Thursday Morning Fly By: Puck drops on NHL season tonight

by Travis Hughes on Oct 1, 2009 6:00 AM EDT in Morning Fly By

As the puck drops on the 2009-10 NHL season, we look back at how the season begun a year ago and praise the hockey gods it's no longer an election year.

Hello, October. Here are a few Philadelphia Flyers-related notes to start your day (and month)...

Hockey starts tonight. Like, real meaningful hockey. Four games on the slate: Bruins at Capitals, Canadiens at Leafs, Sharks at Avalanche, and Canucks at Flames. Both American games are on Versus.
Also, our fantasy hockey live draft will be starting at 9:45 tonight. If you're one of the 20 people signed up for the league, be sure to either rank your picks so the computer auto-drafts to your preference, or join us live at 9:45. We'd prefer the latter, of course. [Yahoo! Sports]
Lots of quotes from Paul Holmgren on yesterday's roster finalization, including some regarding Blair Betts. "If we don't have anything done by Thursday, it probably won't happen." Also of note, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen will start the season on injured reserve. [CSN Philly]
One Flyers blogger states the reasons why Betts should be signed by the team. [Flying P Blog]
The Panthers played Finland's Jokerit yesterday in a preseason game across the pond. We talked about this the other day, how the pictures might come out funny considering Jokerit ripped off Florida's uniforms. Take a look for yourself. [Jokerit]
News in the Phoenix situation. Too much nonsense for me to even try to analyze anymore, so I'll let someone else do it. [Puck Daddy]
Our opponent to start the season, the Carolina Hurricanes, signed goaltender Cam Ward to a six-year, $37.8 million extension yesterday. [Canes Now]
Longtime Toronto Maple Leafs' captain Mats Sundin has retired after "18 seasons, one heartbreak" according to PPP. Um, he played in Toronto -- that's a lot more than just one heartbreak. [Pension Plan Puppets]
Pat Lafontaine played for all three New York state teams during his career. All three New York state SBN hockey sites interviewed the Hockey Hall of Famer recently. [Blueshirt Banter - Die By The Blade - Lighthouse Hockey]
Bruins fans are festive for the return of the regular season. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]
Philadelphia Phillies = 2009 National League East Champions. Go Phils! [The Good Phight]

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Comments

Maybe this year they can have Vick drop the ceremonial puck?

by Mark D on Oct 1, 2009 8:33 AM EDT reply actions

The only difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull…

Broad Street Hockey -
Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Beautiful.

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Oct 2, 2009 3:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Ward contract

Is Cam Ward worth over 6 million per year? I don’t think he is that good his cap hit might be close to Pronger I certainly would rather have Pronger. He is still pretty young so that is a good thing but damn that is a lot for a goalie by today’s standards.

by chrislanci on Oct 1, 2009 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

It makes him the 5th goalie in 2010/11 to have a cap hit of at least $6 million (Lundqvist, Miller, Backstrom, Giguere). There are 12 goalies with cap hits of $5 million that year. So, it’s a lot (He’s the second highest hit), but it they’re paying him as a longer-term, top-5 goalie in the league. What is interesting though, is that his salary actually increases as the contract continues.

Broad Street Hockey -
Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s young and he’s been improving every season. He also picks up his game for the Playoffs, so its not as though they are signing a youngster who hasn’t proven himself in the postseason. He’s 25, so a six year means you have him till 31 and during his prime years.

by Mark D on Oct 1, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions