Source: 'All quiet today'
Daily News Flyers blog
Source: 'All quiet today'
Braydon Coburn arrived in Philadelphia for the first time on Feb. 24, 2007, without the slightest clue about the Flyers’ organization or who his new teammates would be.
His first introduction to them was at the Flyers Wives’ Fight for Lives Carnival that day at the Wells Fargo Center.
Fast forward 5 years: Pavel Kubina is in the same position.
Kubina, 34, arrives in Philadelphia today for the first time after his agonizingly long trade from Tampa Bay on Saturday night. Pressed to move him before the Feb. 27 trade deadline, the struggling Lightning kept him off the ice for 2 straight games to “protect their interests.”
And despite the Flyers’ scuffling on the ice, Kubina will likely meet his new mates in an all-smiles scenario during the Carnival.
The deal was finally consummated on Saturday night, with the Flyers reportedly edging out Detroit, as Kubina was acquired in exchange for a 2nd round pick (in 2012 or 2013, Florida’s choice), a 4th round pick in 2013, and Phantoms forward Jon Kalinski.
Kalinski was added to the deal on Saturday night so the Flyers could fit Kubina under the NHL’s strict 50 contract limit.
Rookie defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon was sent back to Adirondack to make room on the 23-man roster.
Now, the attention shifts to what general manager Paul Holmgren has left up his sleeve over the next 8 days before the deadline passes at 3 o’clock on Feb. 27 while the Flyers are in San Jose.
According to a league source, the Flyers’ trade front was finally “all quiet” on Sunday.
Yes, it was Carnival day, with the Flyers’ main focus on charity and giving back to the community, but the sense I get from multiple people in the organization is that Holmgren would be comfortable heading into the playoffs with the team as it is currently assembled.
And that would include not having Columbus captain Rick Nash.
For the longest time on Saturday, it seemed like the Flyers might have jumped to be a front-runner in the Nash sweepstakes, since general manager Scott Howson visited with Holmgren face-to-face for the second time in a week. Columbus’ senior adviser Craig Patrick also watched the Flyers play in person for the second time in 3 days. And a Flyers scout was in Ohio to see the Blue Jackets get shellacked by Chicago.
As each hour passes, the Flyers are less and less likely to deal for Nash.
The asking price – likely Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn and Sergei Bobrovsky with picks – is just simply too much for the Flyers to stomach. It would gut a big part of their present-day depth, let alone how much it would change their future outlook.
And it certainly seems like Columbus is looking for a new suitor.
Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke confirmed to multiple outlets that he met with Howson on Sunday morning at a New York City hotel for an “unscheduled meeting.” Burke wouldn’t comment further.
The Rangers remain a key, quiet competitor for Nash.
And out west, the nose-diving Los Angeles Kings – who have fallen out of the playoff picture after being shutout in 2 straight games – could be more and more desperate for Nash as the week drags on. They were already rumored to be interested in reuniting Jeff Carter with Mike Richards via trade.
Besides, the Flyers – who lead the NHL in goals – don’t need the offense. They’ve accomplished that feat while enduring lengthy slumps from Jaromir Jagr, Danny Briere, and even the injured James van Riemsdyk.
It was their defense and goaltending that needed work. Now, with Kubina and Nicklas Grossman in the fold, the Flyers likely have one of the top units in the league – even without Chris Pronger.
It’s hard to sit here now and say that the Flyers are not better prepared for the playoffs with the addition of these two, hulking defensemen. But do Grossman and Kubina really make the Rangers or Bruins lose sleep at night?
That, like the rest of the week, remains to be seen.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
Bryz can't stop anything, and some of the flyers and press keep saying he just needs more time. More time?? There is only 23 games left and the flyers are dropping quick. We need a goalie.— largato- i would go bob, schenn and read with one pick but that would be it since you have to then either go back to Leights or surrender yet another pick for Nabokov— SyddBarrett
- It's jvr bob and a first rounder for Nash. Maybe another prospect. Hartnell NTC.— fman727
- Come on amnesty claus in the next bargaining agreement! This will allow teams one-time forgiveness for contracts like Bryz, Scott Gomez, DiPietro, Carter, etc. I think Mr. Snyder is stuck with him until then. NOBODY believed Bryz was going to flop like this. His former Yotes mates knew he was flaky and questionned his ability to play in this market but even they couldn't predict THIS. Keep the young talent...though Harry Z is another Afinogenov...who is now in Europe...so he can go if needed. Shop Carle unless he's leaning towards a "home town" discount and wait to see what happens with Pronger. I'm guessing retirement or the way of Lappy until retirement.— HatchetJack
- Amnesty? Do we have any latino players?— Mark1npt
- Please don't trade budding talent and picks for Nash just to play "keep away" from the Rangers. Let them mortgage THEIR future. Their money will be tied-up in Nash, Lundquist, Gaborik, Callahan and Staal. I sure wouldn't run my financial investments the way teams go all-or-bust for the cup....hoping for the big return this year at the cost of potential earnings over the next few years.
What...trading your young talent for Nash or other high-priced UFA you may not be able to re-sign? Let me show you my "surprised" face.— HatchetJack - Mark1npt - next collective bargaining agreement may include some form of "amnesty clause," allowing teams to eliminate bad player contracts under certain conditions.
Sorry I couldn't use crayon.— HatchetJack - I'd trade potential for sure thing anyday. Nash is top 10 player in league for last few years. Solidifies top line for years to come. JVR has no impact, bob is average, and you have to give something up for a perrenial 30 goal guy...so if its schenn or couturier, or read, so be it. You can only hope they become what Nash is already. the only issue becomes goalie. You can bring up Leighton and be the same, if not better than Bob, or you can rent Nabakov for a playoff run. I would only do that if they get Nash.— philly thug
- To get Nash, we definitely the pieces the Jackets want. However the biggest hurdle is that we don't have the $42 per day cap space Nash necessitates. To make this work for Philly.... Columbus would have to take a at least $42 per day of Flyers Players salaries. This means a probable combo of young players, picks and a mid-range salaries.— drmonday
- Sure Bryz has not played up to anyone's hopes, but he can't be held responsible for ALL of the back door tap ins. And to the media, leave Bryz alone. He's played poorly, he knows it, we know it, the media knows it. It is a total non-story at this point. He has got 8 more years here, let's not make it misserable for everyone. And please, one more ridiculous story about Rick Nash is about all I can take.— cdobsox
Comment removed.- Unconfirmed report as of yet has the flyers trading bryz, carle and jvr in a three team trade that brings Ryan Miller and Paul Guastad to the Flyers!
— phillyfan1
