Brian Boucher Back to Backstopping Broad Street Bullies

by Ben Rothenberg on Jul 1, 2009 4:36 PM EDT in 2009 Free Agency

Brian Boucher is back where he started, signed by the Flyers from the San Jose Sharks. Boucher will presumably serve as Ray Emery's back up. Boucher was drafted in the first round by the Flyers in 1995, and played for the club for parts of three seasons from 1999 until 2002.

Boucher was the club's starting goalie during the 2000 playoffs, leading the team to within one game of the Stanley Cup Finals. The playoff run included the Flyers' epic five-OT win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, during which Boucher stopped 39 shots in overtime.

Boucher was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 2002, and with them he set an NHL-record for longest shut out streak, going 332 minutes over 5+ games without allowing a goal.

After bouncing around to the Flames, Blackhawks, and Blue Jackets, Boucher landed across the parking lot with the Philadelphia Phantoms for the 2007-2008 season, before playing for the San Jose Sharks for the last season-and-a-half, proving a capable replacement during Evgeni Nabokov's time out with injury.

This signing makes it even clearer now that both Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki have likely both played their last games in a Flyers uniform.

Poll

Do you like the Brian Boucher signing?

Yes, I Like Having Boucher Back

348 votes

No, The Flyers Should Not Have Signed Him

110 votes

458 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Awesome

When I got my Gagne jersey in 2000 (his and Boucher’s rookie years) I couldn’t decide who to get. So when I found a Boucher jersey on eBay this winter, I snatched it up. Little did I know it would be more than a throwback. I don’t know if him coming back makes the jersey cooler or worse now, but I can’t wait to wear it tonight.

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

by Geoff Detweiler on Jul 1, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

eh....

could of gotten clemmensen over this guy…..but it is who we got and now we have to make it work.

by PhillyPhan85 on Jul 1, 2009 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

Clemmensen is a product of the Devils system. Florida is going to find that out rather quickly and be quicking themselves.

by Mark D on Jul 2, 2009 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, let us forget…they had Luongo. Should’ve never let that slip away!

by AshburnAlley on Jul 2, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I always feel bad about the beating the Panthers take about Luongo. They couldn’t sign him, and he wanted to play for a contender. But the Islanders trading him with Jokinen for Parrish and Kvasha is a travesty.

by Mark D on Jul 2, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Need a third option on the poll...

Don’t mind having him back but would have preferred some new blood with more upside like Clemmensen.

by SteelBirdFlyer on Jul 1, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

Guess that would fall under no…

BROAD STREET HOCKEY.
The Flyer Frequent.

by Ben Rothenberg on Jul 1, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

my problem is that they could have gotten clemmensen cause he was still available when they took boucher but now florida got him….shame.

by PhillyPhan85 on Jul 1, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Clemmensen is unproven. Who knows what he’ll do outside of the Jersey system.

by SJPhillyVT on Jul 1, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe...

but whats the difference between him and emery then….i mean emery does have experience but its a gamble nonetheless just like clemmensen would. he didn’t look to bad filling in the skates of marty broduer….pretty convincing to me.

by PhillyPhan85 on Jul 1, 2009 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

Everyone’s a gamble, even Biron.

by AshburnAlley on Jul 1, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

Props to Homer for most unpredictable offseason moves. Emery, Pronger, Boucher … seriously, who would have guessed this a few months ago? Thinking about bringing back Boucher just makes me laugh — not in a bad way, I like Boosh and he’s cheap — just seems a little funny how all of these deals are coming from nowhere. It’s a very good thing that Homer can keep discussions with players and teams so close to him though.

by Ben Feldman on Jul 1, 2009 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

I will agree there…Clarkey had that shit on his sleeve.

by AshburnAlley on Jul 1, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a fan. Don’t want Boucher back . . .

by Mitchell Green on Jul 1, 2009 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

Meh. He’s better as a backup than as a starter, and unless Emery implodes, that may be all we need.

by AshburnAlley on Jul 1, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats just the thing. Everyone assumes he is the backup. But what happens if he ends up being the starter.

I’ll tell you what happens: WE"RE FUCKED!

People put too much emphasis on the fact that he carried the Sharks while Nabokov was hurt. He also spent time playing with the Phantoms in the AHL recently. What does that say?

All I am saying is that Boucher is mediocre at best. If he ends up the starter (which he hopefully wont, but might) as a mediocre goalie, so much for Homer’s “win now” approach because I don’t see that going so well. Biron was an above average goalie and we couldn’t win with him.

by Mitchell Green on Jul 1, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, Biron was an above-average goalie who couldn’t win with an average/below-average D. With Prongs, that changes the whoooole ball game.

by AshburnAlley on Jul 1, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

yes- the world has changed with prongs in front, go with it…

by fitzy first on Jul 1, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh?

I really think it has. Wasn’t sure if you were being sarcastic or what lol

by AshburnAlley on Jul 1, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

what me?!?! i was agreeing with you and trying to calm down flyersfreak05 up there… :) pronger gives us what hatcher had but then some… he’s got a great stick and probably a great addition to an already awesome PP… the whole package!!! when was the last time the flyers had a chris pronger?!?!

by fitzy first on Jul 1, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

lol sorry!

And never. Hatcher couldn’t move. Pronger can move, and he can score. Hart and Norris, hellz yea!

by AshburnAlley on Jul 1, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

lol- hellz yeah…!!!

by fitzy first on Jul 2, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

The Mighty Boosh!

Well, he’ll have to do. For what it’s worth, he carried the Sharks for a stretch last season when Nabokov was out.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Jul 1, 2009 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

Boucher

I keep hoping these homegrown guys will come up big; unfortunately I am lukewarm to getting him back though once I see him in Orange and Black I will be hoping he gets it going.

by Fr. Orange and Black on Jul 1, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

Listen, I’m lukewarm on this one until we see how it pans out. But…

He also spent time playing with the Phantoms in the AHL recently. What does that say?

People have talked about us resigning Scott Munroe and letting him be our backup. At 27 and never out of the AHL, I say that I’d rather take Boucher, personally.

New men on the blue line, new goalie coach, maybe it’ll be okay. Maybe.

by DragonGirl0583 on Jul 2, 2009 12:18 AM EDT reply actions

AHL time

Considering that Boucher tore up his time with the Phantoms, and then played rather well in his limited duty with SJ, I think signing him is great! He was booted for leading a revolt against Billy Barber, not for bad goaltending! And now he’s matured significantly, without losing that quick glovehand or his competitive spirit.
Oh, and Scotty Munroe signed with the Islanders today, so that ain’t even an option.
Consider this a vote in favor.

by penguinsfan on Jul 2, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t see how this can be anything but good. Since adding Pronger, people have been talking about losing draft picks, yet we just resigned a guy today we drafted in the first round. Either it was a lousy draft pick in ‘95 or a great addition today. Personally I think the guy is pretty good, and with the addition of Pronger it tells me the Flyers are dedicated to making themselves a serious threat next season. I doubt they would waste the opportunity and sign a guy like Boucher if they didn’t believe in him and the possibilities this team can achieve. It’s only a few new faces but this is a brand new team IMO.

by Kanayd on Jul 2, 2009 2:48 AM EDT reply actions