Betts gets $1.4 million, 2-year extension with Flyers

After four full seasons with the New York Rangers - where one media outlet dubbed him the Rangers' best penalty killer in team history - Blair Betts couldn't earn a contract from another NHL team based on that reputation.

Betts did it the hard way, auditioning his skills with the Flyers in training camp on a pro-tryout contract.

The Flyers, who signed him to a no-strings-attached 1-year contract on Oct. 1, rewarded him yesterday with a 2-year, $1.4 million extension.

"Last summer wasn't exactly a fun time for me," Betts acknowledged. "I was lucky enough to come to Philly and find a job for this year. I feel relieved and grateful that the Flyers were willing to give me a 2-year extension. Hopefully I'll continue to play well and stick around for those 2 years."

Betts said he first discussed the idea with his agent, Steve Kotlowitz, and Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren in December.

"He's been great since I've been here," coach Peter Laviolette said. "He's been an effective penalty killer, he's a good centerman, he's a good defensive player, he has some offensive skills.

"He brings an awful lot to the table. He's a big, strong player that can play against the other team's top players. We're excited to have him in that role for a couple more years."

Betts has missed 19 games this season; he has separated his right shoulder on two occasions. When healthy, Betts has found a home on the Flyers' top penalty-killing unit with Ian Laperriere. He is also only four points away from posting the best offensive numbers of his career.

"I've enjoyed myself," Betts said. "I've been given a good opportunity to play and I'm playing with some good players. I couldn't ask for anything better."

For now, Betts, 29, will continue to rent a house in South Jersey with his wife and two young kids. Betts spends his summers in his hometown of Edmonton.

"Buying is bad karma," Betts joked. "That's when you get traded."

Flyers forward Ville Leino has been a healthy scratch for four straight games since being acquired from Detroit on Saturday. Both the Flyers and Leino are eager to "knock the rust off," as Leino said Thursday, but the holdup has been the Flyers' recent win streak.

Peter Laviolette said he's had a tough time trying to decide who to scratch in favor of Leino. With two straight wins, he's had no reason to make a move.

"It's hard," Laviolette said. "I know he wants to play and we're excited to see him in there, but it's easy to say we're going to get somebody in there.

"But when you get somebody in there, somebody has to come out. Who are you going to take? It's hard to change it right now."

Leino was a healthy scratch for six straight games with the Red Wings before being traded. His last played in game on Jan. 23.

"It's been a while for me now," Leino said. "I'm just [eager] to get in there and show what I can do."

Former Flyer Peter Forsberg carried Sweden's flag into BC Place last night during the Olympics' opening ceremony in Vancouver . . . Dan Carcillo, showing no sign of pain from his slight knee injury on Wednesday in New Jersey, remained on a line with Mike Richards and Simon Gagne . . . The Flyers honored their Olympians (Canada's Mike Richards and Chris Pronger, Finland's Kimmo Timonen, Latvia's Oskars Bartulis, and Team USA equipment manager Derek Settlemyre) before they head to Vancouver tomorrow.