REPORT: FLYERS INTERESTED IN ZAITSEV
One of the most sought-after free agent players in the Kontinental Hockey League is CSKA Moscow defenseman
Nikita Zaitsev. The 23-year-old is coming off a fine KHL season, posting 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) and a plus-27 at even strength in 57 regular season games and then adding eight points in 16 playoff games as CSKA fell one win short of reaching the Gagarin Cup Finals. Zaitsev is not at the World Championships this year but has been in the past and represented Russia during the Euro Hockey Tour tournaments this season.
According to a Russian-language
article in Championat.com, the Philadelphia Flyers are among the most active NHL pursuers of the player, in addition to the Buffalo Sabres and other clubs. The article further states that, two years ago, the Flyers made a heavy push for the player (then coming off a breakthrough season with Sibir Novosibirsk) but he elected to stay in Russia and sign with CSKA.
Now, the player has made statements that he is ready to try his fortunes in North America. He would have to come to an agreement with CSKA to break the remainder of his contract but with the KHL economy (and Russian economy in general) having taken a sharp downturn in the past year, the negotiation may be easier to accomplish than in the recent past.
Zaitsev is considered to be a good two-way defenseman with above-average puck moving skills as well as an accurate shot from the point. Although born in Moscow and initially trained in the Krylia development program, he did not blossom until he went to Novosibirsk.
As the article states, the Flyers were perhaps the first NHL team to take serious notice -- although I suspect that part of his decision a few years ago to stay in Russia may have been a disinterest in potentially having to work his way up from the Phantoms to get an NHL roster spot. He has continued to improve in the years since then, and would now likely be in immediate competition for an NHL roster spot. This time around, however, the Flyers have plenty of competition to be the player's destination of choice if he elects to leave Russia for North America.
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2015 IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: FLYERS UPDATES
* Team Canada staged a dramatic comeback victory over Sweden on Wednesday, claiming a 6-4 victory after trailing 3-0 after the first period and 4-3 after the second.
Sean Couturier, whose ice time has gradually increased, scored a goal for the second straight game while logging 13:22 of ice time (his most to date).
Claude Giroux did not record a point in 18:32 of ice time but registered four shots on goal.
Brayden Schenn was a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game. The undefeated Canadians take on France on Saturday.
* Team Switzerland sustained its second post-regulation upset loss of the preliminary round. On Wednesday, the Swiss team dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Latvia. Mark Streit remained pointless in tourney but had five shots on goal against the Latvians. He was minus-one in 25:14 of ice time. The Swiss play Sweden on Saturday.
* Team Czech Republic was idle on Wednesday. The team, featuring
Jakub Voracek as its captain, plays France on Thursday. On Friday, they oppose Austria. The Austrian team, featuring
Michael Raffl, was idle on Wednesday and also has no game on Thursday.
* Team Denmark was downed, 5-2, by heavily favored Russia on Wednesday. Phantoms defenseman
Oliver Lauridsen was minus-two with an assist and two shots on goal and in 18:08 of ice time. In the final minute of the game, Lauridsen (cross-checking) tangled with Evgeni Malkin (roughing) with both being penalized. The Danes play Team USA on Friday.
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FLYERS ALUMNI FANTASY HOCKEY CAMP
The Flyers Alumni will host a fantasy hockey camp from August 21-24 in Atlantic City, open to anyone age 21 and older. Instructors and Alumni participants will include
Bernie Parent,
Brian Propp,
Ian Laperriere,
Todd Fedoruk,
Andre "Moose" Dupont,
Dave "the Hammer" Schultz,
Joe Watson and
Bob "the Hound" Kelly.
The registration deadline is June 1. Participation costs $3,000 apiece but it is free to
register a spot online. Over on the Flyers' Alumni website, there is
more information on camp-related activities and on-ice schedules.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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