Wednesday Quick Hits
* According to Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, the Flyers have signed forward Eric Wellwood to a minor league contract while he recovers from the serious leg tendon injuries he suffered late last season with the Phantoms. Holmgren said the minor-league deal arrangement is just "for the time being."
When Wellwood is fully recovered, he is eligible to sign a new NHL contract with the Flyers, who continue to hold his NHL signing rights after tendering him a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent this summer.
The arrangement is beneficial for both sides.
Because of Wellwood's injury status, the Flyers could not assign him to the AHL if he were signed to a new NHL contract before he's ready to be medically cleared. This would have been problematic for the Flyers, who are currently over the salary cap during the summer. Wellwood would have had to be carried on the NHL roster and his contract would have counted all season against the 50-contract limit even if he was placed on the long-term injured reserve list when eligible right before opening night (which also would have given the team some temporary cap space).
In Wellwood's case, he at least has the security of a contract in hand with the organization while working toward his return to the ice. He would have been on a two-way NHL contract, anyway, and almost certainly would have been assigned to play for the Phantoms once he's medically allowed to play. Once he's close to being ready to play, he can get a new NHL deal with the Flyers. Wellwood must sign by Dec. 1 to be eligible for NHL play this season.
* Holmgren also provided an update on the status of unsigned restricted free agent Brandon Manning. Said Holmgren, "We are still working on Brandon but certainly expect to have him signed soon."
* Flyers rookie camp will run from September 5 to September 9. There are already players skating at the Skate Zone (which is undergoing renovations). The annual Flyers vs. Capitals prospects game will be held on Sept. 9 at the Kettler Capitals IcePlex in Arlington, VA. Game time will be 3 p.m. EDT.
* The second episode of Flight Plan will debut on the Flyers' official Web site tonight at 7 p.m. EDT. The installment, entitled "Tough…Mean…Flyer,” will take a look at the draft floor and interview room activity surrounding the Flyers' first-round selection of Samuel Morin at the 2013 NHL Draft in Newark. The most intriguing section could be the coverage of Paul Holmgren discussing a potential trade before the Flyers made their pick. Philly had discussions with a couple of clubs, but it is believed that the most intensive talks were with Craig MacTavish's Edmonton Oilers. No deals were consummated.
* The Adirondack Phantoms have signed 23-year-old defenseman Steven Delisle to a minor league contract. Originally a fourth-round pick (107th overall) of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2008 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-6 defender has spent more time in the ECHL than the AHL during his professional career to date. Delisle is slated to be a depth defenseman for the Phantoms next season.
* Robert Hägg, the Flyers' second-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, broke a scoreless tie in the third period of yesterday's preseason exhibition game between Modo Hockey Örnsköldsvik and reigning Finnish champion Ässät Pori. Midway through the final stanza, Hägg dialed up a slapshot from the point that overpowered goaltender Juuso Riksman. Modo later added an empty net goal to win, 2-0.
* Congratulations go out to Ian Laperriere for not only competing in the Mont-Tremblant Ironman triathon on Sunday but for completing the entire event and for raising more than $17,000 for a variety of charitable causes. The fact that Lappy competed after experiencing a scare with recurrent post-concussion symptoms following a spill off his bike in training speaks to the fact that the same strong will and dedication that enabled him to play in over 1,000 NHL games still burn strong after his injury-forced retirement from the ice.
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