Flyers sign goaltender John Grahame to minor league tryout

With Ray Emery out for several more weeks, rumors have been going around that the Flyers are looking for a new backup goaltender to Brian Boucher, their current starter. The Flyers current backup goalie is Johan Backlund but the Flyers would like to add someone who actually has some experience in the NHL. Apparently several NHL teams have been scouting the Flyers recently so a deal could go down any day now.

The Flyers did make one move today at goalie but it wasn't for a spot in the NHL. John Grahame, who last played under current Flyers coach Peter Laviolette with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2008, has been signed to a minor league tryout with the Phantoms. Grahame had been playing in a local men's league this year after spending 8 years in the NHL with three different teams.

While Grahame is believed to just be an option for the AHL and won't be considered in the running for a backup to Boucher, one has to believe that, given his ties to Laviolette, if Grahame looks impressive in the AHL he will get the call. While he isn't the best goaltender out there, Grahame at least has plenty of experience and would really only play sparingly. For now, though, Grahame will take over the AHL role that was vacant after Backlund was called up.

The signing of Grahame won't take the Flyers out of the running for a goalie on the trade market. Look at him simply as insurance should Boucher go down as well. Needless to say, if the Flyers are at any point counting on Grahame to do much of anything in the NHL, their already sinking season has completely tanked.