Later today, we will learn how four men pivotal to different eras of Flyers hockey fared in the selection process for the 2011 inductions to the Hockey Hall of Fame: legendary coach Fred Shero, star defenseman Mark Howe, and "Legion of Doom" forwards Eric Lindros and John LeClair.
In the past, I have discussed at length the Hockey Hall of Fame qualifications of Shero and Howe (click
here for my blog on Shero and
here for Howe). It is a travesty that neither man was inducted years ago, but hopefully it will be corrected, either this year or in the future. The man most responsible for helping to get Howe and the late Shero up for consideration again is broadcaster Mike Emrick, who is a member of the 18-man selection committee. Every year, Doc has made the case for both men, and it has finally paid off with getting both on the ballot again.
In tomorrow's blog, I will discuss LeClair. Unfortunately, I doubt that either he or Lindros will ever get into the "big" Hall. In Eric's case, it was because his NHL career was so short and laden with injuries and controversy. In LeClair's case, there is a false perception outside Philadelphia that he rode Lindros' coattails after coming over from Montreal. At least LeClair, like Howe, is a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Howe is also a member of the Flyers' Hall of Fame.
As far as Lindros goes, I think it's time for the Flyers and their former superstar to make peace once and for all. Lindros, LeClair and Eric Desjardins should be inducted in successive years (and in that order) as the 1990s era honorees in the Flyers' Hall of Fame. The only non-inducted player from the older eras who is worthy of membership is five-time NHL All Star defenseman Jimmy Watson.
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I was mildly surprised by yesterday's trade to send Darroll Powe to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. Apparently, negotiations with the agent for the soon-to-be RFA were not going well. I'm a little puzzled as to why Powe would be a tough signing, as role players in his mold rarely have much leverage in free agency (especially the restricted variety).
Powe brought speed to the lower lines. He was also a good forechecker and decent penalty killer. However, he was also prone to awful penalties committed in plain view of the referees (the running joke was "Good thing Princeton doesn't test for hockey IQ") and his lack of scoring ability relegated him mostly to fourth-line duty with stints on the third line and rare fill-in shifts to bring energy to the top lines.
If you look at the way the lineup is shaping up for next season, Powe was going to be in a battle for playing time in the reconfigured lineup. Although versatile enough to play either wing or center, he was more effective on the wings. His departure virtually assures Andreas Nodl of a job on at least the third line next season.
In exchange for getting a two-year contract, Nodl actually took a slight pay cut from his 2010-11 salary ($845,000 down from $850,000). Had he opted instead to accept the team's one-year qualifying offer -- which, by NHL rules, would have provided a 10% raise -- he would have made $935,000 next season. In the end, Nodl traded an $85,000 raise for a little more security.
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Numerous folks have asked me if I think the Flyers will -- or should -- pursue impending unrestricted free agents Brooks Laich and/or Erik Cole. Really, it depends on what happens with Ville Leino.
Looking at the Flyers' play last season and the way the roster is shaping up right now, there is a clear-cut need for a two-way center who can add both size and grit to anchor the third line. That way, there isn't nearly as much pressure on Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier to immediately fill the Mike Richards void.
Strictly looked at as a hockey decision, Laich is the perfect candidate to fill that role. He brings all the elements of character, grit and two-way play the team needs, plush he would bring some much-needed size down the middle.
However, we must also keep in mind that his services will be in high demand among several clubs -- many of them potential Cup contenders -- and that his salary could run pretty high. Although he is still just 28, signing Laich either to a big salary deal for 2-3 seasons or a front-loaded long-term deal to mitigate the cap hit may not be a great fit for the Flyers. The team is really just looking for a player to help them get over the hump for a year or two while they assess the progress of Schenn and Couturier.
As a result, even if the cap space is there to compete to sign Laich (it will be if Leino elects not re-sign with the club), they may still be better served to bring in a cheaper stop-gap such as former Flyers center Michal Handzus. Zeus will have to take a paycut wherever he goes and is likely to be on the market beyond the first day or two of the UFA period. He was never fast -- and is now one of the slowest skaters in the league -- but he is still strong on faceoffs and solid defensively with underrated hands.
With Cole, there would be a lineup place for him only if Leino isn't brought back or if Kris Versteeg is traded. His injury history is also a concern. But he does bring a power winger style that the team was lacking last year, and he and Peter Laviolette know each other very well from their time together in Carolina. So he is a viable option, depending on what else happens this week.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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