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 Tuesday, January 25
Primeau expected to play Thursday
 
Associated Press

  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
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."
 


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AUDIO/VIDEO
video
 The Flyers introduce Keith Primeau in Philadelphia.
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