Boucher and Laperriere excited for opportunities

by Travis Hughes on Jul 1, 2009 10:16 PM EDT in 2009 Free Agency

In their own words, here are what Brian Boucher and Ian Laperriere told the media tonight via conference call.

I’ve always loved Philly. Being drafted by the Flyers, they were very good to me. Paul Holmgren was very good to me in giving me a chance to come back a couple years ago and play in the minors and get my game back, and then allowing me to go to San Jose and get back in the National Hockey League. I’m grateful to the Philadelphia Flyers and Paul Holmgren. I love Philadelphia. I love playing here, the excitement… there’s nothing like playoff hockey in Philadelphia.

[Ray Emery] has a lot to prove, and hopefully I can be the kind of guy that can help him play well and be there for him and be a good tandem, and provide our team with great goaltending night in and night out -- doesn’t matter who’s in there.

>> Brian Boucher

Every time [the Flyers] make a move, like when they went to get Pronger last week, it’s exciting. When they make moves like that, they show their fans and their team too that they want to win and they’ll do anything to win. They go get a guy like Emery who’s got everything to prove. He’s a hell of a goalie and he’s got everything to prove and it’s exciting. We’ve got a lot of guys on this team who haven’t won yet and they want to prove to the hockey world that they’re winners. It’s very exciting.

I've been on losing teams and winning teams. I like winning teams much better. I hate to lose like most of the guys. Most of the guys in the NHL, you don’t make it to this level by liking to lose. You want to win at any cost, and that’s what I try to bring wherever I’ve played before, and what I’m going to try to bring to Philly.

>> Ian Laperriere

Paul Holmgren has also said that he'd like to add one more offensive player, given that the Flyers have lost about 50 goals from last seasons roster. One more scoring forward, plus full-seasons of Claude Giroux and Danny Briere should more than make up the difference.

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That’s hoping Giroux does as expected, and you get the ~50pts out of Prongs, right?

by AshburnAlley on Jul 1, 2009 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

A healthy Briere can net an extra like 20 goals. Pronger should give us about 10 more. There’s 30 of the 50 missing goals. Giroux can get 20 (I hope, follows his pace from last season) There you go.

I happen to think Carcillo can get us 15+ goals this season as well.

I’m interested what kind of scorer they plan to bring in? Another trade in the works? One of our bottom 2 defensemen perhaps?

by FredEx on Jul 1, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. I think a healthy Briere is key, with Giroux keeping a steady pace. If we get 5 out of Lappy and 10 out of Carcillo, we may be ok.

B. Star said it right – it’s all about BALANCE

by AshburnAlley on Jul 1, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess 11 goals out of Manny Malhotra doesn’t count as an offensive forward?

Any thoughts on cheap-ish options that might be on the radar?

by FredEx on Jul 1, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

Clowe, maybe

I’d be surprised and gruntled (the actual, dictionary-approved opposite of disgruntled) if we could grab Clowe somehow. Not really sure what other scorers are available. Fedotenko & Recchi are possibilities, I suppose.

by Alon on Jul 1, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

too pricey my friend… he should be getting over 2 a year

by fitzy first on Jul 1, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

We'd have to give something to get him

but the possibility of salary movement exists.

Obviously you’re right, though — it’s a longshot.

by Alon on Jul 1, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Aside from breaking up the top 6, or moving Carle, we’d have to lose a good prospect, and/or trick them into taking Jones, Cote and 2nd rounder or something like that.

They apparently wanted Hartnell or Giroux for Clowe before, so like you said, it’s a (big) long shot.

by FredEx on Jul 1, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Carle or Jones for Clowe would be nice wouldn’t it???? unfortunately San Jose isn’t in the market for a d-man……Vancouver has to replace Ohlund, perhaps there could be a deal there.

by Orangeblood74 on Jul 2, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions