Philadelphia Flyers: 8 Steps Toward Getting Back to Stanley Cup Form

One step is complete in the Philadelphia Flyers' long list of "things to do" this offseason.

A No. 1 goalie has been acquired (although he is not signed yet). There are many moves that have to be made this offseason and several more key steps that have yet to be reached.

If the Flyers want any chance at getting back to the Stanley Cup Finals next season, here are eight steps they must take in order to get back to their 2010 form.

1. Acquire a New No. 1 Goaltender

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 06: A puck bounces off the helmet of Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers during his game against the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May

Phase Complete. Since the early 2000s, and arguably before, the Flyers have not had a true No. 1 goalie in net. Not since Ron Hextall have the Flyers had someone that they could count on night in and night out to possibly shutout the opposing team.

In Ilya Bryzgalov, the orange and black finally have their man. Paul Holmgren, give this man his money!

2. Sign Bryzgalov to a Multi-Year Deal

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 20: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes stands attended for the National Anthem before Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobin

Well the Flyers do not quite yet have a No. 1 goaltender. The Flyers only traded for the exclusive rights to negotiate with Ilya Bryzgalov until he becomes a free agent after the end of the NHL season.

Bryzgalov made $4.5 million last season and will almost certainly command at least six or seven million over three years.

The Flyers will have to trade some blue-chip guys in order to clear up some space, but it must be done.

3. Get Chris Pronger Healthy

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Chris Pronger #20 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 30, 2011 in Philadelphi

If Chris Pronger was 100 percent in the playoffs, the Flyers would have had a different outcome this season. I'm not saying that they would have won the cup, but they wouldn't have won only four games in the postseason.

Pronger is the key piece to the Flyers puzzle and especially to their defense. With a top defender like Pronger and a No. 1 goalie, the Flyers will be pretty hard to score on.

4. Find out What Is Happening in the Locker Room

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PHILADELPHIA - MAY 24: Chris Pronger #20 and Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrate after defeating the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 4-2 to win Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals and to advance to the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Finals

Is there really something going on between Mike Richards and Chris Pronger in the Flyers' locker room?

Maybe it has just been an excuse made up inside the Flyers organization for their recent failures.

Regardless, there is always a little truth to every rumor and the two must co-exist in order to put the best product on the ice. This is Richard's team.

5. Find a Way to Sign Ville Leino

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Ville Leino #22 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pen

If the Flyers cannot sign Ville Leino, they will be backtracking in their path to a Stanley Cup.

Leino was acquired two years ago for basically nothing and has since flourished as a Flyer. He has shown glimpses of "Peter Forsberg" in him and would be a huge loss this summer.

6. Sign a Veteran Backup Goaltender

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 06: Brian Boucher #33 consoles Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers after the loss to the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 6, 2011 in B

I may be in the majority for saying this but....

I think Sergei Bobrovsky should spend next season in the minors. I love how he played this season in his first season in the NHL, but he needs to be an everyday goalie. He won't be able to do that if the Flyers sign Bryzgalov. It will just hurt his progression if he can only play 20-30 games next season.

7. Get a "Straight Up" Trade for Kris Versteeg

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Kris Versteeg #10 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2011 in Philadelphia, Penns

I was one Flyers fan that was ecstatic when I heard that the Flyers acquired Kris Versteeg during this past season.

Now I am that same fan who wants him out of town.

He just did not fit in the system and really under-produced all season long. He disappeared in too many games. If the Flyers could swing him for another two-way player I would pull the trigger.

8. Get Simon Gagne Back

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Simon Gagne #12 of the Tampa Bay Lightning controls the puck against David Krejci #46 of the Boston Bruins in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 23, 2011 in Boston,

What Flyers fan doesn't like Simon Gagne?

Gagne, let's face it, will always be a Flyer. He had a decent season in Tampa Bay and may want to return to Philly for a hometown discount. That is pretty much the only thing that the Flyers could afford at this point.