FLYERS TRADE COBURN TO TAMPA FOR DRAFT PICKS, GUDAS
In the wee hours of Monday morning, the Flyers traded long-tenured defenseman Braydon Coburn to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Tampa's first-round and third-round selections in the 2015 NHL Draft as well as injured NHL roster defenseman Radko Gudas.
Coburn, 30, was highly sought by NHL teams for his rare combination of above-average mobility and athleticism on a 6-foot-5 frame as well outstanding cardiovascular conditioning. Although he has missed 23 games this season due to foot injuries, Coburn has shown considerable durability during his career. He has played 80-plus games five times and 78 games another season.
Simpler is better for Coburn. He can play effectively for long stretches of time but gets himself on trouble on the ice when he tries to do too much with or away from the puck. When paired with the right partner, Coburn can be a solid minutes-eater. He also has the ability to play right defense or left defense with roughly equal degrees of comfort.
Coburn will be missed by the Flyers, although he was sometimes a convenient whipping boy for a segment of the fanbase. He is not an All-Star caliber player but that does not mean he is easily replaceable in the short-term.
Nevertheless, the trade is a deal the Flyers could not turn down. They would never again have as much trading leverage as they did right now based on the fact that Coburn's contract still has one year to run at a $4.5 million cap hit (a reasonable figure in today's marketplace), he's still in his prime at age 30 and there were multiple bidders.
With the Flyers in the process of trying to develop prospects such Shayne Gostisbehere, Sam Morin, Travis Sanheim and Robert Hà¤gg, the organization's long-term plan is to introduce young players into the blueline rotation gradually as they prove themselves to be NHL ready. Additionally, the team has to re-sign impending restricted free agent Michael Del Zotto this summer. While the organization would likely have preferred not to trade Coburn, it was also clear that Coburn had more trade value than any of Nicklas Grossmann, Luke Schenn or Andrew MacDonald.
MacDonald, an occasional healthy scratch this season on the first year of a contract that carries a $5 million cap hit through the 2019-20, will now re-enter the Flyers lineup as an every-game player. Trading Coburn reduces the roster to seven defensemen: Mark Streit, Del Zotto, Nick Schultz, MacDonald, Grossmann (currently day-to-day with an upper-body injury), Schenn and Carlo Colaiacovo.
Gudas, who will turn 25 on June 5, underwent season-ending knee surgery in January. When healthy, he brings muscle and an aggressive physical game to the bottom end of an NHL team's blueline. He's not very disciplined in picking his spots but is willing to mix it up with anyone. Gudas is an adequate short-range passer if he gets proper support but would never be described as a puck-moving type. He has a heavy righthanded shot.
The Czech defenseman is an a cheap contract for one more year. He will earn $991,667 on the cap next season, making him an affordable number six or number seven option.
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Braydon Coburn media transcript (courtesy of Flyers)
On how/when he heard about the trade: I didn’t get the call. Kinda glad I didn’t… I wouldn’t have gotten much sleep. My wife got up at 6:30 to check on our son, and took a look at her phone and it was blowing up. And she told me it’s time to wake up. Not too many trades happen at night like that, I don’t think. It was a little bit of a shock to wake up to that news. It’s been a weird day, but it is what it is. I’ve enjoyed my time, and I’ve been so blessed and really thankful to be a Flyer, and I’m excited to move on and play with Tampa now. On his daughter’s/family reaction: She didn’t know what to make of this morning a little bit. There was a mix of tears and excitement in my house. It was one of those weird things… she was a little confused about what was going on. Is this a different type of start for you? Well, Tampa’s been near the top of the East all year, and they’ve got a lot of great pieces… they’ve got great goaltending and really significantly skilled forwards, and I think their defense is really good too. They’ve got a lot of skill in place there. I’m excited to join that group. I think the team here is really good. Our play’s been improving, and there’s still games to win here. I really hope they can squeak in there. What will you remember the most about your time here? There’s lots of things. I was lucky to play with so many great teammates here in eight seasons with the Flyers. The times we had in the dressing room, out for dinners, and just the battles on the ice. I think when we made the playoffs in the last game of the season in the shootout with Boosh shutting the door, that was unbelievable, and playing in the Stanley Cup Final in Philadelphia, that was an unbelievable feeling as well. What are your emotions having spent such a big part of your life with this team and now having to go somewhere else? It’s tough. It’s tough to leave Philly, because this has been my home. I really love it here. My family loves it here… both my kids were born in Philadelphia, and I’m really proud of that, that they have that. We’ve made lots of friends and I feel like the Flyers have been family to me for most of my 20s. There’s a lot of good people here. By the same token, I understand it’s a business, and I’m going to a great organization in Tampa and I’ve heard nothing but great things. I’m excited to try to help them in any way I can. On Matt Carle being in Tampa making for an easier transition I think so. Anytime you go into a dressing room where you know some other players, it’s going to help for sure. Me and Matty were really close when he was with the Flyers here. Have you talked to Kimmo? Quick text this morning. I know he’s got a big game today… it’s the first game of the year for him. I just wished him good luck and he did the same. What did Yzerman say? We just kind of talked about the trade a little bit. He just said that they felt like they needed a guy like me on their defense, and that I could definitely help them out… he was excited to have me, and other little details and stuff like that. It was a good conversation, and I’m just excited to get down there. Do you know who you’re playing with yet? No… I talked to the coach briefly this morning and we just agreed to talk later. I’m sure I’ll find that out tomorrow or tonight or whenever we have that talk. On roster turnover since 2011 Well, it’s hard to say. There’s a lot of things that go on in this league, especially with the cap. Rosters are going to turn over. It’s just the nature of the business. I’m sure if you look at different lineups throughout the league, it’s a similar story all over. Was this a total shock, or maybe you expected it one of these years? You know as a player it can always happen. But it was a little bit shocking for me. I really put those things on the back burner and try to focus on hockey. I think that’s the best way to do it. It’s still a surprise and still a little bit of a shock, but I understand it. On whether his salary makes him more vulnerable to a trade I don’t know. You need players to win games, and you’ve got to pay players money, I guess. I’ve never really paid attention to that kind of stuff. That’s part of the league, I guess… any sport really. What do you think about what they got for you? Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it too much. I guess maybe it’s more of a selfish thing, I’ve kind of just looked at myself and my situation. Honestly I haven’t had a chance to look at what other movement has happened today. It’s been a little bit of a selfish day thinking about me-me-me kind of thing, but it’s been busy with phone calls and making new acquaintances, and saying goodbye to some old ones. Are you surprised at all at the direction Hextall has taken the team in building through the draft and getting younger? I don’t know. I never really try to play GM. As a player I don’t think that’s a healthy thing to do. You just try to come in and do your part and make yourself as valuable as you can as a player, and help the team win hockey games. That’s really the bottom line. There’s so much stuff that can be analyzed, but really, when you’re a player, it’s really simple. You just focus on winning hockey games, and you do that with a great group of guys, which they definitely have here. This team is a great team, and I really wish them the best. Do you feel fortunate that you were able to help a rebuilding process here? I feel extremely fortunate to ever have been able to wear a Flyers jersey and play for this team, and play for an owner like Ed Snider. Mr. Snider has been nothing but gracious to me, and I think all the guys feel like that. This has been a dream come true for me to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, and to have been part of this. With all the great guys that have come through here, time’s flown. It’s really been kind of crazy. I can remember the day I got here – it was the Flyers Wives Carnival, and then flash-forward eight years, two kids, one wife, and a whole lot of games in between, and it’s already over. But there’s a new chapter for me going to Tampa Bay, and I’m looking forward to that.
Radko Gudas media transcript (courtesy of Flyers)
What was your reaction to the trade? I found out in the middle of the night. I didn’t think I was going to get traded so I was totally in shock. But I’m excited to join a new organization and see how I do there. On playing with Jake Voracek I’m excited to see him. We played a couple seasons together… so mostly I’m excited about that. I already talked with him a little bit. That’s going to be fun, for sure. How are you coming along with your knee? We’re working on it pretty much every day here and trying to get better. It’s good, it’s just going to take a little while more to be able to skate. I’ve got to take it step-after-step right now. On possibly playing in a long playoff run I’d definitely say if it’s a longer playoff run, there’s a possibility of me jumping in, but it’s up to coach what his plan’s going to be and how it’s going to feel. I can’t tell you really this far ahead. When you heard the news, was it disappointing to go to a team lower in the standings, or are you looking at it as best for your career? I don’t want to say I’m disappointed or anything. I see it as a different opportunity. Philadelphia wanted me to play for them, so I’m excited to be on a team that’s excited to have me. I’m looking forward to joining. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the organization and the team. I’m looking forward to it… it’s not as if I’m looking at the standings and I see one team here and one team there. I see opportunity and I’m looking forward to playing hockey. On his knee injury We played against Toronto and I went into the boards in a weird way. We weren’t sure if I did something bad or if it was just a bruise or something. So we took an MRI and found out I was going to need surgery. Instead of three weeks, the doctor decided on [one of] two different surgeries that were going to help me in the long run. He said it was going to be better for my career. So we decided to do it this way, and if it’s healthy I’ll be happy to have it 100 percent back. Are you a stay at home, clear things out type of player? Yeah. I can play where the coach wants to put me. I don’t want to say I’m just a stay-at-home defenseman. That’s my main thing, but I think I can produce chances also. It’s really up to where the coach wants to put me. I’ll be glad to take any role on the team. On his stickwork: Yeah. I think that’s one of the main things that I’ve been working on it since I got to the minors. I think that was the biggest thing that was holding me up from the NHL. I’m glad it worked out. There’s other parts of the game I have to get better at, so there’s lots of work ahead for me.