Give Holmgren credit for trying to improve Flyers
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Give Holmgren credit for trying to improve Flyers
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
(UPDATED: Langenbrunner dealt to Dallas.)
NEWARK, N.J. _ Even though the Flyers didn't get Jamie Langenbrunner, give general manager Paul Holmgren credit for trying to acquire the New Jersey Devils’ veteran winger.
Holmgren, whose team is among the NHL’s elite, could have been satisfied to sit pat with his talented group.
Instead, he tried to add a proven leader, someone who has served as the Devils’ long-time captain _ and someone who has won Stanley Cups with Dallas in 1999 and New Jersey in 2003.
According to an NHL source, the Flyers offered two draft picks for Langenbrunner, 35, who was willing to waive his no-trade clause gto land with the right team.
The draft picks were believed to be third- and fifth-round selections.
It wasn't enough.
The Devils sent Langenbrunner to Dallas for a conditional third-round pick, which could turn into a second-round selection.
Where would Langenbrunner have fit in the Flyers’ deep lineup?
Probably as a third-line winger, playing on a unit with Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux, That would have bumped winger Darroll Powe onto the fourth line, with center Blair Betts. The other fourth-line winger would have probably alternated among Dan Carcillo, Nik Zherdev and Jody Shelley.
The Flyers, thanks to sending Michael Leighton to the Phantoms, have about $3.6 million of acquisition space available, and Langenbrunner is in the final year of a $2.8 million deal.
By adding Langenbrunner the Flyers would have risked altering their great team chemistry. But any time you have a chance to add a character, playoff-tested player who still has skills (four goals, 10 assists for an awful Devils team), you have to go for it.
So give Holmgren credit for trying.
What’s your take?
* * *
For constant Flyers updates, follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BroadStBull.
Get exclusive videos and analysis in our new app for iPhone and Android. Download it here.
my guess is that Langenbrunner would play on Richards' wing. Nodl would drop down, and Zherdev would be lucky to see ice time. Honestly, I think they should consider throwing Zherdev into the deal. If he isn't gonna have ice time in Philly, let him float in Jersey with fellow floater Kovalchuk.— Hexy4GM- Langenbrunner for a 3rd & 5th-round pick? That's a no-brainer, even for a team with a shortage of draft picks whose AHL affiliate has something like 8 wins in 40 games. Still, I can't see Shamoriello sending someone to a hated rival for relative little in return.— Snap Crackle Propp
I agree that it is a good thing for the Flyers to seek further improvement of their roster despite a successful season so far. The big question is whether the Flyers truly need the services of Langenbrunner at this point, or whether they should wait for some more time to see if there are any leaks to be filled somewhere else. Hard decision. Langenbrunner obviously would add depth to the Flyers offence, but would you really put him on the #1 unit along with Richards? Is he really better than Nodl (ironically, Langenbrunner's name sounds perfectly Bavarian / Austrian to me...), who has a tremendous work ethic and is very young?- I would have put Langenbrunner with Richards. Mostly, because very secretly....Richards is the third line center. His line mates don't get the ice time that he does (he gets PP and PK time) and they don't get the ice time of Carter, nor Briere's line. I love what Nodl brings, and would always see him in the lineup before Shelley, or even Zherdev. I think that Langenbrunner would put more pucks in than Nodl. Nodl has really only had one small hot stretch where he put pucks in. He has had a lot of great chances, but too much Austrian, not enough finish! — Hexy4GM
- Ummm...heck yeah!!!! Do it!!! Ya gotta remember...if this trade is made it isnt for the regular season...its for the playoffs. Langenbrunner can play on any line...is a proven playoff performer and winner....would be a perfect character guy for this team. I think a change of scenery would benefit him well, especially the motivation of winning again. For all the talent Zherdev has...he is a lazy bust who wont produce a thing in the playoffs. Homer and Laavy know this. If they get langenbrunner...I think it means Zherdev is trade bait to anyone needing offense for a relative low cost. Only thing I really wish...and thought Homer should have done before last offseason...was get Dwayne Roloson. He carried Edmonton to the cup a few years ago basically(he and pronger) and would have given us a proven playoff veteran goalie. I love Boosh but not sure he can carry the load like Rollie the goalie. Bob needs seasoning yet...I digress...langenbrunner would be perfect for this team. Do it Homer!!!— Big D phillies fan
- "Zherdev...he is a lazy bust who wont produce a thing in the playoffs." Wasn't this the same sentiments on Hartnell/Briere before last years play-offs? I'd say keep the money in the bank for a rainy day.
— NFLD Flyer - No! We need some decent draft picks to build the farm! Zerdev for some top picks would help.— LaCroix,Nolet,Gendron
- I say do it. It IS a no-brainer- for this year and possibly more? Go for it.— mrjarn
- Devils announcers last night spoke of Lou seeking players 1 or 2 years from the NHL (aka minor leagues), to help the rebuilding process sooner rather than later. it seems draft picks would be later.— birdfannnj
- It is MichaelZoe's dream come true. Stay calm Michael, stay calm.
credit??? Homer is the only reason, we are where we are.. Lavvy wouldn't be here, neither would pronger... He(homer) deserves 90% of the credit...— dexter55- If the team was devoid of leadership, I'd say go for it. But since that's not the case, I'd stand pat. If anything, I'd send Zherdev packing for a draft pick or two. He's a guy who needs to play to be effective; even then he's streaky.— NYFlyersFan
- All for naught, he went to Dallas for a conditional 3rd round pick. So much for his stated desire to remain on the East Coast.
— tommy2times - ...NHL.com characterized this as a 'blockbuster deal'--oh really?— petemagoop
- Whoah! Has Holmer been reading my comments? Now since JL went to Dallas, I have the benefit of speaking after the fact. I like the thought process!! I love the concept of preparing for the stretch run and playoffs. Maybe it's just Jaime, as for some reason, I was never a big fan. Now, talking to the Ducks about Teemu Selanne to play with Richards? Aaaah. Or somehow getting Knuble back??????— MichaelZoe
