Flyers thin at RW; Snider explains Pronger deal
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.
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.
Comment removed.
Trade Jones for a draft pick (and cap space) and then resign Alberts and sign Malhotra. Malhotra gives some scoring, plays excellent defense, and is great at faceoffs. That would give: 1. Gagne-Richards-Briere 2. Hartnell-Carter-Giroux 3. Carcillo-Malhotra-Laperriere 4. Cote-Powe-Asham Timonen-Coburn Pronger-Carle Parent-Alberts Much better and way more balanced. Also van Riemsdyk will not make this team without a big trade as his cap hit with bonuses factored in will be around 3.2 million.— gpicaro- Trade Briere for cap space at the deadline. I wouldn't be surprised if they add a cheap replacement and then deal Briere at the deadline unless he is tearing the league up, even then they might think about it.— OMIGODEAGLES
- The only way Briere goes anywhere is if he says it's ok... which I don't think he will do. Hopefully Homer has learned not to include no trade clauses in any contract from this point forward because, in the cap era, it kills the team. It would have been Briere in Montreal and the Flyers with the cap space instead of Gomez and the Rangers had there been not been a no trade clause in Briere's contract.— gpicaro
- Lets not give up on Briere, we all saw what he can do when healthy. Wouldnt wanna seem him go back to a team like Buffalo or somewhere in the East and haunt us at a later time..— briere48burrell5westbrook36
- w/ team as it is now: Gagne-Richards/giroux-Ricards/giroux Hartnell-Carter-Briere Carcillo-Lappy-Kalinski/nodl KAlinski/nodl-Powe-Asham— mep29
- Why not give Patrick Maroon a shot.....when I watched a Phantoms game last year I left saying "What a maroon." And it was a good thing.— rockinrob
- This is what they should do: 1.Gagne-Giroux-Briere 2.JVR-Carter-Hartnell 3.Powe-Richards-Nodl/Dingle/Maroon 4.Carcillo-Lappy-Asham— Exhibit
- This is inherent problem left behind with the Pronger trade...the line combinations don't make much sense. For the 3rd line you either go with the traditional checking/defensive line or try to roll 3 scoring lines, a la Detroit or Pittsburgh. If you use Giroux, Carter and Richards (or Briere for that matter) as centers, then someone is out on a 3rd line with no one who can finish. You'd be wasting talent. Yet, other than Lappy they don't have the components of a great checking line either. Basically, they have two first lines and two fourth lines. With their current roster I'd go with Gagne-Richards-Briere, Hartnell-Carter-Giroux, Carcillo-Powe-Laperriere, Cote-Kalinksi-Asham. But I'd rather see the 3rd and 4th lines as Powe-Checking Center FA-Laperriere; Carcillo-Kalinski-Asham (sorry Riley!)— CupOrBust
- I think Carcillo has the potential to be a 20 goal scorer. Late in the season, and in the playoffs, he showed some surprising skill with the puck. If the coaching staff would encourage to him in that direction, instead of just expecting him to take penalties, he might actually contribute.— element_104
- Exhibit-I'm ok with your lines if they keep Giroux,Carter and Richards as centers (which they probably would do). But JVR and Scottie are both left wings and JVR needs to step it up a bit to make the team. How about - Gagne-Giroux-Briere, Hartnell-Carter-Powe, JVR/Maroon-Richards-Nodl/FA RW; Carcillo-Laperriere-Asham?— CupOrBust
- Interesting blog topic, thanks. I might not put all three relatively 'soft' Frenchmen on the same line. Giroux and Briere worked well together, so maybe team Carcillo or another scrappier type with them. That would also leave Richards a better finisher to work with in Gagne.— Shaggy
- Bottom line is that they need another right wing. A trade is necessary. We're stuck with Briere for the next decade or whatever the hell he is here for. See what you can get for Carter. Richards is too good to be relegated to a third line. Doesn't make sense to have three all star caliber centers when you obviously need help on the right wing desperately.— mikerainey82
- no, you can not use Richards, a 30+goal scorer and #1 - #2 center with guys like Asham or Carcillo. good lord, you know nothing about hockey. Richards has to play with a Giroux on the wing, or other talented players who can play a 2-way game. possess the puck, create turnovers, convert scoring. giroux-richards-X, hartnell-carter-briere, then gags-ross-lapierre, 4th line is for tryouts.— MichaelZoe
- Alex Tanguay still hasn't signed with Montreal. Cup winner and great 2 way guy to play with Richards and shut down any top line and score. Manny Mahotra would be great, but there is a long list of guys the Flyers cannot afford right now who are Unrestricted, but still negotiating.— MichaelZoe
- 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
- element, you are crazy! "Carcillo showed surprising skill with the puck." He scored what ONE goal while dressed as a Flyer. He was surprisingly good at hitting the goalie in the center of his chest. 10 goals would be a pleasant surprise out him.— Bazalite
- ok,lets assume JVR cannot make it in camp...Homer has said that he would use Hartnell at RW if necessary...Gags has played RW,as well.. How About this: Powe-Richards-Gagne Nodl-Carter-Hartnell Carcillo-Giroux-Briere Cote-Lappy-Asham— Exhibit
- richards will definately not work well with those two. he needs way better linemates than them..although they are decent, but not enough. richards will be picking up their slack. jones should be traded and then we can sign a solid RW. see how training camp goes with our D prospects and maybe one can fill in.— foreverinour
- Anyone know if Jones will be healthy enough to report to camp? Before trading him, you need to know if he will be skating when camp opens and I'n not clear on that.— Claudio Vernight
- I still hate that Carcillo trade...— Philly Fan in Kuwait
- 1. Gagne-Richards-Giroux_ Giroux and gags have somehting special. 2. Hartnell-Carter-Briere_ A skill and finshing increase from Lupul. 3. Carcillo-Powe-Lappy_ Hard working will punish opposing D 4. Cote/van Riemsdyk--Nodl/Kalinski _ Not sure about line 4. I think inorder for the top six to change James would need to fit in there, The defensive pairings could look like this: Timonen-Parent _ Keep this going, parent has really come along and is ready for another big step. Pronger-Colburn_ Twin towers colburn would learn so much Carle-Jones _ reliable 3rd pairing— Richiethecup
- I agree...I would rather have Upshall!!!— Exhibit
- We will need to determine two things,I think,before lines can be really dialed in. 1.)See what JVR looks like.2.) See what Ryan Dingle looks like.I read that he was goinf to make the ducks roster but he got hurt late in camp and that buried him for the season. Maybe if he is healthy now,he makes an impression and cracks the top 9.— Exhibit
- The line combos, with the team constructed as is, are not going to matter much. If they get to the playoffs with this same team, how far do you think they can go? No scoring on the 3rd and 4th lines, nobody to get in the goalies way and get the ugly goals without Knuble. Who do you think is going to be the guy who is going to stand in front of the goalie, pay the price, muck in the corners and do what Knuble did? Since Homer secrewed up this cap so bad, we lost Upshall and more than that, R. J. Umberger. How good would they look right now on this team? Finally, what happens when Briere and Gagne go out with injuries again like they usually do. This defense and Emery had better be at the top of their game consistently. After starting off so well, Homer has become Bob Clarke before our very eyes by going cheap and chancing it on a goalie, too many thugs in the lineup, etc. Typical Flyers---so close yet so far and another year of the cup drought will continue I hate to say.— whydownie
- There are still some intriguing UFA RW's available, including Petr Sykora, Richard Zednik and Miroslav Satan. All are looking to bounce back from disappointing seasons, have shown that they can score in the past, and may be willing to take a cheaper one-year deal. I don't think you can expect Asham, Laperriere, and Nodl to consistently score.— Kingsalami
- Posted by gpicaro 09:04 AM, 07/03/2009; do us all a favor and don't type false things. JVR's cap hit is no more than 750k if he was to make the team. Its scaled because he is a rookie. Similar to the hit Giroux was last year. If you can discredit me, please post the site you are getting your numbers from.— Flyers2001
- this is pathetic...i think prongers a great fit to our team but they should not have signed le periere..we dont need more penaltys and they should have dumped carcillo cuz hes just plane useless..letting knuble walk was stupid and now were left with a goon squad..this teams getting worse instead of better..holmgrims starting to show signs of bobby clarke commin through...if we had of dumped briere we could have signed khabiboulin kept knuble and had cap space to grab another forward...maybe its time to change the GM again...— flyerfan18
- colby armstrong,ales kotalik and ryan clowe are all still available..roughly 1 mill a piece and each was in the 20 goal department last year..1 or 2 of them would sure up the RW spot..— flyerfan18
- The list of available RWs is not exactly scintillating but if any of them will sign for what the Flyers have available under the cap, Holmgren should be able to walk away with a 2nd/3rd liner with some scoring ability. Obviously these leftovers all have flaws, so nitpick away... Ales Kotalik--31 yrs old in 09/10 season--made $2.5 mill last yr Max Afinoginov--30--$3.5 mill Petr Sykora--33--$2.5 mill Rich Zednik--34--$1.75 mill Miro Satan--35--$3.5 mill They all had somewhere between 35-45 pts I think (except for Afinoginov). They're not really young, but neither was Knuble. It basically comes down to whether you want a proven commodity at RW, but be against the salary cap heading into camp; or whether you want to head into camp with question marks at RW, but cap space.— DJK7475
