Flyers stand pat at trade deadline
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Flyers stand pat at trade deadline
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
(more coming)
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Flyers stood pat at the 3 p.m. trade deadline on Monday, feeling the two recent deals they made - acquiring massive defensemen Pavel Kubina and Nick Grossman - will help make them a Stanley Cup contender.
Provided, of course, that goalie Ilya Bryzgalov gets his game in order.
"There wasn't anything pitched to us that would have made us as good a team as we are now," general manager Paul Holmgren said in a conference call from the Flyers' training facility in Voorhees.
The Flyers never came close to making a deal in the last few days, Holmgren said. Holmgren said the Flyers had inquired about making a deal for Buffalo center Paul Gaustad, but that was before they traded draft picks for Kubina and Grossman.
"The price was steep," he said of a propsed deal for Gaustad, who was dealt to Nashville on Monday for a first-round draft pick. (Nashville also received a fourth-rounder.)
The Flyers lead the NHL by averaging 3.3 goals per game; they are 27th out of 30 teams in goals allowed (2.98 per game).
"A couple weeks ago, we felt we lacked something on the back end with Chris Pronger (sidelined)," Holmgren said. "And we addressed it."
Holmgren said the Flyers' defensive shortcoming were "a function of how we're playing, still a little loosey-goosey. Our goaltending has to be better."
Winger James van Riemsdyk and defenseman Matt Carle (a prospective free agent) are probably the most relieved Flyers; their names had been bandied about in trade rumors.
One national hockey writer said San Jose offered goalie Antti Niemi for van Riemsdyk, but the Flyers turned it down.
Said Holmgren: "James is signed here for a long time. You can't do anything about teams calling about him."
As for Carle, Holmgren said he hopes to re-sign the puck-moving defenseman, a player who is one of the team's top shot-blockers.
Earlier in the day, the Flyers sent forward Eric Wellwood to Adirondack so he would be on their playoff roster. If he stayed with the Flyers at Monday’s trade deadline, he would have had to remain on their roster for the rest of the season.
Wellwood could be recalled. Teams are allowed four recalls until their minor-league season is finished.
Without Wellwood, the Flyers have about $1.5 million in cap space. They could pick up someone off waivers (though they would have to drop someone to get to the 50-player limit), but that player would not be eligible for the playoffs because he would have been added after the trade deadline.
The Flyers, who will play in San Jose on Tuesday, did not pursue a backup goalie.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
a bit off topic i know, but can anyone tell me why danny briere is a center? he is small, fast is a sniper and has a quick release, and is terrible at faceoffs. all the makings of a winger, not a center. why has nobody ever pointed this out? especially whenthis team habitually has too many centers....— djacobs5582-
"James is signed here for a long time. You can't do anything about teams calling about him."
That's a funny quote. Richards & Carter also signed long-term deals and were shipped away anyway. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad those 2 were traded (esp. Carter), but the quote was funny to me. I'm sure, even though JVR has a long-term deal, he knew that probably didn't mean anything. If the Flyers wanted to move him (and got something good in return), he would have been gone, long-term deal or not.— Pelle31 - Good point, Pelle. Being "signed for a long time" can make a player MORE desirable, as far as trading for him. You know you have him locked up and you know what his cap hit is going to be. Plus, the player probably left some $ on the table in exchange for the security of the long-term deal (vs. what he may have made down the road by going free-agent route). Just ask Richie and Cartsie! — wmichael
- Hatfield-Ham: Well said and I totally agree! Let's go FLYERS! Come on Bryz!!!— dundermifflin
- Someone in the media needs to ask Bryz the real question, "Does he care?" I think he can be an outstanding goalie but for some reason he's not aggressive in the net. Look at the shootout the other day against Calgary, he was scored on the penalty shot but against the same guy in the shootout he got aggressive and saved a sure goal. I think Jeff Reese isn't doing his job and you can certainly tell that Lavy has seen enough of the soft goals from him. I actually though he was gonna rip his head off the last game. HAHA— LAFlyer
- "James is signed here for a long time." Um- you mean like Richards & Carter were? Since when does that matter? (Not complaining about the Richards/Carter trades - just pointing out that Holmgren using a lengthy contract as a "reason" for not moving someone seems silly.)— toph314
- They needed a faceoff guy and gig center to shut down.That player was GAUSTAD.What the heck are they thinking no goalie no big faceoff shut down guy.One more year without the cup.Nashville got Gaustad they are a team to reckon with in the west.they got huge adding gaustad and gill to already weaber.Man I really thought they would get Paul.The rookies will falter under playoff penalty killing pressure.This team will contend in three years but Timmonen will be gone buy then and he is another guy like Pronger who cant be replaced.— flyers78
- JVR for Niemi? Tempting but wow. I would have moved Bob for another goalie, since we're saddled with Bryz. No one will want him. Rumor out there was Nash and Mason for JVR and unnamed players.— Boston Flyer
- Me, I trust Homer right now. A lot of talent on this team if they can start showing it and the D moves work out w/o Pronger to lean on. Can they win the Cup? Doubtful this year. Those of you who want to move JVR have no clue. He's worth a lot more than some backup goalie.— PhillySubsMac
- Good (lack of) moves not to trade. I'd hate to see Bryz costing us a season, draft picks to fix the defense, and JVR!— burholme
- Should have took Niemi for JVR. This will come back to haunt, just like the offer of Thomas for Carter.— NFLD Flyer
- I'm not sure their was any trade that could help us win this season. i will watch the rest of this season but expect bigger things in the future with this young team. go flyers...— phillysportsnut
- problem we have is Pronger, who is not coming back, locked up for a long time for a lot of money. We are hamstrung by that! You do not get to write off full value, so we are stuck with that contract (Don't get me wrong, I love Pronger). Wish he were healthy enough to come back! But we are in a bad spot with him and Bryz. Maybe Bryz will find it (yeah right). All of us in Philly are hoping he does. Just tell him to stop the flop and stand up, like Bernie P!— jayram
- Wvbillz. You are correct. If he hadn't made the move, these same morons would be calling for his head. Be patient everyone. Remember, this team has surpassed our expectations and they may just surpass our expectations during the playoffs. Go Flyers and I'm happy w the non-moves today.— Cali7
- Everyone is making great points but the bottom line is, and I doubt if anyone would disagree: we have no chance at a Cup with the goalies we have. Thus, making no trades for a goalie means no Cup this year. End of story.— orwelles
