Flyers' 'D' upgraded, but was money spent wisely?
With Paul Holmgren as the architect, the Flyers reached the Stanley Cup Finals this past season. So there’s no arguing with the general manager’s abilities. But…. Thursday was a strange, dizzying day in Flyerdom. The Flyers upgraded their defense considerably and got more physical with the signing of Jody Shelley, but they failed to land a goalie _ basically conceding that Michael Leighton would be their No. 1 _ and, from here, they took a small step backward on offense. Are they better than the team that lost to Chicago in six Finals games? Defensively, yes. By adding promising Andrej Meszaros and veteran Sean O’Donnell to an already top-flight defense, the Flyers have one of the deepest, biggest and best blue lines in the NHL. But…. You can argue that the Flyers needed more help on offense _ specifically, at right wing _ than on defense. You can argue that the Flyers would have been fine with O’Donnell _ who, at 38, was still effective last season, averaging nearly 19 minutes a game and registering a plus-14 rating for Los Angeles _ and Oskars Bartulis as the third defensive pairing. They could have used the money they will pay Meszaros (a four-year deal for $4 million per season) on a right wing like Colby Armstrong. Armstrong, a hard-nosed sort who scored 15 goals for Atlanta last season, signed a three-year free-agent deal with Toronto for $3 million per season. Right wing was an albatross for the Flyers last season as they never did replace the combined 52 goals scored the previous season by Mike Knuble and Joffrey Lupul. And with the addition of Shelley (two goals last season), it appears the Flyers will not re-sign feisty right winger Arron Asham (10 goals), whose game rose in the playoffs. Perhaps Holmgren, who in a few years has molded the Flyers from worst-in-the-NHL to Stanley Cup finalist, has another move up his sleeve for a right winger. If not, defense will be the team’s calling card in 2010-11. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but one wonders if the correct needs were addressed. Your thoughts? * * * * * * * The Flyers have just $577,738 of cap space and still must sign restricted free agents Dan Carcillo and Darroll Powe. The cap space will jump to about $1.1 million with the expected departure of Riley Cote. The Flyers have the lowest amount of available cap space in the league, according to capgeek.com. But Chicago is in much worse shape; the Blackhawks have about $3.6 of cap space but only have 14 players under contract. The Flyers have signed 21 players. * * * * * * * For constant updates, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BroadStBull.
Flyers' 'D' upgraded, but was money spent wisely?
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
With Paul Holmgren as the architect, the Flyers reached the Stanley Cup Finals this past season. So there’s no arguing with the general manager’s abilities.
But….
Thursday was a strange, dizzying day in Flyerdom.
The Flyers upgraded their defense considerably and got more physical with the signing of Jody Shelley, but they failed to land a goalie _ basically conceding that Michael Leighton would be their No. 1 _ and, from here, they took a small step backward on offense.
Are they better than the team that lost to Chicago in six Finals games?
Defensively, yes.
By adding promising Andrej Meszaros and veteran Sean O’Donnell to an already top-flight defense, the Flyers have one of the deepest, biggest and best blue lines in the NHL.
But….
You can argue that the Flyers needed more help on offense _ specifically, at right wing _ than on defense.
You can argue that the Flyers would have been fine with O’Donnell _ who, at 38, was still effective last season, averaging nearly 19 minutes a game and registering a plus-14 rating for Los Angeles _ and Oskars Bartulis as the third defensive pairing. They could have used the money they will pay Meszaros (a four-year deal for $4 million per season) on a right wing like Colby Armstrong. Armstrong, a hard-nosed sort who scored 15 goals for Atlanta last season, signed a three-year free-agent deal with Toronto for $3 million per season.
Right wing was an albatross for the Flyers last season as they never did replace the combined 52 goals scored the previous season by Mike Knuble and Joffrey Lupul.
And with the addition of Shelley (two goals last season), it appears the Flyers will not re-sign feisty right winger Arron Asham (10 goals), whose game rose in the playoffs.
Perhaps Holmgren, who in a few years has molded the Flyers from worst-in-the-NHL to Stanley Cup finalist, has another move up his sleeve for a right winger. If not, defense will be the team’s calling card in 2010-11.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but one wonders if the correct needs were addressed.
Your thoughts?
* * * * * * *
The Flyers have just $577,738 of cap space and still must sign restricted free agents Dan Carcillo and Darroll Powe. The cap space will jump to about $1.1 million with the expected departure of Riley Cote.
The Flyers have the lowest amount of available cap space in the league, according to capgeek.com. But Chicago is in much worse shape; the Blackhawks have about $3.6 of cap space but only have 14 players under contract. The Flyers have signed 21 players.
* * * * * * *
For constant updates, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BroadStBull.
The complete puzzle is still not in place yet. Be patient.— stormrider- JD Gagne is still only 30 years old . . don't beieve it . . look it up ! Gagne was in the Canadian Olympic camp . . when he got hurt . . so if he's healthy and has a good start to last season . . he makes that olympic team . . I think his best years are behind him . . but he still has value . . a team like detroit .. might think so also . . .— ingy9
- Well Sam, not surprisingly, you glossed right over the elephant in the room. You know, your buddy, the guy who moves like an elephant, Lumbering Leighton, also known as Holmgren's Folly. Here's a guarantee for you: He's back on waivers by Dec. 30.— eagle1971
- the sichee-ation The Kings have 2 really good young goalies . . . quick and bernier . . . under league rules . . only ONE of them can play . . so unless they change those rules and they let 2 goalies on the ice at the same time . . they need to / eventually / trade one of them . . .— ingy9
- Don't get Sam's love for Colby Armstrong. $3M a year for a 3rd liner? No thanks.— B Dawg 82
- ingy - I wish they could trade Carter for Bernier, I'm all for it. But the Kings aren't is all I'm saying. The reports came out that they wanted Giroux. So the question is would you be willing to part with Giroux for Bernier or Quick? I wouldn't be able to pull the trigger on that trade.— the sichee-ation
- 1republican: the issue isn't whose money it is, the issue is they only have so much to spend -- there's this little thing called the salary cap. They've pretty much spent all they can (unless they can dump salary), so did they allot it wisely for their different needs?— wmichael
- sichee-ation No i would not trade Giroux . . and i said IF they trade Carter . . Homer said just weeks ago that Carter was Not available . . but we all know . . if the right deal comes along .. he's gone . And for what it's worth i'd trade JVR in a philadelphia second . . if we could get a really good young GT . And Hey we're all on the same side here . . we ALL want a Cup and the playoff's . . what a great ride !!! How bout them Flyers ??— ingy9
- The simple fact is, short of building a brick wall across the goal mouth, it doesn't matter who you put on D they're gonna get ripped in goal. Leighton doesn't deserve to even clean the ice in the goal crease.— dj.curly
- We have a goalie... his name is Lappy! I read on espn rumors the Flyers are trying to trade Gagne. Maybe Gagne for Carey Price? I know we've lit Price up in the past, but he's still young enough to get better and with this D in front of him, he could be great. I could see Gagne waiving his NTC to play for his hometown team.— the sichee-ation
- Trade Carter - ok, so he can score 30+ goals, but he isn't physical enough and has nights when he seems completely disinterested. No bonus points for coming back from 2 broken feet, it's the playoffs and it's expected. He is pretty much a Joe Thorton type who disappears when the lights shine the brightest. Agree with poster above -- if Carter buries that shot in Game 6, this conversation is probably not even taking place. Also, Leighton may not be the next Brodeur, but he'll do for now. Leighton wasn't the reason we lost the series. Pretty much every game (excluding Game 5) could have gone either way...— horhey
- ...I think Homer is going to address the forwards via trade (Gagne or Carter). We can loose either one of them and still score a bunch due to the up-tempo style they now play (thankfully!) I absolutely love the "D"...Leighton/Boosh with this D is fine. Defensive depth was what we really needed...and got. Nice job so far, Homer.— Phront_Runner
- sichee-ation Maybe the / hang-up / was flyers wanted bernier . . kings wanted to trade quick . . because if i were the Kings . . i'd want Carter . . he's a stud and he's going to get better . . Also maybe the flyers are asking for the Moon . . like bernier . . another player and a pick . . . you know we're not giving our leading scorer away . . .— ingy9
- That's funny . . Lappy . . you know he out to wear a goalie mask . . the way he dives . . . Ganne to Montreal . . yeah he'd wave his no - trade for that . .also i think he'd go to a contender . . because i believe Gag's has only one more year left on his contract . .so then he can go anywhere . . nice chattin pal— ingy9
- This is the time to trade Carter for picks. No RW, unfortunately. You move Carter, re-sign Powe, move him to the 3rd line, and let LaViolette coach him up during camp. If Powe can't do it, you let the undrafted free agents get a crack at it. The Red Wings don't go out an sign top flight talent all the time for every position of need. It's a shame to see Carcillo and Asham gone.— HandNik
