What Would Have Been?

Philadelphia--You may have been aware of the fact that the Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren was very close to trading for Tomas Kaberle in the 2008 season, where the team wanted to acquire Kaberle for one if their younger forwards, Jeff Carter and a 1st round draft pick.

To Toronto:

C Jeff Carter

1st round draft pick

To Philadelphia:

D Tomas Kaberle

It was a hairline away from happening until the news came saying Tomas Kaberle refused to waive his no-trade clause. The then GM Cliff Fletcher had nothing else he could have done, and went along with Tomas's decision to stay as a Maple Leaf. Now, the Flyers have added Chris Pronger last season through a trade with Anaheim Ducks, acquired Andrei Meszaros and Matt Walker from the Lightning, re-signed Braydon Coburn, and tried to sign Dan Hamhuis holding his rights for roughly a week's time. Hamhuis did not buy into that and joined the Canucks on July 1.

Jeff Carter clearly had his share of struggles last season with minor injuries, declined numbers shown by dropping production from 84 down to 61. Also, we learned the emergence of Claude Giroux with Ville Leino, so when we look back at this trade that never happened, it makes you wonder.

The Flyers instead, dealt 1st round picks and equivalent to Anaheim for Chris Pronger, while keeping Jeff Carter to play with Daniel Briere and Scott Hartnell. What would have happened to guys like a Mike Richards, Simon Gagne or James vanRiemsdyk if they had puck-savvy Kaberle on the back-end? Would they be in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010? No one knows.

What we all know is that Paul Holmgren is one of the most active and clever GM's in the league, and he will go the distance to find players to bring home a Stanley Cup to all Flyers fans.

Thank you for reading.

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