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
Comment removed.
Sporting News reported around 2 hours ago that the Flyers are 'all in' for Nash, with names like Hartnell, Couturier and JVR maybe going the other way. They're suggesting that Holmgren is partly motivated by trying to keep him away from NYR.— 1980- Why would anyone listen to what the Sporting News has to say about hockey? Might as well listen to ESPN for their "expert" opinions.... — jlmfl
I think the Flyers have more issues than just manpower. Perhaps a sports psychologist could help here?- @1980....Hartnell has a NTC I doubt very seriously he would waive it to go to Columbus. I do however fear that Rangers will snag him, they have the salaray cap space and young talent. Hopefully Nash goes to TOR if he doesnt end up in Philly.— shanehockey28
- Nash is not going to Philadelphia. The Flyers do not need him. Now if they would take Bryz and his contract from us, that might be worth considering.....— jlmfl
- Couturier should be untouchable along with Schenn, Read, Simmons,Zolnercheck, can somebody please take turnover Carle.— joepir
- Really? Zolniercyzk? Read? I am not a fan of Schenn and would love to see him moved, but I think they have to commit to him for a couple years anyway. The fact that you have Harry Z, and Matt Read as untouchables tells me that you put a heck of a lot of value on people based solely on the jersey they are wearing. Read is a 25 year old, undrafted rookie. Harry Z is a minor leaguer with no sense of what it takes to be a pro. — Hexy4GM
- I'm inclined to agree about Harry Z, but you have to admit - this revolving door is getting old. At some point the Flyers need to quit the reactionary BS and stick with the players that have potential. Totally disagree about Schenn and Read. Schenn needs time (as you mentioned) and Read is putting up good numbers regardless of how he entered the league.
Flyers fans - you can't have it both ways. Clamoring for young talent AND experience in the league is literally impossible.— gpants - I like Read a lot. But the word "untouchable" is the key here. The Flyers traded 2 all stars in the off season. 2 big, responsible centers, who produced. Matt Read has played just over half an NHL season, is 25 years old, and really has faded significantly of late. The notion of him being "untouchable" makes me laugh a little bit. There are a lot of Harry Z's in the world. He has a ton of speed, and is an elite skater, but his game screams "career minor leaguer" to me. He has no clue how to play without the puck.
I am not sold on Schenn. I have followed his career since he was a junior. I know his game and have been excited to see what he can bring to the NHL. So far, he is constantly too deep in the offensive zone, resulting in many odd man rushes against. He also gets lost in coverage a lot. At the 3.1 million price tag, I don't think he is worth the value. The team will keep him, since he was an important cog in the Richards trade...but every time Simmonds produces, it makes Schenn less important as a figurehead of that trade.— Hexy4GM - Nobody knows anything, we'll just have to wait it out won't we,just sayin'...— DJ
- 1. I only check Sporting News and ESPN when I'm not able to tap into the sports brilliance of jlmfl. Somebody take Bryz and his contract? That's fiendishly clever. You're definitely GM material. 2. I didn't express an opinion one way or the other about the SN article, I just mentioned it. 3. Like everybody else, I'm aware of Hartnell's NTC. But, this is the second time this season he's been rumored to be on the trading block (Nashville on October/November), and players with NTC's do get traded. He's a UFA after 2012 and for an attractive 2- or 3- year extension, he might be willing to play in Siberia.— 1980
- Goaltending is THE issue. Try to trade Bobrovsky and a pick to the Islanders for Nabokov. Otherwise, it won't be a long playoff run. From what I understand, it takes a long time to find peace in your soul.— riles1875
- No way NYI would make that trade. I think the goaltending situation is pretty much a non-starter - we can't unsign Bryz, he's here to stay. Trading away an asset like Bob is useless if we are just getting another backup netminder. — gpants
