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Divisional Rivals Got Better

July 1, 2010, 5:18 PM ET [ Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Paul Holmgren's efforts to get a jump on the Flyers' rival teams may have backfired. While Andrej Meszaros is just 24 years old and it is not tough to imagine him regaining the form he displayed in Ottawa, Anton Volchenkov's physical style and shot-blocking prowess were more in line with what the Flyers needed to strengthen the club's ability to protect leads. If the reported cap numbers are correct, Volchenkov's cap hit will be $4.25 million. Meszaros carries a $4 million price tag.

In addition, the Devils were able to sign Henrik Tallinder. While neither Volchenkov nor Tallinder will replace the offensive skills of the departed Paul Martin, the already defensively stingy Devils are likely to allow even fewer goals next season. Meanwhile, the addition of the ancient Sean O'Donnell to the Flyers' blueline adds some veteran leadership, toughness and physical play -- rounding out a formidable starting six -- but it's hard to argue that the Flyers helped themselves as much as the Devils or Pittsburgh Penguins.

Unable to re-sign Sergei Gonchar or convince Dan Hamhuis to sign, Pittsburgh general manager landed both Martin and up-and-coming defensive defenseman Zbynek Michalek, who brings many of the same elements as Volchenkov. Pittsburgh will still feel the loss of Gonchar, but have assembled a mighty good starting six in their own right.

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Barring a subsequent move, Holmgren's preemptive decision to resign Michael Leighton at $1.55 million yesterday is also not looking very good right now. Not when Dan Ellis signed today with Tampa Bay at the same money and Chris Mason inked a two-year deal with Atlanta for yearly salaries of $1.6 and $2.1 million.


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Lastly, I am somewhat mystified by the Flyers decision to sign 34-year-old enforcer Jody Shelley to a 3-year contract worth $1.1 million per season. While he is a good heavyweight who is a better fighter (and bigger) than Riley Cote -- and a response to the Rangers' addition of Derek Boogaard -- that's an awful lot to spend on a player who figures to be a healthy scratch come playoff time.

Unlike RFA Dan Carcillo and UFA Arron Asham, Shelley is not versatile enough to skate regular shifts and be moved around the lineup. He is also more expensive and older than Asham.

Considering the fact that the Flyers were already cap-strapped by the Meszaros acquisition and the raises given to Braydon Coburn and Leighton, my feeling is that this wasn't the best possible use of remaining cap room.
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