NHL Trade and Free Agency Rumors: 5 Reasons Why Flyers Fans Should Be Worried
In case you haven't heard, the Philadelphia Flyers pulled off two mega trades today. The first was dealing Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jakub Voracek and the eighth overall pick in tomorrow's NHL Draft.
The second trade involved sending team captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for winger Wayne Simmonds, center Brayden Schenn and a second-round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft.
This all was just a front for the inevitable news that the Flyers had finally come to an agreement with Ilya Bryzgalov to the tune of $51 million over nine years.
With that in mind here are five reasons why Flyers fans should be worried.
1) Jeff Carter and Mike Richards Are Proven Scorers
1 of 6Over the last three years for the Flyers, Carter averaged at least 30 goals and 30 assists except for one season when he had 29 assists.
Over the last four years for the Flyers, Richards averaged at least 60 points each season.
Jakub Voracek's best season was 50 points with 16 goals and 34 assists.
Brayden Schenn apeared in only nine games for the Los Angeles Kings this season before being sent back to the WHL.
While these prospects have great potential, they have not proved that they will be able to fill the void left by Carter and Richards. Trading two All-Star players for a couple of prospects and role players is not a wise investment.
The depth of Carter and Richards also took pressure off other players like Giroux and James van Riemsdyk. Now that they are gone, defenders can now hone in on these players.
2) Daniel Briere Is Going to Carry a Larger Load
2 of 6Daniel Briere is a very consistent scorer and player. He typically contributes 55 points a year. Briere has had a lot of success on the Philadelphia Flyers. Briere is known to score big powerplay goals, play a grit game and kill penalties.
With Mike Richards and Jeff Carter gone, Briere is going to have more pressure to perform. He is know going to play on the top line with Claude Giroux.
The Flyers will still have Giroux to be the top center but the whole balance of the team and line chemistry has been altered.
The Flyers were a top team in the Eastern Conference and only needed to get a goalie to contend. It seems like a lot to part with for just a goaltender.
3) Ilya Bryzgalov Has Peaked and Is Not a Team Player
3 of 6Ilya Bryzgalov is 31 years old. When his contract is up he will be 40 years old. How many starting goalies can you name and count on two hands that are successful, 35 or older, and injury free?
Ilya Bryzgalov is a talented goaltender but he wasn't what the Flyers needed. For a cheaper price, the Flyers could have signed Tomas Vokoun to be their starter. Vokoun brings experience and knowledge that could be passed on to Sergei Bobvrosky.
Sergei Bobvrosky is the future of the Philadelphia Flyers. He is a talented rookie who will continue to grow. Vokoun would, if necesary, back up Bob if needed.
Ilya Bryzgalov would not ride the bench for the contract he just signed. Bryzgalov is also a bad role model for young players on the Flyers.
When it was rumored that the Phoenix Coyotes were going to move to Winnipeg he voiced his opinions loudly.
Here are some comments from Bryzgalov:
""Not many people live there (Winnipeg), not many Russian people there. Plus it's cold. There's no excitement except the hockey. No park, no entertaining for the families, for the kids. It's going to be tough life for your family."
"
When asked if he would resign, if relocated to Winnipeg:
""Probably not. I better go to somewhere in Russia, KHL, to be honest. Because KHL is Russian people, it's family, friends. Even as a cold place, I can speak to people in Russian language."
"
What kind of message does it send to others when a veteran player is the first one to leave the sinking ship?
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4) Jeff Carter Provided More Bang for the Buck
4 of 6This is a breakdown of Jeff Carter's contract. If definitely gives more bang for the Flyers buck. This chart is courtesy of capgeek.com
SEASON | AHL SALARY | NHL SALARY | P. BONUSES | S. BONUS | CAP HIT |
2011-12 | $6,000,000 | $6,000,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2012-13 | $6,250,000 | $6,250,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2013-14 | $6,500,000 | $6,500,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2014-15 | $6,750,000 | $6,750,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2015-16 | $7,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2016-17 | $7,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2017-18 | $6,500,000 | $6,500,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2018-19 | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2019-20 | $3,000,000 | $3,000,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2020-21 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
2021-22 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $0 | $0 | $5,272,727 |
Carter's play only could get better at first over time and it was good in the fact that Flyers were getting a bargain. and yet if he faltered, they could deal him easily. His actual salary also decreased over time so a buyout wouldn't be difficult.
Bryzgalov's deal on the other hand, not so good. Yes its an anual cap hit of $5,666,667 for nine years but in comparison to Carter's there is a huge chance that his play can just plummet real fast.
Signing goalies to long deals is never good. Just look at the deal Garth Snow handed to Rick DiPietro.
It may be a long deal but at a steady cap hit it was safe move. Carter is only 26 and is still in his prime. There is a difference in being a 37-year-old forward and a 40-year-old goalie.
5) What About Bob?
5 of 6As I mentioned earlier, I thought that Sergei Bobrovsky is the future of the Philadelphia Flyers. Now that may change. Ilya Bryzgalov will not take a backseat to anyone.
If Bryzgalov plays 60-65 games a year what happens to Bob? Is he going to be the next item of trade bait? Brian Boucher is a career backup so re-signing him to a limited deal would be a smart move.
Bobrovsky could fetch a quality prospect or a draft pick. The Flyers have been rumored to be seeking to move up in the draft so could Bobrovsky be a piece of trade bait?
Comments, Questions, Concerns ?
6 of 6For more 2011 NHL draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NHL mock drafts, NHL draft rumors, NHL draft results and draft grades.
Tom Urtz is a Featured Columnist and is a member of the Bleacher Report's Official 2011 NHL Draft Coverage Team. For more NHL draft news, updates and alerts about prospects.
and at SportsHaze NYC.
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