There are buyers and sellers at the trade deadline and if the Flyers were looking at Phoenix in the Western Conference they'd tell you the Coyotes are the 10th seed and they're done. They should be sellers on Tuesday.
So what makes the Flyers, who are 10th in the East, feel they shouldn't be sellers? They won't. They still think they can make the playoffs and make something happen. They always do. The Flyers are burnt toast right now. They're done. Yeah, they might make the playoffs, but I see them bowing out quickly.
Their leading scorer, Mike Richards, will miss at least 3 weeks with a torn left hamstring. Did we
mention he's their leading scorer? No Richards, no Simon Gagne, no Derian Hatcher, no Joffrey Lupul, a host of others all banged up ... and a team that plays a near-perfect game on Saturday (similar to last weekend vs. Montreal) and still loses, but this times, coughs up the tieing goal in the final 3.7 seconds.
Ok, let the Flyers be buyers at the deadline. Buyers for the FUTURE, not now. No Rob Blakes here. This team is not going far enough where one guy is going to push them over the top. I honestly believe Peter Forsberg realizes, that, as well even though I think he should hang up his skates for good.
What this team needs is a major deal for the FUTURE. Somehow get Dan Boyle out of Tampa and think what this guy might bring next season to a full, healthy defense. Brad Richards will be costly. Why not try to Olli Jokinen, as well? Marian Hossa is a guy I love, but that will cost you Mike Richards and the Flyers know they trade him.
One face I predict will be every other team's target if the Flyers join the fray for a major player and that is Jeff Carter. Scottie Upshall and defenseman Alexandre Picard, as well. There's interest in all three of these guys.
Inquirer reporter Mike Jensen is the college basketball columnist for the Inquirer. Each year, he gives a special insight into the tournament.
Inquirer reporter Jeff McLane is the beat writer for Temple. He will pick the tournament.
Inquirer reporter Tom Fitzgerald will blog about Hillary Clinton's Pa. visits March 10 &11.
Inquirer reporter Larry Eichel will post updates on Bill Clinton's March 7 visit to Media.
Inquirer reporter Tim Panaccio will write about National Hockey League trade talk. 
Inquirer reporter David Aldridge will live-blog the week before the NBA's trade deadline. 
Peter Mucha began this blog, before moving on to other writing duties.
Comments (3)
I agree with you Tim. I don't want them to lose Carter for Sundin, or any other supposed patch to make the 8th seed. We need to concentrate on keeping our core and getting healthy. If we make the playoffs, great, if not, we're in great position to make a run next year.
Posted by furiousball | February 24, 2008 10:29 AM
Posted on February 24, 2008 10:29
I think given the off season Holmgren had last year, I'll go ahead and give him his due benefit of the doubt and trust him on making the right moves. The team should play hard and push to make the playoffs because that will help to farther the development of the young players. Chin up through out.
Posted by Dennis Field | February 25, 2008 12:15 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 12:15
Foppa is back - but not with the Fly-Guys. I somehow feel betrayed by Peter.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=230555&hubname=nhl
Oh well! Better off without Footgate. Too much drama in Philly. I predict that Dan Boyle will be a Flyer by 3 p.m. EST tomorrow.
-The Lord
Posted by Lord Helmet | February 25, 2008 4:53 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 16:53