Flyers Sign Vaananen, But Campbell Inked by Chicago
A flurry of deals have passed over the wire in the NHL today, including some big ones. We hope to summarize some of the highlights a bit later, but the most noteworthy name in the mix—Brian Campbell, is scrawled across a Chicago Blackhawks contract. TSN is reporting an 8-year deal worth $56.8 million, well out of the Flyers range as we all expected.
So far, the Flyers unloaded Denis Gauthier, a decent defenseman who was a casualty of the salary cap in Philly. Two prospects, defenseman Patrik Hersley and left wing Ned Lukacevic, were collected from the LA Kings in return. Later, the Flyers signed defenseman Ossi Vaananen to a 1-year deal worth $1 million, according to TSN.ca's FA tracker. Vaananen had 2 goals and 6 assists in 74 games for the Avalanche last season and a total of 57 points in 6 NHL seasons.
More to come as the signings continue.
Update: Add forwards Glen Metropolit (2 years) and Nate Raduns (1 year) to the list. Terms not yet available.
Vaananen is making $1,000,000. Why?
Dude hasn't played in the NHL since 2006-2007.
Posted by: Justin Evans | Tuesday, July 01, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Yea I'm gonna need some more good, recent info about this Vaananen character.
Posted by: Tim K | Tuesday, July 01, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Justin, Ossi played in Colorado last season, so I don't know where you are coming from there. He actually finished at a +6 too, and is a pretty solid #4 or #5 guy. Not exactly Brian Campbell but it's a start.
Dumping Gauthier was a good move too for a couple good prospects. I just don't like the Metropolit signing. A 2 year deal for a guy well into his 30's who had 33 points last season? Does anyone know anything about this guy or watch him play? Seems like wasted salary cap space to me.
Posted by: David | Tuesday, July 01, 2008 at 08:08 PM
I like the Metropolit signing because he's the fourth-line center we need to replace Jimmy Dowd. Dowd did an commendable job for us last year while pushing 40 years. Metropolit has decent numbers for a guy who has been a checking/fourth-line center his entire career. Another upside, is that he can play winger, too.
Posted by: Alexi | Tuesday, July 01, 2008 at 08:49 PM
I was irked that we couldnt' get Campbell, but agree that his price was way too high.
I was then irked that we didn't sign Streit. But then I read this post on LetsGoPens.com (I consider it the Beerleaguer of Penguins blogs): http://www.letsgopens.com/scripts/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26863
They basically say he is a HUGE defensive liability. Which was surprising to me.
I kinda like some of these lesser signings too (love Eminger's potential especially). So until Homer does something to prove me wrong, he has my benefit of the doubt.
Posted by: Tartan69 | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 12:10 AM
I was surprised that the Flyers didnt go after Streit, but whats done is done (not a huge loss).
The Flyers now have plenty of young D-Men so I wouldn't mind seeing them go after another winger.
Posted by: Ben | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 01:22 AM
Ossi Vannanen? I watched him play here in PHX for a season. He blew then and he'll blow as a Flyer/Phantom.
Way to settle for second best, er third...ok, 35th best available defenseman in Ossi, Homer.
Seriously, this is like not going after CuJo and getting stuck with John Vanbiesbrouck in the summer of 98.
Oh wait, Emminger, how could I forget that underachiever.
I'm not pleased with this off-season at all but i guess we can't have back to back smokin' off seasons. oh well.
Posted by: MPR529 | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 11:44 AM
So what're we looking at for lines here? As far as I can tell, they'd be:
Gagne-Briere-Hartnell(?)
Lupul-Richards-Knuble(?)
Upshall-Carter-Giroux
Cote-Metropolit-Downie
Timonen-Coburn
Hatcher/Eminger-Jones
Parent-Vaananen/Eminger
Posted by: Nixorbo | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 11:50 AM
I think the entire 07-08 season (including playoffs) proves that Briere belongs on a wing. He doesn't have the size or defensive instincts to match a center's responsibilities (-22). How 'bout these lines?
Gagne - Richards - Briere (absurd if Gags is healthy)
Upshall - Carter - Knuble (Carter and Upshall showed good chemistry)
Lupul - Hartnell - Giroux (I realize there are no true centers on this line, but Hartnell is too slow to play wing anymore)
Cote - Metropolit - Downie
Posted by: jcpaul | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Could we trade Hartnell for a 3rd line center? I hear this "Hamburger" kid out in Columbus is pretty good.
Posted by: Nixorbo | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Tartan69 seems to know an awful lot about the Pens, and is reading the Pens blogs. Either he really has nothing better to do, or he's a Johnny-come-lately Flyers fan who has a black and gold Jagr jersey in his closet. Just an observation
Posted by: tsharpe2 | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Hey tsharpe2 -- who had Flyers season tickets last year and attended every home playoff game? And who has them again this coming year? Me.
And who has Dolphins season tickets and attends more Panthers games than Flyers games? And is from Cherry Hill and a Cowboys fan to boot. You. For shame.
(everyone please ignore this...nothing to see here...move along)
Posted by: Tartan69 | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 03:36 PM
As the financial crisis grips the entire world. We need to be more informed
of the options and choices that we have. Found this website that has a lot
of information regarding reverse mortgage and other mortgage related issues.
The website is dedicated to Mortgage problems faced by real people and the
answers to it. You will find a lot of questions and the answers to those
questions posted by reall real people so it is very informative.
So see the answers to you mortgage questions at [url=http://reversemortgage.info-junction.net]What Is Reverse Mortgage[/url]
Posted by: BobSmith Charles | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 09:50 AM