Ruslan Fedotenko was the first Philadelphia Flyer to find a new home for the 2012-13 season, but he certainly isn’t the last.
It was reported this afternoon by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period via twitter that Jakub Voracek has reached an agreement to play with HC LEV Prague, a KHL team based out of the Czech Republic. Voracek had previous ties to the Czech Extraliga hockey club Kladno, but it was believed that they would not be able to cover his insurance requirements.
This season will mark LEV Prague’s first in the KHL. Voracek will be playing alongside former NHLers Erik Christensen, Michal Repik and Marcel Hossa.
Bill Meltzer of Hockey Buzz reported today that, according to a Swedish article, defenseman Nicklas Grossmann “apparently prefers to wait a few more weeks to see what happens with lockout [before] committing to Sodertalje SK of the Swedish Eliterserien, his former team.
Nothing has been reported further on Scott Hartnell beyond that he is likely to play for KalPa Kuopio of the SM-Liiga in Finland. It is a team he co-owns with Kimmo Timonen (who is expected to rest at home if there is no hockey to be played).
Finally, there are several reports suggesting that Danny Briere and Claude Giroux could find a new team soon, but the continent has not been chosen yet.
Josh Rimer of NHL Home Ice reported via twitter, “Spoke with Philadelphia Flyer forward Daniel Briere via text on playing overseas. ‘Not sure yet, haven’t made a decision yet.’ ”
Meltzer followed up with a similar report, stating, “Claude Giroux staying put for now. Will re-evaluate European options depending on length of lockout.”
Andy Strickland of True Hockey has heard something altogether different and unique: that Briere and Giroux may join other Canadien NHLers in forming a two-league team that plays once a week for charity.
Sources confirm several high profile French Canadian NHL players and agents are considering forming two teams to play games while NHL players and owners battle it out at the bargaining table.
Some of these players includes stars Daniel Briere, Claude Giroux, Patrice Bergeron, David Perron, and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
The initial idea is to have two teams, one representing Montreal and the other representing Quebec City, to travel throughout Quebec playing at least one game per week. There’s talk of all the proceeds going to charity.
It would certainly be interesting to see Giroux and Fleury on the same team.
For the latest Flyers news and updates, you can follow me on twitter (@JoshJanet).
