Flyers sign Hatcher, Rathje, Therien

[Crazy Otto 0]

Clarke never gets tired of big, slow D-men ....

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp...802_081921_6440

Flyers have a 1 p.m. EDT news conference to officially announce signings.

[LegoDoom 0]

Ugh. That is all.

[mack 44]

This formula has never worked before, so I see why he wouldn't change it now. Someone get the sugar ready.

[Chadd 916]

If they actually enforce the new rules it's going to be a good season to be surrounded by Flyer fans (while not actually being one myself).

[ponty 0]

The transition game will be very key in the new NHL. I have no idea what Philly was thinking as none of those guys are very good at that part of the game.

The reason that the Avs picked Blake over Foote was due in part to this.

[LegoDoom 0]

And word is that Markov will be traded to Nashville. I don't get it.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Typical Flyers signing- especially Hatcher. It might be harder for a guy like him as well in the new NHL. Surprised the flyers didn't bite at Foote before columbus

Apperantly they tried, but Foote got alot of cash. It'll be interesting to see how much these guys get.

As a Leafs fan, I'm scared. Philly, even though I don't love these signings, look to be improving. Montreals now rumoured to get everyone (including Vinny WTF?), Ottawas in good position, Florida just passed us and is still looking to add. Looks like us and Theo are battling it out for Kessel and Frolik.

I say until the Avs make their moves, I'd consider Philly and Ottawa the early favourites right now.

[LegoDoom 0]

Apperantly they tried, but Foote got alot of cash. It'll be interesting to see how much these guys get.

The rumor is 4 year deals for Rathje and Hatcher for $2.5M and $3.5M.

[Hockeyman9621 0]

Typical Flyers signing- especially Hatcher.  It might be harder for a guy like him as well in the new NHL.  Surprised the flyers didn't bite at Foote before columbus

Apperantly they tried, but Foote got alot of cash. It'll be interesting to see how much these guys get.

As a Leafs fan, I'm scared. Philly, even though I don't love these signings, look to be improving. Montreals now rumoured to get everyone (including Vinny WTF?), Ottawas in good position, Florida just passed us and is still looking to add. Looks like us and Theo are battling it out for Kessel and Frolik.

I say until the Avs make their moves, I'd consider Philly and Ottawa the early favourites right now.

I don't know what Fergie's doing. He better grab someone soon. Or else I'm gonna grab some Buffalo tickets. ;)

Edit: I'm actually getting some Vs. the Pens to see Crosby.

[Chadd 916]

Typical Flyers signing- especially Hatcher.  It might be harder for a guy like him as well in the new NHL.  Surprised the flyers didn't bite at Foote before columbus

Apperantly they tried, but Foote got alot of cash. It'll be interesting to see how much these guys get.

As a Leafs fan, I'm scared. Philly, even though I don't love these signings, look to be improving. Montreals now rumoured to get everyone (including Vinny WTF?), Ottawas in good position, Florida just passed us and is still looking to add. Looks like us and Theo are battling it out for Kessel and Frolik.

I say until the Avs make their moves, I'd consider Philly and Ottawa the early favourites right now.

Ottawa should have won the East at least once by now, if not much more. Their coaching didn't play to their strengths and it cost them against older and slower teams in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how their new coaching staff utilizes their talent.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I agree, but I am starting to think they have been overrated. No real good centers and that does help a team tremendously, they've been built for the system currently in place (speed and transition), but your right Martins never used it properly. I still see them getting hammered by Philly. Philly has a good deal of playoff Savvy. I think Richards and Carter will be dominant players this year, both can skate, hit and score. They may not be top first liners, but they'll contribute in a big way.

Theo - Right now we have Sundin and O'Neil as top 5 forwards. Then decent 3rd and 4ths. Our D is basically like it always is, hopefully inject some youth. I personally don't mind rebuilding, but if thats the case I don't see why we grabbed O'neil. Rumours of Foppa/ Naslund to either NYR or Colorado are picking up. Apperantly they'll have enough room (Col) to take Hjeduk, but not Tanguay.

[Chadd 916]

I agree, but I am starting to think they have been overrated. No real good centers and that does help a team tremendously, they've been built for the system currently in place (speed and transition), but your right Martins never used it properly. I still see them getting hammered by Philly. Philly has a good deal of playoff Savvy. I think Richards and Carter will be dominant players this year, both can skate, hit and score. They may not be top first liners, but they'll contribute in a big way.

Theo - Right now we have Sundin and O'Neil as top 5 forwards. Then decent 3rd and 4ths. Our D is basically like it always is, hopefully inject some youth. I personally don't mind rebuilding, but if thats the case I don't see why we grabbed O'neil. Rumours of Foppa/ Naslund to either NYR or Colorado are picking up. Apperantly they'll have enough room (Col) to take Hjeduk, but not Tanguay.

Ottawa had Bonk, Spezza and Smolinski down the middle. No clear-cut number one but three solid number twos.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I'd say three rather than twos. Spezza was inexperienced and only played 3 games. Smolinski underachieved and just wasn't what they wanted or needed. Bonks a 3rd liner.

[Chadd 916]

I'd say three rather than twos. Spezza was inexperienced and only played 3 games. Smolinski underachieved and just wasn't what they wanted or needed. Bonks a 3rd liner.

Spezza played 78 games in the last NHL season and would have played more than 33 the season before that under most other coaches. Smolinski kept getting bounced from wing to center as well. You are right that for all the talent they lined up on the wings, the center position is a bit lacking.

[vivaotravez12 0]

Press conference was just on, not sure if it was on anywhere but locally, but I believe it was Rathje to a 4 year, Hatcher to a 5 years, Sim and Therian to 1 year and Markov was traded to Predators for 3rd rounder in next years draft. I'm liking the moves, but now it doesn't look like the Flyers will go after Nierdymyer, would've been nice to see him sign.

Not sure on what the rumours are with where Amonte may play, but he has his house for sale now, not sure if he's getting ready to play somewhere else or going back to Boston but...

[Chadd 916]

Flyers D will be Pitkanen, Hatcher, Rathje, Jonsson, Desjardins, Therian? Not bad but not incredibly mobile.

[Eazy_b97 1]

They mentioned Seidenberg as well didn't they? I thought I heard Hitch say Hatcher was here for Pitkanen and "Dennis".

I'm a big Markov fan. I would've kept him over at least one of the guys on that list. He doesn't make alot does he? He's mobile, tough and can handle the puck.

[LegoDoom 0]

I would rather have Markov than Rathje, Therien, and Desjardins. I don't like today at all.

[Chadd 916]

They mentioned Seidenberg as well didn't they? I thought I heard Hitch say Hatcher was here for Pitkanen and "Dennis".

I'm a big Markov fan. I would've kept him over at least one of the guys on that list. He doesn't make alot does he? He's mobile, tough and can handle the puck.

Hitch really didn't like Seidenberg, and I don't get that. He's pretty good on the point on the PP, good one timer and rarely gets blocked. He's young and makes a mistake from time to time and Hitch can't seen to forgive a mistake from a young player.

[LegoDoom 0]

Seidenberg does have a good shot, but doesn't pick shooting spots well on the PP. He can skate though, which is what we need instead of 3 big, old guys.

[Chadd 916]

Seidenberg does have a good shot, but doesn't pick shooting spots well on the PP. He can skate though, which is what we need instead of 3 big, old guys.

On the PP he shoots for tips and rebounds. If you run a traditional shoot and rebound type of powerplay, it works pretty well.

[LegoDoom 0]

I would agree with that, but he shoots anytime he has a one-timer opportunity, whenever a defender is right in front of him, etc. Too many of his shots lead to clears or rushes that it's just not effective.

[Miserable 6]

There's a rumor that Markov may not come back to the NHL and that is why they got rid of him so cheap. It's just a rumor for now though. Hitch also alluded to Therien as the 7th D-man so it looks like Seidenberg will be one of the top 6.

[Chadd 916]

"We feel we need that size on the blue-line to compete in the Eastern Conference where a lot of teams are huge up front," said Hitchcock of Rathje and Hatcher.

Most teams have half their roster decided at most and none are that much larger than the rest of the league.

Despite his long-standing ties with Hatcher, Hitchcock says he didn't have to push him on GM Bob Clarke.

"Derian didn't have to be sold to our management. There were already people who had a lot of background on him.

I've heard Clarke sound bites that said Primeau and Roenick lobbied to get him. The Roenick thing surprised me.

[LegoDoom 0]

There's a rumor that Markov may not come back to the NHL and that is why they got rid of him so cheap. It's just a rumor for now though. Hitch also alluded to Therien as the 7th D-man so it looks like Seidenberg will be one of the top 6.

I also heard that he hit the bottle a little too much for the Flyers liking. I still liked the way he played though.