| | VOORHEES, N.J. -- After a five-month holdout and many trade rumors, Keith Primeau joined the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
"I'm relieved and excited," said Primeau, acquired Sunday from
Carolina for Rod Brind'Amour. "After sitting idly by the last few
months, hearing the speculation and possible destinations, I have to admit, as little say as I had in it, I tried to convince my agent as much as possible to lean toward Philadelphia. I'm happy to be here."
|  | | Keith Primeau, left, skates with Eric Lindros, right, and skating coach David Roy on Monday. |
Flyers general Bob Clarke said Carolina first approached the Flyers about Primeau before the season. Carolina reportedly asked for Eric Lindros in return, but Clarke apparently refused to discuss the Hurricanes' original proposal.
Primeau, who signed a $22.75 million, five-year contract with
the Flyers on Sunday, will center the second line with Philadelphia
though Flyers coach Roger Neilson was hesitant to label the rugged 6-foot-5, 220-pounder as a second-liner.
Neilson is not certain who will play alongside Primeau, a 10-year veteran who scored 30 goals last season.
Clarke downplayed talk that the Flyers acquired Primeau as
insurance against losing Lindros to free agency or injury. The team
captain, who sustained his third concussion is 22 months, will
become a restricted free agent after the season.
"That was not at all part of our thinking," Clarke said. "We're trying to put our best team together to win the Stanley Cup. For our needs, we felt we needed two strong centermen."
Primeau, who spent his first night in Philadelphia at Lindros'
house, skated with the Flyers' captain Monday. He is expected to
play Thursday when the Flyers are home against Florida.
Along with Brind'Amour, the Flyers traded goaltending prospect
Jean-Marc Pelletier and a second-round pick in June's entry draft
for Primeau and a fifth-round pick. An 11-year veteran, Brind'Amour
spent the last nine seasons with the Flyers and was a popular
leader in the locker room.
"You always worry when you trade a guy like Brind'Amour that
you are doing some damage to your franchise," Clarke said. "Rod
is one of those people you're glad your organization is associated
with. I knew Keith from the Olympics so I know we're getting a
similar player in return." | |
ALSO SEE
Primeau tries to get up to speed at first Flyers practice
In the Corners: Pelletier the sleeper
Flyers get Primeau from Hurricanes for Brind'Amour
Morganti: Philly thwarts Rangers again
AUDIO/VIDEO
 The Flyers introduce Keith Primeau in Philadelphia.
RealVideo: | 28.8
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