FLYERS SIGN FRENCH STANDOUT BELLEMARE
Hoping to duplicate the success they had last season in signing Austrian forward Michael Raffl after a strong season in Sweden and at the IIHF World Championships, the Philadelphia Flyers have dipped into the European free agent pool for a second straight off-season. Earlier today, the Flyers announced the signing of 29-year-old French forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare to a one-year contract.
Bellemare is coming off a tremendous season for repeat Swedish champion Skellefteå AIK, for whom he notched 20 goals (8th in the SHL) and 35 points (20th) in the regular season. He was even better in the playoffs, scoring numerous clutch goals en route to racking up nine goals (second only to teammate Jimmie Ericsson) and 14 points (fifth) in 14 matches.
SAIK went 12-2 in a dominant postseason run, and Bellemare was a big reason why. Apart from the points he posted, the alternate captain was a tone-setter both on the forcheck and backcheck. He also displayed a knack for scoring goals at critical times, include a late third period power play in the championship clinching game that gave SAIK some breathing room against Färjestad.
Throughout the season, SAIK coach Hans Wallson was able to use Bellemare in a variety of different game situations and play him both at center and left wing as needed. He showed an ability to play effectively with an array of different linemates, but especially thrived in the championship finals with George "Bud" Holloway and Viktor Arvidsson.
Bellemare followed his outstanding SHL season with an equally outstanding IIHF World Championship tournament for Team France. He notched three goals and eight points in as many games for a French team that was the tourney's most pleasant surprise, reaching the medal round quarterfinals and authoring a preliminary round upset over Canada. Bellemare scored the game-winning goal in the shootout against the Canadians. Earlier in the game, Bellemare set up the first of two goals by Stephane DaCosta.
Last year, France also notched a monumental World Championship upset when it toppled Russia in regulation by a 2-1 score. Bellemare also played an important goal in that win, setting up a Damien Fleury goal that tied the score midway through the game.
At 6-feet tall and about 195 pounds, Bellemare is an average-sized player. However, he has above-average speed, plays a responsible two-way game and plays with considerable heart. He is a hard worker who can contribute even when not playing in a scoring role, but he also has underrated hands (which he displayed both in Allsvenskan, where he once scored 31 goals in 41 games for Leksand, and at the SHL level).
Bellemare is a late-bloomer, who remained in Ligue Magnus in his native France until he was 20 years and then did not play in the SHL (formerly Elitserien) until he was 24. He was probably good enough to get a shot in North America a few years ago. A concussion and a facial fracture suffered as a result of a head shot on an open ice hit away from the puck by Brynäs' Robin Jacobsson in the 2012-13 season limited him to 29 regular season games.
A few weeks ago, when I compiled a blog about
five European free agent candidates to sign in the NHL for next season, I had seriously considered putting Bellemare on the list. Ultimately, I omitted Bellemare and included 26-year-old Finnish forward Olli Palola because I feared that Bellemare's rather advanced age might work against him to the extent that NHL teams would shy away from signing him.
The Flyers did not sign Bellemare to play for the Phantoms in the AHL. He will take his shot at the NHL roster and either sink or swim. He could fit on either the third or fourth line, and will probably play left wing. His positional versatility and ability to adapt to a checking oriented role as well as scoring line duties work in his favor.
Like all players coming over from Europe, especially older veterans, Bellemare will have to adapt to the smaller rink and the faster pace of NHL play. He has both good wheels and a good work ethic, so he has a fighting chance.
Basically, this is a low-cost, low-risk signing for the Flyers with the upside of landing a solid role player. It has no real downside. If Bellemare doesn't make it, Philly really didn't invest much cap-wise (believed to be in the neighborhood of $700,000 per Tim Panaccio) and it is just a one-year deal.
The Flyers also reportedly had interest in Rasmussen and Sekac. The former signed earlier this week with the Chicago Blackhawks. Sekac is expected to make a decision in the next day or two.
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COUTURIER UNDERGOES SPORTS HERNIA SURGERY
The Flyers announced that third-line center Sean Couturier underwent successful surgery to repair a sports hernia. According to team president Paul Holmgren, the injury affected Couturier from January onward but was not considered serious enough at the time to require more than maintenance until after the season.
The player, who dressed in all 82 games and scored 13 goals and 39 points while anchoring the club's shutdown line, has already begun his rehabilitation. He is expected to be fully recovered within five to six weeks and should be fine for the start of training camp in September.
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QUICK HITS
* Today in Flyers history: On June 12, 2002, the Flyers traded goaltender Brian Boucher to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for center Michal Handzus and goaltender Robert Esche.he deal worked out well for Philadelphia, as Handzus went on to score 20-plus goals in each of the next two seasons while also playing strong two-way hockey. The fiery Esche ended up becoming the Flyers starting goaltender during the team's run to Game 7 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals.
*Forty-one years ago today, on June 12, 1973, the Flyers signed young forward Orest Kindrachuk to a three-year contract. Originally an undrafted free agent signed on July 1, 1971 to play for the AHL's Richmond Robins, Kindrachuk went on to earn a regular job on Fred Shero's club in the Stanley Cup winning season of 1973-74.
Despite playing on the third line and working in the shadows of Bobby Clarke and Rick MacLeish, Kindrachuk proved to be a valuable two-way player who added both grit and underrated offensive ability. His best season came in 1975-76, when he tallied 26 goals and 75 points in 76 games.
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