CTC Off-Season Outlook Anthony Wyng style: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Team #22
PHILADLEPHIA FLYERS
Well, on draft day, GM Paul Holmgren made a HUGE, surprising move. There has been talk about solidifying the defense for quite some time in Philadelhpia (outside all of the goaltending issues this team has had since the Ron Hextall days) and yesterday Holmgren did just that. However, the cap
issue is even worse then it was prior to draft day.
Chris Pronger was aquired from Anaheim for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, the Flyers #21 overall and the Flyers 1st round pick in 2010 along with a conditional 3rd in 2010 or 2011. That’s a VERY STEEP price to pay, but you have to pay up to get what you want. Chris Pronger is noted as one of the
top 3 d-men in the league, and has just made the Flyers that much more dangerous. Flyer fans (from various message boards across the internet) seem to be 50/50 with this trade. A lot of fans are on the fence because Pronger is 35 and only signed through this year. So, the only way I feel this move is a more positive move is if the Flyers get Pronger inked for an extension within the next few weeks. Even if Pronger doesn’t bring a cup to Philly, as long as there is an extension and more playoffs over a first round exit, it’s a pretty sick addition for Philadelphia. However, now there is the salary cap issue.
Let’s take a look at what the roster looks like now,
and the numbers involved:
The Blue Line:
Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Matt Carle, Randy Jones, Braydon Coburn, Ryan Parent
Cap hit: $22 million
UFA: Andrew Alberts, Nate Guenin
RFA: Danny Syvret
Right now, the numbers state that Guenin and Alberts will not be back. Syvret could be qualified at the most, and will stick it out with the Phantoms. So no numbers or changes will be issued on this matter.
Randy Jones could be the odd man out due to his cap numbers, and that would require the Flyers to go out and shop for another d-man or two. Some interesting times ahead for these Flyers.
The fowards:
Daniel Briere, Mike Richards, Simon Gagne, Jeff Carter, Scott Hartnell, Arron Asham, Riley Cote, Claude Giroux, Darroll Powe, Daniel Carcillo
Cap hit: $31.5 million
UFA: Mike Knuble
RFA: Jared Ross, Nate Raduns
Of course, in a perfect world, bringing back Knuble is one of the clubs hopes. But, in order for that to happen, space needs to be made. Expect the Flyers and GM Paul Holmgren to be very active throughout the summer.
In net:
Ray Emery
Cap hit: $1.5 million
UFA: Martin Biron, Antero Niittymaki
RFA: none
It doesn’t look like Biron will be back, and the only way the Flyers can hold onto Antero Niittymaki is by him accepting a 1 or 2 year $1 million offer.
Total team cap hit (estimated): $55 million
Team needs: Back up goaltender, cap shedding trade, seventh d-man, possible top six forward (barring a trade), role playing forwards, and barring a trade of a d-man, another d-man.
It’s going to be really interesting to see how Paul Holmgren makes up for the cap hit acquired in the Pronger trade. There are needs on this team, and with $1.8 million in cap space (by these numbers) it’s something that needs to be fixed and worked with as soon as possible.
