Flyers Sign Ben Eager to New Two-Year Contract

[Thrillhouse]

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed 6’3”, 225-pound left wing Ben Eager to a new two-year contract, according to General Manager Paul Holmgren.

“Ben is another one of our younger players that continued to develop last season,” said Holmgren in making the announcement. “He is a big, physical presence on the ice and adds a key dimension to our lineup. We expect Ben to be an important part of our core of young players that we’re going to continue to build upon.”

“I’m really excited,” said Eager. “The team is looking ahead and I’m happy to be a part of things, especially with the core group that we have here. There’s going to be a lot of excitement over these next few years and I’m happy that I’ll get to be a part of it.”

Eager, 23, recorded six goals and five assists for 11 points and 233 penalty minutes in 63 regular season games for the Flyers this past season. His 233 penalty minutes led the NHL. He was also scoreless with 21 penalty minutes in three games for the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, this past season. He was voted the 2006-07 winner of the Pelle Lindbergh Trophy as the Flyers’ most improved player as voted by his teammates.

A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Eager has registered nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points and 251 penalty minutes in 88 regular season games for the Flyers over the last two seasons.

Eager was acquired by the Flyers, along with Sean Burke and Branko Radivojevic, from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Mike Comrie on February 9, 2004. He was originally drafted by Phoenix in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

[jkidd]

Yay.

[Jack Schitt]

I can hear the shrieks of joy from the "Ben Eager" thread all the way over here.

[pbag]

Expected but nice, very nice.

[ProbieRules]

Sweet...the Flyers should be an interesting team next year...I like the direction they're headed...as they seem to once again value the physical side of the game.

[MOFOR]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed 6’3”, 225-pound left wing Ben Eager to a new two-year contract, according to General Manager Paul Holmgren.

“Ben is another one of our younger players that continued to develop last season,” said Holmgren in making the announcement. “He is a big, physical presence on the ice and adds a key dimension to our lineup. We expect Ben to be an important part of our core of young players that we’re going to continue to build upon.”

“I’m really excited,” said Eager. “The team is looking ahead and I’m happy to be a part of things, especially with the core group that we have here. There’s going to be a lot of excitement over these next few years and I’m happy that I’ll get to be a part of it.”

Eager, 23, recorded six goals and five assists for 11 points and 233 penalty minutes in 63 regular season games for the Flyers this past season. His 233 penalty minutes led the NHL. He was also scoreless with 21 penalty minutes in three games for the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, this past season. He was voted the 2006-07 winner of the Pelle Lindbergh Trophy as the Flyers’ most improved player as voted by his teammates.

A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Eager has registered nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points and 251 penalty minutes in 88 regular season games for the Flyers over the last two seasons.

Eager was acquired by the Flyers, along with Sean Burke and Branko Radivojevic, from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Mike Comrie on February 9, 2004. He was originally drafted by Phoenix in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Those lucky bastards!!!

[Isles4life]

Great move, especially giving him 2 years I think. He did a good job for the Flyers this season.

[Philly Fan 27]

as a flyers fan i love this signing. eager isnt the greatest player or fighter, but he plays with the kind of attitude that this team needs and this city loves watching

[Ciccarelli]

The only question is: Do they keep their current coach that seems to like Eager on the 4th line? If they go for another coach, his ice-time could be reduced especially if they load up with some scoring veterans.

[thepro987]

These next 2 years should be fun to watch

[Rellstone90]

Great signing. Brings alot of energy night in night out

[Philly Fan 27]

Originally Posted by Ciccarelli

The only question is: Do they keep their current coach that seems to like Eager on the 4th line? If they go for another coach, his ice-time could be reduced especially if they load up with some scoring veterans.

no shot they go after another coach. john stevens knows alot of the younger guys well since he coached alot of them on the phantoms.

[cottonzway]

Originally Posted by Ciccarelli

The only question is: Do they keep their current coach that seems to like Eager on the 4th line? If they go for another coach, his ice-time could be reduced especially if they load up with some scoring veterans.

He'll most likely play on the 3rd line, hopefully with Steve Downie. Man, that would make an AWESOME line with those two on it!

[lampington]

a lot of guys love him, and a lot of guys love to hate him. whichever side you are on, one must admit that ben eager makes for a more exciting flyers team and guys like ben (who led the NHL in PIM's) are the type of players going extinct in the NHL so let's at least all agree that it's good for the direction of the league overall.

as a flyer's fan i couldn't be happier. it was good to see him go with orr late in the season after he seemingly punked out vs. big mcgratts earlier (I have to believe stevens spoke with him about that). hopefully he continues his late season play and continues to step up and take some real heavies on this year.

as for stevens as the head coach, i can't imagine the flyers pulling the plug on him yet. he had a lot of success with the younger players as head coach of the phantoms and the flyers are a team of a lot of youngsters which stevens in familiar with.

[FlyersEnforcer]

some of you guys were right, ben eager wont be around for a year, its 2 years