Paul Holmgren's Vision: Oozing Orange and Black

Paul Holmgren's illustrious career ended 24 years ago and yet he amazes me more and more each passing day.

What seem like backward thinking trades at first glance-acquiring guys like Carcillo and Pronger, are in fact a reflection of Philadelphia's culture as a city, and part of the tradition of a proud franchise.

Passionate fans lock in their preseason predictions with utter faith that in fact this year (any year) is the year the cup drought ends, and often with good reason too.

The franchise has boasted reason for hope-in-the-past with "surefire" hopefuls like Lindros, Forsberg, Hextall, Daigle—just to name a few—passing through the franchise with the same self serving contributions.

Their stats increased and their bankrolls were topped, but Philly was left searching for the answer elsewhere.

And now fans are left at the mercy of Paul Holmgren's creative genius as he tries to walk the fine line of the salary cap, while preparing one of Philadelphia's most competitive teams in the new era.

Briere, Emery, Pronger, Carcillo, Parent, Timonen, Coburn, Hartnell, some of the guys who have been brought in under Holmgren's watch and who hope to give lasting contributions to the organization while wearing the orange and black.

What do they bring?

October 16, 2006, early in the Flyers campaign; The Sabres spanked The Flyers 9-1 in Buffalo which foreshadowed a very long and troublesome season for the Flyers in which Clarke resigned, and Holmgren was put into place under the 'interim' title.

Briere had two assists and four shots in the game, must have impressed Holmgren sitting in the press box, who showed him the money that very summer.

Holmgren liked the fact Briere was a bit of a 'Pest'.

A title perhaps worthy of Holmgren himself after compiling 1600 penalty minutes and producing a plus/minus of +111 while in Philly.

Emery? He brings the intensity it takes to win back-to-back Vezina and Conn Smythe trophies as did past Flyer great "Bernie" Parent.

If you liken NHL teams to ships on the open seas, consider Pronger The Flyers new anchor.

Carcillo brings "rough" justice to teams that choose to cross the line with captain Mike Richards, or the other parts of a young core that's set in place for years to come.

At 6'3" 183 lbs, Ryan Parent can hold is own. Very capable young defence-man who was plucked from Nashville in the Forsberg deal. Gets the locker room talking about The Broad Street Bully Era just by his nickaname, Bernie.

"Homer" then worked on solidifying the brick wall along the blue line. Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn were brought in and often given the task of being the shut-down guys.

Both are elite defence-man who lurk on the Flyers back end and log considerable minutes.

And then there's Hartnell. A guy who fits in so nicely among Philly's top six forwards. He scores, checks, grinds, and does all the little things, the things it takes to be a winner. He's like an upgraded Sean Avery or P.J. Axelsson, truly not a pleasure to play against, at all.

So this is it. This is the team Holmgren built. Will it be as effective as The Broad Street Bullies were back in the '70s?

Only time will tell on that one.

It takes years and years to fully realize a GM's contribution to his team, Philadelphia is still in the aftershock of Clarke's realm. However Holmgrens preservation of the past and his commitment to excellence, make The Flyers the toast of the town, and puts the organization among the-cream-of-the-crop in '09/'10 and beyond.