The Flyers continue to keep busy this off season with various trades and player signings. They made a different kind of signing on Monday, extending the contract of GM Paul Holmgren another three years, which will now run through the 2011-2012 season.
Holmgren took over as GM after Philly favorite Bobby Clarke stepped down during the 2006-2007 season, the Flyers' worst in team history. During his first full year as GM, Holmgren oversaw one of the greatest turnarounds in NHL history, as the Flyers finished 39 points higher this season and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Flyers organization through the 2011-12 season," Holmgren said in a statement. "[Chairman Ed] Snider and Peter Luukko have both been terrific in their support and I am honored to be a part of this franchise. I am really thrilled beyond words."
According to a comcastsportsnet.com article,
The Flyers became only the second team since 1980, when the league expanded the playoffs to four rounds, to finish with the worst record one season and reach the third round of the playoffs the next season (Detroit did it in 1987).
"I am very proud of the job that Paul has done. He totally revamped our team and brought us back to respectability," Snider said in a statement. "I am positive he will continue to improve our team and to make sure that we are in contention for the Stanley Cup. He clearly was the general manager of the year this past season. He is truly deserving of this contract extension."
As is often the case with the Flyers, Holmgren has been with the franchise for quite some time, some 30 plus seasons in various capacities, including being drafted by the Flyers in the 1975 NHL amateur draft.
He has clearly gotten the attention of the Flyers' brass.
"Paul has done an outstanding job via trades, free agency and the NHL draft in building a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup, while managing within today's salary cap system," said Comcast-Spectacor President and Chief Operating Officer Peter A. Luukko. "Paul is a tireless competitor who I admire tremendously and enjoy working with."
More details to come, so continue to check back.
Holmgren took over as GM after Philly favorite Bobby Clarke stepped down during the 2006-2007 season, the Flyers' worst in team history. During his first full year as GM, Holmgren oversaw one of the greatest turnarounds in NHL history, as the Flyers finished 39 points higher this season and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Flyers organization through the 2011-12 season," Holmgren said in a statement. "[Chairman Ed] Snider and Peter Luukko have both been terrific in their support and I am honored to be a part of this franchise. I am really thrilled beyond words."
According to a comcastsportsnet.com article,
The Flyers became only the second team since 1980, when the league expanded the playoffs to four rounds, to finish with the worst record one season and reach the third round of the playoffs the next season (Detroit did it in 1987).
"I am very proud of the job that Paul has done. He totally revamped our team and brought us back to respectability," Snider said in a statement. "I am positive he will continue to improve our team and to make sure that we are in contention for the Stanley Cup. He clearly was the general manager of the year this past season. He is truly deserving of this contract extension."
As is often the case with the Flyers, Holmgren has been with the franchise for quite some time, some 30 plus seasons in various capacities, including being drafted by the Flyers in the 1975 NHL amateur draft.
He has clearly gotten the attention of the Flyers' brass.
"Paul has done an outstanding job via trades, free agency and the NHL draft in building a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup, while managing within today's salary cap system," said Comcast-Spectacor President and Chief Operating Officer Peter A. Luukko. "Paul is a tireless competitor who I admire tremendously and enjoy working with."
More details to come, so continue to check back.
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