Flyers Acquire Pavel Kubina from Lightning

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have acquired defenseman Pavel Kubina from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for left wing Jonathon Kalinski, a conditional second round pick in either 2012 or 2013, and Philadelphia's fourth round pick in 2013. The Flyers originally acquired the second round pick from the Florida Panthers in the Kris Versteeg trade this past off-season. Kubina, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer, has three goals and eight assists for 11 points and 59 penalty minutes in 52 games with the Lightning. Kalinski has appeared in 40 games with Adirondack of the AHL, scoring nine goals and three assists for 12 points. He last appeared in the NHL during the 2009-10 season with Philadelphia. After acquiring Nicklas Grossman from the Dallas Stars just two days prior, it was believed the Flyers would look to add more depth to their blueline and they did just that in landing Kubina. While his offensive game is on the decline, he will add plenty of veteran depth and toughness to the lineup. He is also capable of logging lots of minutes and has a good shot, so he should be a solid addition for the Flyers. As for the Lightning, it has been a disappointing 2011-12 campaign for them, so they are in the process of moving out impending free agents for assets. Kalinski could see some time on the team's checking lines throughout the remainder of the season, but it remains to be seen if he will fit into their future plans, as he's eligible for group six unrestricted free agency this summer. The biggest part of this deal for the Lightning are the draft picks, which they will use to restock their team with young talent.

Flyers Acquire Nicklas Grossman from Stars

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have acquired defenseman Nicklas Grossman from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft and a third round pick in the 2013 draft. The second round pick is the one the Flyers got from the Los Angeles Kings in the Mike Richards trade and the third round pick was originally obtained in the Darroll Powe trade with the Minnesota Wild. Grossman, who will be eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer, has five assists in 53 NHL games this season. Not a bad move for the Flyers, as Grossman will add some much needed veteran depth to the blueline, something the team has been seeking since Chris Pronger was lost for the rest of the season with concussion-like symptoms and a knee injury. Grossman will also add some skill to the penalty kill as a shutdown defender.

Capitals Acquire Kevin Marshall from Flyers

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have acquired defenseman Kevin Marshall from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for right wing Matt Ford. In 10 games this season with the Flyers, Marshall had no points. He also appeared in 32 games with Adirondack of the AHL, scoring two goals and three assists for five points and 55 penalty minutes. In 39 games with Hershey of the AHL, Ford has 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. For the Capitals, they get a physical defensive prospect in Marshall who has good size and is willing to drop the gloves and fight. More than likely he will spend most of the rest of this season in the minors. As for the Flyers, they add some forward depth to their AHL affiliate in Adirondack in Ford, who will likely play the remainder of the 2011-12 season there.

Hurricanes Claim Andreas Nodl Off Waivers from Flyers

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have claimed left wing Andreas Nodl off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers. In 12 games with the Flyers this season, he has one assist. He recently missed six games with a lower-body injury. Not a bad move for the Hurricanes, as Nodl will add some two-way ability to the team. He wasn't getting much ice time in Philadelphia, so that figure will likely increase now that he is a member of the Hurricanes.

Canadiens Claim Blair Betts Off Waivers from Flyers

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Wednesday that they have claimed center Blair Betts off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers. In 75 games last season with the Flyers, he had five goals and seven assists for 12 points. Not a bad depth move for the Canadiens, as Betts will bring lots of skill on the faceoff, as well has experience to the penalty kill and some two-way ability to the forward lines. Look for him to center the fourth line throughout the 2011-12 season.

Flyers Sign James van Riemsdyk to Six-Year Extension

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have signed right wing James van Riemsdyk to a six-year contract extension worth $25.5 million. The deal will have an annual salary cap hit of $4.25 million. Van Riemsdyk has one more year left on his current contract and would have been a restricted free agent next summer. In 75 games last season, he had 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points. He also had seven goals in 11 playoff games. Getting van Riemsdyk signed to an extension was good for the Flyers, as he is definitely one of their top young forwards. He has excellent size and speed, as well as lots of scoring and offensive potential. However, the length and value of van Riemsdyk's contract are a bit high for him at this stage of his career. Obviously the team has high hopes for him, but a short-term contract worth less money would have been more suitable for van Riemsdyk at this time in case he hits a snag in his development. In the long run, this could be a very good deal, but the team is taking a big gamble at this time.

Flyers Sign Wayne Simmonds to Two-Year Contract

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed right wing Wayne Simmonds to a two-year contract worth $3.5 million. The deal will average out to $1.75 million per season. He was acquired by the Flyers on June 23 from the Los Angeles Kings along with Brayden Schenn and a second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft in exchange for Mike Richards and Rob Bordson. In 80 games last season with the Kings, Simmonds had 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points and 75 penalty minutes. This is a good signing for the Flyers, as Simmonds brings plenty of offensive upside, two-way ability, and energy to the forward lines, as well as some toughness. With the physical brand of hockey played in Philadelphia, he should be an excellent fit for the team. Also, look for him to get an opportunity to play a bigger role with the Flyers than he did with the Kings. It wouldn't surprise me if Simmonds sees some time on the second line if his offensive numbers improve in Philadelphia.

Flyers Sign Jason Bacashihua to One-Year Contract

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed goaltender Jason Bacashihua to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $525,000 at the NHL level and $125,000 at the AHL level. In 42 games last season with Lake Erie of the AHL, he posted a 23-16-3 record, four shutouts, a 2.29 GAA, and a .917 save percentage. He last appeared in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues during the 2006-07 season. This is really just a depth signing for the Flyers, as Bacashihua will likely spend all of next season in the minors.

Flyers Sign Jakub Voracek to One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed right wing Jakub Voracek to a one-year contract worth $2.25 million. He was acquired by the Flyers from the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 23 in exchange for Jeff Carter and the Blue Jackets' first and third round picks in the 2011 Entry Draft. In 80 games last season with Columbus, he had 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points. This is an excellent signing for the Flyers, as Voracek will bring lots of offensive skill to the team. He also has plenty of scoring upside and a good shot. However, he tends be a little inconsistent in his scoring, so hopefully playing on a more offensively skilled team will help him add some consistency to his offensive game.

Flyers Sign Maxime Talbot to Five-Year Contract

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed center Maxime Talbot to a five-year contract worth $9 million. The deal will average out to $1.8 million per season. It was reported just a few days after Talbot had signed the deal that the Flyers would have to restructure the contract because it violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement by reducing his salary by more than 50 percent between the third and fourth years of the deal. In all 82 games last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he had eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points and 66 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for the Flyers, as Talbot will bring lots of energy to the team. He also brings plenty of grit to the forward lines, as well as skill on the penalty kill and some offensive ability. He should be an excellent checking line forward for the Flyers throughout the duration of the contract.

Panthers Acquire Kris Versteeg from Flyers

The Florida Panthers continued to re-vamp their roster on the first day of free agency by acquiring right wing Kris Versteeg from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2012 or 2013 and a third round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. He has one more year left on his current contract. In 80 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers, he had 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points. This is a good trade for the Panthers, as Versteeg brings plenty of offensive skill to the forward lines. He will also add some skill to the power play and penalty kill, as well as a little bit of grit. Versteeg will likely play on the top line for the Panthers next season. The move also helps Florida get closer to the salary cap floor, while the Flyers cut some salary as they continue to retool their team.

Flyers Sign Jaromir Jagr to One-Year Contract

Jaromir Jagr is on his way back to the NHL. The Philadelphia Flyers announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed the 39-year-old right wing to a one-year contract worth $3.3 million. The Pittsburgh Penguins had offered Jagr a one-year, $2 million contract in the days before free agency opened, but he turned down the deal. It was reported the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens were also very interested in signing Jagr. He last played in the NHL during the 2007-08 season with the New York Rangers and has played the last three years in the KHL. In 49 games last season with Omsk of the KHL, Jagr had 19 goals and 31 assists for 50 points. He won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Penguins in 1991 and 1992. He has also won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1999, the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001, the Lester B. Pearson Award as the player of the year selected by the NHLPA in 1999, 2000, and 2006, and Olympic Gold and Bronze Medals in 1998 and 2006, respectively. In 1273 career NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, he has 646 goals and 953 assists for 1599 points. This is a decent signing for the Flyers, as Jagr has always been an elite scoring forward throughout his NHL career. He is an excellent goal scorer and playmaker and has outstanding hockey sense on the ice, although he can be an extremely moody player from time to time. Jagr should provide some offensive spark to Philadelphia's lineup, but given his age and time spent away from the NHL, he may not have elite skill he once had, but will likely still be an offensive threat in 2011-12.

Flyers Sign Andreas Lilja to One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed defenseman Andreas Lilja to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 52 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks, he had one goal and six assists for seven points and 28 penalty minutes. This is an okay depth signing for the Flyers, as Lilja will bring plenty of grit and toughness to their blueline. He has some stay-at-home defenseman qualities and is good on the penalty kill. Although, he does have a tendency to make defensive zone blunders and turn over the puck. He will likely play a fifth or sixth defensive role on the team next season.

Flyers Re-Sign Andreas Nodl and Tom Sestito

The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Monday that they have signed left wing Andreas Nodl to a two-year contract worth $1.69 million. The deal will pay him $845,000 per season. The team also announced they have signed left wing Tom Sestito to a new contract. The exact length and financial terms of his deal were not disclosed. Both players would have been restricted free agents on July 1. In 67 games last season with the Flyers, Nodl had 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points. Sestito was acquired by the team on February 28 from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Greg Moore and Michael Chaput. In nine games last season with the Blue Jackets, Sestito had two goals and two assists for four points and 40 penalty minutes. He did not appear in any games with Philadelphia. He also played in 57 games with Springfield and Adirondack of the AHL, scoring 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points and 237 penalty minutes. These aren't bad depth signings for the Flyers, as both players will should fit in well on the checking lines. Nodl will bring some two-way ability to the third and fourth lines, while Sestito will bring lots of grit and toughness to the team.

EDIT

Tom Sestito's contract is for one year.

Wild Acquire Darroll Powe from Flyers

The Minnesota Wild announced on Monday that they have acquired center Darroll Powe from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a third round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. He will be a restricted free agent on July 1. In 81 games last season, he had seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points. Not a bad depth move for the Wild, as Powe will provide some grit and energy to their checking lines, as well as some skill to the penalty kill.

Flyers Sign Ilya Bryzgalov to Nine-Year Contract

The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Thursday that they have signed goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to a nine-year contract worth $51 million. The announcement came on the same day that the team made a pair of blockbuster trades, sending Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings, in order to get the 31-year-old netminder signed to a long-term deal. The contract will average out to $5.67 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Flyers acquired the negotiating rights to Bryzgalov on June 7 from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Matt Clackson, Philadelphia's third round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft, and a conditional draft pick. In 68 games last season with the Coyotes, Bryzgalov posted a 36-20-10 record, seven shutouts, a 2.48 GAA, and a .921 save percentage. It's not a bad signing for the Flyers, as Bryzgalov will give the team the solid starting goaltender they have been seeking for a few seasons now. He will bring lots of veteran depth, size, and talent in goal for the team. However, the contract is a bit lengthy and it cost Philadelphia their top two forwards to facilitate the signing. They would have been better off signing Bryzgalov to an affordable short-term contract to see if he would work out with the team and move some other more expendable players rather than Richards and Carter. The team likely won't be as strong offensively next season as they were in 2010-11, as Simmonds and Voracek won't replace the offensive output of Richards and Carter. However, given the young talent received in the two trades, the Flyers could be a strong team again offensively in just a couple seasons.

Flyers Trade Mike Richards to Kings for Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn

Just moments after the Philadelphia Flyers completed a blockbuster trade in which they sent Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jakub Voracek, they completed a second major deal. The Flyers sent center and team captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for right wing Wayne Simmonds, center Brayden Schenn, and Los Angeles' second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. Richards has nine years remaining on his current contract, while Schenn still has two years left on his entry-level contract. Simmonds will be eligible for restricted free agency on July 1. In 81 games last season with the Flyers, Richards had 23 goals and 43 assists for 66 points, while Simmonds had 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points and 75 penalty minutes in 80 games with the Kings. Schenn appeared in eight games with Los Angeles, scoring two assists. He also played in seven games with Manchester of the AHL, scoring three goals and four assists for seven points, and also appeared in 29 games with Brandon and Saskatoon of the WHL, scoring 22 goals and 35 assists for 57 points. I have to say, this was a very surprising trade to say the least, as I did not expect the Flyers to trade Richards. However, the Kings landed a very excellent center in the deal. Richards will bring lots of offensive and two-way skill to the forward lines, as well as outstanding leadership skills. He will also bring some skill to the penalty kill and plenty of grit. In Simmonds, the Flyers get a forward with some offensive upside who has lots of energy and plays a physical game. He should be an excellent fit for the team on the checking lines. In Schenn, the Flyers get a prospect with lots of two-way and offensive upside who could potentially become the next Mike Richards in Philadelphia. Look for him to fight hard for a roster spot at training camp in September. The move also helped Philadelphia free up some salary cap space to re-sign goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, whom they signed to a nine-year, $51 million contract after the trade. The Flyers are currently $3 million below the salary cap, but still have to re-sign impending restricted free agents Jakub Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, and Andreas Nodl, and may consider re-signing unrestricted free agent Ville Leino. Daniel Carcillo will also be eligible for restricted free agency, but may no longer fit into the team's long-term plans. Look for the Flyers to potentially make more trades throughout the summer to fit all four of the aforementioned players comfortably under the salary cap.

EDIT

The Los Angeles Kings also acquired center Rob Bordson in the deal. He was scheduled to be a restricted free agent on July 1, but the Kings have stated they will not give him a qualifying offer and allow him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Flyers Trade Jeff Carter to Blue Jackets

The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Thursday that they have traded center Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets for right wing Jakub Voracek and Columbus' first and third round picks in the 2011 Entry Draft. Voracek will be eligible for restricted free agency on July 1. Carter will start the first year of his 11 year, $58 million contract next season. In 80 games last season with the Flyers, Carter had 36 goals and 30 assists for 66 points. Voracek had 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points in 80 games last season. This is a great move for the Blue Jackets, as Carter will give the team a much needed scoring center to play alongside captain Rick Nash. He will bring plenty of offensive and goal-scoring skill to the forward lines, as well as decent size and a good shot. Voracek will give the Flyers lots of offensive skill and scoring upside on the wing. The move also helped the Flyers open up some salary cap space to re-sign recently acquired goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, whom they signed to a nine-year, $51 million contract.

Flyers Acquire Negotiating Rights to Ilya Bryzgalov

The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Tuesday night that they have acquired the negotiating rights to goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for the negotiating rights to right wing Matt Clackson, Philadelphia's third-round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft, and a conditional draft pick. The conditional pick will likely depend on whether the Flyers sign Bryzgalov to a contract or not. The move will now give Philadelphia negotiating rights to a new contract with the 30-year-old Russian goaltender until he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Coyotes will have the same opportunity with Clackson, as he will be a Group Six unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 68 games this past season with the Coyotes, Bryzgalov posted a 36-20-10 record, seven shutouts, a 2.48 GAA, and a .921 save percentage. Clackson appeared in 62 games this past season with Adirondack of the AHL, scoring one goal and three assists for four points and 118 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Not a bad trade for the Flyers if they can get Bryzgalov signed before July 1, as he will bring lots of depth, size, and talent in goal to the team. However, signing him to a contract will likely create salary cap problems for the team, which could require a trade to solve the problem. Also, signing Bryzgalov would make him their starting goalie, which will push Sergei Bobrovsky down the depth chart. It is possible Philadelphia could bring in Bryzgalov short-term to serve as a mentor to Bobrovsky so that he could potentially take over the starter's position in a couple seasons, but if he is signed long-term, it could result in an eventual trade of Bobrovsky down the road. Only time will tell if the Flyers will actually sign Bryzgalov or let him hit the free agent market on July 1. As for the Coyotes, if they sign Clackson, he will bring lots of grit and toughness to their lineup, but he doesn't really have a lot of offensive upside. Only time will tell if Phoenix will sign him to a contract.

Flyers Acquire Sestito from Blue Jackets for Moore, Chaput

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have acquired left wing Tom Sestito from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for left wing Greg Moore and the rights to prospect center Michael Chaput. Sestito will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer, while Moore will be an unrestricted free agent. In nine games with the Blue Jackets this season, Sestito has two goals and two assists for four points and 40 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 45 games with Springfield of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points and 186 penalty minutes. Moore has appeared in 56 games with Adirondack of the AHL, scoring seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points, while Chaput has 22 goals and 32 assists for 54 points and 84 penalty minutes with Lewiston of the QMJHL. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as all three players will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors. Sestito will bring some toughness to the Flyers' AHL affiliate, and could perhaps earn a fourth line role with the team next season. Chaput brings the Columbus organization some scoring upside and plenty of toughness, while Moore brings offensive depth to their AHL affiliate.