Will trade winds blow for Flyers?
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Will trade winds blow for Flyers?
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio _ The Flyers insist they are not having a hangover from last season's remarkable playoff run.
Could have fooled us.
Their power play has been alarmingly bad, and their offense has resembled Ryan Howard in the post-season - lots of chances, but little productivity.
They are 3-4-1 after Monday's listless 2-1 loss in Columbus, and they have failed to put together any winning streaks in eight games.
If not for Brian Boucher's oustanding goaltending, Monday's loss could have been 5-1.
Afterward, coach Peter Laviolette ripped his team in the media, saying they had no energy and no passion - and that they played "mindless" hockey.
The Flyers will try to ride this out for a while, but the hunch here is that if things don't improve by, say, Thanksgiving, major charges are in order.
The team is overloaded with quality centers. Claude Giroux, who is currenly playing out of position at RW to accomodate Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and Danny Briere aren't going anywhere.
So....
If things don't improve, Carter - who can become a restricted free agent after the season - could be offered in a trade for a much-needed, high-quality winger. (Thus far, Nik Zherdev has been a disappointment.)
The Flyers don't want to trade Carter, but if the puzzle pieces don't fit....
Give me your take.
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How's this for an idea??? I know everyone hates Crosby, but you gotta admit his one timers on the PP are almost money in the bank. Ditto for Stamkos. We gotta train one player to take those shots, actually hit the net and score, not like almost ALL our players, and I quote... "he shoots wide". You might get a bounce or a rebound by actually hitting the goalie, you'll never do anything but chase the puck if you always shoot wide.— hero- I don't think any of us had any big hopes for Zherdev, to be honest. Carter is a striker but that's bascilly all he is. I think Briere is looking pretty good so far, though. I'm a bit worried about the lack of emotion (seems like we've been over this a few times before). I was certainly hoping for a fresh start with Laviolette leading this team from training camp onwards. But hey, it's still early. Not time to panic or anything. If things are this bad in December, they may have to consider a trade.— Ruffles
- I really feel that the problem is Richards. He's all hype and ego. Sure he has talent but I don't see him making players around him better. While it's too big a risk to trade him at this point, he needs to step up and be the stud/captain that he thinks he already is.— 106S.P.Bailey
Laviolette always has a keen sense of timing, unlike a rotund coach who doesn't understand how a timeout works. It isn't too early to call out complacency, but this story is just a tempest in a teapot. The Flyers are loaded with talent, and this year the AHL Phantoms actually have some talent on the rise as well. As far as trading Carter, I disagree that the perspective about him is as negative as is reflected on these boards. To the rest of the league he is a skilled player, and I have no doubt Homer could pull off a trade with a non-contender for a strong winger if needed. Flyers beat the Pens tonight. Now everyone is happy. Can't judge a season this early.
