With all the discussion about the Emery signing, I haven't noticed much attention being paid to backup netminder. Of course, that's in part because there is none, but I'm sure there is a plan in place. Which is kind of the problem...
Enter Robert Esche, who played four unspectacular seasons in net for the Flyers, and has been out of the league since. Tim Panaccio is reporting the orange and black have contacted Esche, who coincidentally is also playing in Russia, about coming back to the states to backup Ray Emery. Thankfully, a contract snag currently holds up the deal, but they have apprently agreed to release Esche if they are able to find a suitable replacement. Wouldn't think that would be too difficult.
There's a couple things I find strange about this, so feel free to enlighten me if you can. First of all, aren't there any NHL goalies available on the cheap? It seems like the Flyers would be better off trying to re-sign Niittymaki, who is not bad at all, than go out and sign a guy who can't find a job anyplace else. Second, doesn't this club have anybody in the system who can play goal? For as often as this team has an issue in goal (which is just about every year), you would think by now maybe they could have drafted somebody.
Original Story:
http://www.the700level.com/2009/06/fl...
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