Flyers shop for talent
By: WAYNE FISH (Sun, Apr/29/2007)
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/ne...7-1338370.html
Let's face it, the Flyers would consider themselves very lucky if they landed just one of the big-name unrestricted free agents this summer.
Like everyone else, they're watching teams like Buffalo in the playoffs, salivating at the thought of a Chris Drury or Daniel Briere. Or maybe a Brian Rafalski, the multi-talented New Jersey defenseman. Perhaps even Nashville backliner Kimmo Timonen.
But there's plenty of competition out there, teams just like the Flyers with money to spend. And at the moment, the Flyers might not be the most attractive destination, given their monumental collapse this past season.
So what if Plan A fails? Is there a Plan B?
Of course.
There are all sorts of talented unsigned players out there. Some might not be skilled enough to turn around a franchise single-handedly, but each piece helps.
The Flyers can upgrade their lineup by adding several ?second-tier? stars with reasonable price tags. Here are a few we would recommend, assuming they don't sign with their current teams by July 1:
Jason Blake, New York Islanders, 33, left wing: Yeah, he's getting up there in age but this feisty competitor is coming off a career year (40 goals) and can help both the power play and penalty kill. He's kind of in the shadows in the New York market because of the Devils' success and the Rangers' star power, but he would make a good mentor type to the Flyers' host of youngsters.
Put him on the second line with Carter and Upshall? Not a bad combo. Michal Handzus, Chicago Blackhawks, 29, center: He missed almost all of last season with a knee injury but getting him back on the Flyers might do wonders for their confidence. Handzus should never have been traded for Kyle Calder. He was a key figure in the locker room when the Flyers went to the Eastern Conference finals in '04.
I don't see them bring Zeus back. We're loaded at center and he'll want the chance to play at least one of the first two lines. Still, Zeus back in the O&B would be cool. Brad Lukowich, New Jersey Devils, 30, defenseman: Very sound positionally, at least when he plays against the Flyers. Unrestricted, talented defensemen are hard to find. He's old enough to help the Flyers' kids, young enough to play a lot of minutes.
Luko's a left-handed shot and the Flyers already have plenty of those. Still, he'd be a good second option if Timonen isn't available. Mathieu Schneider, Detroit Red Wings, 38, defenseman: Another graybeard, but still more mobile than Derian Hatcher (who would be expendable for a trade if Schneider were brought aboard). Just the guy you need to run the power play. Gets overshadowed by Nicklas Lidstrom, the best in the game.
Let's hope not... Paul Kariya, Nashville Predators, 32, left wing: Still has the wheels and led the talented Preds in scoring. Kariya would give the Flyers a bona fide second-line left wing behind Simon Gagne, something they don't have at the moment.
Same situation as Blake, though I think Blake's age makes him more appealing. Kariya tends to disappear in the playoffs and he's become more injury-prone.
And a few others worthy of mention: Andrei Markov, Montreal, 27, defenseman; Tom Preissing, Ottawa, 28, defenseman; Mark Recchi, Pittsburgh, 39, right wing; Taylor Pyatt, Vancouver, 25, left wing; Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota, 29, goalie.
Markov = unlikely but would be cool
Preissing = a good fit and a right hand shot... would be a nice pick-up
Recchi = he's staying in Pittsburg
Pyatt = he's got some grit and would fit in well with a young Flyers team; would prefer some more veteran leadership though
Backstrom = Minny will find a way to keep him Also, Spector believes that Markov, Rafalski, Backstrom, Preissing, Recchi and Pyatt will all likely be re-signed by their current clubs.
Why Not Trade Down?
Another key element in the Flyers' rebuilding plans is the June draft. Because the top five prospects all appear to be on the same level (the Flyers are scheduled to pick second), why not trade down to, say, No. 5 and get a roster player or an additional pick in the bargain?
Demonstrating just how thin this draft might be, Central Scouting Bureau recently named Burnaby (British Columbia) Express center Kyle Turris its top North American skater, supplanting Patrick Kane of London (Ont.).
Russia's Alexei Cherepanov is believed to be Europe's highest-rated player.
Turris is CSB's first Junior A Tier II player to be ranked No. 1. The previous highest ranking from Tier II went to Travis Zajac (15th), who's now tearing it up for New Jersey.
The 17-year-old Turris says he's been heavily scouted by both the Flyers and the Los Angeles Kings.
He's flattered by the attention he's getting as well as the No. 1 rating, considering he began this season rated no better than a second-rounder.
?Even though it is pretty cool and an honor to be No. 1, it's just a sheet of paper,? Turris told Grant Granger of the News-Leader in Canada. ?It's nothing until it happens. The scouts on NHL teams might have something different. They all have their own opinions.?
CSB chief E.J. McGuire, a former assistant coach with the Flyers under both Mike Keenan and Bill Barber, predicts great things for Turris.
?He sees the ice, he sees that play three moves ahead where you or I see one move,? McGuire told Canadian Press.
?He's also a high-scoring team leader. I'll predict that he'll be a prominent NHL player in three or four years.?
McGuire called the decision a ?monumental moment? for Central Scouting and Turris.
Since Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren and McGuire know each other quite well, that evaluation is bound to carry some weight in Philadelphia.
A trade down might be the best bet... certainly not a bad move in such a light draft
Wayne Fish is a sports writer for Calkins Media. E-mail him at
wfish@phillyBurbs.com.
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