Losing Sbisa stings; Flyers draft 2 goalies
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Losing Sbisa stings; Flyers draft 2 goalies
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
I applaud Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren for his moxie, for going out on a proverbial limb and trying to win a championship this season.
Chris Pronger, whom Holmgren acquired from Anaheim Friday, is just the type of physical defenseman the Flyers needed to become a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
But the Flyers paid too much.
The Ducks received Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, two No. 1 draft picks and a conditional third-round selection.
Sources tell me the St. Louis Blues made a late bid to acquire Pronger, and that may have caused the Flyers to "up" their offer.
Trading Lupul, a 25-goal scorer last season, was actually beneficial because his big contract ($4.25 million during each of the next four years) was weighing down the Flyers’ salary cap. And I can understand that giving the two No. 1 picks was necessary to acquire a player of Pronger’s stature.
But including Sbisa in the deal is what I don’t like.
Sbisa, 19, spent about half of last season as one of the Flyers’ regular defensemen _ and he showed poise beyond his years and was one of the team’s best skaters. The kid looks like he’ll be a star someday.
In short, this deal would look a lot more attractive if the Flyers had included one of their other defensive prospects instead of Sbisa.
That said, assuming Pronger, 34, signs an extension on his one-year contract _ all signs point to that happening _ the Flyers should battle the Penguins and Bruins for Eastern Conference supremacy in the next few years.
And maybe, just maybe, bring Philly its first Cup since 1975.
* * * * *
The Flyers continued their Great Goalie Search Saturday by selecting goaltenders Adam Morrison (third round) and Nicola Riopel (fifth round) in the NHL draft.
The raw-but-promising Morrison was taken with the club’s first pick in the draft.
For those scoring at home, the Flyers have now selected 23 goalies in the last 16 drafts. They have not had one of their drafted goalies turn into their No. 1 netminder since Ron Hextall, who was selected in the sixth round (119th overall) in the 1982 draft.
A look at the Flyers’ picks:
Adam Morrison, Goalie (6-3, 166 pounds), 18 years old _ selected in the third round (81st overall).
Comment: Had a 9-1-1 record, 2.47 GAA and .907 save percentage in 13 appearances for Saskatoon in the Western Hockey League.
Simon Bertilsson, Defenseman (6-0 185), 18 years old _ selected in the third round (87th overall).
Comment: Ranked 17th among international skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau, the hard-nosed Bertilsson is a defensive-minded defenseman who managed 31 points in 30 games in the Swedish Junior Elite League.
Nicola Riopel, Goalie (6-0 170), 20 years old _ fitfh round (142d).
Comment: Posted a 43-15 record, 2.01 GAA and .931 save percentage in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League _ and was named the league’s MVP.
Dave Lebrecque, Center (6-0 174), 19 years old _ sixth round (153d).
Comment: In his first full season in the QMJHL, Labrecque recorded 61 points (13 goals, 48 assists) in 59 games and was a plus-23.
Eric Wellwood, LW (5-11 179), 19 years old _ sixth round (172d).
Comment: Playing for Windsor in the Ontario Hockey League, he had 16 goals and 18 assists in 61 regular-season games, then notched 10 goals and 11 assists in the playoffs to lead the Spitfires to the title.
Oliver Lauridsen, D (6-6 220), 20 years old _ seventh round (196th).
Comment: The only Denmark native taken in the draft, the towering Lauridsen recorded one assist and 38 penalty minutes in 28 games as a freshman at St. Cloud State in the Western Collegiate Association.
_ Sam Carchidi
The Flames will get a draft pick or two for Bouwmeester if/when he signs with another team. So they wouldn't have given up a lot for nothing assuming he doesn't sign, which he probably won't with Calgary's salary cap issues. They have something like 37 million spent on like 6 players. However, I hate losing Sbisa, not to mention all the draft picks. I know that the Flyers picks are usually late first rounders, but still. If the Flyers win the cup this year, then this trade will be forgiven. If not, maybe they can send Homer to Houston to join Ed Wade. Maybe the Houston Aeros need a gm..— sjuhawk416- how is losing an undersized d-man who may or may not end up being a star, and 2 draft picks who may never play a game in the nhl "trading away the future"? get a grip people. if there's one thing this team is not lacking, it's solid young talent. seems everyone wants to win a cup in 3 years. F that. i want to win THIS year. it's good to see holmgren agrees.— mrkmcc
- seaonasdad, Flyers drafted Roman Cechmanek in 6th round (#171 overall) in 2000 draft.— BobbyD
- mrkmcc you dont get a guy like pronger cheap but if he does not sign an extension and walks at seasons end this deal becomes a disaster. holmgrens win now approach looks a lot better if he had went out and actually upgraded the goalie situation instead of signing a reclamation project in ray emery. the one thing flyers management has done for years and it drives me nuts is that they spare no expense on every position but one....goalie.— blueline
WIN NOW.— Inchon- Is there something missing here? Have you noticed how many young players we trated the last few years and have come back to haunt us? Jason Williams, Eaton, the Russian kid with the Pens and a couple others.My personal feeling is that lousy system they continually use year after year too restrictive on offens. Dump the puck in nobody chases it.Why can they do like other good teams do go right down the middle, their always taking their selves out of the play by getting smashed against the boards and their defense on penalty kills never covering the points.— jsprosonh
- I like this trade. At least the Flyers are showing every team that they are here for right now and not the future. Yet, they will be here for a long time baby! Lups is a coke head, and Sbisa is a rookie. Hey, he could be a 1 year wonder, who only played what 30 games at the pro level? As far as the 2 first rounders. Well, when this years was a 20th and next years will potentially be a 25th to 30th. I like that too. Way to go Homer !!— PhlyersPhilliesEagles6ers
- It was costly, but I love a team that wants to win a championship. They have a lot of young talent on the team and can afford to take this chance on Pronger. I think the Penguins will be a little more hesitant hanging around the net next season.— Oldehawks
- Thank you Flyers!!!!!! You have just become my favorite customer. Much Love to you from Anaheim.— FowlMood
- Core players are in place now. Waiting for first round picks to pan out (if ever) does not help us win in our prime. Yes it hurts to lose Spisa but he wont be a game changer for years to come, when the organization feels theres a chance to win now we cant wait for that. Our team is very young as it is. Our own captain is what 23 or 24? You pay a high price for a future hall of famer and top defensemen in league history, Holmer was willing to pay it.— MdeanL
