Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
The Flyers signed third/fourth line Center Ryan Poehling to a one-year $1.4 million when free agency opened. Poehling, as Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella mentioned over and over again throughout the course of last season was a man that bet on himself. Tortorella gave Poehling a lot of kudos towards the latter month of the season for only taking a one-year contract initially before he re-signed for two more years with the club back in January.
I wrote a free agency primer before free agency began signaling the Flyers being interested in signing a third/fourth line Center and a depth defenseman. Poehling adds grit and a balance to the fourth line, ”He has a chance to move up or down the lineup, depending on how he plays,” Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere said before the season began. “I think the type of person he is, he’s a character guy, obviously he showed it by betting on himself. It shows the type of character, he didn’t take the longer, secure deal. He wants to earn it. I think he’ll have that chance with John Tortorella. Torts is fair and Poehling is a guy who’s not afraid to work.”
Unfortunately, Center depth within the organization will be tested again as Poehling was placed on IR (Injured Reserve) today. Anthony Richard, whom has been on fire for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms has been recalled in his absence. To Richard’s credit he has totaled four goals and five assists in seven games played this season for the Phantoms. Richard’s was also one of the last cuts at Training Camp, as he had a good pre-season.
