http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/200807...yers_offer.html

Thoresen rejects Flyers offer

ASSOCIATED PRESS
OSLO, Norway - Flyers forward Patrick Thoresen has decided to reject a final contract offer and temporarily return to European hockey.

"I wanted a so-called one-way contract, which is to say the same salary regardless of whether I played in the NHL or a farm team," the 24-year-old Norwegian told the state radio network NRK today. "That makes things more predictable for me and my family."

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said by phone that he had hoped Thoresen would return. Holmgren said the Flyers were notified last week that Thoresen would not play for them next season.

"It's one of those things now with hockey in Europe, especially with the European players, that it might be an option for them," Holmgren said. "He added something to our team. This is just one of those things."

In February, the Flyers claimed Thoresen on waivers from the Edmonton Oilers, which he joined in 2006. He said because that change of teams was so recent, he can't immediately negotiate contracts with other NHL clubs.

"That made matters difficult and is also the main reason I've decided to spend a year in Europe," said Thoresen, who turned professional in 2003. "After that, I'm a free agent."

He made it clear that he wants to return to the NHL.

Thoresen said he had offers from a variety of European clubs, and would probably either play in Switzerland or Sweden, where he played for one of the Nordic country's most successful clubs, Djurgarden, from 2003 until he joined the Oilers.

Thoresen had two goals and eight points in 38 games for the Flyers. He suffered a groin injury in the first round of the playoffs against Washington.

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I tried looking, but I didn't see this anywhere... if its already been posted, either delete or merge... thanks

Two goals? I believe those came in Edmonton. It'd be cool to see him come back at some point. I liked him. But this isn't a loss right now.

I think it's a loss.

More importantly, how is it that NO NHL teams want this guy? He shows tons of heart. And there have to be some teams just trying to reach the floor salary-cap-wise. Perfect player for any team, IMO. Hope he comes back to us next year.

I don't think it was that no teams wanted him. I think he just wanted to leave.

I mean right now (considering the moves we've made). Look I'm a big fan of his, I've defended him a lot on here. And would love to see him return. But I think a two way deal would have worked for him. They would have given him a chance and he very well could have earned a spot to stay up here. A one way deal would have diminished his trade value a bit and if it didn't pan out would have cost the Flyers more for a player spending time with the Phantoms, that would be a real impact call up. I think Edmonton never really gave him the chance they promised so he was a bit fearful the Flyers would do the same thing.

I'm not sure, but in articles it seems to come up that because he came to the Flyers so late he couldn't seek another deal or something.

This sucks, Thor was one of my favorite players

any guy that takes a puck in the nuts for the Flyers is okay in my book

Hands of stone, and Stones made of steel.

GL THOR...

I think this is a good move on his part. I understand not wanting a 2 way contract and if he was on our NHL team he would just see line 4 time with players that wouldn't really support his potential.

He gets a stable year or so in a European league were he will get good ice time and he can work on finishing. Thor had amazing hockey sense he could have scored a lot when he was with us but he couldn't bury his chances. Hopefully he improves that and comes back in the NHL.

I certainly will miss his fashion sense. He was a Fashion God.

wow, i didn't think anybody actually liked this guy. i thought he was garbage.

sure, he played with a lot of heart, but when you are invisible every game on the score sheet it's probably not going to work out. unless you are dropping the gloves, which obviously he wasn't.

asham is his replacement. plays the same style, but will fight and score the occasional goal.

no real loss here.

A lost in the sense of speed, PK and heart, but Ashum brings toughness, experience, some finishing ability, if it was a 2 way contract I would love him in a Flyers uniform but it wasn't so I can't blame him.

Meh who needs him.

I'll miss him, he was one of the best board crashers I've ever seen.

HEXTALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Not having Thor could hurt our PK. Maybe some of these new guys can step up, bt we lost three good PK men in Thor, Dowd, and Kapanen.

He can be replaced but I will remember his perfect pass to Richards in front of the net against the Islanders at the end of the year. It capped off a big comeback and SO win.

http://flyers.nhl.tv/team/console?hlg=2007...p;event=NYI1160

Make that four with Umberger. I don't know about Asham, but at least Metropolit can play on the PK. I think Gagné-Richards and Knuble-Carter are pretty good PK units.

Hartnell was also a good PK guy in Nashville.

I think he takes a little too many penalties to be a regular PKer.

Well this past season was easily his highest PIMs total he may not take as many next year. Some are from fights as well. Knuble racks up his fair share of dumb penalties without any fights.

I think Hartnell will see some decent PK time. Maybe not as a regular but I can see him getting decent time.

Knuble is also better defensively. I agree Hartnell should be used in the PK rotation, but I think we have better options for regular spots.

Good, one of the worst 4th lines the Flyers have iced in a long time is completly gone.

I was sad to hear about Thor leaving as well. I really liked the jump in his step when everyone else seemed to be skating through snow. It was obvious he had something to prove out there and it showed tremendously. I'm not sold on Asham and would have definitely loved to bring Thor back. Oh well....I hope Asham proves me wrong.

And i hope to god that he doesn't take dumb penalties. We already have enough contributors.

Good bye Thory!!

You must not have watched many Flyer games in the very early 90s, when we first got Lindros but had yet to acquire Leclair. Ugh. It was like an AHL team out there.

Oh man...I remember those days. I just went back and looked at the names/stats of some of the "stalwarts" who played for the Flyers back then: Doug Evans, Andrei Lomakin, Vlatcheslav Butsayev, Al Conroy...eewww...

My brother wanted to name one of his kids Butsayev.....that would have been classic.

And yeah Kappy, Dowd, and Thor were better. And I'm just amazed that people thought getting rid of those three was any sort of a priority.

Lomakin, yes!!


I think that is just one severely misguided individual.

Right. You name your pets after hockey players, not your children.

I had a cat named Mellanby when I was younger, by the way.

I was actually saying "I think that is just one severely misguided individual." in response to Dancin Shawny's "And yeah Kappy, Dowd, and Thor were better. And I'm just amazed that people thought getting rid of those three was any sort of a priority." comment.

But the way you read it makes sense too.

Thor update:

Signs a 1-year deal with Lugano of the Swiss League... Good luck to him

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243410&lid...=headlines_main

1 year is good for him, so NHL teams should be interested in him in the future he always he a jump in his step

Best of luck Thor! I hope he does well and comes back to the NHL.


As a FLYER!