in the second period after awkwardly crashing into the boards with Washington's Milan Jurcina. Van Riemsdyk returned in the third period but only played two shifts."He felt better,'' Flyers coach John Stevens said. "He's just not feeling 100 percent.''Van Riemsdyk, 20, remains day-to-day after general manager Paul Holmgren said he "got his bell rung.'' The Flyers have resisted diagnosing the injury as a concussion. They simply ..."

Flyers could waive Randy Jones

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September 26

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Flyers are contemplating putting high-priced defenseman Randy Jones on waivers as early as today, a club source said yesterday."It hasn't happened, so why think about it?" Jones said after yesterday's practice at the Skate Zone in Voorhees.Jones, who had off-season hip surgery, has had an up-and-down training camp. The Flyers could free $2.75 million in cap space if they placed him on waivers and tried to send him to the AHL Adirondack Phantoms.The New York Rangers, who need a defenseman, could also make a deal for Jones.Should the Flyers part ways with Jones, defensemen Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and Danny Syvret would likely be on the roster for Friday's season opener in Carolina.The ..."

Jones move will free salary cap space for Flyers

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September 26

Philadelphia Daily News

"Suddenly, the Flyers may have the room underneath the salary cap they desperately have needed.The Flyers will release defenseman Randy Jones at some point this weekend, a team source has confirmed to the Daily News."Waiver rumors are waiver rumors," Jones said after yesterday's skate at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees. "It hasn't happened so why think about it? Until it happens, that's the only reaction I'd be able to give."Jones added: "I'm not nervous at all. I haven't talked to at all."Jones has been a target of speculation since he did not live up to the 2-year, $6 million extension he signed after the 2007-08 season. His $2.75 million cap hit was an expensive one for the Flyers to ..."

Betts gets tryout with Flyers

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September 9

Edmonton Journal

"Local centre Blair Betts, who would have been a great fit as a fourth-line penalty-killer with the Oilers -- except that Edmonton has 16 forwards who played NHL games last season -- is going to the Philadelphia Flyers training camp on a tryout. The Flyers have salary cap issues, but he could easily make it in Philadelphia if they trade a forward because they are top heavy on skill guys. "They pursued him the hardest, from July 1," said agent Steve Kotlowitz, who indicated that many NHL teams were willing to invite the free agent to camp. The Oilers weren't one of those teams. They will likely try Marc Pouliot and Gilbert Brule in that role throughout camp. Hip surgeries KO'd Sillinger Mike ..."

Paper says Flyers checking Columbus alum

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July 28

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Flyers were scheduled to have former Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen in for a physical on Sunday and planned to sign the native of Oslo, Norway, if he passed, the Delaware County Daily Times reported Sunday.With Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren on vacation, a team spokesman was unable to confirm yesterday that the unrestricted free agent had been in town.The 6-foot-2, 211-pound Tollefsen is a four-year veteran who was taken by the Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2002 NHL entry draft.Often injured, Tollefsen, 25, is a tough player who was involved in 26 fights in his last three seasons in Columbus.After playing in 70 games in 2006-07 and 51 games in ..."

Pronger: Love to retire a Flyer

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July 6

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Defenseman Chris Pronger was acquired to be the Man Who Is Going to End the Flyers' Stanley Cup Drought. Pronger has been in similar positions - viewed as the missing piece - when he arrived in Edmonton and Anaheim. He delivered in both places, leading Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Finals and sparking Anaheim to a championship. Now he's hoping to impart his wisdom on a young and talented Flyers team, one that could have used some veteran leadership last season. "It's just showing them what I learned and the experiences I've gone through," he said at a news conference today. "I've gone through a lot of ups and downs, and if any of those situations can help them out, it's an added bonus." ..."

Pronger talking contract extension

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July 6

Philadelphia Daily News

"The price the Flyers paid for defenseman Chris Pronger was high - two players and two first-round draft picks in a draft-day trade with Anaheim. The deal would be sweeter for the Flyers if a contract extension could be worked out. At a news conference today at the team's practice facility in Voorhees, N.J., Pronger said he is willing to discuss such a extension. Pronger, 34, is in the final year of his contract. He is a Stanley Cup winner, as a member of the Ducks in 2007."

Laperriere signs 3-year deal with Flyers

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July 2

Denver Post

"Former Avalanche winger Ian Laperriere, one of the most popular players in team history, on Wednesday signed a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Laperriere, an unrestricted free agent, agreed to a three-year contract worth $3.5 million. NHL sources said the Avs offered Laperriere, 35, a one-year contract at less than the $1.15 million he made last season, an offer that was quickly rejected last week. The NHL's free-agent signing period started Wednesday. "I'm very happy," Laperriere said. In four seasons in Colorado, Laperriere scored 40 goals and recorded 72 assists. He had seven goals, 12 assists and 163 penalty minutes last season, when he was an alternate captain on the ..."

Boucher about to become a Flyer?

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July 1

Camden Courier-Post

"Paul Holmgren told me he couldn't speak about it until Wednesday and his agent has not yet returned my call, but I'm guessing the Flyers will sign Brian Boucher as the backup to Ray Emery on the first day of free agency on Wednesday. Boucher makes perfect sense on all levels. He was an excellent backup in San Jose last season and made no waves about riding the pine. He'll come cheap at around $750,000. He loves this area and is a true team player. And he might be the ying to Ray Emery's yang. Yes, Boucher can be emotional, but he's calmed considerably since his rookie year in 2000 and he could be the perfect mentor for Emery. If I'm Holmgren, I make this move and use the extra cap money ..."

Knuble on signing: 'It's now or never'

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June 30

Camden Courier-Post

"For two months, Mike Knuble and his agent, Kurt Overhardt, have heard the Flyers say they had no money to spend because their payroll was precariously close to the NHL's $56.8 million salary cap. Now that the club has committed $6.25 million to defenseman Chris Pronger, Knuble is wondering if any of the $5 million the Flyers have remaining under the cap will be left for him. "It's a little confusing," said Knuble, who has one more day of negotiating with the Flyers before becoming an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. "We see Paul (Holmgren) add $2 million to the payroll when we've heard all spring there's no money." Knuble, who will turn 37 Saturday, would like a two-year deal with the ..."

Sources say NHL has selected Flyers to play Bruins in New Year's Day game

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June 25

Philadelphia Daily News

"The NHL isn't expected to make an official announcement until it releases its 2009-10 schedule on July 15, but according to sources, the Flyers will play on New Year's Day in the third Winter Classic.The Flyers were unofficially told this week that they would be the Bruins' opponent at Fenway Park in Boston.Earlier this week, reports indicated that the Washington Capitals would take the ice against the Bruins, but that changed at midweek, the sources said.Flyers president Peter Luukko said yesterday that the team had not been given any official word. "We've not been confirmed, but we certainly would love the opportunity to play in the game," he said.The league was pushing for a ..."

Flyers vs. Bruins at Fenway

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June 24

Philadelphia Inquirer

"All signs are pointing toward the Flyers playing the Boston Bruins at Fenway Park on Jan. 1 in the NHL's third annual Winter Classic. Peter Luukko, Comcast-Spectacor president, said today that the NHL has not informed him that the Flyers will be the Bruins' opponent."

Sources: Flyers told they'll play at Fenway

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June 24

Philadelphia Daily News

"The league hasn't announced its decision and is playing its cards close to the chest, but every indication today points to the Flyers playing in the NHL Winter Classic in Fenway Park on New Year's Day. According to sources, the decision might not be made until July 15, as league spokesman Frank Brown said last night, but the Flyers have been unofficially told that they will be in."

Flyers centre Brière just doesn't do it for Canadiens

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June 16

Montreal Gazette

"The Canadiens are not interested in acquiring centre Daniel Brière and it has nothing to do with the fact he snubbed the team two years ago when he was an unrestricted free agent. Brière has a no-movement clause in the eight-year, $52-million contract he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2007, but the franchise has hopes of creating some cap space. The folks in Philly have talked to the Canadiens and the Los Angeles Kings, but neither team was interested. There also is a report that they have talked to the Phoenix Coyotes, although you have to wonder whether anyone has the authority to talk on behalf of the team that may or may not be bankrupt and/or on the way to Hamilton. Montreal ..."

Derian Hatcher retires from NHL

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June 15

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Flyers announced today that Derian Hatcher has been named player development coach, according to Flyers general manager lPaul Holmgren.The former Flyers defenseman and captain also announced that he is retiring from the National Hockey League after 17 seasons. "We are pleased to add Derian to our coaching staff in this very important capacity," Holmgren said in a statement. "Derian will spend valuable time with the young players throughout our organization, working on their on-ice game as well as helping these young players deal with the issues playing and/or preparing to play professional hockey." Said Hatcher, "I am very excited. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when Paul offered me ..."

With Jay walking, Panthers desperate to deal defenceman before losing him for nothing

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June 13

Toronto Sun

"Let the wheeling and dealing begin. While there is no official moratorium on trades during the playoffs, teams will get busy working on next season now that the Stanley Cup champion has been decided -- and with the draft just two weeks away, followed by free agency July 1. One of the first players on the move before the June 26-27 draft could be Panthers defenceman Jay Bouwmeester. League sources say the looming unrestricted free agent has already told the Panthers he won't return. Now Florida is pressing hard to trade the blueliner. "The Panthers just want to get something done," a league executive said yesterday. "They don't want to let him walk away for nothing." The price for ..."

Flyers still talking with Ray Emery

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June 9

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Though all signs point to the Flyers signing controversial goalie Ray Emery, general manager Paul Holmgren yesterday said both sides are still negotiating.Because Emery played in Russia last season, the team that signs him can announce they have an agreement before July 1, when the free-agent signing period starts.Holmgren isn't prepared to make that announcement."We're still talking," he said. "I can't say we've decided 100 percent yet."Holmgren said he has talked with potential free agent Marty Biron and his agent "at length," and he was not ready to close the door on signing him.But the door seems to be almost shut, and if you read between the lines, Emery looks to be the Flyers' ..."

The goalie roulette continues for Flyers

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June 8

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Ed Moran

"THE FIRST TIME I covered a Flyers playoff game, I was backing up Les Bowen, or more to the point, I was like the fourth wheel in a five-spoke set. About halfway through the game, the other four spokes would get together and divide up the stories or columns they wanted to write. After the game story, someone got "the other team," then the big goal scorer, the oddball moment, bad call, injury, whatever came up, and whatever needed to be written. At least two would debate who gets "the goalie." In Philadelphia, "the goalie" is always a big story. Was the one the Flyers had good enough? Did he play the big game and steal a win? Did he blow a win? Could the team win a championship with him? ..."

Flyers said to close in on Emery

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June 5

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Nothing is official, and no one is commenting publicly. But the Flyers' postseason strategy for improving their defense after a first-round playoff exit seems to be coming clear. When reports of an imminent deal with former Ottawa goaltender Ray Emery are added to strong speculation that the Flyers have targeted Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, the strategy seems obvious. The team may gamble that Emery has gotten past the growing pains he suffered in Ottawa, then stablize the defense in front of him with the addition of the talented Bouwmeester, who will be an unrestricted free agent July 1. All three of the organization's top goaltenders - Marty Biron, Antero Niittymaki, and the ..."

City of Brotherly Love awaits Emery

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June 4

Ottawa Citizen

"Ray Emery appears on the verge of returning to the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers. While Emery can't officially sign until next month -- he remains under contract to Atlant Mystichi of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League -- a report out of Philadelphia on Wednesday suggested the former Ottawa Senators goaltender will sign a deal with the Flyers once the NHL's free-agency period opens on July 1. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren confirmed his interest in Emery early last month, and talks have continued since then. "We've had lengthy discussions with Paul Holmgren," J.P. Barry, Emery's agent, said Wednesday. "Paul has got to know Ray very well, and we're optimistic ..."

Flyers likely to sign Emery

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June 4

Philadelphia Daily News

"The Flyers won't confirm it, but league sources said today that former Ottawa goalie Ray Emery is coming to Philadelphia and most likely will sign a contract as soon as the free-agent period opens on July 1. According to one source, the Flyers have done extensive "due diligence," and have determined that Emery, who had a reputation as a troubled and troublesome player with the Senators, is not a risk and is the goalie the Flyers want. The Senators bought out the final year of Emery's contract after the 2008 season. Talks with current starter Marty Biron continue, but it is believed he is asking for too much money and a long-term deal that the Flyers are not willing to extend to him. ..."

Flyers have interest in Emery

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June 4

Camden Courier-Post

"As the sand in Marty Biron's contractual hourglass rapidly runs out, the Flyers appear to have come to terms with Plan B, controversial goaltender Ray Emery. According to a report on the Ottawa Sun's Web site, the Flyers are close to finalizing a one-year contract with the former Senators bad boy, who officially will become an NHL free agent on July 1. "We have internal discussions about many players and their potential availability, including Ray Emery," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement on Wednesday. "I have spoken to his agent (J.P. Barry) a few times about Ray as well. Any further speculation about this would be very premature." Biron, 31, went 59-39-14 with a ..."

Briere to Habs for Price?

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May 17

Camden Courier-Post

"The latest trade rumors involving the Flyers have either Danny Briere or Joffrey Lupul and a top prospect (either James Van Riemsdyk, Luca Sbisa or a 2009 first-round pick) headed to Montreal for goaltender Carey Price and the rights to defenseman Mike Komisarek, who will be unresitricted on July 1. If Briere is included, he would need to lift his no-trade clause to make it happen. Price has a cap hit of $2.2 million. Komisarek could command about $5 million. Another trade rumor has the Flyers interested in obtaining goaltender Roberto Luongo and perhaps the rights to UFA defenseman Mattias Ohlund from the Vancouver Canucks for a similar package, although the Canucks are pushing hard for ..."

Emery? Flyers can't be serious

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May 10

Camden Courier-Post

"I may not always agree with him, but I like to think Paul Holmgren is a smart man. That's why I seriously doubt the Flyers general manager is being completely honest when he says former Ottawa Senators bad boy Ray Emery is one of the many goaltending options the club is considering this summer. Emery, in case you haven't heard, is Sean Avery in a mask. Just ask Phantoms head coach John Paddock, who might still be coaching in Ottawa if not for "Sugar Ray" showing up late for practices, starting fist fights with teammates and essentially tearing apart a dressing room. He is Terrell Owens without the popcorn. So why is Holmgren saying Emery, who was recently cited for driving more than 50 ..."

Flyers' interest in Emery doesn't bother Biron

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May 6

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Flyers' interest in controversial goalie Ray Emery does not bother the agent for Flyers goalie Marty Biron.Gilles Lupien, Biron's agent, said yesterday he knows how "the game is played" and how Emery's agent is "shopping" his client.The bottom line, Lupien said, is that the Flyers say they want to re-sign Biron, "and Marty wants to stay with the Flyers."Lupien said he was relatively confident Biron would sign with the Flyers, but that it "depends on the cap" and how much money the team is able to spend. He doesn't expect Biron to sign until around July 1, the day his client can become an unrestricted free agent."Marty's first option is Philly," said Lupien, who can't contact other ..."

Flyers interested in volatile Emery

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May 5

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Controversial goalie Ray Emery, who helped the Ottawa Senators reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007 - and who excelled in Russia this season - has drawn interest from the Flyers, general manager Paul Holmgren confirmed yesterday."I have spoken with his agent numerous times over the course of the season on various matters, and, yes, Ray's name has come up," Holmgren said.Known for his hot temper, exotic cars, and extravagant lifestyle, Emery conceded that he was a heavy partyer in a 2008 interview with USA Today. While with Ottawa, he was involved in well-publicized confrontations with teammates.Emery, 26, nicknamed "Sugar Ray" and "Razor," could not be reached for comment. In the USA Today ..."

Holmgren says Flyers interested in goaltender Emery

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May 5

Philadelphia Daily News

"General manager Paul Holmgren confirmed the Flyers have interest in Ray Emery, a free-agent goaltender with a checkered past.Emery, 26, recently completed a season in Russia after the Senators bought out his contract the year after a trip to the 2007 Stanley Cup finals. Emery's time in Ottawa also was marked with missed practices and skirmishes with teammates."He's a good, young goalie, but we're not entirely sure what happened in Ottawa," Holmgren said. "That would be something we would need to check into."Emery was 22-8 with a 2.12 goals-against average for Atlant Moscow. His time in the KHL wasn't all caviar and vodka, however. He reportedly got into an altercation with a team trainer ..."

Flyers improved, but must plug holes

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May 3

Camden Courier-Post

"Is it possible for a hockey team to get better than the year before, yet be eliminated two rounds earlier in the Stanley Cup playoffs? If you're talking about the 2008-09 Flyers, the answer is yes. With six forwards scoring 25 or more goals and a revamped defense that got a whole lot quicker with Matt Carle and Ryan Parent than with Derian Hatcher and Jason Smith, it can be argued that the Flyers who were eliminated in six games by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2009 conference quarterfinals are better than the Flyers who were eliminated in five games by the Penguins in the 2008 conference finals. ``The Flyers want to win the Stanley Cup and we have to put our heads together and figure out ..."

Energy, confidence go long way for Flyers

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April 20

Philadelphia Daily News

"IT WOULD have made perfect sense if the Flyers had walked into the Wachovia Center feeling as if their season was collapsing.Certainly that has been the feeling from outside the team.Down two games-to-none after blowing a lead in regulation and losing on penalties in overtime in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup playoff series with Pittsburgh, the Flyers were not in any position to feel confident.But Mike Richards didn't see it that way."Right when I got here, I was just kind of talking around and you could just feel the energy and the confidence," the Flayers captain said. "Confidence is such a big part of the game in playoffs. I kind of just sensed we had it and had energy and that we were going ..."

Flyers interested in college star Gilroy

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April 12

Camden Courier-Post

"Now that the Philadelphia Phantoms have clinched an AHL playoff berth, the pool of available players for the Flyers' playoff roster will be limited. Enter Luca Sbisa and (drum roll, please) Matt Gilroy? Flyers fans are familiar with Sbisa, the smooth-skating rookie defenseman who joined the Phantoms Friday after splitting the season between the Flyers and the Western League Lethbridge Hurricanes. But unless you're a fan of college hockey and the Frozen Four, you may not recognize the name of Gilroy, who on Friday was named winner of the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top college player in the country. Gilroy, 24, finished his senior season at Boston University Saturday night in the NCAA ..."

Bruins to host Winter Classic

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April 10

Boston Globe

"The Bruins, lobbying for months to bring the NHL's Winter Classic to Boston, have been given the go-ahead by commissioner Gary Bettman's office to host the game Jan. 1, 2010, despite mild, perfunctory protestations from Causeway Street that plans for the popular New Year's Day game have yet to be finalized. Pending a last-second hiccup, the game will be staged at the near century-old Fenway Park, with its iconic Green Monster serving as the backdrop to the boards, Plexiglas, and 85- by 200-foot sheet of ice. The league gave the Bruins the official go-ahead Wednesday night. According to a source familiar with negotiations involving the NHL, players, and the Bruins, Boston likely will host ..."

Flyers, Holmgren awaiting decision from prospect van Riemsdyk

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March 31

Philadelphia Daily News

"James van Riemsdyk's college team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on Sunday by Boston University, putting the question of whether he should leave college for the pros back on the table.Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said yesterday that he has been in contact with van Riemsdyk's "adviser" and is waiting for a decision from the Flyers' 2007 first-round draft pick."I have spoken a couple of times with his adviser," Holmgren said. "We're still just kind of talking."I'm not sure which way this is going to go. [University of New Hampshire] lost and James needs to make a decision whether he wants to leave school or not, and that's kind of what we're talking about right now."He's ..."

Flyers' Briere gets good news; could return next week

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March 7

Philadelphia Daily News

"Danny Briere hasn't had the best of luck this season in the injury department. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out.But yesterday was different. His fortune may have changed for the first time in this grind of a season.Briere received good news from Dr. William Meyers, of Hahnemann University Hospital, the same surgeon who performed Briere's nerve-entrapment-release procedure in January."I met with Dr. Meyers this morning and he said that I tore through the adhesion in my groin," said Briere, who exited Thursday's game late in the second period. "It is swollen and I have a little internal bleeding, but it's not abnormal."Everybody reacts to surgery differently. [Dr. Meyers] has seen ..."

For Flyers, Upshall-for-Carcillo trade is tip of the salary cap

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March 5

Philadelphia Daily News

"WITH ONLY 15 MINUTES left until the official close of business, there was no word of movement out of the Flyers front office.Other teams were moving players - big names, medium names, little names, prospects, draft picks were all flying across the Internet and through the telephone lines at NHL headquarters after a very slow start to the league trade deadline yesterday afternoon.Olli Jokinen went to Calgary, Bill Guerin to Pittsburgh, Mark Recchi to Boston, Justin Williams to Los Angeles, Nik Antropov and Derek Morris to the New York Rangers. Jay Bouwmeester stayed on the Florida blue line, and Anaheim's Chris Pronger was never even on the market as of late Tuesday night.But there was ..."

Deadline sellers unlikely to see big returns

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March 4

Toronto Star

"More and more, today's trade deadline appears to be a prelude to that which lies ahead. To a significant degree, much of what we'll see today – or don't see today – is the direct result of 30 clubs trying to forecast the future in terms of where the industry is heading and, in particular, where the salary cap may be headed. In fact, there were moves yesterday that were indicators of what teams are thinking. Nicklas Backstrom signed a new contract to be the starting goaltender with the Minnesota Wild, and the salary was significant, an average of $6 million per season."

GMs go down to the wire

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March 4

Toronto Star

"Coffee brewed, scouting charts laid out, and lists of wants and needs neatly organized, the general managers of the NHL's 30 teams will meet in boardrooms across North America this morning prior to the trade deadline. Around them will be their confidantes, assistants and scouting directors ready to dial phones, buzz the BlackBerrys, text the messages and e the mail. Reputations will be carved, saviours will be anointed, nerves will be frayed, and regrets – there'll be a few. If things begin as normal, the morning will go slowly from a public perspective: Perhaps a few fourth liners, or fifth defender for some low-round picks as selling GMs try to talk up the price to the buyers. Behind ..."

Flyers Notes: Trade rumors swirl around Biron

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March 4

Philadelphia Inquirer

"BOSTON - With the NHL's trade deadline 3 p.m. today, rumors are rampant. One, courtesy of the TSN network in Canada, has the Flyers freeing salary-cap space by sending goalie Marty Biron to Phoenix, which would then trade him elsewhere - perhaps to his former team, Buffalo, which is dealing with an injury to Ryan Miller. The Flyers - who in that scenario would make Antero Niittymaki their go-to goalie - then would have the cap flexibility to acquire either Florida's Jay Bouwmeester or Anaheim's Chris Pronger, the two marquee defensemen on the block. Before last night's game against Boston, Biron said he had not been asked to waive his no-trade clause. "I don't know what I would say," he ..."

Flyers goalie Biron not concerned about trade rumors

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March 4

Philadelphia Daily News

"BOSTON - When you ask them, hockey players usually say they aren't paying a lot of attention to the hoopla that goes with every trade-deadline day. For the most part, they are not being honest. Even the ones who have no-trade clauses and are in no danger of being moved are generally keeping an eye and an ear open to pick up the latest. "What are you hearing," is what is being said as today's 3 p.m. deadline approaches. An hour before last night's Flyers-Bruins game, the NHL was fairly quiet. Bloggers were doing their thing, throwing rumors up on the wall to see what stuck, while general managers worked the phones and salary-cap calculations. The big names, Chris Pronger (Anaheim) and Jay ..."

NHL general managers gear up for Wednesday's trading deadline

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March 4

Los Angeles Times

"NHL general managers began trying to clear salary cap space today for possible trades, as several teams placed prominent players on waivers and others held tradable players out of the final games before Wednesday's trade deadline of noon Pacific time. The Ducks waived disappointing center Brendan Morrison, eager to shed his $2.75-million salary and gain financial flexibility. But it appears unlikely they will deal defenseman Chris Pronger, barring the emergence of a last-minute trading partner willing to give up a young, front-line player and assume Pronger's $6.25-million salary next season. With the Ducks still competing for a playoff spot, a more likely scenario would be that they will ..."

Marty shuffling off to Buffalo?

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March 4

Camden Courier-Post

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm in Clearwater, FL right now covering the Phillies spring training. Anyway, I'm still keeping my hockey ears peeled and I heard last night the Flyers are looking into moving Marty Biron back to the Sabres as a salary dump. It makes sense for a few reasons. The most notable is that Biron makes 3.5 mill and that would clear a big portion of salary space for the Flyers to land a quality defenseman like Tomas Kaberle, Derek Morris, Filip Kuba or …. Jay Bouwmeester. I still think the Flyers are hot after JayBo and that Jacques Martin was in Philly twice last week because he wanted a good long look at Joffrey Lupul, Matt Carle, Randy Jones and Braydon Coburn. If ..."

Decision time hits for Flyers

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March 4

Camden Courier-Post

"Will the Flyers turn the page on the Marty Biron era? Will they shed the necessary salary to acquire coveted defenseman Jay Bouwmeester? Or will general manager Paul Holmgren be satisfied with only minor tinkering to a team that ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference standings with 20 games to play? The final bell for the NHL trade deadline will sound today at 3 p.m. and if the past three years are any indication, it will be an active day of trading. Twenty-five trades have been made on deadline day in each of the past three years, involving a total of 129 players. The Flyers are considering several options, including sending Biron and his $3.5 million cap hit to the Buffalo Sabres in a ..."

Flyers haven't asked Biron's permission for trade

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March 3

Philadelphia Daily News

"If there is a trade deadline, there are trade deadline rumors. One of the better ones this afternoon, courtesy of Canadian all-sports network TSN, is that the Flyers are trying to move goalie Marty Biron to the Phoenix Coyotes. The plan, according to TSN, would be for the Coyotes to trade Biron to another team but the Coyotes want that second trade in place before dealing with the Flyers. But since Biron has a no-trade clause, the Flyers would need his permission to trade him. "Usually in these situations the team will ask the player 2 or 3 days in advance. No one has asked me," Biron said before walking into the visitors' locker room in TD Banknorth Garden. *"

Flyers Trade Rumors