Robert Esche May Be A Flyer, Too

There is a good chance that a very familiar face might be donning a Philadelphia Flyers uniform once training camp open its doors in September.

Days after taking a gamble by signing the talented but troubled goaltender Ray Emery to a one year, $1.5 million dollar contract, the Flyers are said to be interested in bringing back another goalie, Robert Esche, for a second stint.

After sputtering in his fourth and final season (2007) in Philly by winning only five of 18 games, this eight year veteran decided to leave the NHL and try his hand at playing in Russia. This past season, the 31 year-old caught the attention of a few NHL teams when he posted a 21-14 record with an impressive 1.87 GAA and nine shutouts for the SKA St. Petersburg of the highly competitive Kontinental Hockey League.

Even though Philly is expressing interest, St. Petersburg coach Barry Smith explained that the only way Esche can get out of the final season in his contract is if St. Petersburg signs another starting goalie.

Philadelphia is among the handful of teams who are interested in the immense talent being displayed in Russia. There is a good chance that Philadelphia could work out a deal where they give St. Petersburg a young goalie from their system in exchange for Esche, who has a grand total of 78 NHL wins under his belt.

This Whitesboro, New York native, who represented his country at the 2004 World Cup and during the 2006 Winter Olympics, was originally a 1996 sixth round draft choice of the Phoenix Coyotes.

From Phoenix, Esche was traded to the Flyers in June 2002 where he enjoyed some individual success, including winning the William M. Jennings Award (lowest goals against) during the 2002-2003 season.