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Here's a step that the Flyers need to get back into playoff contention....

John LeClair has been waived by Pittsburgh.

I don't watch too often, but Keith Jones is PAINFUL to listen to. He has perhaps the most annoying cadence to his commentating I've yet heard. Really grating.

Did Dornhomer die or something? Bring him back. Bring anybody.

Flyers trade Meyer to Islanders for Zhitnik

By Tim Panaccio
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

WASHINGTON - Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren made a deal of significant consequence today, trading 25-year-old defenseman Freddy Meyer to the New York Islanders for 34-year-old veteran Alexei Zhitnik.

Zhitnik and Derian Hatcher are the most experienced defensemen the FLyers have, with 14 years NHL service apiece.

"You have to be able to play consistently," Zhitnik said of surviving in the NHL. "Everybody makes mistakes. Even the best people. You have to play and not be afraid to make mistakes or you will. You have to be excited to play hockey. The older you get, the more you appreciate what you are doing.

"I was surprised to be traded here. Sometimes, it's a disappointment to be traded. But the good part is, someone wants you. Philly made a big commitment, and I'm very happy they want me."

This is also about defenseman Mike Rathje. The Flyers last week placed him on the long term injury list with the intent of taking his $3.5 million salary off the cap this year and beyond. Rathje is expected to retire. He has three years left on his deal at $3.5 million. Zhitnik has two years left at identical dollars. It's swapping one long-term salary for another. Zhitnik's cap hit this season is $3.504 million.

The Islanders will also have the option for a conditional third-round pick in this year's draft or a second-round pick in next year's draft.

"Alexei is a very durable player," Holmgren said. "He can play lots of minutes. He has a wealth of experience. We think he can really upgrade our defense."

Holmgren and former Flyer goalie-turned-Islander GM Garth Snow talked about the deal for a month.

"We had a couple of things in the works and came up with this over last few days," Holmgren said.

Zhitnik, who played with Goeff Sanderson in Buffalo, averages almost 22 minutes of playing time a night. He goes to the Flyers with a plus-13 rating, making him the best plus/minus on the Flyers' roster. Zhitnik has just 11 points (two goals) this season and none on the power play.

He spent 10 years playing Buffalo, where he averaged more than 30 points a season in six of those years when healthy. He can help the Flyers on the power play. Last year, he had 29 points, which is slightly less than what he averaged during his prime years.

"He can make us better and make people around him better and will alleviate some pressure on our younger players," said coach John Stevens. "He can take big minutezs in key situations."

Meyer was the smallest player on the roster but brought a fair amount of tenacity to someone just 5-feet-10. He had speed, but Zhitnik is among the best around at moving the puck.

*

Hmmmm...interesting trade. I guess the Flyers have abandoned any desire to truly rebuild. At least Zhitnik isn't slow. If the other pieces were in place for a turnaround, this would certainly be a great deal, but it looks like the Flyers are going for quick fixes again, and I'm not sure the personnel is there.

Yeah, it looked like they might be able to put something together for a second, but then the bottom fell out again. Such a great era in Philly sports.

The Flyers have an uncanny ability to snatch defeat from the mouth of last second victory.

Apparantly they're so bad, scoring 5 goals against Brodeur and having the lead with under a minute left in regulation is enough.

I'd say they have hit an ALL TIME LOW for their 40 year history.

It's actually kind of weird seeing them stink so bad.

I guess the bright side is they can't get any worse and the upside is they can only get better from here

Is there a stud #1 pick out there for them?

Nope. Further adding to the irony and levity.

Wait - the NHL's not on strike anymore?

No Dino. I'll meet you down at the FU Center to watch Primeau, Desjardins and co. Hopefully Cechmanek is starting in net.

Forsberg Traded...
NHL sources from outside the Flyers are confirming a trade with Nashville and saying the Flyers have gotten a first-round pick, a third-round pick, winger Scottie Upshall and prospect Ryan Paren

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/16708337.htm

Big news here. The guy's a God to these people. 2 cups and 2 Olympic Golds. It's a shame his feet gave out on him (shades of the Boston Strangler).

Flyers just acquired goalie Martin Biron from Buffalo for a 2nd-round pick.Not bad, if they can re-sign Biron.

Bertuzzi to the Wings, according to my sources.

Also landed yourselves Calder in a three way deal w/ Chicago and Philly.


Have a ball.

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