Could deal push Flyers to Cup?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Could deal push Flyers to Cup?
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Do the Flyers need to make a deal before the March 4 trade deadline to bring home their first Stanley Cup since 1975?That's the question facing GM Paul Holmgren.
Head coach John Stevens said Wednesday he doesn't think a deal is necessary. He is happy to play the stretch run _ and the playoffs _ with the solid team Holmgren has assembled.
Offensively, I agree.
The Flyers have two of the leagues most dynamic lines, and the third line (Claude Giroux with Scottie Upshall and, for now, Darroll Powe, has been terrific lately.
And when Danny Briere returns from the injured list _ he'll likely take Powe's spot _ the offense will get even better, especially on the power play.
Before the season started, the Flyers said if Simon Gagne successfully returned from a concussion, it would be like adding a premier free agent.
The same can be said now about Briere, who has been limited to nine games this season and is expected back on Wednesday.
If Briere returns to his old form, it will be like adding a marquee player near the trade deadline _ without having to give up anything.
So the offense seems set, but the defense could use an experienced, physical player (Chris Pronger?) who would make like easier for Marty Biron and/or Antero Niittymaki.
Speaking of Biron, he appears to be finding his rhythm. It says here the Flyers can win a Cup with Biron. The last three Cup winners (Carolina, Anaheim and Detroit) didn't exactly have goalies who conjured memories of Bernie Parent.
Biron showed in last year's first two playoff rounds that he can withstand the post-season pressure.
Ah, but can his young defensemen?
His blue-liners have good speed and handle the puck better than last year's defense. But the Flyers will miss the playoff experience that Jason Smith and Derian Hatcher provided _ that is, unless Holmgren can swing a deal.
With an abundance of offensive talent, he can afford to trade one of his forwards and bring in a bruising defenseman who can give the blue line more balance.
* * * * * * * *
Biron will start Thursday's game against his former team, visiting Buffalo. Earlier this season, Biron made 40 saves as he blanked the Sabres, 3-0.
About 500 tickets remain for Thursday night.
* * * * * * * * * *
Stevens has not ruled out putting together a French Connection line in the future: Briere, Giroux and Simon Gagne.
Long-time fans will remember the Flyers' first Fench Connection: Andre Lacroix, Jean-Guy Gendron and Simon Nolet in the late 1960s.
And whatever became of Serge Bernier?
* * * * * * * *
In the spirit of Gonzo, here's a note that has nothing to do with sports.
From here, Sunday's Oscar for best picture looks like a two-team race between Slumdog Millionaire and The Reader.
I'd give Slumdog the nod by a very slim margin.
Most overlooked film: The Boy in the Striped Pajammas, which had one of the most powerful and draining endings you'll ever see. It was one of the top three movies of the year. And how did Gran Torino not get nominated for best picture? Ditto grumpy (but lovable) Clint Eastwood in the best-actor category.
OK, off my soapbox.
_ Sam Carchidi
Comments (28)
Trade Alberts for 2 cheesesteaks and a cold beer....— Scobie1- Lehtonen is weak, he's always hurt, and not a proven commodity. The ONLY above average goalie available who is worth acquiring is Bryzgalov from Phoenix. Also, you CAN'T trade Lupul. Knuble's contract is up after the year, and Giroux in theory replaces him as the team's #1 RW. Trading Lupul basically opens up a void on the right side. Suddenly your strong suit, depth, is lacking. Unless you want Arron Asham as your #2 right-handed winger?? Also, its funny how all of a sudden everyone wants a rugged defenseman. Every year its a defenseman they need. One year its puck-moving defenseman, the next year its a physical one. Enough already!! They are fine on defense!! Just get a goalie for once!!!!!!!!!!— UncleEddie
- Trading Van Riemsdyk isnt even logical, Gagne even less logical, your talking about one of the top two way forwards in the game still in his prime in Gagne, and the number two overall pick in Van Riemsdyk who hasnt even played a game in the NHL yet. The Flyers are topped out in salary cap right now and the only players that make sense to move at this point are Lupul or Upshall, both players could take salary off the team and there production wont be missed once Briere comes back if at all with all the scoring the team already has, there not going to get a Pronger or Bouwmeester.— allsprtsfan84
- I believe JayBo should be a Flyer. I believe he would like to be a Flyer. I believe the Panthers have to sit up and listen to an offer of Jones and another Dman, with maybe Lupul thrown in, for JayBo and 2 draft picks.— gilbi
- Another good aquisition for the Flyers would be goalie Backstrom. Like JayBo, he'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and trading him now for help next year should be attractive to his team. Of course, the Flyers should not just rent him (or Jaybo), but any trade should be pre-conditioned on agreement to a Flyers contract, for agreed numbers!— gilbi
- "NO MAJOR DEADLINE DEAL HAS EVER WON A TEAM THE CUP" Not true...the Islanders won the Cup (over the Flyers) in '80 after picking up Butch Goring at the trade deadline. Pretty much everybody believes that he was the ingredient that put the Isles over the top, and that they wouldn't have done it without him.— bart889
JayBo does not fit our system. Terrible fit. Pronger would, but we shouldn't give up the farm for him.- Keep the team and trade Biron and some Phantoms for Khabbibulin. He is not the man in Chicago and he wants out. AND he won't let those two goals (the Sabres first and third) past him in late February when every game counts!! Sorry, but Biron is NOT the hot hand, they won on a power play in the third last night, plain and simple.— elektrika
Comment removed.- Trade Gagne? Are you crazy?!!!!!! This guy is a stud on the ice,so he has had a few concussions in the past few years,when he is on the ice he performs. And what idiot said to trade Briere? Just because he got hurt early? The Flyers have a team that can go to the cup,as long as they all play well. But every NHL team that is a contender has to play well,no team will make it on sloppy play and lousy goaltending. The Flyboys will be there this year! Two championships in one season! Unbelievable!— jdwphillyboy
- I'd be willing to deal Briere or Randy Jones for a dominant defenseman. I'd only include Gagne if it was a HUGE trade and brought alot back (Pronger). I don't think the current team is good enough to win the cup, but can win a round or 2 in the playoffs.— Tar Heel 1
- Niitty better be the #1 goalie going into the playoffs...Biron was awful in a VERY important game vs. Pens today. Niitty has shown in the AHL and Olympics that he is a clutch goalie. I'd have no problem getting rid of Gagne if Briere is ready to come back healthy....just get a top D-man for him.— Phront_Runner
- I agree man, DON'T trade JVR for possible "maybes", go with VanRiemsdyk and take your chances. Go with some homegrown talent and Jimmy pretty much IS that "homegrown talent" for the Flyers, coming from Middletown, so stick with HIM instead of getting the big names. Keep the guys who GOT you here, but KEEP Nitty and send Biron packing. I LIKED him, but that mistake against Pittsburgh is simply unforgivable, at least to me it is..sorry, Marty, it's Nitty's time to shine now. No wonder some call you "Mr. Softee", that goal against the Pens was THE dumbest thing I've seen in years.... :(— PhillyHockeyBuff
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Broad Street Bull is the Inquirer's blog covering the Philadelphia Flyers and the National Hockey League.
Reach Sam at scarchidi@phillynews.com.
Sam Carchidi
Inquirer Staff Writer
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