2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs: No Doubting Thomas

[War Party]

LA won this hands trade down.

Flyers also got a 2nd round pick in the deal. And yeah, they probably could have gotten more, but they got rid of two guys who were never going to win a cup in Philly and those ridiculously long contracts. Plus, freeing up a ton of cap space. I always found Richards and Carter to be a bit toxic for this team.

 

[Matt]

Jaromir Jagr possible coming back to the Penguins?
http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pitt...r-to-speak-with-mario-lemieux-ray-shero-today



The article goes on to say if Jagr does not go with the Penguins for the agreed amount, he could end up in Detroit.

I'm mixed on this. Part of me wants to be excited about the return of the mullet. But the realistic part of me is thinking that this guy is 40 years old and he wasn't that great leading up to his departure from the NHL. Its almost as desperate signing Kovalev.

At some point, Mario is going to have to trade either Sid (not an option), Malkin, or Fleurry in order to have room in the cap to sign some decent support players.

 

[SolarTiger]

Philly GM has completely over reacted.

 

[War Party]

It actually all makes sense.

 

[War Party]

And the deal for Bryz is a done deal. 9yr/51m.

 

[antsman41]

Jagr > Malkin, any day...

A hard working badass 40 year old is better than a 20something that gets hurt more than humpty dumpty.

 

[Microchip]

I don't understand the Bryz deal. 9 years takes him until he's 40. Were there really no other options, Philly?

 

[War Party]

I don't understand the Bryz deal. 9 years takes him until he's 40. Were there really no other options, Philly?

He won't play the full 9 years. That was the only way to lessen the cap hit to 5.6 mil per season and the fact is that they really wanted him. Probably be traded in 4-5 years.

 

[Poeman]

wow philly got destroyed by this trade...Mike Richards is franchise player...

O man Kopitar and Richards in the same team

 

[Hush]

That Briz contract is still a crazy deal.

 

[Poeman]

9 years 51 million


bahahhahahahahhahahahahahhahahhahahahhahahaha

 

[Microchip]

He won't play the full 9 years. That was the only way to lessen the cap hit to 5.6 mil per season and the fact is that they really wanted him. Probably be traded in 4-5 years.

If he's not the player he was in 4-5 years, who would trade for him?

 

[War Party]

I don't know. I'm just talking ********. They obviously really wanted him, he told them how much he wants plus the security. So the years allowed them to sign him with a cap hit at 5.6 mil, which everyone can live with. Unfortunately that's the business of the salary cap. And just to note, I'm not remotely happy with the years they signed the guy but if he can bring a cup here, then who gives a **** really. And I love, love that they got Brayden Schenn in that Richards deal. That dude should be a stud and if he works out like everyone in the NHL thinks he will, this trade will look amazing for the Flyers few years down the road. But it's a risky move. It was obvious the Flyers were just sick of Richards attitude and poor playoff performances.

 

[Eric Draven]

Especially for a 5 million dollar cap hit.

I can kind of see why Philly made those deals. I mean they do have a legitimate number 1 goaltender now. And they got plenty of young pieces back (Schenn, Vorcek, the 8th overall pick in the draft).

The team just seems to be ridiculous with the trades they make year after year......

 

[TheZink]

Jagr > Malkin, any day...

A hard working badass 40 year old is better than a 20something that gets hurt more than humpty dumpty.

I think that is a little unfair. Malkin got a blown out knees this season. It happens. Hell, we didn't have Crosby for over half the season and Staal was out the first part of the season recovering from his injury during the last playoffs. Malkin and Crosby are damn near similar to the Jagr and Lemiux combo from the 90s. Malkin has won so many trophies and awards, it would be idiotic to not keep him.

I look at having Jagr back like having Billy Guerin. He brings knowledge and experience that only comes with age.

 

[War Party]

Especially for a 5 million dollar cap hit.

I can kind of see why Philly made those deals. I mean they do have a legitimate number 1 goaltender now. And they got plenty of young pieces back (Schenn, Vorcek, the 8th overall pick in the draft).

The team just seems to be ridiculous with the trades they make year after year......

The Flyers still have a very good top two lines. They just need that scorer to bring it together. The defense is still pretty solid, assuming Pronger is healthy, and obviously they have a legit #1 in net. And they definitely got some nice young players and will be getting another one with that 8th pick. But who knows what this team is up to. I'm sure they're not done.

 

[War Party]

Also, I'm bummed about Richards being traded. I think he's one of the best two way forwards in the NHL and I hope he continues to have a great career.

 

[Dark Donnie]

As a Flyers fan it's sad to see Richards go...but I love what we got back. The Flyers wanted to increase their size on the wing and they did that with adding Simmons. He's kind of in the mold of a Hartnell and I think they needed that against Boston. Schenn is arguably the best player not in the NHL and has a chance to make the team out of camp. Again, it sucks to lose Richards, and you can tell he didn't want to go, but I'm still excited about this team.

This team is Giroux and JVR's now...I think they'll take it and run.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

Flyers are pretty small up the middle now. And that's a TON of money for Bryzgalov who's not exactly battle-tested come playoff time.

Whether or not these 3 moves workout will likely decide if Holmgren keeps his job. Regardless, I still think that team takes a step back this year. at least

 

[War Party]

And it looks like they already offered the "C" to Pronger. No surprise there.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

Gotta do something to keep him happy. Cant imagine he was too pleased being 37 and seeing the team trade away it's 2 best players on the same day for the "future"

 

[kane9321]

hey sharks...jump in this, we need another puck carrying defenseman. lets do this

That whole philly deal really confuses me

 

[War Party]

Some great points here on maybe what Philly was thinking here with these deals:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/allen/2011-06-24-nhl-flyers-trade-analysis_n.htm

And in regards to keeping Pronger happy after this, it was no secret the guy didn't like Richards. A lot of the vets on this team had a problem with the guy's attitude. These moves weren't just about clearing cap space, it was about changing the culture in this locker room like a few sports writers here have said. It's Giroux's and JVR's team now.

 

[ih8nyy]

So Winnipeg has a Coach. Now they just need an identity.

 

[War Party]

So Winnipeg has a Coach. Now they just need an identity.

It's been confirmed that they will be the Jets. All the sites are reporting it.