*Sniffles*

Philadelphia Flyers announce:

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed 6'3", 210-pound center Blair Betts to a one-year contract.
...
"Blair came to our camp on a try-out and has earned this opportunity," said [Paul] Holmgren. "We are happy to have him on our team. He will bring experience and depth to our roster."

I make no bones about it, Bettsy was a favourite. It will be tough to see him playing for the Flyers but it's good that a hard working, honest player like him got a job. So congrats and good luck Bettsy, just not against us.

What The ... ?

Everyone said that the hold up in getting Blair Betts reunited with Tom Renney in Edmonton was money. I guess everyone was wrong. Betts is headed to Philly's camp to try out for a spot - which he doesn't seem to think he will get - and the Oilers signed Mike Comrie for $1.25 million.

The same Mike Comrie who failed on the Island, the same Comrie who stumbled to the end of last season in Ottawa. The same Mike Comrie who is far better known for his girlfriend than anything he has ever done on the ice. An undersized, underachieving 'skill' forward joining an undersized, underachieving roster of skill forwards.

Yet again we are left thinking what Renney is thinking and yet again his mistake may come back to bite us in the end. Blair Betts, Philadelphia Flyer ... *shudder*

Good Luck Bettsy

Puck Central picked up on some tweets that Blair Betts will be trying out for the Flyers.

Well, that sucks.

Not for Bettsy, he certainly deserves a shot to stay in the NHL and it is a damn shame that the Rangers brought in a coach who believes that Henrik Lundqvist can take care of the defensive zone all by himself. Bitter much? Yes, yes I am. He was my favourite Ranger, after all.

All Bettsy did was give his heart and soul to the team, night in and night out - something very (VERY) few Rangers have done over the last two seasons. I still believe that he did more to deserve a letter on his chest than any of the shmos who wore one last season. After the idiot Brashear knocked him out, the Caps came back and scored two power play goals the next game. Coincidence? Not at all. But what's done is done and Bettsy's Ranger career is over.

As for his chances with the Broad Street Bullies, I would have to say that are slim. Up top they have Briere, Carter and Richards - all of whom can switch to wing but are natural centers - and then they have Claude Giroux, Ian Laperriere, Krys Kolanos and a couple of kids battling down on the bottom of the depth chart. The Flyers already had a good penalty kill (sixth in the NHL last year) and, let's face it, Bettsy doesn't bring any offense to the table. Honestly, as much as it hurts to say, I thought Betts would have been a much better fit for the Devils, as they let John Madden go this summer. But even if he doesn't make it to Broad Street, a good camp could land him offers elsewhere and that's all one can ask for. It will certainly be tough to see see him don anything other than a Blueshirt but hockey is a business and all that crap so at least the man has a shot to keep a job. And you certainly can't begrudge him that.

Best wishes Bettsy, and thanks for everything.