Flyers, Canucks Make Waiver Claims

The Philadelphia Flyers claimed forward Dmitry Afanasenkov off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lighning this earlier this afternoon. Afanasenkov has 3 goals and 3 assists in 33 games so far this season, and he was a third round pick of the Lightning back in 1998. The Vancouver Canucks have claimed forward Jeff Cowan off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings. Cowan has 2 assists in 21 games so far this season with the Kings.

Flyers trades fell through

It looks like the Flyers are finding misfortune off the ice as much as they are on the ice.

Boston did not like the looks of the doctor’s report on Niittymaki’s hip, so they pulled out of the deal. What was the deal?

– Kapanen and Niittymaki for Sturm and Stuart

That deal would have been a great move by the Flyers.

But that isn’t the only downfall. If that deal were to be done, then the Flyers would have pulled off two more deals.

– Calder and something else to the Kings for Visnovsky.
– a package including Umberger going to San Jose for one of the Sharks goalies.

Needless to say, I think those would have been deals that would definitely help the Flyers.

If anything else comes out, I’ll be on it.

Lightning, Flyers swap players

According to TSN, the Philadelphia Flyers have acquired right winger Darren Reid from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for centre Daniel Corso.

Mara not in the mix

I’ve been told that Paul Mara is not in the mix in a deal that could involve Antero Niittymaki going to the Bruins. However, both Brad Stuart and Marco Sturm have been mentioned.

Stay tuned…….

Latest Flyers Rumors

I have been told that Antero Niittymaki could be traded. He was asked to take a physical by an unamed team to see if his hip will last the rest of the season. It might be Boston, but there is no assurance of that yet. A possible return could be Paul Mara or Brad Stuart, filling Philadelphia’s need for a top four defenseman.

I know it sounds crazy. Heck, even I thought it was crazy when this was passed on to me. But if you remember, Hannu Toivonen was sent down to the AHL, and Brian Finley was called up, which could mean one of Thomas or Finley could be on their way out of Boston to make room for Niittymaki.

I haven’t heard anything about who will be the starter. I’m told it’s Esche for now, but I doubt he will be a starter for very long.

Also, there are a couple teams who are very interested in RJ Umberger. The Canadiens, the Kings, and the Sharks. Umberger could be part of a small package that will go to one of those teams for a goaltender.

The information I’m getting is, of course, subject to change. Things may turn out differently, but this is what I’ve been told.

Carter out six weeks; Nedved recalled

Flyers center Jeff Carter will be out for the next six weeks with a broken left tibia. Because of this injury, Petr Nedved has been recalled from the Philadelphia Phantoms. He was on assignment to the Phantoms after the Flyers 9-1 loss to Buffalo, and scored 4 goals and 4 assists in 7 games with the Phantoms.

Also, defenseman Martin Grenier and forward Stefan Ruzicka have been sent back to the AHL after their stint with the Flyers. With Ruzicka’s return, it probably means Mike Knuble could be back in the lineup from his broken finger for Thursday’s game against the Islanders. If that is not the case, a trade could be in the works, as many rumors have been flying around the league with trades involving the Flyers.

Flyers rumors getting white hot

After tonight’s 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, dropping the Flyers to 3-9-1, the trade talks on 610 WIP sports radio were plentiful. Flyers radio play-by-play broadcaster Tim Saunders said “a trade was imminent.” It has been circulating around the rumor mill for the past couple days, especially today.

A MAJOR trade between Philadelphia and Calgary could be in the works, and I mean MAJOR. Names like Gagne, Carter, Umberger, Giroux have been mentioned from Philly, and Iginla, Dustin Boyd, Tim Ramholt, Hamrlik, and Robyn Regehr have been mentioned in Calgary. I think one of the things holding up this deal is the Flyers not wanting to get rid of Claude Giroux.

Both these teams had high expectations, and both teams are really struggling right now. Something could be in the works. Stay tuned……..

Hamrlik, Leetch on Flyers radar

Veteran Blueliner Brian Leetch is practicing hard in an attempt to get back in the NHL, and according to sportsnet he is interesting in joining the Philadelphia Flyers.

Flyers Re-Hire Hitchcock

Not as a Head coach, only as a pro scout. Hitchcock will scout teams and players the Flyers might be interested in talking trades with. He won’t be an advanced scout. The job may only be temporary as Hitchcock will likely rather be coaching than scouting, and would probably take up an offer from another team. Makes me wonder if the firing of Hitchcock was only to show the fans that “something was getting done” rather than actually firing the guy because of the performance of the team.

Flyers look to re-build; Blockbuster deal in the mix?

When realizing the Philadelphia Flyers were off to their worst start in over 15 years, the club decided to clean house firing head coach Ken Hitchcock and allowing General Manager Bobby Clarke to re-sign from the team. Things began to open up for the Flyers and the team saw a little bit of light when beating the hot Atlanta Thrashers in a shootout 3-2. But last night showed that game was nothing more than a fluke as the city of brotherly love was absolutely dominated by the Pittsburgh Penguins 8-2.