Although it’s been known for some months now, the official announcement of the Spectrum’s demolition came down today which Ed Snider called “one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.” From today’s Comcast-Spectacor press release, the word is the building will be torn down following the 2008-2009 Kixx and Phantom’s seasons, meaning some time after May 2009 probably. Since there was such a buildup to the implosion of Veterans Stadium in 2004, you have to imagine there will be even more hubbub around the demolition of the Spectrum since it arguably held more significant sporting events through the years … or at least more championships.

The plans for the area where the Spectrum now stands are pretty exciting, although do we really have to call it “Philly Live!,” really? But still, losing a building that has been part of Philadelphia sports for over 40 years is going to be tough … even if the place is a dump. In anticipation of the months of reminiscing, Comcast-Spectacor has set up a website, Remember the Spectrum, which has photos throughout the years of the …

The Phillies did not start the week out well, but ended it in strong fashion as they head into this season’s All Star break in first place in the National League East, a half a game up on the New York Mets.

After losing three of four to the Mets, the Phillies stormed back and took two of three from both the Cardinals and Diamondbacks, including a four game win streak. It’s not a nine game win streak, but you can’t complain too much with ending the first half in first place.

The break, in my opinion, will actually benefit the Phillies and hurt the Mets. The Phils are playing well, but are not streaking like their New York rivals, and a four day break is the last thing you want if you are on a multiple game win streak. Hopefully the Phillies can capitalize and build on this past week, while the Mets will hopefully suffer from their time off.

Trade rumors surround the Phillies as fellow National League teams the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs made serious acquisitions to bolster their pitching rotations in CC Sabathia and Rich Harden, respectively. It was thought that they were the …

This is not what I would call a good week for the Phillies, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. The Phils went 4-3 last week, again sweeping the Atlanta Braves in Turner Field before coming to Citizen’s Bank Park and dropping three of four to the Mets.

The Phils looked like the Fightins of old against the Braves, scoring 19 runs in three games, while only giving up seven. They continued their hot streak against the Mets, winning the first game 3-2. That’s when things fell apart.

The Phillies were winning on Saturday until a meltdown of catastrophic proportions occurred by the bullpen, starting with stalwart J.C. Romero, continuing with Tom Gordon, and ending with Rudy Seanez. The Phils ended up losing the game 4-9, but should have won it easily. Sunday was another game that they should have won, carrying the momentum of Jason Werth’s game tying home run in the ninth inning off Mets’ closer Billy Wagner into extra innings. Instead, they gave up two runs a couple innings later to Fernando Tatis (yea, exactly) and were unable to rally together and ended up losing 4-2. Monday was a complete blowout loss …

Flyers’ captain Jason Smith signed a two-year, $5.2 million contract with the Ottawa Senators Monday.

The 14-year veteran was an unrestricted free agent.

According to Philly.com,

The Flyers had let Smith know that with the contracts of Randy Jones and newly acquired Steve Eminger, he would not fit into team’s budget for next season. Smith earned $1.9 million last season.

In 77 games for the Flyers last season, Smith had 204 blocked shots and 142 hits, tops on the team. He had one goal, nine assists, and 86 penalty minutes.

My response to this is, what the hell? The Flyers were very clear that they were not going to re-sign Smith, but I have to say I really don’t understand why. This guy was their captain last year, and an integral past of their success. Who is going to take his place? Is eventual captain Mike Richards’ time now?

The Flyers continue to keep busy this off season with various trades and player signings. They made a different kind of signing on Monday, extending the contract of GM Paul Holmgren another three years, which will now run through the 2011-2012 season.

Holmgren took over as GM after Philly favorite Bobby Clarke stepped down during the 2006-2007 season, the Flyers’ worst in team history. During his first full year as GM, Holmgren oversaw one of the greatest turnarounds in NHL history, as the Flyers finished 39 points higher this season and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Flyers organization through the 2011-12 season,” Holmgren said in a statement. “[Chairman Ed] Snider and Peter Luukko have both been terrific in their support and I am honored to be a part of this franchise. I am really thrilled beyond words.”

According to a comcastsportsnet.com article,

The Flyers became only the second team since 1980, when the league expanded the playoffs to four rounds, to finish with the worst record one season and reach the third round of the playoffs the next season (Detroit did it in 1987).

“I …

This is the first installment of a weekly review of former Philadelphia athletes who have passed through town.  However, this won’t be your normal look back at players like Mike Schmidt, Julius Erving, or Ron Jaworski.  Instead, I would like to focus on some players that made an impression with me, either good or bad, that for whatever reason have become a part of my memory and my desire to search them out and relive some of their great moments.  Players like… Steve Jeltz.

The greatest French born Major League Baseball player of all time spent parts of 7… yes 7 seasons playing shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies starting in 1983 and ending, mercilessly, in 1989, when he was traded in the off-season to Kansas City for Jose Dejesus.

What most people recall about Jeltz was that he was born in France… and he didn’t give you much too remember either.  A career .210 hitter with only 5 homers to his name and the gall to not even be a good fielder left most Philadelphians with a bad taste in their mouth.But Jeltz’ glimmering, although drippy, mane made him a topic of …

This was another week to forget for the Phillies, as their struggles continued against the Athletics and Rangers. The Phils went 2-4 on the week, failing to beat such powerhouses as Joe Blanton (4-11, 4.97 ERA), Eric Hurley (1-1, 3.57 ERA), and Kason Gabbard (2-3, 4.82 ERA).

The Phils’ offense, which has been struggling mightily over the past few weeks, finally found some life this weekend in Texas, only to have the pitching falter in its place. In the first two games of the series, the Phillies scored a total of 15 runs, but gave up 14 runs. The Fightins just can’t seem to catch a break.

As a result of his struggles this year, pitcher Brett Myers (3-9, 5.84 ERA) could be headed back to the bullpen. Full coverage of that story here. Who can say if that will help Myers? I, for one, was not all that impressed with his pitching as the team’s closer last year, and under no circumstances do I want the Phillies to think that he is a viable option when considering whether to offer current closer Brad Lidge a serious contract extension next year. Myers has never quite lived up …

The Flyers’ signed defenseman Steve Eminger to a one-year contract Sunday.

Philadelphia acquired Eminger from the Capitals in a draft-night deal that sent a first round pick to Washington. The Flyers also got a third round pick.

Eminger was a healthy scratch most of last season. In 20 regular season games, he accrued two assists and eight penalty minutes.

“Steve is a young two-way defenseman that will fit in nicely with our group,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement.

In five NHL seasons, Eminger has posted six goals and 37 assists.

“I’m happy to get the deal worked out and excited about being part of the organization,” Eminger said. “I can’t wait for the start of the season to get things going.”

Last Friday I was listening to The Herd with Colin Cowherd, a show on ESPN Radio, and host Colin Cowherd made a very interesting point about how a tough sports media ultimately benefit the teams they cover, regardless of how harsh or unfair they can be. Many people find Cowherd offensive and seriously dislike him and his in your face style, particularly those in the blogosphere. I guess since Hot Stove Philly is technically considered a sports blog, I should also dislike him, but I don’t. I often times find him incredibly interesting and thought provoking. I don’t always agree with him, but he always makes me think and provides me with an endless stream of interesting sports topics.

One such topic is this idea that cities, or regions, with a tougher sports media benefit those sports teams that receive intense and often times harsh media coverage. One example given by Cowherd included the Los Angeles’ media market’s fiercely lackadaisical approach to all of their sports, with the exception of the Lakers, USC football, and UCLA basketball. Other than that, the LA media largely ignores the other sports in the region aside from your general day to …

The Flyers added some depth on defense Tuesday when they traded for Janne Niskala from the Nashville Predators. In exchange for Niskala, the Flyers sent forward Triston Grant and a seventh round pick in the 2009 NHL draft to Nashville.

Niskala spent the 2007-2008 season playing for Nashville’s AHL affiliate. In 80 games for Milwaukee, Niskala scored 19 goals and 25 assists, which led the team’s defensemen.

Niskala provides some much needed defensive depth to the Flyers. Little by little, piece by piece, Flyers’ GM Paul Holmgren has been improving the Flyers’ defense. It is shaping up to be an interesting off season so far.

Forward RJ Umberger will have a new address when the 2008-2009 NHL season opens.  No, he didn’t rent a penthouse in Rittenhouse Square, he was traded to Columbus.  Minutes before the NHL draft started last night, the Flyers dealt Umberger and a Fourth Round pick in the 2008 draft to the Blue Jackets for their first Round pick (19th overall), and their Third Round pick.

The twenty-six year old forward is coming off his best season as a professional, where he recorded 50 points in 76 games.  He was better known for his heroics Flyers in the playoffs, notching 16 points (11 goals, 5 assists), in 22 games.  Umberger is also a restricted free agent.  Come July 1st he could accept offers from any team, and the Flyers could either match the offer or let him go with nothing in return. Given the Flyers current salary cap situation, he was a goner. 

Going into the off-season, the Flyers had to choose either Umberger or center Jeff Carter.  When the Flyers re-signed Carter (which was scooped here first), the writing was on the wall for Umberger’s departure. 

He will miss Philadelphia, but he also seemed to be excited about …

The news coming out of Canada is the Flyers and Jeff Carter have agreed on a three-year deal worth around $15 Million. Carter was slated to become a Group 2 free agent on July 1 and with the NHL draft beginning tomorrow night there were thoughts Carter might be traded. But Carter seemed to pass up the potential for more money to stay in Philadelphia.

There are a couple of surprising things about this deal. One is that Carter could have probably received more money from another club (although that team probably would have had to give up a first, second and third round draft choice for signing him) - Carter will get somewhere between $3-$4 Million per year from the Flyers.

The other thing is, the 23-year-old Carter seems to be stuck as the third-line Center behind Mike Richards and Danny Briere, both of whom are signed well into the next decade. There are a number of teams on which Carter would probably play on the first line.

“We have gone over all the different situations and I’ve explained them all, and what you have to say is that sometimes people make decisions for different reasons,” …