NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports " a well-connected NHL source" claims the Philadelphia Flyers have asked veteran winger John LeClair to waive his no-trade clause in hopes of moving him and his big salary elsewhere. Apparently LeClair and his agent are considering it, meanwhile, GM Bob Clarke is supposedly shopping the big forward to the NY Rangers to reunite him with former linemate Eric Lindros. Brooks claims, however, that Rangers GM Glen Sather is "lukewarm" to the idea, even with the Flyers believed willing to absorb a significant portion of his contract. Brooks claims LeClair could also consider a contract buyout at a lesser rate than the two-thirds it would take under CBA rules, which the Flyers aren't believed wiling to do, to facilitate either "to a trade; to unrestricted free agency; or even to signing a new deal with Philadelphia." Brooks also claims Clarke has spoken to two other clubs besides the Rangers, and their concerns are also with LeClair's contract.
ESPN/610 WIP radio: Al Morganti also reported on this, suggesting three clubs who could be involved include the Rangers, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens. Morganti suggested the deal with the Bruins would see Martin Lapointe heading to Philly.
Spector's Note: My thanks to all of you who sent this in. Brooks and Morganti have cried wolf so many times that it's impossible now to believe them. But let's pretend that this time they're telling the truth. The Canadiens and Bruins won't take LeClair unless the Flyers absorb half his salary. Given his injury history of the past three seasons, it's doubtful even then that they'd take a chance on him. As for the Rangers, the word now is Sather apparently isn't interested in picking up any more big contracts, as he's concerned over what the fallout could be from the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. Anyway, it's best to reserve judgement on this until we hear from LeClair or Flyers management
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003
Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have signed 5’10”, 180-pound forward Sami Kapanen (KAP ih nuhn) to a new two-year contract, according to club President and General Manager Bob Clarke. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
“Sami is an important player on this team,” said Clarke in making the announcement. “He played last year with (Jeremy) Roenick and (Tony) Amonte and the speed and effort that Sami has is really important to our team. We certainly want to have a good team and are intending to have a good team. Signing Sami is the first step towards that.”
“I’m really excited,” said Kapanen on signing a new contract. “I got into town last night and felt like I found a home, so I know that I made the right choice. This is something that I have being looking forward to. This gives me, over the next couple of years, a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup. The expectations on this team are high every year and I am expecting a lot of myself. Last season overall was a little sub-par (for me) and I am looking forward to bouncing back and having a solid year.”
Kapanen, 29, recorded 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points and 18 penalty minutes in 71 games for Carolina and the Flyers this past season. He posted 13 points (4G,9A) and six penalty minutes in 28 regular season games for the Flyers and 18 points (6G,12A) and 12 penalty minutes in 43 games for the Hurricanes. In 13 playoff games for the Flyers, Kapanen registered four goals and three assists for seven points and six penalty minutes. He was acquired by the Flyers, along with Ryan Bast, from Carolina in exchange for Pavel Brendl and Bruno St. Jacques on February 7, 2003.
During the 2001-02 season, the Vantaa, Finland native registered 27 goals and 42 assists for 69 points and 23 penalty minutes in 77 regular season games for the Hurricanes, setting new career highs for goals, assists and points in a season. Kapanen also represented Finland in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, his third Olympics (1994, 1998 and 2002).
In eight NHL seasons (1995-96 to 2002-03) with Hartford/Carolina and the Flyers, Kapanen has recorded 149 goals and 212 assists for 361 points and 111 penalty minutes in 548 regular season games. He was originally drafted by Hartford in the fourth round (87th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. Kapanen has appeared in two NHL All-Star Games (2000 and 2002).
Méschda Hoschbess holy ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299
Philadelphia Flyers forward John LeClair has reportedly agreed to waive his no-trade clause, with some restrictions.
The Philadelphia Daily News quotes several team sources who say LeClair would agree to a trade if it involved the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings or Dallas Stars.
LeClair has three years left on a five year deal which guarantees him $9-million a season, which would severely limit his trade options unless he agreed to restructure the deal or the Flyers pay a good portion of his salary.
"I'm not going to say anything about it," LeClair tells the Daily News. "This will all be worked out in the next couple of weeks."
Flyers general manager Bob Clarke denied last week that the team has asked LeClair to waive his no-trade clause or that he has already spoken to the Rangers about a possible deal.
Clarke has already said that some of the team's veteran players will be asked to take a decreased role next season in an attempt to inject some younger players into the lineup.
CAMDEN COURIER-POST: Chuck Gormley reported yesterday the Philadelphia Flyers will be forced to pay part of winger John LeClair's salary if they hope to trade him. Gormley claims the NY Rangers would "love" to reunite LeClair with former linemate Eric Lindros, while he could be "reunited with U.S. Olympic teammates Brett Hull and Mike Modano" if the Flyers shop him to Dallas. Apparently, Flyers GM Bob Clarke would like to dump LeClair's salary before the July 1 unrestricted free agent deadline, in order to "make a big splash". Gormley suggests Clarke might have interest in Dallas defenceman Derian Hatcher if he becomes a free agent, but that depends on Eric Desjardins re-signing with the Flyers. Team spokesman Paul Holmgren refused to comment on the continuing speculation of LeClair waiving his no-trade clause.
Spector's Note: Unless Gormley knows something we don't, Brett Hull no longer plays for Dallas, but for Detroit now. Clarke denied speaking to the Rangers about a LeClair deal, although it wouldn't be the first time he's denied something only to turn around and do the opposite. As for Derian Hatcher, I still believe he won't be going anywhere and will be re-signed by Dallas.
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003 Lions Forum Playoff Tippspiel Champion 2003 Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
CLARKE CONFIRMS ASKING LeCLAIR TO WAIVE NO-TRADE CLAUSE.
CAMDEN COURIER-POST: Chuck Gormley reports Philadelphia Flyers GM Bob Clarke has admitted asking forward John LeClair to waive his no-trade clause, just one week after he denied doing such a thing. He also admitted " a few teams" had interest in LeClair, but thus far nothing is imminent.
The 11th overall pick has produced quality throughout the years
By Brian Marks, philadelphiaflyers.com
Oddly enough, in their 36-year history, the Flyers have never had the 11th overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft, as they do this Saturday. Several quality players have been picked from that slot over the years and some have even become stars. Among them are Jarome Iginla (1995), Jeff Friesen (1994), Brendan Witt (1993), Brian Rolston (1991), Trevor Kidd (1990), Mike Sillinger (1989), Scott Young (1986) and Brad Marsh (1978).
Iginla (Dallas' selection in 1995) has become a star in the NHL after a breakout 2001-02 season for the Calgary Flames, leading the league in goals with 52. He followed that performance with his third consecutive 30-goal season, notching 35 goals this past season. At just 25, Iginla will be around for a long, long time.
Friesen (San Jose's selection in 1994) was a major reason why the New Jersey Devils came away with their third Stanley Cup in nine seasons in 2002-03. Friesen made the jump from Entry Draft to the NHL and has had a rather smooth transition. He has been a steady and solid player throughout his career and his trade to New Jersey from Anaheim last summer proved to be a quality move for both parties. The winger scored three game-winning goals in the Eastern Conference Finals against Ottawa and added another in the Finals as the Devils defeated Anaheim in seven games.
Every team would love to have a Scott Young (Hartford's selection in 1986) on their team. The Stars veteran has played 14 full seasons in the league and recorded nearly 700 points. He’s a bit of a journeyman - Dallas is his sixth NHL team - but he still shows up to work hard every single night.
One of the most consistent players in the NHL is Boston forward Brian Rolston (New Jersey's selection in 1991). Rolston is a force in both ends of the ice and is always a concern to score a shorthanded goal. He won a Cup with the Devils as a rookie in 1995 and has posted over 50 points in four of his nine NHL seasons.
Brendan Witt (Washington's selection in 1993) may not scare the opposition with his statistics, but the Saskatchewan-native brings depth and punch to the Capitals' blue line. The 28-year-old defenseman has recorded 100-or-more penalty minutes in four of the last six seasons and always provides a highlight or two for the fight reel.
While he may not get another chance to be a starting goaltender in the NHL, Trevor Kidd (Calgary's selection in 1991) is a veteran netminder with 11 years of NHL experience. Most recently, he backed up Ed Belfour this season in Toronto. Kidd has played for four teams in his career and has won 134 games.
Marsh (Atlanta's selection in 1978) and Sillinger (Detroit's selection in 1989) were both former 11th overall picks that played for the Flyers at one time.
Marsh played 15 solid years in the NHL and his biggest contributions came as a Flyer. The 6'3", 220-pound blue liner skated seven seasons for the Flyers from 1981-82 through 1987-88 after being acquired from Calgary for Mel Bridgman. Marsh totaled 110 points (14G,96A) and 636 penalty minutes in 514 games for the Flyers.
Sillinger donned the Orange and Black sweater from 1997-98 to 1998-99, recording 25 points (11G,14A) in 52 games. Sillinger, 31, is still in the league and played this past season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Talent from the 11th overall pick has come in all shapes and sizes throughout the years. On Saturday, the Flyers will get their chance to add to the mix.
Monday, June 16, 2003
Méschda Hoschbess holy ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299
The Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers won't be able to find takers for either Jaromir Jagr or John LeClair, because of their hefty contracts and the uncertainty over labour negotiations after next season. They'll be forced to either re-structure their contracts or do an out-right buyout.
- Spector's Note: Figure the former, not the latter. The feeling around the league seems to be the Caps and Flyers won't be able to dump either guys salaries, even if they pick up half of it.
New coach and new system led 2002-03 Flyers forward
By Brian Marks, philadelphiaflyers.com
This is Ken Hitchcock’s team and everybody knows it. While there may have been some trepidations and resistance to the tight regime and hard lines, no one discounted the positive effect that he brought to Philadelphia in his first season and the progress that he will make in the future.
That is why the 2002-03 season was a success. It laid the groundwork for the time to come. The grace period of learning the new system, getting adapted and finding yourself is over. As the Flyers move forward, the pieces and the framework of a winning team are in place. The building to top this solid foundation will be the seeds to watch grow in 2003-04 and down the line.
“I don’t think we’re far at all,” said Jeremy Roenick. “It’s a process and you have to take certain steps. We took a huge step with the new coaching staff and put together a great system. Guys being together another year and I think we’re very, very close. Next year should be very exciting for our hockey club.
“I think it’s important for guys to use their off-season to really prepare for a big year next year. The guys we have in this locker room, with the additions of [Tony] Amonte and [Sami] Kapanen, are going to be big pieces of our puzzle for next year.”
“From where we were in October, which I thought was a long, long ways away, we’ve closed the gap a lot,” says Hitchcock. “We’re not there yet, but we’ve closed the gap a lot.”
Last October doesn’t seem so long ago. The Flyers got off to a rocket start right out of the gate. After a 2-2 tie in Edmonton in the season opener where John LeClair netted both Flyers scores, the Flyers produced an epic third-period comeback two nights later in Calgary. Down 4-2 in the final frame, Mark Recchi tied the score with two of his three goals on the night. Roenick iced the road warriors' comeback with the game-winning goal with just over a minute remaining.
“‘Hitch’ came in and challenged us after the second period and said if we’re going to start and build something, we’re going to start tonight,” Recchi said that night.
Building together was the theme all season long. The high-flying October produced four six-goal games for the Flyers, who were supposed to do anything but score under Hitchcock. LeClair damaged his former team, the Montreal Canadiens, on October 15 with four goals. Nine days later, Montreal took it on the chin again, this time in Philadelphia, 6-2. On Halloween night, former Flyer and current Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Brian Boucher felt the barrage firsthand as he was shelled, 6-2, at the First Union Center.
Through November 5, the Flyers had lost just one of their first 12 games (9-1-2-0). Learning the system and finding their place gave the team some growing pains in November, as they posted a 4-5-4-0 record. Adversity, though, is what this team dealt with all season.
LeClair, off to a torrid start with 11 goals in the first 21 games, went down indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder on November 27 in Pittsburgh and would not return until March. It was a big setback for the power forward who has symbolized the team for nearly a decade.
Hitchcock faced his former club, the Dallas Stars, in the teams' only meeting on December 17 in Philadelphia. The nerves were felt early when the surging Stars scored two quick first-period goals and Roenick was called for a boarding major when he hit Mike Modano. Things looked bleak, but the Flyers came back, thanks in part to late third-period power play goals from Recchi and Keith Primeau that left the game in a 2-2 tie.
“Bizarre,” Hitchcock said afterward of the day that also happened to be his 51st birthday. “It was a very emotional day for me. I’m glad to be going to Atlanta [for the next game].”
The Flyers won three out of five games on their annual post-Christmas West Coast swing, which set up a season-tying six-game winning streak. The streak was capped by an exciting 3-2 win over the defending champion Red Wings, with center Michal Handzus getting the game-winning goal, one of his team-leading nine game-winning goals of the season.
Handzus became a standout center with the Flyers this season. Acquired in the Boucher trade last summer, Handzus registered 23 goals and 44 points in 2002-03. His defense was impeccable and his presence added to the Flyers' depth down the middle.
The injury bug started to eat at the Flyers in January. On January 18th, Justin Williams went down with torn ligaments in his left knee. Williams would miss the next 36 games, only returning for the regular season finale in Florida and then the playoffs. Then, on January 24, Simon Gagne fell victim to a torrid groin strain and would play just five more regular season games after two comebacks were halted by re-injuring the muscle. He missed a total of 36 games due the injury, ending his season with 27 points (9G,18A).
The second half of the season was marked by change as trades and moves by President and General Manager Bob Clarke altered the makeup of the team. The injuries of Williams and Gagne created a need for more scoring and speed. So, on February 7, Sami Kapanen was acquired from Carolina. He promptly scored the game-winning goal the following day as the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers, 2-1.
Clarke’s biggest move, however, was saved for March 10 when he added the scoring punch of Tony Amonte from Phoenix. The results were felt immediately. Amonte became the sixth Flyer of the 2002-03 season to score a goal in his first game with the club when he netted the game-winning goal in 5-3 win over Carolina on March 13. LeClair returned to the lineup that night after missing 47 games and scored a power play goal.
The addition of Amonte and the return of LeClair paid quick dividends for the team. From the Carolina game on, the Flyers finished out the regular season on a solid 10-2-2-0 streak, including an impressive 4-2 bashing of the Devils in New Jersey on March 17.
Roenick’s consistent presence in the lineup brought stability to the lineup as he led the team in scoring for the second straight season, recording 27 goals and 59 points. Primeau became one of the standout defensive forwards in hockey, flourishing in the new role handed down by Hitchcock. On the blue line, Eric Desjardins returned to prominence, showing why he has been the top defenseman on this team for many seasons. His efforts gained him his seventh Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers' most outstanding defenseman.
Despite all the veteran influence, the Flyers were also getting remarkably younger before our eyes. The back line saw the emergence of rookies Jim Vandermeer and Dennis Seidenberg. Up front, Radovan Somik began to come into his own and the acquisition of Eric Chouinard also looks to the future.
In net, Robert Esche burst onto the scene and provided solid back-up duty to Roman Cechmanek. Esche posted a 12-9-3 record and a 2.20 goals-against average in 30 games. As a whole, the goaltending was remarkable. Cechmanek and Esche combined to give up just 166 goals, which tied the New Jersey Devils for the lowest in the NHL. They were rewarded with a share of the William Jennings Trophy.
The Flyers finished one point shy of the Atlantic Division Championship, but their 107 points were their highest total since 1985-86. With that, the Flyers drew the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and were matched up in the first round with the Toronto Maple Leafs in a highly anticipated series.
It turned out to be one of the best series of the postseason. It was expected to go seven games and it did just that. The Flyers relied on their veteran leadership in this long, grueling duel. After falling behind 1-0 in the series, the Flyers came back strong in Game Two with a 4-1 romp at the First Union Center. Roenick, LeClair and Recchi each scored a goal in the win, evening the series at one game apiece.
What would set this series apart were the overtimes. All three games in Toronto went the extra period and then some. Game Three eased into double overtime until Toronto's Tomas Kaberle found the net and gave the Leafs a 2-1 win and series lead.
Two nights later, the Flyers nearly stared down the barrel of three-games-to-one deficit in the series as the contest moved into triple overtime. Ed Belfour had made 72 saves, but he couldn’t make the 73rd when Recchi netted his second goal of the game for a dramatic 3-2 victory to tie the series again, at two games apiece.
After the Flyers moved ahead in Game Five with a dominating 4-1 victory, Toronto evened the series with another double overtime win, 2-1, in Game Six. It set up a climatic Game Seven the very next night at the First Union Center.
The Flyers did not disappoint. They got speed and energy from their young guns. Gagne and Williams scored huge first-period goals to squeeze nearly all the juice from the Leafs. In the end, the Flyers had a 6-1 victory and their first series win since 2000.
The Eastern Conference Semifinals featured a Flyers' meeting with the Ottawa Senators. After falling behind one game to none and two games to one in the series, the Flyers responded with shutouts. In Game Two, Cechmanek made 33 saves in a 2-0 blanking. In Philadelphia for Game Four, the Flyers came up huge again with a 1-0 win that they hoped would wrestle all the momentum away from the powerful Senators.
It did not last as Ottawa outplayed the Flyers in Game Five, 5-2, and Game Six, 5-1, to take the series, four games to two.
While the Flyers ran out of gas in their hopes of the Stanley Cup, the progress that the team displayed cannot be overlooked or downplayed. There will be changes and some fine-tuning, but the Flyers feel that they have the players that can come together to win hockey’s biggest prize. Hitchcock will ask for a bigger contribution from his young guns and count on his veterans for leadership. This ship is far from docking. With Hitchcock, you can be assured of nothing less.
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
Méschda Hoschbess holy ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299
Philadelphi, 18. Juni Die Anzeichen verdichten sich, dass die Philadelphia Flyers noch vor dem NHL-Draft am nächsten Wochenende versuchen werden ihren Starstürmer John Leclair von der Payroll zu bekommen. Der 34-jährige ehemalige 50 Tore Schütze traf in der letzten Spielzeit auch verletzungsbedingt nur 18 mal. Mit 9 Millionen Dollar und einem Drei-Jahres-Vertrag ist er der bestbezahlteste Spieler im Kader von Trainer Ken Hitchcock. "Es ist nicht, weil wir John nicht mögen, aber wir müssen unsere Ausgaben reduzieren", so Manager Bobby Clarke. Zudem steht ein guter und sicherlich auch teurer Torhüter auf der Wunschliste der Flyers ganz oben. "Ich weiß nicht, wo ich nächstes Jahr spiele", so Leclair, der seine "no trade"-Klausel erst vor kurzem auflöste. Allerdings nur für einige bestimmte Teams, darunter Detroit, Dallas und die New York Rangers.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Rob Parent Special to ESPN.com
Two tumultuous transactions, downplayed as they were in recent weeks, are indicative of the extent the Philadelphia Flyers will go to this summer to bring about a sense of change in the wake of another playoff failure.
John LeClair has registered 558 points in 574 games with the Flyers. Not that there's anything new about that.
Yet it's a major move that has yet to happen which could really alter the face of the Flyers as they prepare, along with everyone else, for a looming NHL labor war.
Could there be a more drastic way to change the identity of the Flyers than to trade John LeClair?
"I'm not gonna talk about it," LeClair said in a recent interview regarding rumors that he is not only being shopped, but was trying to expedite the process by waiving the no-trade clause in his contract. "Things will be worked out in the next couple of weeks. We'll see what happens then."
It's been about a week since he said that, and so far nothing has happened. As recently as Friday, Flyers president/general manager Bob Clarke acknowledged that while "a few teams" had inquired about the winger's availability, the team wasn't close to trading its long-time icon.
Then again, as a couple of other fast flip-flop moves would indicate, you never quite know what Clarke is going to do next.
Shortly after falling way short in the playoffs again, Clarke traded goaltender Roman Cechmanek to Los Angeles for a draft pick. To Clarke, the Czech goalie, who always is among the statistical leaders in the league during the regular season, had proven in a second-round loss to Ottawa that he is not a player who holds up well under playoff pressure.
In typical fashion, Clarke made this decision on his own, and then boldly announced it during his annual season-wrap press conference -- before the trade was made, before organizational chairman Ed Snider could offer an opinion on it and before he told coach Ken Hitchcock.
What wasn't so typical, and also wasn't so popular, was when Clarke pried only a second-round draft choice out of the Kings in the trade two weeks later.
So while Clarke was defending testily his compensation as more than fair for a goalie with a questionable playoff track record in today's shaky economic environment, a groundswell of movement continued within the Philadelphia organizational ranks that would lead to a second move -- Clarke losing part of his title.
In a rather sudden if suppressed announcement Friday, Clarke said he was remaining as general manager of the Flyers while transferring the title of president to former chief operating officer Ron Ryan, once the director of the old World Hockey Association and a former cable television executive whose tenure with the club dates back to May 1988.
With Ryan's background as a coach, general manager and business executive, perhaps it's only appropriate that Clarke said of this switch, "It's the job (Ryan) should be doing, anyway."
But apparently it won't make Clarke any less of the top-gun Flyer that he's always been.
"My role," Clarke said, "hasn't changed one bit. I spend my whole life over here at the practice rink with the club. So Ron should be president. I never did anything in that area. It's taking nothing away from me and adding the proper title to Ron Ryan."
But in typical Philly fan fashion, it's also created a presumptuous perception that the rather dictatorial powers Clarke possessed have been relegated to shared management, if not subject to presidential veto power by another voice.
Not so, said the real boss.
"Ron will oversee the budget and other [business responsibilities] that Bob hasn't done in a few years, anyway," Snider said.
“ I really don't want to comment on (John LeClair). I don't know what's going to happen ... but we're in a (economic) situation with the league where a lot of teams are going to have to make some hard decisions. ” — Ed Snider, chairman of Comcast-Spectacor, the Flyers' parent company But Clarke will still be the main worker when it comes to trades, and he'll do so with every blessing from Snider. Even with Clarke's pre-announced Cechmanek deal, the method of which Snider didn't seem initially pleased about, the chairman now seems content.
"I think that was a good move," Snider said. "I think it was good because of the unfortunate way the playoffs ended would have doomed him with the fans. Even if he had a good regular season, they'd have said, 'ho hum.' "
While this organizational shuffling might not usurp Clarke of his powers, it does at least saddle him with a second voice with which to bounce any rash decisions off:
Such as trading the organization's top goaltending prospect (Maxime Ouellet, who likely will be with the Capitals next season) along with a couple of other top draft picks just to rent Adam Oates to no avail at the trading deadline in 2002.
Such as trading a top NHL goaltender (statistically, anyway) in Cechmanek for only a second-round pick when there is no proven replacement to move into that No. 1 crease spot, and limited options both in the free-agent market or via a trade.
Will this next seismic shift everyone is anticipating be handled any differently?
According to the milling rumors in recent weeks, LeClair could wind up as the next aging mega-millionaire in a Rangers uniform. Or maybe he'll do Dallas or even dance into Detroit. And don't discount the allegedly broke Kings, who might be working with the Flyers under an unspoken and unofficial "future considerations" type of arrangement after that Cechmanek deal.
Speaking of the unspoken, that's how all parties to the LeClair rumors have handled the situation. His agent, Lewis Gross, hasn't returned phone calls. Snider, the man that signs his checks, freely talked the other day of all hot-button issues except for one very big one.
"I really don't want to comment on it," Snider said of the LeClair talk. "I don't know what's going to happen ... but we're in a [economic] situation with the league where a lot of teams are going to have to make some hard decisions."
Everyone's All-American, LeClair turns 34 on the Fifth of July. Devastating back woes and a shoulder injury relegated him to scoring just 50 of his 359 career goals over the past three seasons. Little wonder why Hitchcock has pinpointed him for a checking line role next season, one that the hard-working and ever-loyal LeClair seems a tad uncomfortable with.
So that's why he isn't denying that he has agreed to waive his no-trade clause, and has composed a list of preferred teams that includes the four aforementioned NHL destinations. What LeClair won't say is that the primary motivation behind these moving rumors could be that the Flyers would prefer to keep him, so long as they can drastically rework his current contract, which has three more years remaining at $9 million each.
"I don't make the financial decisions," LeClair said. "That's out of my hands."
The Flyers have their reasons: Even by eliminating Cechmanek's contract (two more years at a total of $6.5 million) and with $4 million defenseman Eric Desjardins close to opting for unrestricted free agency, these Flyers -- who seem short on scoring, old on defense and only with last season's backup Robert Esche qualifying as an NHL goalie -- still have a payroll crowding $60 million.
So don't expect them to jump into any Derian Hatcher sweepstakes or try to acquire Nikolai Khabibulin's contract anytime soon.
Of course, when it comes to taking on big-money players in the East (Alex Kovalev and Tony Amonte for a couple of quick springtime references), the Rangers and the Flyers always seem to be the first two teams on the tip of everyone's tongues. Like every other team, however, they are operating under the influence of September 2004.
It's difficult to find one management mind, agent opinion or player voice that would offer that commissioner Gary Bettman's efforts to install some sort of salary cap won't result in some sort of labor action, if not a protracted war that wipes out an entire season or two.
So the Flyers are now firmly caught up in their own changing efforts. They might prefer to play out this game with LeClair by restructuring his contract rather than reshuffling their roster. But it might give them pause if another club says it'll take LeClair off their hands if they agree to pay for part of his salary or take on another unwanted player's pricey contract.
Even the players themselves don't have to read that in black and white.
"You never know what to expect," said LeClair, a man who has experienced so much Philadelphia change since he arrived there in 1995. "In an offseason like this ... there could be changes everywhere."
Rob Parent of the Delaware County (Pa.) Times is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.
In Antwort auf:Leclair, der seine "no trade"-Klausel erst vor kurzem auflöste. Allerdings nur für einige bestimmte Teams, darunter Detroit, Dallas und die New York Rangers.
Wenn er schon gehen muß/soll hoffe ich sehr das er nicht zu den fucking blue shirts geht! Mein Tip ist Dallas. Rock on, and on, and on...
John LeClair breaks down the left wing all alone, moves into the circle and cranks a wicked slap shot with zero hesitation. The baffled goaltender is left with no answers, just questions as the First Union Center's horn blazes and the crowd booms.
...in exchange for Derian Hatcher! Méschda Hoschbess holy ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299
Also ob Hackett ein guter Ersatz für Cechmanek ist? Ich weiss ja auch nicht....
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003 Houston Aeros - Calder Cup Champion 2003 Lions Forum Playoff Tippspiel Champion 2003 Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
In Antwort auf:LeClair will halt auch mal um den Titel mitspielen
DAS mußte ja kommen! Aber er hat so gesehen schon recht das er sich seine Klaussel nicht für Colorado hat aufheben lassen. Rock on, and on, and on...
John LeClair breaks down the left wing all alone, moves into the circle and cranks a wicked slap shot with zero hesitation. The baffled goaltender is left with no answers, just questions as the First Union Center's horn blazes and the crowd booms.
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...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
