http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/42848 Recent articles about Claude Giroux en-us Amidst all the free agent signings and trades, the Flyers also found time to sign a pair of restricted free agents yesterday, defenseman Randy Jones and forward Riley Cote. Jones signed a two year deal worth 5.5 million overall while Cote signed a three year deal worth 550,000 per year. These signings likely round out the Flyers roster, which, if the season started today, would look something like this: Gagne/Briere/Hartnell Lupul/Richards/Giroux Upshall/Carter/Knuble Cote/Metropolit/Downie Timonen/Coburn Hatcher/Jones Eminger/Parent Extras: Vaananen, Kukkonen, Thoreson (?), Kane The Flyers have plenty of defensemen but they seem to be one quality forward short. Patrick Thoreson is listed as an extra skater because he has yet to sign with the Flyers, although he is a restricted free agent. Signing him, if they have the money, would push Cote to a lesser role, meaning he could suit up only when an enforcer is necessary. Barring a trade, the Flyers appear to be done making moves this off-season. There is still a possibility that Derian Hatcher could retire, which would free up 3.5 million dollars to sign another player, but that doesn't seem likely at this point. What you see above is probably what your 08/09 Philadelphia Flyers will look like. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:38:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285110 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285110 Here is a rundown of the players the Flyers took in the 2008 NHL Draft, held this past weekend. (Click the link to see their profile from NHL.com) Round 1, Pick 19: Luca Sbisa, D Round 3, Pick 67: Marc-Andre Bourdon, D Round 3, Pick 84: Jacob DeSerres, Goalie Round 6, Pick 178: Zac Rinaldo, C Round 7, Pick 196: Joacim Eriksson, Goalie My thoughts: I am not going to pretend like I know all these players and their strengths and weaknesses, but I like what the Flyers did in the draft, addressing their organizational need for more defenseman. The Flyers are loaded with young forwards both in the NHL and still in the minors but they have very few top defenseman that are coming through the system, besides Ryan Parent. Sbisa and Bourdon appear to be players that can fill that void, although nothing is guaranteed. Sbisa looks especially promising, considering he has decent size and will continue to get bigger and he can move the puck. Bourdon also was the QMJHL's best defenseman and looks to be offensive-minded, picking up 59 points in 69 games. The Flyers also lack a true goalie of the future, so they took a flier on a pair of goalies in the draft. No goalie drafted by the Flyers would help for several years, so everyone calling for someone to replace Martin Biron need to relax. The Flyers will need to look elsewhere for their next goalie, getting one via free agency or a trade. The NHL Draft does not hold the same prestige and instant gratification as the NBA and NFL drafts, but the Flyers have done pretty well in the last few years, and I see no reason for this year to be any different. If we are lucky, we might see the fruits of the 2006 draft this season if Claude Giroux makes the team. I expect Sbisa to make his impact sometime next decade. Click the link for player profiles. Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:43:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280804 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280804 After suffering the 5-4 loss to the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday. The Belleville Bulls helped out the Chiefs on Monday night. With the Bulls 6-3 win over the Gatineau Olympiques it guaranteed the Spokane Chiefs a berth in Sunday's title game. Shawn Matthias (Florida) had two goals for the Bulls. Claude Giroux (Flyers) add a tally for the Olympiques. The game was seen by 6,639 at the Kitchener... Tue, 20 May 2008 13:28:03 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/269018 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/269018 The future looks bright for the Philadelphia Flyers. Not only do they have several young stars on their final four NHL team but they have a bunch of young prospects who will be joining the big club in the next few years. One of their top forward prospects, Claude Giroux, who you might remember from a brief stint with the Flyers earlier in the year, absolutely tore up the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) this season. Giroux was just named the MVP of the QMJHL Playoffs after his Gatineau Olympiques team won the championship. Giroux dominated the league, setting an Olympiques franchise record with 51 points in 19 games. Click the link for more on Giroux. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:12:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/268000 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/268000 Tomorrow begins the the crown jewel of Junior Hockey, the Memorial Cup. It pits the three Canadian Hockey League Champions: Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League. The fourth team is pre-determined a year before the tournament as the host team. This year is the OHL turn to host the tournament. The Kitchener Rangers won the right to host the... Thu, 15 May 2008 18:01:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267434 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267434 The Gatineau Olympiques are one win away from representing the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League at the Memorial Cup. They defeated the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 4-1 They will join the Kitchener Rangers (OHL (Hosts)), Belleville Bulls (OHL representive) and the WHL representative (Spokane has a 3-0 series lead over Lethbridge.). Claude Giroux added another goal and an assist to his totals. His 48... Wed, 07 May 2008 21:35:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264573 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264573 It was 24 years ago today that Mario Lemieux had a six goal game and a total of eight points in a 17-1 win for the Laval Voisins over the Longueuil Chevaliers. The Gatineau Olympiques and Paul Byron celebrated the anniversary with a 10-4 win over the Rouyn-Noranada Huskies. Byron had four goals and two assists. Claude Giroux added two goals and two assists in the win. He now has 46 points... Tue, 06 May 2008 21:52:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264105 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264105