Flyers Looking To Deal Daniel Briere for Marty Turco?

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

There have been a number of rumors circulating on the Internet over today, most of which involving the Philadelphia Flyers and their need for a goaltender.

For those of you that follow my writing, you know that I am on the record as saying that a Flyers' move to acquire Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak makes the most sense for both teams, even though the Canadiens and Flyers occupy the same Conference.

Montreal is looking for a Top-Six forward to spark their offense, the Flyers are looking to deal Daniel Briere (who has a no-trade clause) and, to a lesser extent, rumors are starting to surface that the Flyers may be willing to deal struggling centre Jeff Carter.

Thus far, the Canadiens have not held any serious negotiations, but with Montreal looking to unload Halak and the Flyers offering up quality players like Briere and Carter, that may change at any moment.

The rumor du jour has the Flyers sniffing around the Dallas Stars in hopes of landing under-appreciated goaltender, Marty Turco. The Dallas Stars currently occupy the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and, considering the Stars missed the playoffs last season, they are not likely to give up a goalie of Turco’s status.

Turco is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but his $5.4 million cap hit in 2009-10 makes it difficult for the Flyers to acquire him, unless of course the rumors are true and the Stars are willing to take on Daniel Briere and his whopping $8 million salary in 2009-10, and the $26 million Briere is owed through 2014-15.

So, I ask myself. “Is Dallas Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk really that stupid?” Survey says- NO! Why in the name of Bobby Orr would Nieuwendyk want to add a player with so much salary left on his contract, one that looks to be very fragile and, outside of two seasons (2006-07 and 2007-08) has struggled to get to the 60 point plateau?

Briere is having a decent season (11G, 8A, 19PTS in 23 GP), but he’s been injured and is hardly a $8 million player, a $4 million player, maybe, $8 million, NO!

As for Jeff Carter. I would have to think his departure is unlikely at best. And, from a Flyers point of view, why would they want to “rid themselves” of a player that is coming off his best NHL season, one which saw him score 46 goals, adding 38 assists for a combined 84 points?

Sure, Carter has struggled to light the lamp this season, but he is still very young (24) and seemingly far more valuable to the Flyers than Marty Turco and his expiring contract. Fact is, there are plenty of other inconsistent NHL goaltenders out there to be had, and for a whole lot less than giving up Jeff Carter.

If this trade has any validity to it, it will likely involve a number of players changing address’, no way will it be a Carter for Turco swap. Turco for Carter just doesn’t make any sense and, for that reason, I am very leery about this rumor.

Clearly, the Flyers need some additional help in net, but giving up the likes of Carter to get it would be a desperate act and I just can’t see Flyers GM Paul Holmgren making that kind of move.

More likely, the Flyers will try to acquire the aforementioned Halak from Montreal or pursue an NHL veteran goaltender currently residing in the AHL to lighten Brian Boucher’s load.

Tonight’s 3-1 victory over the red hot Boston Bruins is proof that, when the Flyers chose to play a tight-checking game, they are more than capable of winning their fair share of one goal games.

By all accounts, Boucher has not been as bad as many have made him out to be. Six of the past 14 goals that Boucher has given up have come while the Flyers were on the penalty kill, exposing the Flyers’ defensive weaknesses more than Boucher’s supposed poor goaltending.

Hockey is a team game, the Flyers have a great roster, a good mix of youngtsers and veterans, which, despite their alleged differences, should be able to turn this sinking ship around, there is simply too much talent on this roster for them not to. Sorry Flyers fans, Jeff Carter for Marty Turco is not the answer.

Until next time,

Peace!