Flyers sign Hatcher, Rathje, Therien

[LegoDoom 0]

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

I heard that Primeau and Roenick lobbied to get Therien back. I hadn't heard that about Hatcher.

[Chadd 916]

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

I heard that Primeau and Roenick lobbied to get Therien back. I hadn't heard that about Hatcher.

The clip may have been a little out of context or I could be borderline deaf, either one is entirely possible.

[Hockeyman9621 0]

"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.

Didn't Hatcher break Roenicks jaw like 4 or 5 years ago with a high hit? Well, it's better to play with him than against him.

[vivaotravez12 0]

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

I heard that Primeau and Roenick lobbied to get Therien back. I hadn't heard that about Hatcher.

It was Therian, like stated, there was no lobbying needed for Hatcher.

I'm not sure who I like better out of Seidenberg and Therian, but the way Hitch was speaking about Therians previous role, and being traded, made it seem like Hitch is going to use Therian as to fill in a leadership role, that is what Primeau and JR were saying, how he can positively influence the team on and off the ice.

As for the Hatcher and JR stories, yeah, they've had a rough past with each other. But as Hitch also pointed out, they've played each other since then without a hitch, excuse the pun. But, I don't see any problems with the two getting along...I wouldn't be surprised if JR was the first to call and welcome Hatcher.

[outta shape 0]

I love the flyers. I truly believe that Clarke is affraid to come up winning formula because then he won't me Mr. Hockey in Philly anymore. Some of the trades he has come up with were bad...some were horrible...then there were a few that i can't believe "a bag of pucks" weren't involved. Big defensmen are a good thing as long as they can move the freakin puck. Hopefully this trade will backfire on Clarke and turn out for the best.

[Chadd 916]

I'm not sure who I like better out of Seidenberg and Therian, but the way Hitch was speaking about Therians previous role, and being traded, made it seem like Hitch is going to use Therian as to fill in a leadership role, that is what Primeau and JR were saying, how he can positively influence the team on and off the ice.

It's pretty hard for a #7 defenseman to be a leader.

[Miserable 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.

I've heard that to. He's also a chain smoker which can't be healthy. There has to be something behind the scenes going on though.

I also like the way he plays but at least Bundy's back in the fold!

[vivaotravez12 0]

I'm not sure who I like better out of Seidenberg and Therian, but the way Hitch was speaking about Therians previous role, and being traded, made it seem like Hitch is going to use Therian as to fill in a leadership role, that is what Primeau and JR were saying, how he can positively influence the team on and off the ice.

It's pretty hard for a #7 defenseman to be a leader.

You make it sound like he'll not have any influence. You don't need to be playing 20 minutes a game or score 60 points a season to be a leader. He is there for morale, veteran, and well, yeah, being a leader. There is also the fact he seems to play great against Jagr, but that itself isn't a reason. But anyway, that's what I meant by a 50/50 with Seidenberg, I doubt they both will be up at once, and Clarke didn't sign Therian to play down...is it fair to Dennis? Probably not, but apparently, he just doesn't seem to be apart of their puzzle, unfortunately, but looks like he's the odd man out.

[Chadd 916]

I'm not sure who I like better out of Seidenberg and Therian, but the way Hitch was speaking about Therians previous role, and being traded, made it seem like Hitch is going to use Therian as to fill in a leadership role, that is what Primeau and JR were saying, how he can positively influence the team on and off the ice.

It's pretty hard for a #7 defenseman to be a leader.

You make it sound like he'll not have any influence. You don't need to be playing 20 minutes a game or score 60 points a season to be a leader. He is there for morale, veteran, and well, yeah, being a leader. There is also the fact he seems to play great against Jagr, but that itself isn't a reason. But anyway, that's what I meant by a 50/50 with Seidenberg, I doubt they both will be up at once, and Clarke didn't sign Therian to play down...is it fair to Dennis? Probably not, but apparently, he just doesn't seem to be apart of their puzzle, unfortunately, but looks like he's the odd man out.

He's bad defensively. I don't mean average or below average, I mean bad for an NHL defenseman. I don't care how good he is for the room, he's a detriment on the ice. It's also a bit interesting to think all of those other guys need his help in the locker room.

[sherwood21 0]

Hitch coached Mike Rathje here in Sherwood Park when he was still playing Midget AAA so that could be incentive. Familiarity seems to be key with him..scoring not so much

[Miserable 6]

Just read this morning that Markov threatened to return to Russia due to the lock out. He supposedly said this to an NHLPA rep. I guess that's why he went for so little.

[Crazy Otto 0]

Some of the press reports said Markov mouthed off during the NHLPA ratification meeting, said he would not play in the NHL after his current contract runs out. Could explain why Philly only got Nashville's 3rd round pick for him.

[Miserable 6]

Some of the press reports said Markov mouthed off during the NHLPA ratification meeting, said he would not play in the NHL after his current contract runs out. Could explain why Philly only got Nashville's 3rd round pick for him.

Wonder what board you heard that on. <_< :D

[thenextone96 0]

the buzz in philly is that they are gonna make a play to get Bobby Ryan from the ducks. i wouldn't be suprised because clarke is tight with him

[outta shape 0]

I am surprised clarke didn't try to get Make Howe back ...or maybe even Kjell Samullson..... He seems to miss the older players and bring them back.

[Chadd 916]

I am surprised clarke didn't try to get Make Howe back ...or maybe even Kjell Samullson..... He seems to miss the older players and bring them back.

Isn't Kjell an assistant coach with the Phantoms?