Meet The 2 Newest Flyers: A Journeyman And One Extremely Familiar Face

The start of NHL free agency was yesterday and the Flyers made 2 signings and while none of them are earth-shattering, they are note worthy. So welcome to the Flyers none other than journeyman Ian Laperriere. CSN Philly has more on this signing.

Laperriere, who agreed to a three-year, $3.5 million contract, brings additional defensive-minded grit to the Flyers, something Holmgren wants emphasized now that Chris Pronger is around.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Laperriere, a 14-year veteran who played the past four seasons in Colorado, is a conscientious defensive winger and centerman who will throw down with anyone, rack up penalty minutes, kill penalties, and block shots with reckless abandonment.

“We’re still looking for offense,” Holmgren said. “… But the one area Ian Laperriere will add is he’s a role player who can lift a little of the burden off some of our guys in other roles, such as penalty killing and faceoffs. He’s a warrior type player. He’s very durable.”

He's not the only person that the Flyers signed, though. Please welcome back to the Flyers, none other than the winning goalie of the 3rd longest game in NHL history (and longest in the modern era), Brian Boucher! Once again, CSN PHilly...

Brian Boucher, one of the most popular, affable goaltenders to wear orange and black, has come home.

The Flyers signed the former San Jose Shark on Wednesday as free agency began. Boucher will back-up newcomer Ray Emery and earn $1.8 million over two years.

“I’m thrilled,” Boucher said. “I had a nice year in San Jose, but I’m happy to be back in Philly.”

Boucher, a 32-year-old native of Woonsocket, R.I., was a first-round pick by the Flyers in 1995 (22nd overall).

“He’s capable, he’s played a lot of NHL games, he has playoff experience,” said general manager Paul Holmgren. “And Brian is a guy who really wanted to come back here in the worst way.

“Even going back two years ago I think Brian is a lot better goalie now than when he left here. He’s more under control than he was [before here]. I thought he lost focus in the net a lot of times. He’s always been a real athletic goalie; very competitive.”

Boucher was Evgeni Nabokov’s backup last season in San Jose, posting a 12-6 record with a sterling 2.18 goals against average and .917 save percentage.

BOOSH!!!!!

That statement about Boosh being one of the most affable and popular goalies to be a Flyer is true and at the time during the 2000 playoff run, I thought that he was next in line of the Flyers goalie greats, coming after Bernie Parent, Pelle Lindbergh (it's a shame that he had to be taken away from this earth so early), and Ron Hextall. And while now he is just the back-up to Ray Emery, I can pretty much assure you that Flyers fans will (re)-embrace Boucher faster than they will embrace Emery.

I may have an occasional post here and there during the weekend if something major happens, but if not, have a nice weekend and I will see you all on Monday! Happy 4th of July to all of you and thanks for your continued patronage and support! And yes, I am aware that I am taking a break for a weekend and then after 5 days of being back, will be going on vacation.