Flyers get big on the Blueline

[eleven24]

Today, the Flyers announced the signing of three big bodied free agent defensemen in DERIAN HATCHER (33), MIKE RATHJE (31), and <gulp> CHRIS THERIEN.

Yes, Bundy is back.

Financial terms are quite puzzling, especially when you consider Hatcher's knee problems and age. Hatcher was signed to a $14M deal for 4 years, or $3.5M per year. Equally, Rathje was signed to $3.5M per year, for 5 years. Therien was given the league minumum.

With the announcement of Therien returning, I expected Bob to trade a d-man. And as expected, the other shoe dropped when DANNY MARKOV was traded to Nashville for draft picks.

Markov leaving means Bundy is the 6th d-man. That is, unless Seidenberg can challenge him for the 6th spot, which is entirely possible. Shipping Markov out also frees up $2.3M in cap room.

In the end though, I think this is a good deal short term in that Rathje & Hatcher will really help out on D. Long term I think it is horrific. Signing an aging d-man with knee problems to a four year deal at $3.5M will come back to bite Clarke in the you-know-what.

Regarding the feud between Roenick & Hatcher... Clarke said that both J.R. and Primeau phoned him encouraging the deal.

[TonyFatt]

Hatcher and Rathje are both excellent choices. Hatcher's always been one of my favourite defencemen...

Therien? Well, we all know what we're getting with him: an unreliable liability.

[Jlg-28]

wow , just wow , now I guess we won't be getting Niedermayer, but i can live with having Hatcher and RATHJE , and well bundy , maybe he will do betteer in his 2nd tour of duty here

[Chris]

While Hatcher's a very good player. I would rather have Neidermayer. I'm still scratching the noggin after finding that Bundy's back.

[eleven24]

Neidermayer wants $7 Million per year. The Flyers only had $6.5M to spend & they wanted 2 d-men.

Not to mention Gagne, Johnsson, and Esche still need to be signed.

[PitkanenRulez86]

I love the Rathje signing and I think Therien could be a good 7th dman for us. But Hatcher for 4 years at that price? I dont agree with that at all. And we traded Markov for what a 3rd? I thought that is what I heard can any one confirm that?

[RJ88]

Fedoruk - a 2nd round DP
Markov - a 3rd round DP


you're still an idiot BC

[TonyFatt]

Originally posted by RJ88
Fedoruk - a 2nd round DP
Markov - a 3rd round DP


you're still an idiot BC

That Fedoruk deal is amazing and if that's what the Ducks offered Clarke had to take it.

As to Markov, however... Markov = about 4 Theriens in my opinion.

EDIT: Therien getting league minimum: this is all fine with me.

Let Therien duke it out with Seindenberg for the last spot. Markov deal has been redeemed.