Flyers to name Richards Captain

Flyers to name Richards captain; Hatcher won’t be in camp

By ED MORAN
Philadelphia Daily News

morane@phillynews.com
When Mike Richards first arrived in Philadelphia, he was talked about as the Flyers' captain of the future.

The future is now.

According to team sources, Richards will be named the team's 17th captain in an announcement tomorrow. Richards, 23, was one of several players under consideration for the position along with Kimmo Timonen and Simon Gagne.

Discussions were held with the three players over the last few days and it was decided yesterday that Richards would be given the "C."

Richards had a breakout season last year as an assistant captain, establishing himself as one of the top young players in the league. He has been reluctant to talk on the record about taking the position out of respect for the process, but said earlier this week that if offered he felt he was ready and would accept.

He could not be reached for comment this afternoon.

As Richards takes on a new role, the question of Derian Hatcher's future is going to remain unanswered.

For now.

But he will not be in camp when it opens Saturday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J.

According to Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, despite a summer of rehab, the 36-year-old defenseman's degenerated right knee has not responded enough to let him begin the season with the team.

"He will not be in camp when it opens," Holmgren said this afternoon.

Holmgren said that Hatcher will be placed on the long-term injury list and given time to continue trying to return.

"It behooves us to continue to give Hatch a chance to come back," Holmgren said.

Placing Hatcher on the injured list clears some salary-cap space for the Flyers. But if he were to return, the team would have to deal with his $3.5 million salary. Hatcher has 1 year left on his contract with the Flyers and would have been in his 17th season.

Hatcher missed 28 games with knee pain and fluid in his right knee and another 10 games with a broken right foot before he returned playoffs in Game 3 of the first-round series against Washington. *

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...e_in_camp.html

Does this mean we can use the whole 3.7 million of hatchers contract on someone? I know once he comes back we will have to make room money wise, but im sure Flyers will talk him into staying done!

Ducks waived Mathieu Schneider yesterday I'd take him in a heart beat lol

Sure it does. The season hasn't started yet so the entire salary for the year is free to use elsewhere with regard to Big Stick (Hatch).

On topic, good for Richie but I was looking at Kimmo to take the role for at least this season, and maybe next. It wasn't long ago that Richie said he didn't think that he was ready for it, with Gator in Canada, Kappy in a suit and Big Stick on the IR I figured Kimmo was the logical choice giving Richie a little more time to grow.

Eh, it's still a positive step.