2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season

2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers
Division3rd Atlantic
Conference5th Eastern
2008–09 record44–27–11
Home record24–13–4
Road record20–14–7
Goals for264
Goals against238
Team information
General managerPaul Holmgren
CoachJohn Stevens
CaptainMike Richards
Alternate captainsSimon Gagne
Kimmo Timonen
ArenaWachovia Center
Average attendance19,545[1]
Minor league affiliate(s)Philadelphia Phantoms
Mississippi Sea Wolves
Team leaders
GoalsJeff Carter (46)
AssistsMike Richards (50)
PointsJeff Carter (84)
Penalty minutesRiley Cote (174)
Plus/minusJeff Carter (+23)
WinsMartin Biron (29)
Goals against averageMartin Biron (2.76)

The 2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 42nd season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.

Regular season

The Flyers began the 2008–09 season by naming Mike Richards the 17th captain in Flyers history on September 17, with Jason Smith headed to the Ottawa Senators as a free agent.[2] The Flyers were looking to build on the success of the previous season, but instead got off to an 0–3–3 start which became indicative of the season ahead. Despite a solid December and January, and finishing with four points more than the year before, for the most part the 2008–09 Flyers were an inconsistent unit, playing at the top of their ability one night while subpar the next. Defenseman Derian Hatcher missed the entire regular season and playoffs with a knee injury, and Steve Downie was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Matt Carle. Two pleasant surprises were the emergence of rookie center Claude Giroux and defenseman Luca Sbisa, who was drafted by the Flyers in June with the 19th overall pick acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for R. J. Umberger, the victim of a salary cap crunch. Scottie Upshall also found himself the victim of such a crunch, traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Daniel Carcillo at the trade deadline.

Despite holding on to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference for much of the season, due to a 4–5–1 finish to the season, highlighted by a home loss to the New York Rangers on the last day of the regular season, the Flyers slipped to the fifth seed and lost home-ice advantage in their first round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Flyers finished the regular season having scored the most shorthanded goals in the NHL, with 16, and having allowed the fewest shorthanded goals, with just one.[3]

Divisional standings

Atlantic Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 New Jersey Devils 82 51 27 4 244 209 106
2 Pittsburgh Penguins 82 45 28 9 264 239 99
3 Philadelphia Flyers 82 44 27 11 264 238 99
4 New York Rangers 82 43 30 9 210 218 95
5 New York Islanders 82 26 47 9 201 279 61

Conference standings

Eastern Conference
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 z – Boston Bruins NE 82 53 19 10 274 196 116
2 y – Washington Capitals SE 82 50 24 8 272 245 108
3 y – New Jersey Devils AT 82 51 27 4 244 209 106
4 Pittsburgh Penguins AT 82 45 28 9 264 239 99
5 Philadelphia Flyers AT 82 44 27 11 264 238 99
6 Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 45 30 7 239 226 97
7 New York Rangers AT 82 43 30 9 210 218 95
8 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 41 30 11 249 247 93
8.5
9 Florida Panthers SE 82 41 30 11 234 231 93
10 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 41 32 9 250 234 91
11 Ottawa Senators NE 82 36 35 11 217 237 83
12 Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 34 35 13 250 293 81
13 Atlanta Thrashers SE 82 35 41 6 257 280 76
14 Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 24 40 18 210 279 66
15 New York Islanders AT 82 26 47 9 201 279 61

bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)

AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division


Playoffs

Pittsburgh dominated the Flyers in Game 1, and despite a better effort by the Flyers in Game 2, Pittsburgh came to Philadelphia with a 2–0 series lead. The Flyers were the better team in Games 3 and 4, but Pittsburgh gained a split in Philadelphia and took a 3–1 series lead. After a decisive 3–0 win in Game 5, the Flyers jumped out to a 3–0 lead in Game 6, but promptly fell victim to the inconsistencies that plagued the team all season and gave up five unanswered goals in a season-ending 5–3 loss.

Schedule and results

Preseason

2008 preseason[4][5]
Preseason: 4–5–0 (home: 4–0–0; road: 0–5–0)
Game Date Opponent Score Attendance Record Ref
1 September 22 New Jersey Devils 4–1 17,108 1–0–0 [6]
2 September 24 @ Ottawa Senators 1–3 17,038 1–1–0 [7]
3[a] September 25 New York Islanders 4–5 7,706 2–1–0 [8]
4[b] September 27 Carolina Hurricanes 4–2 17,700 3–1–0 [9]
5 September 28 @ Carolina Hurricanes 0–1 11,265 3–2–0 [10]
6 October 1 Washington Capitals 2–1 17,523 4–2–0 [11]
7 October 3 @ Washington Capitals 1–5 14,864 4–3–0 [12]
8 October 4 @ New Jersey Devils 0–1 9,558 4–4–0 [13]
9[b] October 7 @ Philadelphia Phantoms 2–4 17,077 4–5–0 [14]

Notes:
a Game played at John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario.
b Game played at Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Legend:

  Win   Loss   Overtime/shootout loss

Regular season

2008–09 regular season[15]
October: 4–3–3, 11 points (home: 2–2–1; road: 2–1–2)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
1 October 11 NY Rangers 4–3 Philadelphia Biron 19,623 0–1–0 0 Recap
2 October 13 Montreal 5–3 Philadelphia Biron 19,323 0–2–0 0 Recap
3 October 14 Philadelphia 2–3 Pittsburgh OT Niittymaki 16,965 0–2–1 1 Recap
4 October 16 Philadelphia 2–5 Colorado Biron 18,007 0–3–1 1 Recap
5 October 18 Philadelphia 4–5 San Jose OT Niittymaki 17,496 0–3–2 2 Recap
6 October 22 San Jose 7–6 Philadelphia SO Biron 19,072 0–3–3 3 Recap
7 October 24 Philadelphia 6–3 New Jersey Biron 15,529 1–3–3 5 Recap
8 October 25 New Jersey 2–3 Philadelphia OT Biron 19,611 2–3–3 7 Recap
9 October 28 Philadelphia 7–0 Atlanta Niittymaki 13,207 3–3–3 9 Recap
10 October 30 NY Islanders 2–3 Philadelphia OT Biron 18,227 4–3–3 11 Recap
November: 7–4–2, 16 points (home: 3–2–1; road: 4–2–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
11 November 2 Edmonton 5–4 Philadelphia Biron 19,437 4–4–3 11 Recap
12 November 6 Philadelphia 1–4 Ottawa Niittymaki 18,938 4–5–3 11 Recap
13 November 8 Tampa Bay 2–1 Philadelphia Biron 19,412 4–6–3 11 Recap
14 November 11 Philadelphia 3–1 NY Islanders Biron 13,447 5–6–3 13 Recap
15 November 13 Philadelphia 4–5 Pittsburgh SO Biron 17,132 5–6–4 14 Recap
16 November 15 Philadelphia 2–1 Montreal Biron 21,273 6–6–4 16 Recap
17 November 16 Atlanta 3–4 Philadelphia Niittymaki 19,437 7–6–4 18 Recap
18 November 21 Philadelphia 3–0 Buffalo Biron 18,256 8–6–4 20 Recap
19 November 22 Phoenix 3–4 Philadelphia OT Biron 19,520 9–6–4 22 Recap
20 November 24 Dallas 3–4 Philadelphia Biron 19,171 10–6–4 24 Recap
21 November 26 Philadelphia 3–1 Carolina Niittymaki 15,057 11–6–4 26 Recap
22 November 28 Carolina 2–3 Philadelphia OT Biron 19,587 11–6–5 27 Recap
23 November 29 Philadelphia 2–4 Toronto Biron 19,387 11–7–5 27 Recap
December: 9–3–2, 20 points (home: 7–0–1; road: 2–3–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
24 December 2 Tampa Bay 3–4 Philadelphia OT Biron 19,227 12–7–5 29 Recap
25 December 4 New Jersey 3–2 Philadelphia OT Biron 19,577 12–7–6 30 Recap
26 December 6 Philadelphia 2–1 Carolina OT Niittymaki 14,061 13–7–6 32 Recap
27 December 9 NY Islanders 3–4 Philadelphia Biron 19,037 14–7–6 34 Recap
28 December 11 Carolina 5–6 Philadelphia SO Niittymaki 19,057 15–7–6 36 Recap
29 December 13 Pittsburgh 3–6 Philadelphia Biron 19,811 16–7–6 38 Recap
30 December 16 Colorado 2–5 Philadelphia Niittymaki 19,219 17–7–6 40 Recap
31 December 18 Philadelphia 2–5 Montreal Niittymaki 21,273 17–8–6 40 Recap
32 December 20 Washington 1–7 Philadelphia Niittymaki 19,897 18–8–6 42 Recap
33 December 21 Philadelphia 2–3 New Jersey SO Niittymaki 14,426 18–8–7 43 Recap
34 December 23 Ottawa 4–6 Philadelphia Nittymaki 19,578 19–8–7 45 Recap
35 December 26 Philadelphia 1–5 Chicago Biron 22,712 19–9–7 45 Recap
36 December 27 Philadelphia 0–3 Columbus Niittymaki 18,402 19–10–7 45 Recap
37 December 30 Philadelphia 3–2 Vancouver Biron 18,630 20–10–7 47 Recap
January: 6–4–2, 14 points (home: 3–1–0; road: 3–3–2)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
38 January 2 Philadelphia 5–4 Anaheim SO Biron 17,597 21–10–7 49 Recap
39 January 3 Philadelphia 1–2 Los Angeles SO Niittymaki 18,118 21–10–8 50 Recap
40 January 6 Philadelphia 1–2 Washington SO Biron 18,277 21–10–9 51 Recap
41 January 8 Minnesota 1–3 Philadelphia Biron 19,596 22–10–9 53 Recap
42 January 10 Toronto 1–4 Philadelphia Biron 19,787 23–10–9 55 Recap
43 January 13 Pittsburgh 4–2 Philadelphia Biron 19,872 23–11–9 55 Recap
44 January 15 Philadelphia 1–4 Tampa Bay Biron 15,604 23–12–9 55 Recap
45 January 16 Philadelphia 3–2 Florida SO Niittymaki 17,827 24–12–9 57 Recap
46 January 21 Atlanta 3–5 Philadelphia Niittymaki 19,766 25–12–9 59 Recap
47 January 27 Philadelphia 2–3 Florida Biron 13,904 25–13–9 59 Recap
48 January 30 Philadelphia 6–1 Tampa Bay Niittymaki 18,120 26–13–9 61 Recap
49 January 31 Philadelphia 0–4 St. Louis Niittymaki 19,150 26–14–9 61 Recap
February: 7–3–1, 15 points (home: 3–3–1; road: 4–0–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
50 February 4 Boston 3–1 Philadelphia Biron 19,748 26–15–9 61 Recap
51 February 7 Philadelphia 4–3 Boston OT Niittymaki 17,565 27–15–9 63 Recap
52 February 8 Philadelphia 3–2 Atlanta Niittymaki 14,175 28–15–9 65 Recap
53 February 12 Ottawa 5–2 Philadelphia Niittymaki 19,679 28–16–9 65 Recap
54 February 14 NY Islanders 1–5 Philadelphia Biron 19,789 29–16–9 67 Recap
55 February 15 Philadelphia 5–2 NY Rangers Biron 18,200 30–16–9 69 Recap
56 February 19 Buffalo 3–6 Philadelphia Biron 19,642 31–16–9 71 Recap
57 February 21 Pittsburgh 5–4 Philadelphia Biron 19,992 31–17–9 71 Recap
58 February 24 Philadelphia 4–2 Washington Biron 18,277 32–17–9 73 Recap
59 February 25 Los Angeles 0–2 Philadelphia Biron 19,568 33–17–9 75 Recap
60 February 27 Montreal 4–3 Philadelphia OT Niittymaki 19,881 33–17–10 76 Recap
March: 8–7–0, 16 points (home: 4–4–0; road: 4–3–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
61 March 1 Philadelphia 0–3 New Jersey Biron 17,625 33–18–10 76 Recap
62 March 3 Philadelphia 4–2 Boston Niittymaki 17,020 34–18–10 78 Recap
63 March 5 Calgary 5–1 Philadelphia Niittymaki 19,513 34–19–10 78 Recap
64 March 7 Nashville 1–4 Philadelphia Biron 19,611 35–19–10 80 Recap
65 March 10 Buffalo 2–5 Philadelphia Biron 19,421 36–19–10 82 Recap
66 March 12 Washington 2–1 Philadelphia Biron 19,728 36–20–10 82 Recap
67 March 14 NY Rangers 2–4 Philadelphia Biron 19,836 37–20–10 84 Recap
68 March 15 Philadelphia 1–4 NY Rangers Niittymaki 18,200 37–21–10 84 Recap
69 March 17 Philadelphia 2–3 Detroit Biron 20,066 37–22–10 84 Recap
70 March 20 Philadelphia 6–4 Buffalo Biron 18,690 38–22–10 86 Recap
71 March 22 Philadelphia 3–1 Pittsburgh Biron 17,132 39–22–10 88 Recap
72 March 23 New Jersey 2–4 Philadelphia Biron 19,762 40–22–10 90 Recap
73 March 26 Florida 4–2 Philadelphia Biron 19,631 40–23–10 90 Recap
74 March 28 Philadelphia 4–3 NY Islanders SO Biron 16,234 41–23–10 92 Recap
75 March 29 Boston 4–3 Philadelphia Niittymaki 19,715 41–24–10 92 Recap
April: 3–3–1, 7 points (home: 2–1–0; road: 1–2–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
76 April 1 Philadelphia 2–3 Toronto Biron 19,340 41–25–10 92 Recap
77 April 3 Toronto 5–8 Philadelphia Biron 19,727 42–25–10 94 Recap
78 April 4 Philadelphia 3–4 Ottawa SO Niittymaki 19,557 42–25–11 95 Recap
79 April 7 Florida 1–2 Philadelphia Biron 19,637 43–25–11 97 Recap
80 April 9 Philadelphia 1–2 NY Rangers Biron 18,200 43–26–11 97 Recap
81 April 11 Philadelphia 3–2 NY Islanders Biron 16,234 44–26–11 99 Recap
82 April 12 NY Rangers 4–3 Philadelphia Biron 19,648 44–27–11 99 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Playoffs

2009 Stanley Cup playoffs[15]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Penguins win 4–2
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 April 15 Philadelphia 1–4 Pittsburgh Biron 17,132 Penguins lead 1–0 Recap
2 April 17 Philadelphia 2–3 Pittsburgh OT Biron 17,132 Penguins lead 2–0 Recap
3 April 19 Pittsburgh 3–6 Philadelphia Biron 19,745 Penguins lead 2–1 Recap
4 April 21 Pittsburgh 3–1 Philadelphia Biron 19,883 Penguins lead 3–1 Recap
5 April 23 Philadelphia 3–0 Pittsburgh Biron 17,132 Penguins lead 3–2 Recap
6 April 25 Pittsburgh 5–3 Philadelphia Biron 20,072 Penguins win 4–2 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
17 Jeff Carter C 82 46 38 84 23 68 6 1 0 1 −2 8
18 Mike Richards C 79 30 50 80 22 63 6 1 4 5 −4 6
12 Simon Gagne LW 79 34 40 74 21 42 6 3 1 4 −4 2
19 Scott Hartnell LW 82 30 30 60 14 143 6 1 1 2 −2 23
15 Joffrey Lupul RW 79 25 25 50 1 58 6 1 1 2 1 2
22 Mike Knuble RW 82 27 20 47 5 62 6 2 1 3 −2 2
44 Kimmo Timonen D 77 3 40 43 19 54 6 0 1 1 −3 12
5 Braydon Coburn D 80 7 21 28 7 97 6 0 3 3 2 7
28 Claude Giroux RW 42 9 18 27 10 14 6 2 3 5 2 6
48 Danny Briere C 29 11 14 25 −1 26 6 1 3 4 −1 8
25 Matt Carle† D 64 4 20 24 2 16 6 0 3 3 0 4
9 Scottie Upshall‡ RW 55 7 14 21 5 63 — — — — — —
45 Arron Asham RW 78 8 12 20 0 155 6 1 1 2 −1 6
13 Glen Metropolit‡ C 55 4 10 14 −1 15 — — — — — —
41 Andrew Alberts† D 79 1 12 13 6 61 6 0 1 1 1 10
36 Darroll Powe C 60 6 5 11 −8 35 6 1 2 3 0 7
23 Ossi Vaananen‡ D 46 1 9 10 7 22 — — — — — —
6 Randy Jones D 47 4 4 8 8 22 6 0 1 1 1 0
47 Luca Sbisa D 39 0 7 7 −6 36 1 0 0 0 0 2
14 Andreas Nodl RW 38 1 3 4 −15 2 — — — — — —
43 Martin Biron G 55 0 4 4 0 6 0 0 0 0
13 Daniel Carcillo† LW 20 0 4 4 −2 80 5 1 1 2 3 5
77 Ryan Parent D 31 0 4 4 3 10 6 0 0 0 −3 6
24 Josh Gratton† LW 19 1 2 3 −2 57 — — — — — —
46 Jon Kalinski C 12 1 2 3 −2 0 — — — — — —
32 Riley Cote LW 63 0 3 3 −7 174 — — — — — —
26 Steve Eminger‡ D 12 0 2 2 0 8 — — — — — —
3 Lasse Kukkonen D 22 0 2 2 −2 10 — — — — — —
30 Antero Niittymaki G 32 0 1 1 2 — — — — — —
27 Steve Downie‡ RW 6 0 0 0 −4 11 — — — — — —
51 Jamie Fritsch† D 1 0 0 0 1 0 — — — — — —
29 Nate Guenin D 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
11 Boyd Kane LW 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
60 Nate Raduns C 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
42 Jared Ross C 10 0 0 0 −4 2 6 1 0 1 0 0
40 David Sloane† D 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
26 Danny Syvret D 2 0 0 0 −1 0 — — — — — —

Goaltending

No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP GS W L OT SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP GS W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
43 Martin Biron 55 53 29 19 5 1718 146 2.76 .915 2 3,177 6 6 2 4 198 16 2.56 .919 1 375
30 Antero Niittymaki 32 29 15 8 6 947 83 2.76 .912 1 1,805 — — — — — — — — — —

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season) 		NHL 2nd Star of the Month Jeff Carter (December) [16]
NHL 1st Star of the Week Mike Richards (February 23) [17]
NHL 2nd Star of the Week Jeff Carter (December 22) [18]
NHL 3rd Star of the Week Simon Gagne (November 3) [19]
NHL All-Star Game selection Jeff Carter [20]
Team Barry Ashbee Trophy Kimmo Timonen [21]
Bobby Clarke Trophy Mike Richards [21]
Gene Hart Memorial Award Scott Hartnell [21]
Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy Darroll Powe [21]
Toyota Cup Jeff Carter [21]
Yanick Dupre Memorial Class Guy Award Danny Briere [21]

Records

See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers records

Among the team records set during the 2008–09 season was Simon Gagne tying the team record for most shorthanded goals in a single game on November 13.[22] On December 20, Scott Hartnell tied the team record with three goals scored in a single period.[23] On the season, Mike Richards tied the team record for most shorthanded goals (7) and Jeff Carter tied the mark for most game-winning goals (12).[24][25] The one shorthanded goal allowed by the Flyers during the season is the fewest in franchise history.[26]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Jared Ross October 11, 2008 [27]
Luca Sbisa
Andreas Nodl October 22, 2008
Darroll Powe October 24, 2008
Nate Raduns November 6, 2008
Jon Kalinski November 21, 2008
David Sloane April 9, 2009
Jamie Fritsch April 12, 2009
25th shutout Martin Biron February 25, 2009 [28]

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from June 5, 2008, the day after the deciding game of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 12, 2009, the day of the deciding game of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals.[29]

Trades

Date Details Ref
June 6, 2008 (2008-06-06) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Edmonton Oilers
[30]
June 18, 2008 (2008-06-18) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • 7th-round pick (196th overall) in 2008
  • Conditional 4th-round pick in 2009[a]
 To Tampa Bay Lightning
[32]
June 20, 2008 (2008-06-20) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1st-round pick (19th overall) in 2008
  • 3rd-round pick (67th overall) in 2008
 To Columbus Blue Jackets
[33]
To Philadelphia Flyers
To Washington Capitals
  • 1st-round pick (27th overall) in 2008
 [34]
June 21, 2008 (2008-06-21) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • 7th-round pick in 2009
 To Anaheim Ducks
  • 7th-round pick (208th overall) in 2008
 [35]
June 24, 2008 (2008-06-24) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Nashville Predators
[36]
June 30, 2008 (2008-06-30) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Calgary Flames
[37]
To Philadelphia Flyers
  • 6th-round pick in 2009
 To Tampa Bay Lightning
  • Janne Niskala
 [38]
July 1, 2008 (2008-07-01) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Los Angeles Kings
[39]
October 13, 2008 (2008-10-13) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Boston Bruins
  • Ned Lukacevic
  • Conditional 3rd- or 4th-round pick in 2009[b]
 [41]
October 30, 2008 (2008-10-30) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Nashville Predators
  • Tim Ramholt
 [42]
November 7, 2008 (2008-11-07) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Tampa Bay Lightning
[43]
March 4, 2009 (2009-03-04) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Phoenix Coyotes
[44]
To Philadelphia Flyers
To San Jose Sharks
  • 6th-round pick in 2009
 [44]

Players acquired

Date Player Former team Term Via Ref
July 1, 2008 (2008-07-01) Sean Curry Providence Bruins (AHL) 2-year Free agency [46]
Glen Metropolit Boston Bruins 2-year Free agency [46]
Nate Raduns Worcester Sharks (AHL) 1-year Free agency [46]
Ossi Vaananen Djurgardens IF (SHL) 1-year Free agency [46]
July 7, 2008 (2008-07-07) Arron Asham New Jersey Devils 2-year Free agency [47]
September 18, 2008 (2008-09-18) Jean-Sebastien Aubin Anaheim Ducks 1-year Free agency [48]
March 26, 2009 (2009-03-26) Johan Backlund Timra IK (SHL) 1-year Free agency [49]
June 10, 2009 (2009-06-10) Ray Emery Atlant Moscow Oblast (KHL) 1-year Free agency [50]

Players lost

Date Player New team Via[d] Ref
July 3, 2008 (2008-07-03) Rory Fitzpatrick Florida Panthers Free agency (III) [53]
Stefan Ruzicka HC Spartak Moscow (KHL) Free agency (II)[e] [55]
July 8, 2008 (2008-07-08) Jason Smith Ottawa Senators Free agency (III) [56]
July 14, 2008 (2008-07-14) Patrick Thoresen HC Lugano (NLA) Free agency (II)[f] [58]
July 25, 2008 (2008-07-25) Martin Grenier Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL) Free agency (III) [59]
July 31, 2008 (2008-07-31) Jaroslav Modry HC Liberec (ELH) Free agency (III) [60]
August 21, 2008 (2008-08-21) Rejean Beauchemin Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) Free agency (UFA) [61]
August 28, 2008 (2008-08-28) Darren Reid Hershey Bears (AHL) Free agency (VI) [62]
October 8, 2008 (2008-10-08) Jesse Boulerice Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) Free agency (III) [63]
October 22, 2008 (2008-10-22) Martin Houle Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL) Free agency (UFA) [64]
November 17, 2008 (2008-11-17) Frederik Cabana Release [65]
February 27, 2009 (2009-02-27) Glen Metropolit Montreal Canadiens Waivers [66]
Ossi Vaananen Vancouver Canucks Waivers [66]
April 7, 2009 (2009-04-07) Jim Dowd Retirement (III) [67]

Signings

Date Player Term Contract type Ref
June 26, 2008 (2008-06-26) Jeff Carter 3-year Re-signing [68]
June 29, 2008 (2008-06-29) Steve Eminger 1-year Re-signing [69]
July 2, 2008 (2008-07-02) Riley Cote 3-year Re-signing [70]
Randy Jones 2-year Re-signing [70]
Danny Syvret 1-year Re-signing
July 15, 2008 (2008-07-15) Nate Guenin 1-year Re-signing
July 21, 2008 (2008-07-21) Joffrey Lupul 4-year Extension [71]
July 22, 2008 (2008-07-22) Kevin Marshall 3-year Entry-level [72]
August 7, 2008 (2008-08-07) Chris Zarb Entry-level
N/A Scott Munroe 1-year Re-signing
October 1, 2008 (2008-10-01) Luca Sbisa 3-year Entry-level [73]
April 1, 2009 (2009-04-01) James van Riemsdyk 3-year Entry-level [74]

Draft picks

See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 2008 NHL entry draft, which was held at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario on June 20–21, 2008.[75] The Flyers traded their originally allotted second, third, fifth, and seventh-round picks in four separate trades.[76]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality Team (league) Notes
1 19 Luca Sbisa Defense   Switzerland Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) [g]
3 67 Marc-Andre Bourdon Defense  Canada Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) [g]
3 84 Jacob DeSerres Goaltender  Canada Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) [h]
6 178 Zac Rinaldo Center  Canada Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (OHL)
7 196 Joacim Eriksson Goaltender  Sweden Brynas IF (Elitserien) [i]

Farm teams

American Hockey League – Philadelphia Phantoms[77][78] (Standings)

The 2008–09 season was the Phantoms' last playing in the Wachovia Spectrum and means they will move following the season. Comcast Spectacor sold the Phantoms to the Brooks Group of Pittsburgh on February 4, 2009, and the new ownership has expressed interest in eventually moving the Phantoms to Allentown provided that a multi-purpose arena can be constructed there. Until a permanent new home is found for the club it will have to operate starting in 2009–10 in a temporary location. The site being given the most serious consideration for that is Glen Falls, the former home of the AHL Adirondack Red Wings from 1979 to 1999.[79] Comcast Spectacor continued to operate the team through the conclusion of the 2008–09 AHL season and playoffs.

With Craig Berube returning to his role as an assistant coach with the Flyers, John Paddock was named head coach of the Phantoms.[80] The Phantoms trailed the Binghamton Senators by as many as 12 points on March 14 for the final playoff spot in the East Division, but came back to overtake Binghamton and clinch the final playoff spot in the final regular season game at the Spectrum. The Phantoms final season in Philadelphia came to an end after being swept from the first round of the playoffs by the Hershey Bears.

ECHL – Mississippi Sea Wolves[81] (Standings)

Mississippi missed the ECHL playoffs and announced they would suspend operations for the 2009–10 season.

Notes

  1. ^ The Flyers would receive the fourth-round pick if the Lightning re-signed Prospal, which they did on June 30.[31]
  2. ^ The Bruins would have received a third-round pick instead of a fourth-round pick if Alberts re-signed with the Flyers after the 2008–09 season. The Flyers did not re-sign Alberts and the draft pick remained a fourth-rounder.[40]
  3. ^ The trade was nullified after McLaren failed his physical.[45]
  4. ^ In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[51][52]
  5. ^ Philadelphia retained Ruzicka's NHL rights through the 2011–12 season.[54]
  6. ^ Philadelphia retained Thoresen's NHL rights through the 2010–11 season.[57]
  7. ^ a b The Flyers traded R. J. Umberger and their fourth-round pick, 118th overall, to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Colorado Avalanche's first-round pick, 19th overall, and the Blue Jackets' third-round pick, 67th overall, on June 20, 2008.[76]
  8. ^ The Flyers traded their first-round pick, 27th overall, to the Washington Capitals for Steve Eminger and the Capitals' third-round pick, 84th overall, on June 20, 2008.[76]
  9. ^ The Flyers traded Vaclav Prospal to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Nashville Predators' seventh-round pick, 196th overall, and a conditional 2009 fourth-round pick (if Lightning re-sign Prospal) on June 18, 2008.[76]

References

  • "Philadelphia Flyers 2008–09 roster and statistics". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
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  • "Flyers History - Season Overview : 2008–09". Flyers History. FlyersAlumni.net. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
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