Off-season Analysis – Philadelphia Flyers
September 11, 2008
As the dog days of summer come to a close there is no better time to take a look at the moves (some outlandishly stupid) by the thirty clubs and the Top-3 issues the teams will have heading into training camp.
Off-season transactions:
· Re-signed centre Jeff Carter to a three-year contract worth $15.0 million (click here for cap hit breakdown).
· Re-signed Joffrey Lupul to a four-year contract extension worth $4.25 million per season. The extension goes into effect in the ’09-10 season.
· Re-signed defenseman Randy Jones to a two-year contract worth $2.75 million per season.
· Re-signed Riley Cote to a three-year contract worth $550,000 per season.
· Signed Arron Asham to a two-year contract worth $640,000 per season.
· Signed forward Glen Metropolit to a two-year contract worth $1.0 million per season.
· Signed defenseman Ossi Vannanen to a one-year deal worth $1.0 million per season.
· Signed defenseman Sean Curry to a two-year contract worth $562,500 per season.
· Signed winger Garrett Klotz to a three-year entry-level contract worth $800,000 per season.
· Signed centre Darroll Powe to a two-year contract worth $520,000 per season.
· Signed defenseman Kevin Marshall to an entry-level contract
· Traded the negotiating rights for R.J. Umberger and a 4th round draft pick (Drew Olson) in the ’08 entry draft to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a 1st round (Luca Sbisa) and 3rd round draft pick (Marc-Andre Bourdon) in the ’08 entry draft.
· Traded the negotiating rights for Vaclav Prospal to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 7th round draft pick (Joacim Eriksson) in the ’08 NHL entry draft and a conditional pick in the ’09 draft.
· Traded a 1st round draft pick (John Carlson) in the ’08 draft to the Washington Capitals for defenseman Steve Eminger and a 3rd round draft pick (Jacob Deserres) in the ’08 draft. Eminger was then signed to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million.
· Traded defenseman Denis Gauthier and a 2nd round draft pick in the 2010 entry draft for defenseman Patrik Hersley and winger Ned Lukacevic.
· Traded forward Triston Grant and a 7th round draft pick in the ’09 entry draft to the Nashville Predators for defenseman Janne Niskala.
· Traded previously acquired Janne Niskala to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 6th round draft choice in the ’09 entry draft.
· Traded winger Kyle Greentree to the Calgary Flames for defenseman Tim Ramholt.
· Traded forward Ryan Potulny to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Danny Svret.
Off-ice issues:
· Signed GM Paul Holmgren to a three-year contract extension through the 2011-12 season.
· Signed head coach John Stevens to a two-year contract extension.
· Invited unrestricted free agent Bryan Berard to training camp on a tryout basis.
· Veteran winger Sami Kapanen announced his retirement after twelve seasons.
· Craig Berube is named the new assistant coach, replacing Terry Murray who took over the head coaching position for the Los Angeles Kings.
· Eric Desjardins named the new player development coach.
· John Paddock is named the new head coach of the clubs minor league affiliate the Philadelphia Phantoms.
Top-3 issues heading into ‘09:
- The defense has some question marks after the top pairing of Timonen and Coburn. Derian Hatcher is nothing but an immovable object on the backend and is leaning toward retirement, leaving a spot to be filled alongside the underrated Randy Jones on the second pairing. The team is hoping youngster Ryan Parent will step-up and prove he is ready for full-time duty. The third pairing will be a couple of reclamation projects in Steve Eminger (jettisoned from
- The departure of Jason Smith to free-agency has left the club seeking a new captain. The probable candidate is Mike Richards whom the club views as the second-coming of Bobby Clarke.
- Simon Gagne only played in only 25 games last season due to concussions. If he can return and be as effective as he was before the injuries the Flyers will be a force upfront (league-best seven players scored 20+ goals last season).
Off-season analysis (so far…):
The big moves ownership made this off-season was inking Holmgen and Stevens to extensions. The two were paramount in the turnaround of the Flyers from cellar dwellers to the Eastern Conference semi-finals. This year they will be looking for more and they have the talent upfront and in goal to contend for the Cup.
The big question mark will be if Holmgen can acquire a stud defenseman to play in the top-four. Unfortunately, I don’t think Bryan Berard will fit that role but here’s hoping he nabs the 6th or 7th defenseman spot on the roster.
**Special thanks to NHLSCAP.com for all the salary cap figures that are provided above.
Posted by Bunz
