that's my biggest issue
- isaiah520

Reports are Holmgren asked for Johansen and was rebuffed. It would have been nice to get another pick or a prospect. It didn't happen.

Voracek could easily be a 50 point player this year, and the # 8 pick should net the Flyers a player who can contribute in the near future. Not to mention they opened up some cap space to improve the depth of the team.

Great blog Bill. Is there any chance the NHL challenges the structure of the Bryz contract?

After watching the NHL network bit on Landeskog, I'm developing a man crush. One of the things I really like about the deals yesterday is that the team got much grittier and tougher to play against. Landeskog would add to that mantra. Unfortunatley, they would need to deal another top 9 guy off the current roster and the 8th pick to move up to #3 and more than likely this becomes more of a rebuild.
- flyguy12

Yes, I have been making that point since the playoffs ened for the Flyers, they did that yesterday.

I think if they could have gotten more for Carter then they would have. I'm fine with the deal. Now I'm way more excited for the draft.
- funmaster18

My problem with the deal is what I have read, because I will admit I don't know much about Voracek.

What I have read, is Jake is not the most fit kid and isn't always interested in playing...

Reports are Holmgren asked for Johansen and was rebuffed. It would have been nice to get another pick or a prospect. It didn't happen.

Voracek could easily be a 50 point player this year, and the # 8 pick should net the Flyers a player who can contribute in the near future. Not to mention they opened up some cap space to improve the depth of the team.
- PLindbergh31

I can tell McGuire doesn't like him. he was questioning his focus and/or commitment this morning w/ a somewhat disgusted tone in his voice...at least that was my impression.

I would use the additional cap space to land an upgrade on SODES.

Not all of it, but they have more money to spend now, and with Pronger's health up in the air, another defenseman could be key.

I can tell McGuire doesn't like him. he was questioning his focus and/or commitment this morning w/ a somewhat disgusted tone in his voice...at least that was my impression.
- isaiah520

McGuire is probably still smarting from his mancrush being dealt.

OK, this is in response to a few post I have read.

-The Flyers are absolutely still a good team. To say that they're not is being stubborn and ignoring the talent on hand.

-I think both trades were fair trades. Of course I would have liked to have gotten more, in BOTH trades. I want to see the Flyers get the best of every deal. In each case, the return was fair.

-Voracek is a developing young player. He's going to have his ups and downs. To dismiss him out of hand is being blind to his talent and what he has done so far in his career.

-As far as the media stuff goes, it was a factor. But nowhere near as much of one as the inconsistent results.

My problem with the deal is what I have read, because I will admit I don't know much about Voracek.

What I have read is Jake is not the most fit kid and isn't always interested in playing...
- ggunky

let's just say, we have to hope the flyers can move up tonite and bag landescog or larsson so we can feel a little better about what we fetched for Carter.

I would use the additional cap space to land an upgrade on SODES.

Not all of it, but they have more money to spend now, and with Pronger's health up in the air, another defenseman could be key.
- bradleyc4

Who??

Sean Odonnell?

Stunning day, seeing both Carter and Richards traded. I think that all factors were considered in making these deals, both on ice and off, and that both deals, in strictly hockey terms, were fair.

I do feel that short term, at least on paper, the Flyers aren't as good. However, guys like Schenn and Simmonds have reps as being hard to play against. With the number of guys trying to prove themselves the team is almost sure to be hard to play against, if not as talented overall.
- Jsaquella

And I'll add that hard work can usually trump talent. The Flyers got their butts handed to them in the Boston series. Things had to change. I'm not talking Bulllies but teams have to leave the rink after playing us sore and I'm not sure too many teams were.

Just my opinion....

McGuire is probably still smarting from his mancrush being dealt.
- Number23

not really. he was asked about the CLB/Carter end of the deal.

I can tell McGuire doesn't like him. he was questioning his focus and/or commitment this morning w/ a somewhat disgusted tone in his voice...at least that was my impression.
- isaiah520

Well Pierre doesn't like him, Flyers should trade him for some Timbits and a small coffee.

Voracek played on some pretty bad Columbus teams and put up more than respectable numbers. He's only 21 yrs old, perhaps a move to a real hockey city could redirect his focus is that not possible?

I would use the additional cap space to land an upgrade on SODES.

Not all of it, but they have more money to spend now, and with Pronger's health up in the air, another defenseman could be key.
- bradleyc4

What Holmgren did was not to simply create salary cap room. One does not trade the faces of his franchise in order to lock up a new goalie. The Flyers could have kept both of the players they traded away yesterday afteroon and signed Ilya Bryzgalov to the same contract and made the numbers work by moving other players.

He chose to change not just the face of his hockey club, but also it's essence.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were the face of the Flyers franchise. They were the twin pillars that were the crux of the team's drive to a championship. Veterans like Danny Briere and Kimmo Timonen were added to help them navigate the waters to the Stanley Cup.

Along the way, a kid from tiny Hearst, Ontario came along and wrested the role of being the team's franchise player out of the hands of Richards and Carter. Make no mistake, Claude Giroux is the franchise now.

Chris Pronger will get his share of the blame, and much will be made about his relationship with Richards. It's likely Pronger will replace Richards as the Flyers captain, and people will say that his relationship with Richards was untenable and couldn't be fixed so Richards was dealt.

I won't deny that there were issues. However to point to those issues now and say they were the end all, be all of the moves made yesterday is really stupid. The Flyers didn't trade Richards or Carter because they partied too heartily. They didn't trade Richards or Carter because they weren't good with the media. They traded them for a multitude of factors.

The Flyers have been a team that has been a Jeckyll and Hyde group since they rose from the ashes of the 2006-07 death march. Flyers fans have long joked about the team flipping the switch and going from the gang that couldn't shoot straight to SEAL Team 6.

They are the team with the 3rd highest playoff win total in the past 4 years. But they're also a team that crept into the playoffs in the last couple of days of the season in 2 out of the last 3 years. The same team that went to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final was also the team that needed a shootout win to even make the playoffs that year.

The local media had fun taking their potshots at the Flyers younger players that lived in Old City Philadelphia and lived lives with active social careers. Even yesterday, as Carter and Richards were dealt, several writers couldn't resist the urge to drop in a shot as the pair left town.

The media was not why the Flyers parted way with Richards and Carter yesterday, but the media won no respect in the way they covered the team. One hopes that Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and Jake Voracek follow the lead of guys like Giroux, Briere and Pronger and play the game with the media, lest they get slammed for not being a good interview.

But, I digress. More than making cap room, the Flyers yesterday sent a message. That message wasn't to curtail the social life, or even to play nice with the media. The message was that flipping the switch was no longer a practical or workable situation. The message was sent loud and clear and there's no uncertainty about it.

The Flyers got a fair return yesterday for two guys they had been building around. They're not starting over or rebuilding. They are simply saying that nobody is safe if they can bring their A game on every single night.

let's just say, we have to hope the flyers can move up tonite and bag landescog or larsson so we can feel a little better about what we fetched for Carter.
- isaiah520

Let's hope so.

I think Carter is a good hockey player and a #1 center in this league.

When you trade a #1 center you need to get more then a solid kid and a first round pick.

...very long post...
- Jsaquella

Well said.

I am down with everything so far

What Holmgren did was not to simply create salary cap room. One does not trade the faces of his franchise in order to lock up a new goalie. The Flyers could have kept both of the players they traded away yesterday afteroon and signed Ilya Bryzgalov to the same contract and made the numbers work by moving other players.

He chose to change not just the face of his hockey club, but also it's essence.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were the face of the Flyers franchise. They were the twin pillars that were the crux of the team's drive to a championship. Veterans like Danny Briere and Kimmo Timonen were added to help them navigate the waters to the Stanley Cup.

Along the way, a kid from tiny Hearst, Ontario came along and wrested the role of being the team's franchise player out of the hands of Richards and Carter. Make no mistake, Claude Giroux is the franchise now.

Chris Pronger will get his share of the blame, and much will be made about his relationship with Richards. It's likely Pronger will replace Richards as the Flyers captain, and people will say that his relationship with Richards was untenable and couldn't be fixed so Richards was dealt.

I won't deny that there were issues. However to point to those issues now and say they were the end all, be all of the moves made yesterday is really stupid. The Flyers didn't trade Richards or Carter because they partied too heartily. They didn't trade Richards or Carter because they weren't good with the media. They traded them for a multitude of factors.

The Flyers have been a team that has been a Jeckyll and Hyde group since they rose from the ashes of the 2006-07 death march. Flyers fans have long joked about the team flipping the switch and going from the gang that couldn't shoot straight to SEAL Team 6.

They are the team with the 3rd highest playoff win total in the past 4 years. But they're also a team that crept into the playoffs in the last couple of days of the season in 2 out of the last 3 years. The same team that went to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final was also the team that needed a shootout win to even make the playoffs that year.

The local media had fun taking their potshots at the Flyers younger players that lived in Old City Philadelphia and lived lives with active social careers. Even yesterday, as Carter and Richards were dealt, several writers couldn't resist the urge to drop in a shot as the pair left town.

The media was not why the Flyers parted way with Richards and Carter yesterday, but the media won no respect in the way they covered the team. One hopes that Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and Jake Voracek follow the lead of guys like Giroux, Briere and Pronger and play the game with the media, lest they get slammed for not being a good interview.

But, I digress. More than making cap room, the Flyers yesterday sent a message. That message wasn't to curtail the social life, or even to play nice with the media. The message was that flipping the switch was no longer a practical or workable situation. The message was sent loud and clear and there's no uncertainty about it.

The Flyers got a fair return yesterday for two guys they had been building around. They're not starting over or rebuilding. They are simply saying that nobody is safe if they can bring their A game on every single night.
- Jsaquella

Your talents are being wasted by Comcast.

let's not all assume that schenn will be ready nxt yr. he might be better served in the A, regardless how sh1tty that team is. we all thought that roo was ready, but he needed more time, so let's do what's best for the plyr.

I'd love to trade for hanzal or go and get laich.

I can tell McGuire doesn't like him. he was questioning his focus and/or commitment this morning w/ a somewhat disgusted tone in his voice...at least that was my impression.
- isaiah520

I couldn't care less what Pierre thinks. The kid is not without question marks. The same can be said about Schenn and Simmonds. Find it a bit surprising that everyone who has worries about the return for Carter is jumping for joy at the return for Richards.

Both returns have question marks.

OK, this is in response to a few post I have read.

-The Flyers are absolutely still a good team. To say that they're not is being stubborn and ignoring the talent on hand.

-I think both trades were fair trades. Of course I would have liked to have gotten more, in BOTH trades. I want to see the Flyers get the best of every deal. In each case, the return was fair.

-Voracek is a developing young player. He's going to have his ups and downs. To dismiss him out of hand is being blind to his talent and what he has done so far in his career.

-As far as the media stuff goes, it was a factor. But nowhere near as much of one as the inconsistent results.
- Jsaquella

Arguably... The Flyers dealt Carter and Richards and got (in the grand scheme of things) the 8th pick, a 2nd rounder, a 3rd rounder, Voracek, Schenn, Simmonds, Leino, Bryzgalov.

They also have the cap room to add more lesser players, or even upgrade the 6th and 7th d-men.

All in all, even though it is an extremely bittersweet deal, the team once again showed us (the fans) that they mean business. They want to win the cup, and will trade ANYBODY to do so.

This is now Giroux's team with JvR by his side....

My problem with the deal is what I have read, because I will admit I don't know much about Voracek.

What I have read, is Jake is not the most fit kid and isn't always interested in playing...
- ggunky

Would you be interested playing in Columbus?

But seriously, a change of scenery can do a lot for a players motivation and confidence.

But, I digress. More than making cap room, the Flyers yesterday sent a message. That message wasn't to curtail the social life, or even to play nice with the media. The message was that flipping the switch was no longer a practical or workable situation. The message was sent loud and clear and there's no uncertainty about it.


- Jsaquella

AgrEEd!

How many nights did you scratch your head after watching a game and say, "they didn't show up tonight".

For a fan to pay $60, $80, $100 a ticket to see a less then 100% effort is unacceptable.

What Holmgren did was not to simply create salary cap room. One does not trade the faces of his franchise in order to lock up a new goalie. The Flyers could have kept both of the players they traded away yesterday afteroon and signed Ilya Bryzgalov to the same contract and made the numbers work by moving other players.

He chose to change not just the face of his hockey club, but also it's essence.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were the face of the Flyers franchise. They were the twin pillars that were the crux of the team's drive to a championship. Veterans like Danny Briere and Kimmo Timonen were added to help them navigate the waters to the Stanley Cup.

Along the way, a kid from tiny Hearst, Ontario came along and wrested the role of being the team's franchise player out of the hands of Richards and Carter. Make no mistake, Claude Giroux is the franchise now.

Chris Pronger will get his share of the blame, and much will be made about his relationship with Richards. It's likely Pronger will replace Richards as the Flyers captain, and people will say that his relationship with Richards was untenable and couldn't be fixed so Richards was dealt.

I won't deny that there were issues. However to point to those issues now and say they were the end all, be all of the moves made yesterday is really stupid. The Flyers didn't trade Richards or Carter because they partied too heartily. They didn't trade Richards or Carter because they weren't good with the media. They traded them for a multitude of factors.

The Flyers have been a team that has been a Jeckyll and Hyde group since they rose from the ashes of the 2006-07 death march. Flyers fans have long joked about the team flipping the switch and going from the gang that couldn't shoot straight to SEAL Team 6.

They are the team with the 3rd highest playoff win total in the past 4 years. But they're also a team that crept into the playoffs in the last couple of days of the season in 2 out of the last 3 years. The same team that went to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final was also the team that needed a shootout win to even make the playoffs that year.

The local media had fun taking their potshots at the Flyers younger players that lived in Old City Philadelphia and lived lives with active social careers. Even yesterday, as Carter and Richards were dealt, several writers couldn't resist the urge to drop in a shot as the pair left town.

The media was not why the Flyers parted way with Richards and Carter yesterday, but the media won no respect in the way they covered the team. One hopes that Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and Jake Voracek follow the lead of guys like Giroux, Briere and Pronger and play the game with the media, lest they get slammed for not being a good interview.



But, I digress. More than making cap room, the Flyers yesterday sent a message. That message wasn't to curtail the social life, or even to play nice with the media. The message was that flipping the switch was no longer a practical or workable situation. The message was sent loud and clear and there's no uncertainty about it.

The Flyers got a fair return yesterday for two guys they had been building around. They're not starting over or rebuilding. They are simply saying that nobody is safe if they can bring their A game on every single night.
- Jsaquella

And I'll add that hard work can usually trump talent. The Flyers got their butts handed to them in the Boston series. Things had to change. I'm not talking Bulllies but teams have to leave the rink after playing us sore and I'm not sure too many teams were.

Just my opinion....
- hockeylover

Those were the kind of players they got, especially in the Richards deal. Both Schenn and Simmonds love to bang.