Flyers thin at RW; Snider explains Pronger deal
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Flyers thin at RW; Snider explains Pronger deal
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Free-agent winger Chad LaRose re-signed with Carolina Thursday _ and that wasn’t good news for the Flyers.
LaRose scored 19 goals last season and had looked like he would be a nice fit for the Flyers. He was relatively inexpensive and would have given the Flyers some needed scoring punch at right wing, a position that has been decimated by the departure of Mike Knuble (27 goals last year) and Joffrey Lupul (25).
GM Paul Holmgren is still investigating the thinning free-agent market.
As it stands, some of the Flyers’ lines have been weakened because their projected right wingers scored a combined 27 goals last year _ the same total as Knuble, who signed with Washington.
Though it could change, it’s possible the right wingers will be Ian Laperriere (7 goals last year), converted center Danny Briere (11 in an injury-plagued season) Arron Asham (8) Andreas Nodl (1).
LaRose signed a two-year deal for $1.7 million per season; the Flyers have about $2.3 million in cap space, so they would have been able to sign LaRose.
Without Knuble and Lupul, the Flyers’ lines will look drastically different. Coach John Stevens has lots of options and will probably try numerous combinations. Here is how they might look:
1. Gagne-Giroux-Briere _ The Flyers’ version of the French Connection. Could be sensational.
2. Hartnell-Carter-Laperriere _ Lappy replaces Lupul.
3. Carcillo-Richards-Asham _ The CAR Line is loaded with scrappy, hard-working players. But would Carcillo and Asham be good enough finishers to work with Richards?
4. Cote/van Riemsdyk-Powe-Nodl/Kalinski _ Cote’s roster spot could be in jeopardy. Jared Ross could also fit into the mix.
The defensive pairings could look like this:
Timonen-Coburn _ Will they be reunited?
Pronger-Carle _ Carle supplies the speed, Pronger the physicality.
Parent-Jones _ Would be a good duo if Jones has recovered from hip problems.
Send me the lines and pairings you think would be the most effective.
* * * * *
In Friday’s Inquirer, Flyers chairman Ed Snider tells why the Flyers mortgaged the future to acquire Pronger, who is expected to help give the Flyers one of the league's top defenses.
mikerainey82, are you suggesting we trade Carter? I love when morons like you suggest such stupid trades... What a good idea, let's trade our #1 goal scorer. Idiot.........— Mike08
Comment removed.- I'd replace Kalinski with either Nodl or Ross, for now. Ross is a RFA. Parent and Timonen have been an excellent pairing so I'd keep them together. Timonen-Parent, Pronger-Coburn, Carle-Jones. I still think they need to sign a 3rd liner who can win face-offs and provide some offensive skill. I'd like an explanation as to why they couldn't sign LaRose.— phillyfan412
- Briere is not the guy you build a winning team around....I don't care if he scores 50 goals....if he's on the ice for 60 given up, we still lose, and that's the kind of player he is. Not a very good +/- guy. We need more of them, and of course someone who could actually win a faceoff against anyone other than my grandmother would be helpful.— Mark1npt
- Come to think of it, Grandma passed away in 1969 and she couldn't skate either.....but she can probably still win 55% of her faceoffs against these non competitive excuses for professional hockey players. they really oughtta be ashamed of themselves. Getting outdrawn during a crucial time in the game by a grandma who passed away a long time ago........— Mark1npt
- 1. JVR will not make the team until at very least the midway point of the season. Even Holmgren says so. 2. Giroux is a natural right wing, so move him there! 3. Spreading your scoring over three lines can work ... as long as your centers can carry the load alone (a la Pittsburgh). Otherwise, you'd better have two scoring lines, a checking line that can occassionally contribute offensively, and an energy line. 4. The previous three comments definitely dictate that the Flyers need to either play Laperriere at third-line center or sign someone before they're all gone. Gagne - Richards - Giroux Briere - Carter - Hartnell Carcillo - Laperriere - Powe Cote - Ross - Asham Timonen - Coburn Pronger - Carle Jones - Parent Emery/Boucher— citylumberjack
- Shaggy I agree. How ugly is that fourth line as they have it written on this blog? That third line ain't pretty either.— MaC130
- Shaggy I agree. How ugly is that fourth line as they have it written on this blog? That third line ain't pretty either.— MaC130
- The fourth line is not meant to be pretty. It's meant to be a checking/energy line. The only concern is that the third line may not have enough offensive production. Not that it needs a whole lot, but they probably need to add another forward who can score upwards of 20 goals and win face-offs. I think a lot of people underestimate Asham. He's perfect for the third line.— phillyfan412
- Well, you're not going to improve the defense and get a guy like Pronger without giving up depth at the forward position. The team appears to be more balanced than in the previous couple of seasons when the defense was the weak-link and not having depth at the blue line killed us last in the season. I'd rather have stronger centers than stronger forwards if I had to choose. They'll find another RW to plug in there and then it should be a solid roster.— JimG
- I'm not an attack blogger Sam but Richards shouldn't be anyone's third line center.— flyers_RI_guy
- Todd Bertuzzi plays RW - fits their budget and their apparent strategy— flyersguiness
- They can't be serious with that lineup! Laperriere is a 4th liner - maybe a 3rd liner in a pinch. I agree JVR needs to step up, but WHEN Briere gets hurt this team is screwed. Holmgren's deal (Snider's deal?) will haunt them this year too. Thanks Ed!— Repubrebirth
- Reading these posts always makes me thankful it's the professionals who run the team and not the fans.— srf466
- Mark1npt, don't disrespect your grandmothers faceoff skills!!!— srf466
