Spring Break
Bringing in Briere, Timonen, Hartnell gives Flyers hope
By: Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 7/13/07 Section: Sports
Originally published: 7/13/07 at 12:13 AM EST
Last update: 7/13/07 at 12:13 AM EST
Originally published: 7/13/07 at 12:13 AM EST
Last update: 7/13/07 at 12:13 AM EST
Even if the Flyers don't make the playoffs next season, you can't blame their management for lack of effort.
The team, which set records for futility with a club worst 22 wins and only 58 points in 2006-2007, set out to make sure they would not be cellar dwellers in 2007-2008.
The Flyers started the off-season with an aggressive splash, landing the rights to right wing Scott Hartnell and defenseman Kimmo Timonen in a deal with the Nashville Predators in exchange for the Flyers second first round draft choice, No. 23 overall. The pick had belonged previously to the Predators, who traded the pick as part of the Peter Forsberg trade.
The club signed both Hartnell and Timonen to six year contracts totaling $37.8 and $25.2 million before July 1, the beginning of free agency.
Hartnell, 25, scored 22 goals for the Predators in 2006-07 and is being paid like a top-six forward, making 4.2 million dollars a year. His gritty play should benefit the Flyers, but it remains to be seen if he can perform under the pressure of a big money contract.
Timonen, 32, recorded 13 goals and 42 assists for Nashville last season. His steady presence in the lineup will be a big influence on a Flyer defensive group that was one of the youngest in the league by the end of last season. Timonen will also be under pressure to live up to the hype of his contract that will make him one of the highest paid defenseman in the league ($6.3 million per season).
Both of these players have been playoff tested with the Predators and should bring leadership and post season experience to a Flyer team looking to get back in the playoff hunt next year.
Flyers General Manger Paul Holmgren wasn't close to finished with his marquee signings yet though.
Seeking a number one centermen to replace Forsberg, the Flyers turned to the free agent market again, signing former Buffalo Sabres center Daniel Briere to an eight-year $52 million contract.
Briere, who will turn 30 October 6, posted career highs in goals (32), assists (63) and points (95) in 2006-07. Listed at only 5'9, Briere is being to asked give the Flyers the type of offensive production he put up in Buffalo. Briere should center a line with Simon Gagne, who led the Flyers in goals with 41 last year. Prior to last season, Briere's career high in points was 65; but playing with Gagne should allow Briere to continue his point production from a year ago.
The team, which set records for futility with a club worst 22 wins and only 58 points in 2006-2007, set out to make sure they would not be cellar dwellers in 2007-2008.
The Flyers started the off-season with an aggressive splash, landing the rights to right wing Scott Hartnell and defenseman Kimmo Timonen in a deal with the Nashville Predators in exchange for the Flyers second first round draft choice, No. 23 overall. The pick had belonged previously to the Predators, who traded the pick as part of the Peter Forsberg trade.
The club signed both Hartnell and Timonen to six year contracts totaling $37.8 and $25.2 million before July 1, the beginning of free agency.
Hartnell, 25, scored 22 goals for the Predators in 2006-07 and is being paid like a top-six forward, making 4.2 million dollars a year. His gritty play should benefit the Flyers, but it remains to be seen if he can perform under the pressure of a big money contract.
Timonen, 32, recorded 13 goals and 42 assists for Nashville last season. His steady presence in the lineup will be a big influence on a Flyer defensive group that was one of the youngest in the league by the end of last season. Timonen will also be under pressure to live up to the hype of his contract that will make him one of the highest paid defenseman in the league ($6.3 million per season).
Both of these players have been playoff tested with the Predators and should bring leadership and post season experience to a Flyer team looking to get back in the playoff hunt next year.
Flyers General Manger Paul Holmgren wasn't close to finished with his marquee signings yet though.
Seeking a number one centermen to replace Forsberg, the Flyers turned to the free agent market again, signing former Buffalo Sabres center Daniel Briere to an eight-year $52 million contract.
Briere, who will turn 30 October 6, posted career highs in goals (32), assists (63) and points (95) in 2006-07. Listed at only 5'9, Briere is being to asked give the Flyers the type of offensive production he put up in Buffalo. Briere should center a line with Simon Gagne, who led the Flyers in goals with 41 last year. Prior to last season, Briere's career high in points was 65; but playing with Gagne should allow Briere to continue his point production from a year ago.
