Bouwmeester or No Bouwmeester: That Is the Question

With the trade deadline only a few hours away, the Philadelphia Flyers are looking to fill specific needs in there push for the playoffs. The Flyers are currently considering possible moves for a top defenseman.

The top target on their list is Florida Panthers defenseman, Jay Bouwmeester. Bouwmeester, 25, is in his sixth season with the Panthers. He was a former first-round pick (third overall) of the Panthers in 2002.

The big defenseman, listed at 6'4"/212lbs, demonstrates an offensive side to his game. This season will be his third consecutive season of 10 or more goals scored. His fourth consecutive season of 30 or more points.

Jay Bouwmeester is definitely prized by the Flyers and a few other teams. Right now, rumors have the Flyers and the Vancouver Canucks as front runners for his services. Bouwmeester would give the Flyers a strong defensive presence on the ice.

A presence that would benefit the team on both ends of the rink. The Flyers have had decent defensemen over the past few years; however, Jay Bouwmeester could be a solid addition for the Flyers defense.

There are many questions that come to mind when considering any move for Jay Bouwmeester or any other player of his caliber or salary range.

One question in particular presses on my mind. At what cost do the Flyers incur in their pursuit of Jay Bouwmeester?

Do the Flyers upset the chemistry of a team that already has strong playoff potential?  

Do you forsake a major part of the team’s youth movement for a high priced player that will be a free agent at season’s end?

The Flyers have no room under the cap to carry the $4.875 million salary that comes along with him. If the Flyers were to acquire a player with a high salary; then they would definitely have to unload some of their higher priced players.

Some of these players are already fan favorites and these players still have quite a few years of contribution left in them.

The Flyer players rumored to be trade bait vary from super prospect James van Riemsdyk to high flying Daniel Briere.

As good of a player as the young Floridadefenseman is, the team should not consider any package that would include a high profile prospect like van Riemsdyk or fan favorite like Briere. There seems to a tremendous upside with James van Riemsdyk, who is only 19 years old.

The Flyers have had a tendency in their past to trade off their younger players like Justin Williams, Dainius Zubrus, and Patrick Sharp; and in return, the team receive players who never fully pan out for them. These players have all gone on to other teams and have had good careers.

I think it would be a mistake for the Flyers to trade away a talent like van Riemsdyk who could follow in the footsteps of players like Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, and possibly even Claude Giroux.

In my opinion, James van Riemsdyk is an important part of the Flyers future.

The same thing applies to Daniel Briere who is already an important part of the Flyers. Granted that Briere has been struggling this season with a groin injury; he is not expendable by any means.

He is still very important to this team and its pursuit for the Stanley Cup. When not injured, Daniel Briere is one of the strongest offensive players on the Flyers. His playoff performance and numbers (9 goals and 7 assists in 17 playoff games) last year speaks volumes of his value to the hockey club.

Other players mentioned in trade rumors like Joffrey Lupul, Scottie Upshall, Matt Carle, and Randy Jones in any combination are easier for the Flyers to part with than van Riemsdyk or Briere.

A cheaper alternative to fill the Philadelphia Flyers need to acquire a decent defenseman is Derek Morris from the Phoenix Coyotes. A move like this will not provide the Flyers with the top defenseman they are looking for; and he may not have the same numbers as Bouwmeester. He will provide the Flyers a suitable improvement to their defensive ranks.

At best, he is a sound top=six defenseman.

Whatever move the Flyers make by 3:00 PM eastern time, Paul Holmgren will make the right move necessary to benefit the team without the added expense of key players.