Flyers invite Michael Nylander to training camp

by Travis Hughes on Aug 17, 2011 4:07 PM EDT in Philadelphia Flyers News

The Flyers have announced that they've extended a training camp invite to Michael Nylander, the forward most recently of the Washington Capitals. Actually, that's kind of a lie. He was loaned to the Florida Panthers in September 2010 by the Caps organization, and he played just seven games with Florida's AHL affiliate in Rochester before breaking his neck in a late October game against Grand Rapids.

Nylander hasn't played a game since, and at age 38, it's shocking that he's even giving it another go. (He turns 39 on October 3.) The Flyers have opted to give him a shot, and while it's unlikely to work out -- Nylander is a center, he's old and the Caps were happy to finally get rid of him when they did -- it's one of those moves with no risk and the potential for some reward.

Via Nylander's SB Nation profile page, a look at what he brings to the table:

Assets: Has terrific playmaking ability and excellent vision. When hot, he's an assist machine. Improved his defensive game with experience.

Flaws: Does not possess a knack for scoring goals, and too often will pass up a shot in the slot area. Plays a passive game and can get pushed around physically.

The big problem the Caps had with Nylander was his contract, but that's all gone now and he's just fighting to keep his NHL career in tact. One final go of it, if you were. It's a lot like Bill Guerin coming to Flyers camp last year, then failing to get a contract offer. He ultimately retired. We'll see what happens next month with Nylander.

For what it's worth, Henrik Zetterberg likes his chances of making an NHL comeback... and he did play well with Jaromir Jagr when they were both with the Rangers... hmmmm ....

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Nylander centering Jagr? Why of course! What’s stopping that from happening?

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by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 17, 2011 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, hey!

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by Travis Hughes on Aug 17, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean really, if they make the money work (uhhhh), they could just keep Talbot on the wing, waive Shelley (or make him 13th forward) and sign Nylander to play center.

Maybe? Gives them a few more options if he’s any good still, at least.

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by Travis Hughes on Aug 17, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

And if they lose at least one contract somewhere in a trade or buyout.

by hebrew hammer on Aug 17, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh duh, good point.

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by Travis Hughes on Aug 17, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I only remembered it because Down Goes Spezza put it on Twitter, but it makes it all the more perplexing.

by hebrew hammer on Aug 17, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh, I have no problem with more options.

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by Travis Hughes on Aug 17, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, especially if those options keep Shelley off the roster.

by hebrew hammer on Aug 17, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Hartnell – Briere – Jagr
JVR – Giroux – Voracek
Talbot – Schenn – Simmonds
Betts – Nylander – Nodl

Nylander isn’t a bottom-6 forward, which is the problem.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 17, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m just grasping, really.

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by Travis Hughes on Aug 17, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. He is my idea based on that scouting report which sound a lot like Leino maybe with more defensive ability.

Assets: Has terrific playmaking ability and excellent vision. When hot, he’s an assist machine. Improved his defensive game with experience.

Flaws: Does not possess a knack for scoring goals, and too often will pass up a shot in the slot area. Plays a passive game and can get pushed around physically.

Move Nylander to wing and play with Briere and Hartnell we could use him as a 900K Ville Leino when he gets 60 – 70 points we can all laugh at Buffalo for that ridiculous contract.

by chrislanci on Aug 17, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Lineup

JVR-Grioux-Jagr
Hartnell-Briere-Nylander
Voracek-Schenn-Simmonds
Talbot-Betts-Nodl

I am also grasping but sticking with the philosophy we don’t want a defensive 3rd line or play matchups with the forwards instead we want 3 attack lines that we roll with an aggressive two man forecheck.

by chrislanci on Aug 17, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Giroux does your heavy-lifting?

Keeping alive the old Vaudeville joke, "I'd rather be dead than play Philadelphia."

by Snevik on Aug 17, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes. And JVR pushes pickup trucks with big guys sitting in the back.

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by hintzy64 on Aug 17, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Now that I think about it, can anyone explain to me the context of that video?

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by ww2b on Aug 17, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Good exercise, I guess? I would have just stuck to leg presses, from a logistics standpoint at least…

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
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by hintzy64 on Aug 18, 2011 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

JVR-Briere-Voracek
Hartnell-Nylander-Jagr
Nodl-Giroux-Simmonds
Talbot-Betts-Shelley

Schenn could bump Nodl down and Shelley off? But, really, this isn’t a better roster unless Nylander has a relative ton in him.

Keeping alive the old Vaudeville joke, "I'd rather be dead than play Philadelphia."

by Snevik on Aug 17, 2011 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Why break up what’s left of the LBH line? HBV!

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by FlyerFan139 on Aug 17, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Because Nylander-Jagr can’t get a ton of ES minutes, and I didn’t want to penalize JVR or Voracek.

Keeping alive the old Vaudeville joke, "I'd rather be dead than play Philadelphia."

by Snevik on Aug 17, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I love the fact Gusty, Holmstrom and Wellwood are on the Flyers website roster. They really aren’t in a hurry, are they?

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by Cillo stache on Aug 17, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn’t there a certain number of veteran tryouts that have to be given out for camp anyway? I remember that’s why the Islanders invited Manny Legace and Dean McAmmond among a few other rotting vets last year

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by Mark D on Aug 17, 2011 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

It would explain why Mark Bell got one from the Flyers.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 17, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

A form of community service, perhaps?

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
"I think there is virtue in pissing off idiots." - Fehr and Balanced

by hintzy64 on Aug 17, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I look forward to reading his retirement announcement in about 6 weeks or so.

by mtitanic on Aug 17, 2011 6:17 PM EDT reply actions

Has John Madden signed anywhere yet? Why can’t the Flyers extend to him a training camp invite? I’d rather see him get a shot than Nylander (who will never make the team, obviously).

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by Mitchell Green on Aug 17, 2011 6:18 PM EDT reply actions

He’s still a free agent.

Written today: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=568376#&navid=nhl-search

Keeping alive the old Vaudeville joke, "I'd rather be dead than play Philadelphia."

by Snevik on Aug 17, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

There are a few guys on that list I would love to see the Flyers invite to camp: Fredrik Sjostrom, Cory Stillman and Mike Grier

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by Mitchell Green on Aug 17, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Stop copying me.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 17, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey Geoff

any interest in Chris Campoli. He is much better than are current 6th Dman.

by Mattx on Aug 17, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

No, mostly because the Flyers have players better than Lilja already. Though I would gladly get rid of Lilja.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 18, 2011 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions

lol Campoli

He doesn’t think he’s a bottom pairing Dman

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by Mark D on Aug 18, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

yea

but if Pronger is out for significant time and with our D getting old quickly I would think about moving him in.

by Mattx on Aug 18, 2011 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d much rather put Marshall in there before Campoli, but I’d rather have Campoli than Lilja.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 18, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions