[Eric]

this is great, the pieces are falling into place.

[Chris]

Well, the more I read about our future, the more I'm liking this move.

[tmcc]

I do have to say I'm much more optimistic about their future now though. I think even if we don't get Foppa back in the off season, there are plenty of other talents in the FA pool that we could pull in and they would certainly improve our team dramatically.

[Rex]

Wait so, the Flyers are without a captain once again.

Just keep Gagne and Hatcher as alternates, and also give Sami an A?

I think its a bit too soon for Richards.

[Ryan20]

Originally Posted by Rex

Wait so, the Flyers are without a captain once again.

Just keep Gagne and Hatcher as alternates, and also give Sami an A?

I think its a bit too soon for Richards.

I'd suspect it'll be offered to Gags again. I wouldn't be surprised or mind seeing Sami wear the "C"

[Blindside]

I couldn't believe what I was reading earlier in this thread. People saying we got fleeced and we could have gotten more?

The reported asking price for Forsberg was a high-level prospect and two 1st rounders, several analysts questioned if we could even get that. Instead, we get Upshall, Parent, plus 1st and 3rd round draft picks in a deep, well-spread draft. Let me break some of this down a little.

First, Parent. Played for Canada on both gold medal winning WJC teams. Paired with Marc Staal to form one of the most air-tight suffocating defensive units junior hockey has ever seen. Has limited offensive upside, but we have several blueline prospects that like to wander into the offensive zone already. His skill to fire a crisp, accurate first pass out of the zone is excellent at the very least. The best part about Parent is that he is the exact type of partner that Pitkanen needs: A solid, defensively responsible rock that I can count his defensive zone blunders on one hand, and that counts both years at the WJC's against every opponent's top line. Shows huge leadership ability on and off the ice and has a track record of success. He's projected to be a Robyn Regehr type top-pairing defenseman... Something we didn't have before.

Second, Upshall. Picture Ben Eager with better hands and a bit better wheels. This doesn't only give us a full line that will make pure hell for opponents (Eager-Richards-Upshall) but it also frees up Downie in the future to use all of his offensive skills instead of limiting him to an agitator/checker role. Now he as well can develop to his full potential. I like getting Upshall in this deal because it gives us another young, energetic forward who is signed to a reasonable deal I believe. Rather than going out and trying to sign an established veteran at a higher cap number, I think Scottie can fill his role admirably if given the big-league minutes that he deserves.

Third, the draft picks. Alot of people will say "Well what good will a 27-30 pick do us now?" Have you seen the holes in our organizational depth chart? This draft is all about quantity, do your homework and get as many guys as you can, because almost any one of the top 90 ranked players has the potential to be a consistent NHL contributor. This team is trying to add to a core of developing players to build a competitive team not just for next year, but for 5, 10, 15 years down the line.
Plus, you can never have too many prospects. Nashville could do what they did in getting Forsberg because they were SO deep with prospects and draft picks. With a real shot at the Cup this year, it would be silly of them to sit on those assets and not try to put their team over the top. Think a couple of years down the road, if Philly has that same chance. If we use a couple prospects or picks to snag an elite talent that puts us over the top to try and win the Cup, then at least we have the freedom to do so.

So buck up fellow Flyers fans, the future is bright, we have $20M + in cap space to sign some key guys in July (hopefully #21 will be among them) and we will be back in the playoff race next season.

[Hextall_Fan88]

You make it sound so nice Blindside.. Let's hope your right or a disgruntled Flyer's fan from Saskatoon will be coming around to see ya!

BTW Not that I didn't like what we got back, but I truly believe if we would have waited a while longer and let the other GM's, including Poile or whatver the hell his name is, sweat it out, we could have received a bit more. I'm certainly waiting to see that Eager-Richards-Upshall line if it comes to be. Would be a hell of a checking line.

[Blindside]

Originally Posted by Hextall_Fan88

You make it sound so nice Blindside.. Let's hope your right or a disgruntled Flyer's fan from Saskatoon will be coming around to see ya!

I want Foppa back as much as any Flyers fan, but I really like the return we got back whether he re-signs here or not.

Originally Posted by Hextall_Fan88

BTW Not that I didn't like what we got back, but I truly believe if we would have waited a while longer and let the other GM's, including Poile or whatver the hell his name is, sweat it out, we could have received a bit more. I'm certainly waiting to see that Eager-Richards-Upshall line if it comes to be. Would be a hell of a checking line.

I don't know about that... Everybody was scratching everybody else's back in this one:
A) We give Nashville Peter Forsberg, while he's healthy and while he's playing very well. This gives them time to fit him into the lineup, let him build chemistry and get into the Preds' game plan.
B) NAS give us a very decent return, more than 90% of people were surprised we got so much for 21.
C) Homer does Foppa a favour by sending him to the top team in the West, one that now is believed to be a Cup favourite. We avoid a bidding war, but I'm sure Forsberg appreciates Philly sending him to a legitimate contender instead of a #7 or 8 seed, even though it might have netted us a better package.

[Andy]

Oh my.
I just thought of this.

What if we do sign Briere?
We'll be a force next year.

[Blindside]

Originally Posted by Andy

Oh my.
I just thought of this.

What if we do sign Briere?
We'll be a force next year.

It would be a long shot... A more likely option is Drury. But yes, very attractive possibility indeed.

[Hextall_Fan88]

ugh, please not Briere. The amount of times he's scored on us has turned me away from him. To add to that, just looking at his face makes me mad. I doubt he will be moved, but I'd much rather have Drury.

[Blindside]

Originally Posted by Hextall_Fan88

ugh, please not Briere. The amount of times he's scored on us has turned me away from him. To add to that, just looking at his face makes me mad. I doubt he will be moved, but I'd much rather have Drury.

I hear you man, but just think if he ever DID come here, you wouldn't have to see him score on us again... Unless he pulls the old Steve Smith or something.

[eleven24]

Here's another devious thought (which I hope went on behind closed doors). Let's suppose that there is a handshake deal in place where Peter promised he'd return this offseason, providing he is healthy to play. One of the key free agents the Flyers will be going after is Kimmo Timonen, currently playing for Nashville.

Suppose that Foppa pulls Kimmo aside one day and says "Hey, we just won the Cup & I'm going back to Philly. It's a great hockey town where the fans actually know what they're talking about, and are very passionate. The team is loaded with very talented kids, the organization is committed to winning. I've been personally assured by the owner that they will be targeting another big name free agent along with the two of us. If you sign in Philly with me, the two of us could win another Cup... and you could play with your brother."

I'm not saying this likely happened, but Fast Eddie didn't get that name for a reason. He is smart, shrewd, and desperately wanting to turn this team around very quickly.

[Rex]

Originally Posted by eleven24

Here's another devious thought (which I hope went on behind closed doors). Let's suppose that there is a handshake deal in place where Peter promised he'd return this offseason, providing he is healthy to play. One of the key free agents the Flyers will be going after is Kimmo Timonen, currently playing for Nashville.

Suppose that Foppa pulls Kimmo aside one day and says "Hey, we just won the Cup & I'm going back to Philly. It's a great hockey town where the fans actually know what they're talking about, and are very passionate. The team is loaded with very talented kids, the organization is committed to winning. I've been personally assured by the owner that they will be targeting another big name free agent along with the two of us. If you sign in Philly with me, the two of us could win another Cup... and you could play with your brother."

I'm not saying this likely happened, but Fast Eddie didn't get that name for a reason. He is smart, shrewd, and desperately wanting to turn this team around very quickly.

I like that, however...

say the Predators don't win the cup, and we got all of that for nothing, and Kimmo and Peter come here to win a Cup.

[goucho]

Originally Posted by eleven24

The Flyers will have about $20M in cap space AFTER signing their free agents this summer. Not only will they be able to sign Forsberg, but quite possibly TWO more players in the realm of Kimmo Timonen, Karyia, Gomez, Briere, and Drury. Even if they don't sign Foppa, I wouldn't mind any of those 3 on the Flyers next year.

It also looks like Hatcher may be dealt to EDM, which frees up another $3.5M.

Look at what is in the system right now for the Flyers (all very highly touted prospects):

Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, RW-Claude Giroux - 3rd in scoring in the Q (Angelo Esposito has 30 less points than him, I believe), C-Steve Downie, RW-Andreas Nodl, Potulny, Picard, Jones, Carter, Richards, Umberger, Eager and Pitkanen. Add to that the Flyers first pick this year, (#1/2 overall), and the pick we just got from Nashville (late 1st round).

Suddenly the Flyers are a very deep organization that is in a prime position to be very dominant for many years with home grown talent.

I'm more optimistic about the Flyers future now than I have been in a very long time. They actually have a gameplan & aren't just trading off talent for unsucessful Cup runs. (See: Justin Williams, Ruslan Fedotenko, etc)

Good young D along with talent up front... The building has begun! Say see ya to Hatcher,Esche and, maybe Nitty! Do we not have the worst GA in the league?
Who are RFA or UFA for goalies over the summer?

If Forsberge doesn't retire I think there is a pretty good chance he may return. From what I've read he likes the organization and its future!

Who chest will they POUND the C on? Gange? Who Gets the A? Richards? There is alot for mangement to consider! We may have alot of talent, but there is alot more to a team than talent!

[Hextall_Fan88]

Originally Posted by goucho

Good young D along with talent up front... The building has begun! Say see ya to Hatcher,Esche and, maybe Nitty! Do we not have the worst GA in the league?
Who are RFA or UFA for goalies over the summer?

If Forsberge doesn't retire I think there is a pretty good chance he may return. From what I've read he likes the organization and its future!

Who chest will they POUND the C on? Gange? Who Gets the A? Richards? There is alot for mangement to consider! We may have alot of talent, but there is alot more to a team than talent!

First of all, what the hell is up with all the questions?

But yes, I think we can wave goodbye to a number of players like York, Esche, probably Sanderson, and maybe even Hatcher or Gauthier. A lot of teams will be targetting defensive defensemen for the long run here and the playoffs, and Hatcher and Gauthier are a great help to the PK. One of the main reasons our PK is ranked 4th in the league at this point. I am positive Nitty will not go anymore. The move would obviously not make sense at this point with his injury and the fact that we would be left with Mike Leighton to end the season and begin the offseason. I dont think any teams would be targetting a goaltender who needs cortisone shots just to be able to play. Starting Leighton and letting Houle and company play a few and get some experience would be a wise decision, but keeping Nittymaki and letting him have his surgery right now would be a good call right about now.

Let's just hope the right shots are pulled here in the near future, and perhaps a Forsberg return will get us back into playoff contention pretty darn quick.

[Hextall_Fan88]

Originally Posted by eleven24

Here's another devious thought (which I hope went on behind closed doors). Let's suppose that there is a handshake deal in place where Peter promised he'd return this offseason, providing he is healthy to play. One of the key free agents the Flyers will be going after is Kimmo Timonen, currently playing for Nashville.

Suppose that Foppa pulls Kimmo aside one day and says "Hey, we just won the Cup & I'm going back to Philly. It's a great hockey town where the fans actually know what they're talking about, and are very passionate. The team is loaded with very talented kids, the organization is committed to winning. I've been personally assured by the owner that they will be targeting another big name free agent along with the two of us. If you sign in Philly with me, the two of us could win another Cup... and you could play with your brother."

I'm not saying this likely happened, but Fast Eddie didn't get that name for a reason. He is smart, shrewd, and desperately wanting to turn this team around very quickly.

Very interesting, and the perverted thing about this is that I had a very similar idea the past few hours or so. We think alike my friend.