Flyers Sign Derian Hatcher, Mike Rathje, Chris Therien and Jon Sim

[swhite]

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed 6’5’’, 235-pound defenseman Derian Hatcher, 6’5’’, 235-pound defenseman Mike Rathje (RATH-jee) and 6’5’’, 235-pound defenseman Chris Therien and 5’10”, 190-pound unrestricted free agent forward Jon Sim, according to club General Manager Bob Clarke. Hatcher signed a four-year contract; Rathje signed a five-year contract and Therien and Sim signed one-year contracts.

“After the season, we lost [Vladimir] Malakhov, [Marcus] Ragnarsson and [Mattias] Timander. They are three big defensemen. We felt that we had to replace them and get better and we did,” said Clarke in making the announcement. “Rathje is a premier defensive defenseman. He is a really good passer who gets the puck out of his own end. Hatcher is similar except that he is a more physical player and more intimidating because of his physical play. They are both really top-notch defensemen. We knew Chris (Therien) wanted to come back and play here. Both Keith Primeau and Jeremy Roenick called me on their own and said that Chris would help the team and that he is not only important on the ice, but in the locker room.”

Hatcher, 33, recorded five goals and 12 assists for 17 points and 27 penalty minutes in 24 regular season games for the Motor City Mechanics of the United Hockey League. He registered four assists and eight penalty minutes in 15 games for the Detroit Red Wings during the 2003-04 season. He missed the majority of the 2003-04 season recovering from a knee injury sustained in a game against the Vancouver Canucks on October 16, 2003.

In parts of 13 NHL seasons (from 1991-92 through 2003-04) with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars and Detroit, Hatcher has registered 71 goals and 227 assists for 298 points and 1,388 penalty minutes in 842 regular season games. He was a member of Dallas’ Stanley Cup Championship team in 1999 under Head Coach Ken Hitchcock. He was originally selected by Minnesota in the first round (eighth overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.

Rathje, 31, recorded two goals and 17 assists for 19 points and 46 penalty minutes in 80 games for the San Jose Sharks during the 2003-04 season. In parts of 11 NHL seasons (from 1993-94 through 2003-04), all with San Jose, Rathje has registered 27 goals and 128 assists for 155 points and 439 penalty minutes in 671 games. He is San Jose’s all-time franchise leader in games played. Rathje was originally drafted by San Jose in the first round (third overall) of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.

Therien, 33, recorded one goal and nine assists for 10 points and 52 penalty minutes in 67 regular season games for the Flyers and Dallas during the 2003-04 season. In parts of 10 NHL seasons (from 1993-94 through 2003-04) with the Flyers and Dallas, Therien has registered 29 goals and 126 assists for 155 points and 551 penalty minutes in 717 games. He was originally drafted by the Flyers in the third round (47th overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.

Sim, 27, recorded 37 goals and 28 assists for 65 points and 78 penalty minutes in 73 regular season American Hockey League games for the Utah Grizzlies and the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms. In 63 regular season games for the Phantoms, Sim registered 35 goals and 26 assists for 61 points and 66 penalty minutes. He led the Phantoms in goals (35) and plus/minus (+29). In 21 playoff games, he posted 17 points (10G,7A) and 44 penalty minutes as the Phantoms won the Calder Cup. He was acquired by the Phantoms on loan from Utah on November 14, 2004.

[BM24]

Great Signings by Clark. The Flyers are looking like they are going to have a great team for the coming years.

[Odjick29]

Wow - they have a solid D-line, arguably one of the best in the league - good signings...

[DaleHunter32]

Originally Posted by BM24

Great Signings by Clark. The Flyers are looking like they are going to have a great team for the coming years.

these guys aren't exactly "fresh bodies". I think its a quik fix in order to plug the leak on the point. Rathje isn't the toughest guy around and Hatcher is coming off an awsome 15 game performance last year... he cam back just in time to fight Iginla and get bounced of the playoffs, but for whats out there i think its a decent pick up. Interested to see what their going to offer Hatcher, in the form a contract (years/millions)

[BM24]

These signing are to fix right now. The reason I think they will be great for years to come is because they have amazing prospects ready to play right now in Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. Also some great young Dmen, Joni Pitkanen in perticular. These guy provide depth to build some talent around the young guys. If Hatcher can stay healthy and Rathje can just be solid then they will be a great team.

[cottonzway]

I am still disapointed that Foote didn't come to Philly, but Hatcher is a good move. Not sure if I like the other two though. Rathje is a big guy, but brings nothing in terms of the true physical game. I already know enough about Therien. Still, happy about Hatcher though.

[DaleHunter32]

Originally Posted by BM24

These signing are to fix right now. The reason I think they will be great for years to come is because they have amazing prospects ready to play right now in Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. Also some great young Dmen, Joni Pitkanen in perticular. These guy provide depth to build some talent around the young guys. If Hatcher can stay healthy and Rathje can just be solid then they will be a great team.

I don't think there is gonna be any "young" d-men having an impact on the flyers for at least a year or so. You got Slaney who's the best non flyer, but he's 33 and has been bounced around the league and AHL for a while. Seidenberg might plug in for some games but thats it. Yes, they are deep in talent in the FW position, but their D-men is suspect, what happens when Hatchers Vag hurts 15 games into the season and you now have to rely on Seidenberg/Slaney to fill in... will be interesting to say the least

[2,5,10GameMatch]

That size on their blueline wont hurt a bit, then I see my team has resigned a stiff like Aki Berg, geezus christ!

[BM24]

Originally Posted by 2,5,10GameMatch

That size on their blueline wont hurt a bit, then I see my team has resigned a stiff like Aki Berg, geezus christ!

The Leafs should bring back Gerald Diduck and Anders Eriksson as well!

[Sputnik]

Another move towards the "win now" philosophy.
Good signings by Clarke.

[Fear The Mullet]

I'll call this a good signing when we see what version of Hatcher they have. But on paper, yes this looks good for the Orange and Black.

[Gym Class Hero]

philly is till gunna have a tough team. every guy they get is tough and is capable of fighting, clearing the net and big hits. clarke is going back to his day. i like it

[Odjick29]

Originally Posted by iheartskoal

philly is till gunna have a tough team. every guy they get is tough and is capable of fighting, clearing the net and big hits. clarke is going back to his day. i like it

Clarke has always been like this, nothing new...

[Flyers2001]

I like this signings, because atleast Hatcher and Rathje will clear the net, something they left to Markov a lone 2 years ago, which he struggled with. If they play Bundy only games against Jagr we will be alright, because thats when he is most effective.


I have a feeling that Hatcher will be nice and healthy this year. A year off for many is a way to restore your body and I think you will see a lot of fresh players.

This may make the Flyers the biggest team in the NHL.

[jayc948]

Interesting article concerning today...

The Philadelphia Flyers are set to make a big splash in the free agent market on Tuesday.

Amid reports the team had come to terms with defencemen Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje, the Flyers say a "multiplayer announcement" would be made on Tuesday.

After losing out in the Adam Foote sweepstakes, it appears general manager Bob Clarke has turned his sights to Hatcher, who was bought out last week by the Detroit Red Wings.

"Well, we've got a lot of lines in the water and we'll just have to see how it goes," Clarke tells the Philadelphia Daily News while refusing to specify which players the team is after.
Related Info

Aside from Hatcher and Rathje, the Flyers are said to have also targeted Adrian Aucoin and Brian Rafalski.

Agent Larry Kelly who represents Aucoin says they are no longer in the mix because their asking price was too high. TSN has learned that Aucoin has signed a four year deal worth $16-million with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Kevin Epp, the agent for free agent defenseman Scott Niedermayer, says he's disappointed the Flyers have not called. It's believed Niedermayer's reported $7-million asking price was just too high for Clarke.

Clarke has reportedly budgeted $6.5-million to try and shore up the Flyers glaring need for a big defenseman.