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UPDATED: I Believe FLYERS SHOULD Choose Biron >Emery...Datsyuk |
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Tim Panaccio is now convinced that "barring a complete collape in negotiations" the Flyers are signing Ray Emery to be their starter next season.
Alright, I am not COMPLETELY sold that the "complete collapse" won't come here. If I thought there was a 15% chance that the Flyers were signing Emery 24 hours ago, now it's up to 30%...(UPDATED: NOW I THINK IT IS 75%) Tim has great sources and of course I respect him completely. His sources, other GMs and Emery's agent, are all sounding like this is definitely happening.
I am not here to bust on Ray Emery either. I really think the guy is "beyond skilled" and perhaps this whole experience has brought his mental game back to earth. A 100% solid and ready Emery could be a find indeed. He is an incredibly quick goalie capable of greatness.
I am however coming out in support of Martin Biron for this gig. I honestly feel that the Flyers need to step back and realize that sometimes the best answer is what you already have. I have seen Biron come up very big in big situations and honestly have yet to see him be the reason for a Flyers playoff collapse.
I have seen Biron win a playoff series in Montreal and SHUT OUT the Penguins in Pittsburgh in a crucial elimination Game 5. Biron isn't perfect, nor would I put him in the top ten NHL goalies, however for a team that has so much invested in their current roster, Biron is a better than average NHL starter who can steal you games.
Look at Detroit. Osgood isn't a top ten guy either. But he also isn't a $4M a year guy. History has shown that a team can win a Cup if your Goalie doesn't lose the Cup for you.
I hate to say it, but I saw Emery lose a Cup for a team. I witnessed it first hand. Not only did he lose a Cup for a team, he also lost the better part of the next two seasons....OK, that is a little unfair of me, but it is debatable.
The Flyers need to look a little more to their locker room right now. As much as I think Dan Carcillo can play the game, the trading of Scottie Upshall was more damaging to that team's balance than any has probably ever openly stated. He was one of the boys in the band. It was always Hartnell, Carter, Richards, Lupul, and Upshall. He was a dynamic and fun person that kept a lot of the other young stars somewhat honest. I was in the room after he got traded and it was like someone had died. The Flyers were destroyed the next game by Calgary...
There are two groups in that room. The younger guys and the older guys...Hartnell may be the most important link in many ways because he bridges the gap between a Timonen and a Richards for example.
Biron is a HUGE relaxing and calming influence to that team. The Flyers should look back to the pre-Biron days and how unbelievably better things got in that room upon his arrival. It is hard to put a price tag on that, but to go get a risk in Emery over a consistent Biron feels VERY short sighted.
But that is just my opinion. I could very much see this signing happening. I really could. Tim has great sources and mine, that usually deny such things, are NOT denying this...not at all.
Were I the Flyers, and if they felt that absolutely needed to bring someone else in, I would look to Dan Ellis as my first option.
On Datsyuk...
Took the skate today. He took place in light drills. In my opinion, based on what we are seeing I think he is a scratch tomorrow. He is doing drills, but no real bursts of speed. He didn't stop moving the entire practice, which shows me he is still testing it. He looks like he isn't sure he is OK. However we are getting word that Datsyuk is likely playing...
Babcock's official word is we will see after the morning skate.
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