Flyers are first to make a move
Flyers buy out LeClair and Amonte
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Flyers are buying out the contracts of forwards John LeClair and Tony Amonte.
The buyouts will be announced at a news conference scheduled for Saturday morning, team spokesman Zach Hill said.
The 36-year-old LeClair spent 10 years with the Flyers, and was a member of the famed "Legion of Doom'' line with Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg in the mid-1990s. He tallied 382 goals and 379 assists overall in the regular season in his career with the Flyers and the Montreal Canadiens; he had 42 goals and 47 assists in the playoffs.
LeClair, who entered the lockout due $9 million US this season, was to make $6.84 million after the leaguewide 24 per cent pay cut.
Amonte, who started the lockout at about $5.61 million, was due $4.26 million. In 14 seasons with New York, Chicago, Phoenix and Philadelphia, Amonte tallied 392 goals and 436 assists in the regular season; he had 20 goals and 31 assists in 86 playoff games.
The buyouts will give the Flyers room to make qualifying offers to restricted free agents and begin negotiations with unsigned rookies.
