JVR used with permission © Bob Fina/InsideHockey.com

Unless you were disconnected from the world today, or at the Phillies game, you probably already know that the Flyers traded James van Riemsdyk to Toronto for Luke Schenn.

It seems as if this trade was in the works since February, when it was rumored the teams would make the swap surrounding the trade deadline. For some reason, neither team pulled trigger.

Four months later, JVR is now a Maple Leaf and Luke Schenn joins his brother Brayden to become the first set of brothers to wear the orange and black since the Sutter twins.

While the trade seemed inevitable, it was only less than a year ago the Flyers signed JVR to a six-year, $25 million extension. It was also a year ago to the day Paul Holmgren shocked the world and traded Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, who also were at the starts of their long-term deals.

They say it is a business but the Flyers really take it to heart don’t they?

The ink was barely dry on his contract and the Flyers were already shopping JVR.

Sure, JVR didn’t live up to his potential…yet.
» Continue reading “JVR Traded To Toronto For Luke Schenn”

Courtesy of: Flyers.nhl.com

Yesterday at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey, fans young and old packed the practice arena to get a glimpse of the potential ‘future’ stars of the Flyers.

Two of the most talked-about names are Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn. Forty-one players in all are taking part in a week-long training camp, which includes ice-time and gym workouts.  Thursday’s camp ran from 9-12 and afterwards, both Couturier and Schenn stuck around to sign autographs and have photos taken with fans during the Skate Zone’s public skate.

Couturier, the 18 year-old first round draft pick appears to be the ‘one’ the media is most focusing on.  On Wednesday, he was a guest on Comcast Sportsnet’s Daily News Live and is blogging on the Flyers website, sharing everyday details of his first ever NHL training camp.  A center who is probably just as good defensively as he is offensively, is being hyped as the future “Face of the Franchise.”  High expectations for such a young guy, personally I hope the Flyers take their sweet time with this kid, and not put too much pressure on him.

When asked about being drafted by Philadelphia and playing in a city that loves it’s hockey, Couturier replied, “Fans look pretty intense, follow their hockey pretty hard, it’s good, it’s fun.  They want to win every year, it’s good.”

Click to follow Sean Couturier’s daily blog.

Schenn, a 19 year-old prospect traded from the Los Angeles Kings, is also highly coveted.  A center just like Couturier, he played eight games with the Kings last October before being assigned to the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings.  His one-time roommate and former Flyer Justin Williams (one of my fave players I might add) gave Schenn good advice on playing in Philadelphia and what to expect.  He’s also gotten advice from his older brother Luke, who plays defense for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“It’s obviously a little different, the fan base and media in L.A., the media wasn’t as big,” Schenn said. “Coming here, it’s a good hockey market, a good fan base. Just looking around, you want to be a part of that, and you want fans to care a lot and have expectations on you. I’m just looking forward to it.” - CSNPhilly.com

Today, the prospects head to Stone Harbor, NJ.

Philadelphia Flyers prospects take a break from the ice to participate in “Trial on the Isle,” a mini-triathlon followed by a charity softball game on Friday, July 8 in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. All proceeds benefit Flyers Charities, a division of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation with a donation going to American Legion Post #331 in Stone Harbor. – Flyers.nhl.com

Three of the men running the camp are former Flyer and current player development coach Derian Hatcher , former Flyer and current assistant coach of the Flyers AHL affiliate Adirondack Phantoms Riley Cote, and Flyers forward Ian Laperriere.

Six other of the 2011 draft selections: Nick Cousins, Colin Suellentrop, Marcel Noebels, Petr Placek, and Derek Mathers are attending the camp as well.

After trading away half of the team which included captain Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, the Flyers are keeping a close eye on all of the prospects.  Who knows when one if not more might be called upon to fill a void  left by vacating players.  Guess time will tell.

Good luck to all of them and hope they have a bright future with the Philadelphia Flyers.