Flyers talking goalie
Frequent Flyers: The Flyers have entered into preliminary trade talks with the New York Islanders for goaltender Dwayne Roloson.
Flyers talking goalie
TAMPA, Fla. – With the official announcement that Ray Emery will be done for the season, trade winds of the Flyers looking for a goalie are suddenly heating up.
A league source told the Daily News that the Flyers have looked into acquiring goaltender Dwayne Roloson from the New York Islanders.
At this point, the interest is preliminary. Roloson will be in net tonight for the Islanders, meaning a trade before the game would be unlikely. It may be something to keep in mind if the Flyers’ other lines in the water hit snags.
Here’s why that move may make sense: Roloson carried the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006 and he is well-liked in the locker room.
The Daily News learned earlier today that the Flyers were in intense talks with Roloson last summer prior to Emery’s signing. Chris Pronger, apparently, was one of the players that went to bat for Roloson with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren.
In the end, the talks stopped, the Flyers signed Emery and Roloson moved to the Islanders.
Let’s not forget: Paul Holmgren and Islanders GM Garth Snow (yes, the former Flyers goalie) are pretty tight. They even had a little wager going during the 2009 World Series between the Phillies and Yankees.
Sure, the Islanders aren’t far from the playoff hunt, but if they can nab a piece for Roloson that may help them in the future, I’d bet they’d be willing to let Roloson go, play Marty Biron for the rest of this season and use an AHL backup… assuming Rick DiPietro stays out of the lineup.
Here’s why the move might not work: Roloson is 40 and he has another year left on his contract.
Roloson’s $2.5 million cap hit is manageable for the Flyers to fit this season. If Roloson is on board, the Flyers can remove Brian Boucher’s $900,000 cap hit from the roster and send him to Adirondack.
Two questions:
- Is he a better goaltender than Michael Leighton? It’s tough to say. He certainly has more experience. His numbers (.910 save percentage and a 19-13-6 record) are pretty decent.
- Is he the Flyers’ long-term solution in net? If he doesn’t fit the Flyers plans for next season, it probably doesn’t make sense to roll the dice on Roloson.
As I mentioned in today’s paper, the Flyers aren’t afraid to enter the home stretch with Leighton in net. He has been phenomenal (12-3-1) for the Flyers this season.
A league source spoke with Roloson around 4 o’clock this afternoon and Roloson said he “hadn’t heard anything” and he wasn’t “sure what would happen.” Islanders reporter BD Gallof said New York is 95-percent likely to deal Roloson before the deadline.
Any move for Roloson would be nearly impossible (salary wise) for the Flyers if a deal is made with Nashville for Dan Hamhuis. Right now, the Flyers need to re-group and get their priorities in order.
Ottawa and Chicago are some of the other possible interested parties. As with the deal in Nashville, other team’s ability to offer draft picks and prospects could trump a lot of the offers the Flyers can put on the table.
Follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter (http://twitter.com/DNFlyers) for the latest updates.
This Roloson rumor seems stupid to me. Never seen him play, at least I don't remember ever seeing him play and I can still say this is stupid. 40 years old, an extra year left on his contract, Leighton is playing well, no draft picks as it is, shall I go on? Like I said before, let's go with what we have and see how it all works out. Pens and Devils are beatable in the first round with what we have right now. Caps are another story and none of the names being talked about is gonna change that.— vafan- Did anyone read the article about Rathje and his payroll hit. Technically he doesn't count towards the cap but his lt disabled status makes another addition at full cap and not prorated. That's a Clarke move, not Homer.— keith7470
- I dont see why the Flyers should be worried about goaltending. Leighton has been very solid for quite awhile now. Its no mirage. He takes up alot of the net and plays a good stand up style. In my mind, we need another winger far more than a goalie. When the going gets tough, we really dont have much more than Richards and Carter. Another scorer is needed.— bradco
- Can't we trade Paul Holmgren to the Islanders for future considerations?— 88etrain
- I will be done being a Flyers fan if they trade for this guy....no offense Roloson...I'm just sayin— djax10
- Leighton over Roloson anyday of the week and twice on Sunday. He's younger which means his reflexes are sharper, and is anyone complaining about his performance since he became out starter? Hey Homer, there's a saying you should listen to: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT. Stick with Leighton & Boosh and if you feel you must do something then get a winger who can score, but for the love of Pete do NOT sign a geriatric goalie if you have any hope of going deep in the playoffs this year.— Kanayd
Roloson is a 40 year-old pending UFA who would come in here as a backup. I don't think it would even take a roster player to land him. More like a mid-low level prospect to get him as an insurance policy. The only drawback is that we wouldn't be able to use that $2 million elsewhere. Only make this deal if upgrades to the top-6 forwards or top-4 d fall through.— conceptual_bro- Oh wait, it's a 2-year deal. Nevermind. Do not want.— conceptual_bro
- Holmgren has three problems to solve and only one move he can make. Leighton may or may not come through. The forwards they have may or may not step up. The D they have is definitely too thin for a deep run, so I think Holmgren's smart to go there because it's the one problem that can't be solved with the current roster. A good D-man is also the smartest long-term move.— roadtriptoday
- Why are we trying to fix something that is not broken?????— tamgin43
- Will Leighton be able to carry the load in the playoffs? We won't know until he's given a chance to prove himself. So far Leighton's been nothing but stable and trustworthy in net. I think he's worth a shot. I would like to trade Hartnell as well as Briere and Gagne, but that won't happen. Stick with what is working at the moment instead of messing things up and maybe ruin the chemistry just to make a panic deal.— Ruffles
- That would just be silly.— d.w.d.
