Holmgren back as GM; Timonen likely returning

About 90 minutes after Ed Snider hinted that Paul Holmgren may become the Flyers' president, Holmgren said he would remain as the team's general manager next season.

The Flyers cleaned out their lockers in Voorhees on Friday, and several players and front-office personnel spoke to reporters.

Snider said the Flyers hired assisant GM Ron Hextall last year to be the GM someday, but Holmgren said he was not ready to relinquish the job. Holmgren is the one who hired Hextall.

Holmgren also said he would give permission for Hextall to talk to another team if it wanted to pursue him as a GM. But he made it clear he hopes Hextall stays.

In other developments, veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen appears to be leaning toward playing another season. He said he will make his decision within the month, but he sounded as if he will come back.

Timonen, a pending UFA, said he would only play for the Flyers and would not consider going to another team.

Holmgren admitted Vinny Lecavalier was a better fit under former coach Peter Laviolette's system and said he had a difficult time adapting to Craig Berube's defense-first style.

Pursuing Weber? Snider said he didn't think Nashville would deal Shea Weber, but if it did, the Flyers would get in line, he said.

Injury updates. Holmgren said winger Michael Raffl has bone chips in his left elbow that will require minor surgery, and center Sean Couturier may have a sports hernia that could need surgery. The Flyers are waiting for the doctor's report on Couturier.

Winger Steve Downie recently underwent ear surgery and will have another procedure on the other ear, Holmgren said. Holmgren said the ear problems affected Downie's balance on the ice.