Flyers Attempt to Get Back in Contention with Big Signings
With seemingly everyone focused on NBA free agency, the Philadelphia Flyers have been flying under the radar to grab key free agents to bolster their roster. Coming off a lockout-shortened season in which they had a 23-22-3 record and the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, the Flyers decided it was time to make some big moves to shake up their roster. Here are all of the transactions by the Flyers this offseason.
June 20th– Bought out the contract of C Danny Briere, making him a free agent. Briere played in 34 of the 48 games last season, scored only six goals and had 10 assists.
June 25th– Bought out the remainder of G Ilya Bryzgalov’s contract, making him a free agent. The often erratic goaltender played in 40 of the team’s games last season, posting a record of 19-17-3 and a GAA (goals against average) of 2.79.
July 2nd– Signed C Vincent Lecavalier to a five year deal at 4.5 million dollars per season. The 33 year old center had 10 goals and 22 assists for the Tampa Bay Lightning last season and is one of the better players of his generation.
July 5th– Signed G Ray Emery and G Yann Danis to one year deals. Emery, a 10 year veteran, started 19 games last year and posted a record of 17-1 with a .922 save percentage. Dannis played in only three games last season and made 52 saves. Emery figures to be the starter.
July 5th– Signed C Claude Giroux to an eight year contract extension worth 66.2 million dollars. The 25-year-old star scored 13 goals and dished out 35 assists last season as the focal point of the Flyers offense. Giroux will need to continue to lead his team both on and off the ice for the team to succeed.
