http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/5422 Recent articles about Jason Smith en-us Flyers' captain Jason Smith signed a two-year, $5.2 million contract with the Ottawa Senators Monday. The 14-year veteran was an unrestricted free agent. According to Philly.com, The Flyers had let Smith know that with the contracts of Randy Jones and newly acquired Steve Eminger, he would not fit into team's budget for next season. Smith earned $1.9 million last season. In 77 games for the Flyers last season, Smith had 204 blocked shots and 142 hits, tops on the team. He had one goal, nine assists, and 86 penalty minutes. My response to this is, what the hell? The Flyers were very clear that they were not going to re-sign Smith, but I have to say I really don't understand why. This guy was their captain last year, and an integral past of their success. Who is going to take his place? Is eventual captain Mike Richards' time now? Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:36:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287524 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287524 The Flyers will nearly be back to full strength when the playoffs begin on Friday. Danny Briere, who has been sidelined since April 2nd, will play in the playoff opener against the Capitals. Briere has been sidelined with a sprained knee, but will return after missing only two games. Other Flyers that are expected to return for the playoffs include Jason Smith and Sami Kapanen. Smith missed the season finale against Pittsburgh with a shoulder problem while Kapanen missed the last two games with head injuries. That leaves only two Flyers on the bench due to injuries: Derian Hatcher and Simon Gagne. Gagne will only return if they Flyers make the Stanley Cup Finals, but Hatcher could be ready to come back sometime next week. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:55:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/231620 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/231620 After signing defenseman Braydon Coburn to a long-term deal, Ed Moran of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is working on signing the club's pending free agents to contract extensions. Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:53:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/40002 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/40002 "We were the worst team in the league," left wing Simon Gagne said. "For the people who pick and rank teams, usually they are wrong at the end of the year. But I can understand." he uttered. "To get back to the playoffs, what did we finish with, 56 points last year, we need another 40-plus points, you have to get to 95 or 96 and over," said goalie Martin Biron. Tonight the Flyers will begin that task against the Calgary Flames. Returning star Simon Gagne will once again lead the scoring attack, and young up and coming players like Jeff Carter and Mike Richards will try to become more consistent to help him out. Sami Kapanen, R. J. Umberger, and Mike Knuble return as well to play key roles around their newly acquired teammates. In the off-season it seemed like everyday Flyers management was making another trade for some other team's captain. The new look Flyers have now added former leaders like Danny Briere and Jason Smith to help Gagne with the scoring attack and with leadership on defense. Plus they also gained Kimmo Timonen, Scott Hartnell, and Joffrey Lupul. However, they already they have had key injuries, and have at least one rookie, 21-year-old Russian Denis Tolpeko, on the opening night roster. Scottie Upshall is out for the next 5 weeks with a broken wrist, and Umberger (broken pinky) will not play before next Wednesday in Vancouver. General Manager Paul Holmgren gives Flyers fans this simple quote to start the new season, "On paper we look like we're a decent team, but now comes the tricky part. We've got to play the games." Good luck this year Flyers! Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:07:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/29748 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/29748 ...Kariya to the Blues. Next yr's gonna be a fresh tossed salad of new players on new teams, which means I gotta form new alliances. Now Joffrey Lupul and Jason Smith are Flyers with Danny Briere?! Brian Rafalski's now w/Detroit, who traded away Mathieu Schneider to perhaps replace Scotty Niedermayer! And Poti, Kozlov, Zednick NO LONGER ISLANDERS EITHER? SJ's lady's man Scott Hannan to the Avs. Smyth, Souray...? Mon, 02 Jul 2007 05:52:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/18181 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/18181