Yardbarker: Lasse Kukkonen

Flyers send Giroux, Kukkonen to minors to make room for Briere

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:47:06 -0500

The mass exodus of Flyers players continues as they make room for the return of Danny Briere. This time, luckily, the Flyers didn't have to outright waive players, but the latest moves are nevertheless shocking: Phenom Claude Giroux and defenseman Lasse Kukkonen were both sent to the Phantoms. The Flyers also called up defenseman Nate Guenin... Click the link for more on these strange moves....

Giroux and Lasse Sent to Phantoms... Another Move Coming?

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:04:53 -0500

Today's WTF?! moments aren't over yet, folks. Apparently the Flyers still needed to make more room for Danny Briere's salary, making a few key roster moves today. In addition to this week's waiving of Glen Metropolit and Ossi Vaananen?both of whom were claimed by other teams?Claude Giroux and ...

Eklund: Metro and Ossi Claimed, Danny Unlikely to Play Tonight

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:42:59 -0500

Anonymous hockey blogger Eklund is reporting that neither Glen Metropolit nor Ossi Vaananen cleared waivers last night, with Montreal claiming Metro and the Canucks taking Ossi. We'd been hoping for the unlikely scenerio that at least Metro would clear and be assigned to the Phantoms, because ...

We Soldier On: Flyers Welcome Old Friends, the Habs

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:42:55 -0500

Surreal day in Philly sports so far. The great feeling we all got after hearing Adam Eaton had been cut was muddied by the somewhat predictable news that Glen Metropolit and Ossi Vaananen were claimed off of waivers, and then the levee broke. We're still awaiting as many final confirmations as ...

Metropolit, Vaananen out; Briere in for the Flyers

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:20:46 -0500

A star Flyers player is set to return to the ice but it will be at the expense of a pair of veteran players. Danny Briere is set to make his return to the ice on Friday, meaning the Flyers have to clear some space. Briere makes 6.5 million and adding him to the active roster will put the Flyers over the salary cap. To make room, the team has waived Glen Metropolit and Ossi Vaananen and are also expected to waive Lasse Kukkonen. The Flyers may also send Darroll Powe to the minors to make ...

Briere's Return Near, Roster Moves to Come

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:24:30 -0500

We've discussed it before, but now that Danny Briere is just about ready to return, the Flyers are facing some tough decisions. Lasse Kukkonen has already been placed on waivers, but that alone won't be enough to accommodate Danny's cap room. Luca Sbisa could be the next to go, finally making ...

Flyers Back on Home Ice

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:39:43 -0500

Sorry for the delayed gamethread here folks. Traffic was a bitch, and I didn't even get a chance to change out of my school pants yet. But the good news is, the road-weary Flyers are finally home for the first time since before Christmas. Coming off their third straight shootout?a string that ...

List of injured Flyers, now nine deep, continues to grow

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:26:08 -0500

Now this is getting completely ridiculous. The injury bug that has hit the Flyers this season has gotten completely out of control and has now inflicted over a third of the roster. The fact that the Flyers are even in second place in the Atlantic Division is a testament to just how deep and talented this team really is. On Monday, GM Paul Holmgren went through the litany of injuries that the Flyers are dealing with, outlining the NINE players that are currently banged up. The latest major inj...

Flyers remain hot despite mounting injuries

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:05:19 -0500

Remember when the Flyers started off the season winless in their first 6 games? Seems like a distant memory now as the team has won 13 of its last 18 and ascended into second place in the Atlantic Division, a mere 3 points behind the Rangers, a team that has played 3 more games than the Flyers. The streak is amazing considering they have done it with Danny Briere on the shelf for most of the season and Martin Biron out for the last few games. While Briere still figures to be out a few more we...

Flyers end losing streak with win over Lightning

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:16:12 -0500

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter each scored two goals in the Flyers' 4-3 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday. Carter, the burgeoning NHL star, scored his league leading 17 and 18 goals of the season. He is tied with Buffalo's Thomas Vanek. Carter opened up the scoring just 2:58 into the first period on a wrist shot from the faceoff circle, snapping the game opener passed Lightning goalie Mike Smith, who stopped 28 of the 32 shots he faced. "I'm getting some breaks," Carter said. "I just try to put it on net and find some holes and they are right now so hopefully they can keep on going." Former Legion of Doom member Mark Recchi tied the game up with 8:10 left in the first. It was the 20-year veteran's sixth goal of the season. Recchi would not be the only former Flyer to have a significant impact on the outcome of the game. The second period passed by without any scoring, but the same could not be said for the third. Just 36 seconds into the period, Richards broke the 1-1 tie on a nifty move, poking the puck past former Flyer defenseman Steve Eminger, taking it up the left hand boards, faking a pass and wristing a laser past Smith for his fourth shorthanded goal of the season, something he has mastered over his three plus years in the NHL. The Flyers lead the NHL with 10 shorthanded goals on the season, with both Richards and Simone Gagne having four each. The red hot Carter would add a second goal exactly four minutes later, this a powerplay goal. He rebounded defenseman Joffrey Lupul's shot that had eluded the Lightning netminder in the crease. "I just put them on net.," Carter said. Good things happen you when you put it on the net. I haven't changed anything. I just go out and try and help the team every night. Things are rolling right now." Whatever he's doing, it certainly seems to be working. Carter now has a point in six of his last seven games. After seemingly in control of the momentum and the game, the Flyers gave up a weird goal just 21 seconds later. Former Flyer Vinnie Prospal (a theme appears to be forming here) scored on a strange, arching goal that fluttered over the head of Flyers' goalie Martin Biron. The shot originated from Eminger, but after careening off one other Lightning player, ultimately rickashayed off the two-time Flyer. With just 4:35 left in the third, former Flyer (seriously?) Steve Downie tied the game on a rebound off a hard shot by Radek Smolenak. The long, hard slapper eluded Biron, trickling past his pads. Downie rushed the net and poked it past him. It was a shot Biron should have had, but had a solid night otherwise, stopping 35 Tampa Bay shots on the night. The Downie goal would ultimately send the game into overtime, netting each team at least one point in the standings. The Flyers managed to avoid the dreaded overtime shootout when Richards scored his second goal of the game, and the team's second powerplay goal of the evening. The Flyers continue to dominate the penalty killing, killing off all three Lightning power plays, including scoring that shorthanded goal. It was a good win, getting the Flyers back on the positive side of the ledger after dropping two in a row. The Flyers had won six straight games before hitting their mini slump, but rebounded nicely against Tampa Bay. In addition to Recchi, Prospal, Eminger, and Downie, former Flyer Chris Gratton is also a member of the Lightning, although he was an injury scratch. All three Tampa goals were scored by former Flyers. Tampa Bay coach Rick Tocchet also used to wear the Orange and Black, and the Flyers played a video tribute to the hard-nosed former player late in the third period. The Flyers' faithful gave the beloved tough man a standing ovation, which Tocchet acknowledged with a wave from the Tampa Bay bench. In other notes, center Danny Briere returned to action after missing nine games with a groin pull, but he did not factor into the game. In fact, he looked rather flat, and has clearly not yet fully recovered. Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren said that defenseman Randy Jones (torn labrum/right hip) could return to the lineup Saturday in Carolina. Jones' return would mean the team would have to clear cap space, most likely by waiving Lasse Kukkonen, among other moves. Holmgren did not get into specifics, but said a plan was in place. The Flyers resume action Thursday at home against the New Jersey Devils. The puck drops at 7:00 PM.

Jones and Parent Skating... Who Will Go to Make Room?

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:03:00 -0500

It's been well-documented that the Flyers began the season at a significant disadvantage after losing Ryan Parent and Randy Jones to injury before the regular season started, as well as the indefinite absence of Derian Hatcher. Minus these three rostered defensemen, as well as 07-08 captain ...

Flyers acquire defenseman Alberts

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:29:48 -0500

In an effort to patch up their thin blueline, the Flyers acquired defenseman Andrew Alberts from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ned Lukacevic and a 4th round pick in the 2009 draft. Alberts has spent his first three seasons in the NHL with the Bruins, tallying 19 points in 184 games. Alberts is a big, physical player who fits right into the mold of a typical bruising Flyers blueliner. He's a bit slow but he should jump right into the lineup and leave Lasse Kukkonen on the bench where h...

Bryan Berard is coming to Flyers Camp

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:55:08 -0500

The Flyers have added yet another defensemen to their camp roster. Bryan Berard, a veteran who has played for six NHL teams, will be attending the Flyers training camp on a try-out basis. Berard is 31 and played for the New York Islanders last season, suiting up for 54 games and notching 5 goals and 17 assists. Berard has always been known as an offensive defenseman who can do some great things with the puck, but he is also known as someone who has issues defending his own net. He has also ha...

Flyers shake up defensive pairings

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:25:15 -0500

With Kimmo Timonen likely out for the remainder of the playoffs, the Flyers have to face the reality of playing an offensive juggernaut like the Penguins without their best defensive player. In Timonen's absence, the Flyers have completely re-shuffled their defensive pairs. Derian Hatcher, who has played well recently, will move up to the top pairing with Braydon Coburn, causing every pairing to be altered. Jason Smith will now be paired with Randy Jones and Jaroslav Modry is back in the ...

Ovechkin, Capitals erase 2 goal deficit to down Flyers in Game One

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:13:13 -0500

It almost seemed inevitable. The game was tied 4-4 late in the third period, and Alexander Ovechkin had yet to score a goal. Somehow, everyone knew that he was going to make his mark in this game, his first ever in the NHL playoffs. Sure enough, Ovechkin netted the game winning goal in the final five minutes of play. He created the whole play on his own, striking with an unassisted goal after he took the puck away from Lasse Kukkonen in the Flyers' zone and punched it past Martin Biron to...