I know half of you that read this blog could give a crap about the Flyers and the NHL, but the trade and inevitable signings that new Flyers' GM, Paul Holmgren pulled off today is about the most creative, aggressive, proactive move we've seen in this town for years. In fact, we've haven't seen such forward thinking out of the Phillies and Sixers in more than two freakin' decades!
In case you missed it, the Flyers traded the #23 pick in this year's pitiful draft to Nashville for the exclusive rights to pending unrestricted free agents, Kimo Timmonen, a puck moving defenseman, and Scott Hartnell, a big 25 year old winger with good hands around the net. Reports indicate that the Flyers moved quickly after the trade and signed both to six year contracts before they could reach the open market and have given away a first round draft pick for nothing.
Will these moves alone make the Flyers contenders? No. However, these moves do make the team more inviting to other potential free agents and if the Flyers can sign a top line center, then watch out. This team will once again be a perennial playoff contender.
Overall, you have to give Holmgren credit. He took over a team that was ill-suited to compete in today's NHL and laden will salary cap mistakes like Mike Rathje, Kyle Calder and Derian Hatcher, shed all the dead weight and looks to be on his way of having a team that can regain its spot as one of the NHL's elite teams.
In any event, I just wish the Phils for once could show savvy like this. Please Lord...just once, please let the Phils snooker some poor unsuspecting team.
Will these moves alone make the Flyers contenders? No. However, these moves do make the team more inviting to other potential free agents and if the Flyers can sign a top line center, then watch out. This team will once again be a perennial playoff contender.
Overall, you have to give Holmgren credit. He took over a team that was ill-suited to compete in today's NHL and laden will salary cap mistakes like Mike Rathje, Kyle Calder and Derian Hatcher, shed all the dead weight and looks to be on his way of having a team that can regain its spot as one of the NHL's elite teams.
In any event, I just wish the Phils for once could show savvy like this. Please Lord...just once, please let the Phils snooker some poor unsuspecting team.
5 comments:
Stop opening every hockey related blog with " i know half of you guys could give a rats ass..." or "most of you don't give a crap..." Show some respect to those of us who love the sport will ya. I think this is just the start of what Holmgren may have up his sleeve for the '07/'08 season. We have still have a pretty penny left under the salary cap and I expect a couple of other smart moves on the GM's part. I'm totally looking forward to the upcoming season. It can't get any worse than what we endured this last go around.
I hate hockey, but don't know if this is a good thing or not. i'll defer to the 3 of you who actually give a crap.
My only question, a 32 year old defensemen? ain't he a bit old for a team that's rebuilding?
I think there are more hockey fans out there than you realize. Looks like Nashville is selling off with the impending ownership change. I think they might have overpaid Hartnell though. I still would like to add Briere or Drury.
i'm not one. Hockey sucks
SNAXXX . .
Hockey starts after football ends everything else is just filler
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