The Philadelphia Flyers have signed unrestricted free agent goalie Brian Boucher to a two-year contract worth $1.85 million.
The Flyers have also signed unrestricted free agent right wing Ian Laperriere to a three-year, $3.5 million contract.
Definely like both moves, Boucher is one of the most underappciated players in the game and potentially getting a good starter for less than 2 million can't knock. and Laperriere is a great role player and probably be a great help to the flyers growth.
I like the signings. Homer was not happy with the way the Flyers fizzled and lost the 4th spot in the East and then play without heart against PIT. Getting guys like Pronger and Laperriere will help provide the leadership that was sorely missed last year. Getting rid of Lupul was good, he takes too many nights off. Yes, it was a steep price but the Flyers got a HOFer in return.
__________________ "We don't want to win the Stanley Cup in September, we want to win it in June."
So with Biron signing with the islanders today and Niittymaki with the lighting a few weeks ago, looks like the flyers are going with Emery and Boucher as their keepers. I think this is a potentially troubling situation, I'm little unsure about Boucher's longetivity, as he has never played more than 45 games in a season in his career and more than 40 games only three times. and emery is a huge question mark in general.
Good point. Who'd they get for Niittymaki? Probably turn out that Niittymaki will have a good season. I hope that Alberts, Parent and Jones are improving their game because they are questionable, as well. I'd like to see Briere/Gagne, Giroux/Richards, Hartnell/Carter on the same lines and LaPierre alternate between lines. It's not a mighty Red Wing Offense but it will get the job done. I also think it might take quite a while for the fans to accept Emery. If he starts pushing people around and hitting players with sticks he should get accepted pretty fast.
Last edited by Flyers : 07-28-2009 at 12:50 PM.
Reason: add
I think the defense is going to be pretty decent. My (and everyone else's) questions marks lie in the goaltending. Emery could be exactly what the Flyers need with some fiestiness, or he could be what TO was to the Eagles.
The offense should be fine. Losing 52 goals and 97 points (35 of which were on the power play) isn't exciting though. With Briere, Richards, Carter, and Laperriere, they'll be fine down the middle.
Those 52 goals and 97 points that were lost could be off-set from full seasons of Briere, Giroux and (if he makes the team) vanRiemsdyk. I really don't see Philadelphia having an issue in terms of offense.
As for goaltending, I think that Emery will fit in well.
I think your offense should be fine this year. The defensive top pairing with Pronger and Timonen will be one of the best. The rest of the D has potential with Parent, Coburn and Carle. They are young and have talent. I do question the goaltending situation. The regular season shouldn't be bad because you can give Emory and Boucher equal time and neither should wear out or see many shots for that matter. But come playoff time i question whether either one will win more than one series for you. We will see though, hopefully you draw the Pens in the first round again but just try and win this time please.
Flyers' 2009 Off season
Flyers' 2009 Off season
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