Let the rumors die: Flyers out on Stamkos

The rumors have been there ever since the Flyers dealt Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. While it seemed completely far-fetched, Flyers beat writers started spreading the idea that the Flyers were going to try to pry restricted free agent Steven Stamkos away from the Lightning. Sure, the Flyers didn't really have enough cap space and, sure, they would have to rip their team apart even more, but the rumors persisted that the Flyers were going to pursue Stamkos.

Those rumors die today with the news from the Flyers beat writers that the Flyers will not offer Stamkos a contract. Instead of forking over 100+ million dollars to Stamkos, the Flyers will instead sign their restricted free agents, probably bring back Ville Leino and then focus on signing a quality UFA forward. In other words, the Flyers are being sensible.

As much fun as it would have been for the Flyers to add Stamkos to the roster, I never bought into any of the rumors. Even if the Flyers did put together an offer, I didn't see any way that the Lightning wouldn't match the offer and keep their star player. The Flyers, and their fans, can move on now and focus on the several other quality unrestricted free agents out there. Sure, no free agent they bring in will be as good as Stamkos but they also won't cripple the franchise with a bloated contract and the loss of four draft picks, either.

Flyers make just a minor deal at the trade deadline

Obviously comfortable with their roster, the Flyers were mostly spectators during today's NHL Trade Deadline, making just one minor deal. While fans expecting a big addition were disappointed, with their recent additions of Kris Versteeg and Nick Boynton, the Flyers already had taken care of their need for depth so there really wasn't much else the team needed to do.

The one player they did acquire was LW Tom Sestito, who was brought over from Columbus for fellow minor leaguers Greg Moore and Michael Chaput. While he is huge (6 foot 5, 209 pounds), Sestito is nothing more than minor league depth and doesn't figure to get any playing time with the Flyers this season unless there are a bad string of injuries. Sestito, who has already been assigned to the Phantoms, is known as a physical player who likes to mix it up but doesn't have much skill, so he sounds like a perfect future 4th wing Flyer.

While the Flyers left around 2 million dollars of cap space on the table, they should be commended for not shaking up the team just to make a deal. With most of their minor league assets and draft picks already shipped out in other trades, if the Flyers wanted to get something done, they likely would have had to move someone from the NHL roster. Not wanting to upset the chemistry of the best team in the Eastern Conference, Paul Holmgren wisely chose to stand pat. With their big move to get Versteeg a few weeks back, the Flyers are banking on already having all the pieces in place to make a deep run into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Flyers interested in bringing back Ray Emery?

I'm not sure where he would fit in, but, according to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Flyers are one of three teams interested in signing goaltender Ray Emery, who is ready to make his return to hockey. Where Emery would fit in on a team that already has Sergei Bobrovksy and Brian Boucher, not to mention Michael Leighton in the AHL, is beyond me.

While Emery expects to start in the AHL as he begins his comeback, I'm not sure there is even enough ice time for him with Adirondack. Perhaps the Flyers are thinking about signing Emery to a multi-year deal, letting him play out the season in the AHL and then promote him to backup goaltender next year after Brian Boucher's contract runs out.

According to Dreger, teams are looking to sign Emery in the next 48 hours, so we will see very soon whether this is just another rumor or if the Flyers really want to muddle up their goaltending situation even more.

Peter Forsberg to make one last comeback attempt

You're kidding, right? According to the Denver Post, former Flyer Peter Forsberg, who has been out of the NHL since 2008, is making one last comeback attempt. Forsberg, who has had chronic foot problems for years now, is apparently ready to give it one " last, last, last try" at playing in the NHL. Haven't we heard this all before?

Thankfully, this time around, don't count on rumors linking Forsberg to playing with the Flyers, who are already incredibly deep at center. Besides, the Flyers already have Claude Giroux, who is basically a younger, faster version of Forsberg.

Good luck, Peter Forsberg; I can't wait until your next comeback attempt!

Bill Guerin working out with Flyers, hopes for tryout offer

Just when you thought the Flyers roster was set, we might have a late addition to the team: veteran Bill Guerin is working out in Philly and it sounds like he's hoping to get a tryout invite to training camp. Guerin, an 18 year veteran who has played for 8 teams in the NHL, put up decent numbers playing with Sidney Crosby on the Penguins last year, including 21 goals and 24 assists. The Penguins let him go, however, so the 39 year old Guerin is now hoping to stick on with the Flyers.

Whether the Flyers have room for him is another question. Sure, a veteran presence like Guerin would be nice to have in the locker room, but if he is signed by the Flyers, it will have to be at the expense of someone on their roster, likely Dan Carcillo. While there would be no harm in giving Guerin a training camp invite, the Flyers will have to figure out if Guerin has enough left in the tank to be a quality third line winger before they sign him to a contract. Given his age, one would think that Guerin is too old but when you see someone like Mark Recchi still producing at age 42, you can't assume that he's too old to contribute.

Signing Guerin would be a solid move if he proves himself in training camp. Adding a veteran, Cup-winning presence to the mix is always a good thing as long as he can be a solid contributor on the ice. As long as Guerin signs for a reasonable contract, if he can out-perform Dan Carcillo, he deserves a roster spot on the Flyers.