Patrick Kane: The Flyers Never Get Lucky

There were many high hopes for the 2006-07 season for the Philadelphia Flyers. They just came off a strong season with a first-round departure to Buffalo.

Although they did lose some big names such as Keith Primeau, Michael Handzus, and Eric Desjardins they still were supposed to be a threat in the Eastern Conference that year.

Little did we know.

After going 1-6-1 in their first eight games, the Flyers shuffled their front office as Bobby Clarke resigned and John Stevens took over the reigns from Ken Hitchcock. Also Paul Holmgren was called upon to be the interim GM.

During the season the Flyers made a sweep of their roster by trading star Peter Forsberg, trading bust acquisition Kyle Calder, and dumping Alexei Zhitnik.

In return they received Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, Lasse Kukkonen, Braydon Coburn, and a first-round pick.

They also acquired goalie Martin Biron for a second-round pick after losing Robert Esche and Michael Leighton.

After the season was finally over, they traded Nashville's first-round pick back to them for the rights to sign Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell. They also traded Geoff Sanderson and disappointing defenseman Joni Pitkanen to Edmonton for Joffrey Lupul and Jason Smith.

Now back to the point of the article.

The Flyers had the worst record that year. Chicago had the fifth worst record. Chicago had the least likely chance of winning as no team could move up more than four places. The Flyers had the best chance at winning the first pick.

Before the draft Kyle Turris, Patrick Kane, and James van Riemsdyk were ranked one-two-three respectively in NHL Final Scouting Reports.

If the Flyers had the first pick they could have taken either of these three. Chicago obviously made the right decision by taking Kane. The Flyers with the second pick could either draft Turris or local boy van Riemsdyk. That's easy for the Flyers.

Now I have nothing against the Flyers or JVR, but just think what this Flyers team would be with Richards, Carter, and Kane. I'll tell you. Scary.

Now just for fun there are only two picks in the top five of the '07 draft who have not played in the NHL. JVR is one of them. Thomas Hickey is the other.

But hey, Let's Go Flyers!