You know, I had a few good opportunities with Phoenix and Philly this summer. It just wasn't for...

You know, I had a few good opportunities with Phoenix and Philly this summer. It just wasn't for me. I still have a year on my deal here. Phoenix was more serious toward the end. Philly was still trying to get Pronger and it was dragging along, and our KHL season was getting ready to start. I guess it's all relative.

-- Robert Esche, speaking with Puck Daddy on his chances this past summer to get back to the NHL.

over 2 years ago Travis Hughes 6 comments 0 recs |

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Translation

They are paying me more in the KHL.

"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko

by doubleh on Jan 29, 2010 6:13 PM EST reply actions

I definitely remember reading somewhere that that was the case, but I can’t remember where I saw that.

by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 29, 2010 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

Actually, what he’s saying is he couldn’t play in both the KHL and NHL, and the Flyers weren’t prepared to give him a contract yet so he took the bird in hand rather than wind up not having anywhere to play this year.

by MarioD on Jan 29, 2010 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

I was joking, Mario.

"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko

by doubleh on Jan 29, 2010 9:23 PM EST up reply actions

I realize you were joking, but there was still a little nugget of truth in there according to one report.

From Esche hopes to get look from Team USA brass in October:

Esche could have come back to the NHL this past summer, as he turned down opportunities with his former teams in Philadelphia and Phoenix. Holmgren, the Flyers’ GM, spoke to Esche before July 1 but didn’t have the cap space to match what the goalie could make in the KHL.
“We just couldn’t afford to get to that level,” Holmgren confirmed Tuesday. “But I like Robert. I like his competitiveness, and I still think he’s a good goalie.”
The Coyotes’ offer was also less than the $1.8 million (U.S.) plus bonuses Esche is earning this season in Russia.

I’m not saying we should have signed him, just that what you said may not have been too far off.

by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 29, 2010 9:35 PM EST up reply actions