 The pieces are all in place
It is often said that championship teams are filled with players who are willing to make personal sacrifices for the good of the team. If that is the case, then look no further than the Flyers.
"People were telling me I was worth $1.5 million or $2 million or whatever, but I just said, 'My heart is in Philadelphia.' Those were the comments of Flyers goaltender Robert Esche following his signing of a new 2 year, $2 million contract.
Unlike the T.O. fiasco going on at Eagles training camp in Lehigh, the Flyers are finding it quite easy to sign their RFA's to less than market salaries.
Following the 2004 elimination at the hands of the Lightning, captain Keith Primeau immediately resigned with the Flyers. He did so by taking a pay cut to stay in Philadelphia, knowing that a new CBA had not yet been reached. So his newly signed contract, making LESS than he made in 2004 was cut another 24%.
Few can argue that Simon Gagne is worth more than $2M per year. Defenseman are breaking the bank this summer in the NHL, yet Kim Johnsson, a top tier d-man signed for $2.1M. Even rookie phenoms Carter & Richards signed contracts which do not contain the "good" incentives. They signed for less to play in Philly.
Could it be that GM Bob Clarke has become a mastermind at managing his finances? Could he have more negotiating savvy than Donald Trump?
Probably not.
Perhaps this gathering of men in orange & black are taking a page out of Ben Franklin's memoirs. For it was Ben who said,
"All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia". | 
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