With Emery Out Six Weeks, Are There Other Goaltending Options?
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 9, 2009 8:00 AM EST
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Since Ray Emery was placed on Injured Reserve with an abdominal tear and will be out an estimated six weeks, the Philadelphia Flyers might want to look at acquiring a goalie for the rest of the season.
Currently, the Flyers are going with Brian Boucher as the starter and Johan Backlund the backup. Not exactly two goalies you expect to be on a Stanley Cup contending team. Asking those two to be the only two goalies for around 20 games (from December 8th to January 20th) is a little scary: that's almost a quarter of the season.
Do you feel comfortable with Boucher and Backlund manning the pipes for that long? Do you trust Ray Emery to return in exactly six weeks, ready to play at a level similar to his start? It's understandable if you don't.
So, what about goalies possibly available via a trade? After the jump, a look at Brian Boucher, Johan Backlund, and a few potential goalies available.
Boucher has been around for awhile. The former 1st round pick in 1995 broke into the league in 1999-2000, but never really had a firm grasp on the starting job anywhere he really went. He has never started more than 40 games in a season, which he did in 2002-03 in Phoenix. There, he split time with Sean Burke, Zac Bierk, Patrick Desrochers, and Jean-Marc Pelletier.
Last year, Boucher twice started 7 games in a row, going 5-1-1 and 2-4-1 in each set. His goals against average for each stretch was roughly 2.43 and 3.00 in those games.
He is making his North American debut this year with the Adirondack Phantoms. So far, he has a 6-8-0 record, with a 2.81 gaa and .903 save percentage. Everything out of Adirondack suggests Backlund is a big reason why the Phantoms are even in most of the games. He's even received this praise from Phantom forward Matt Clackson: "I'm happy we still have him. He's good enough to be up there (the NHL)." Well, now he is. How long it lasts and how well he does is anybody's guess. But let's hope he's better than we first saw in the preseason.
Now, if those two didn't inspire confidence, there are plenty of options outside the organization. As would be required, I went to CapGeek.com to look at what the Flyers could afford. Their daily cap calculator says the Flyers have over $3 million in cap space available. They also estimate $4.7 million available in "acquisition space (full-season cap hit.)" Not sure if I believe that, especially with the Jones fiasco, but CapGeek is generally pretty good.
With that in mind, the first goalie who would surely pop up in conversation would certainly be former Flyer Martin Biron.
Those numbers don't exactly look great, but if you look at Biron's even-strength save percentage, he's tied with Boucher for 29th in the league at .922. Among those with at least 10 games started, Biron ranks 20th. Also, his goals against at 5-on-5 is 2.39, ahead of Jonas Hiller, Jose Theodore, and Cam Ward. (Boucher's is 2.18, Emery 2.26)
What's important when looking at Biron though - other than the fact that he played for the Flyers the past two plus seasons - is his one year, $1.4 million deal he just signed. With Rick DiPietro starting to practice again, Biron appears to be the odd man out on Long Island. His short and affordable contract makes him easy to trade, something the Flyers certainly like.
Next, the Flyers might look at Carey Price. The beleaguered Canadiens goalie carries a cap hit of $2.2 million and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the year. Over the summer, there were rumors that saw Price coming to Philadelphia, but that never happened.
Currently, Price is 25th in the league in GAA and 21st in save percentage. Looking at his even-strength numbers, Price has a .925 save percentage, good for 15th in the league among those with 10 starts or more. His 5-on-5 gaa is 2.33.
The obvious upside with Price is that he's young (still only 22) and certainly has a lot of talent. Playing in Montreal can never be good for young goalies, so a trade could possibly see Price up his game. The downside is that he might just have a fragile psyche, no matter where he plays. He also could suffer from the hype, as a lot of people watch him play and leave unimpressed. Lastly, since he'll be a restricted free agent after the season, the Canadiens will probably want something significant in return.
Another goalie worth looking at is Dan Ellis. Due to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, Ellis carries a cap hit of only $1.75 million. Since breaking into the league in 2007-08 and stealing Chris Mason's starting job, Ellis has since lost his job to Pekka Rinne. That could make his value drop, which would further help the Flyers.
Again, the numbers so far this year aren't very impressive at first. He's 27th in GAA and 23rd in save percentage, while he's 35th in even-strength save percentage at .918. At 5-on-5 he has a very pedestrian 2.60 gaa. The best attributes of Ellis are that he has post-season experience (2.52 gaa, .938 s%), has previously gotten hot for a stretch, has a modest cap hit, and the Predators are a favorite trading partner of the Flyers. The downside is that he's just not an elite goaltender, nor is he young enough to warrant a risk at age 29.
Continuing down the list of inexpensive, soon to be free agent goaltenders, next on the list is Josh Harding. Stuck behind Niklas Backstrom in Minnesota, Harding has failed to have a breakout year. His best season was last year, when he posted a 2.21 gaa and .929 s%, but that came in only 19 games (with a 3-9-1 record). He's off to a horrible start so far, but it's only been 6 games.
Obviously, those numbers are pretty bad. But, the good news is that it's a small sample size. Also, his even-strength save percentage is only .874, good for 63rd out of 67 goalies. His 3.29 5-on-5 goals against average isn't any better. Why is a goalie who's playing so poorly even being mentioned? He's only 25, he's coming off his best season as a pro, he's inexpensive, and he has good career numbers - 2.57 and .916. Bad? He's only played 64 games and has a career losing record, playing in a defense-first system. Either way, the asking price would be lower than most other available goalies, and the upside is clearly there.
While rather unlikely, another name that could surface is Jean-Sebastien Giguere. He has a cap hit of $6 million on a contract that expires after next season, but he's lost his job to Jonas Hiller (who, coincidentally is an unrestricted free agent after this season) and doesn't appear to be happy about it.
This year, Giguere has been good, but not great. There was a great story by Jonathan Willis the other day breaking down Giguere's play the past few years that showed his poor showing last year was mostly a result of his father dying in the middle of the season. Needless to say, Giguere - a former Cup winner and Conn Smythe winner - would be the type of elite goaltender so many people want the Flyers to have. However, he's 32 years old with a very large cap hit. The Flyers don't have enough room to take on that salary, so a high priced player would have to go back to Anaheim, which might be a bit difficult to swing since we already traded high-priced players this off-season.
Other goalies of note who will be free agents after the season include Johan Hedberg, Cory Schneider, Jaroslav Halak, and Antero Niittymaki.
What do you guys think?
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Jiggy’s cap hit way too big.
Johan Hedberg, Cory Schneider, Jaroslav Halak, and Antero Niittymaki, would rather see Backlund and booch get a shot. Besides last night 6 goals, we scored 4 in 4 games. That not going to win you a lot of hockey games even with Brodeur manning the pipes. Give laviolette system some time to stick before we load up on goalies we can’t unload without paying a huge price either thru trades or a cap uneccesary cap hit
by Crosby sucks on Dec 9, 2009 9:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
If memory serves, Boucher’s 5-1-1 stint was when Nabokov went down with an injury. I remember he played very well for the Sharks then, and I was glad for him. (I did watch some of those games and do remember him playing as well then as he is now.)
If he continues his solid play and Backlund proves himself a capable backup, stay put until Emery gets back. If Emery cannot recover, then think about making a move.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
by mikefive on Dec 9, 2009 9:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I am fine with staying put for now last week there was as there always is talk of “goalie controversy” and that Boucher should be starting over Emery anyhow while here you go. If the team didn’t feel comfortable with Boucher to carry the load for 10 games or so they wouldn’t have signed him. He is the backup that his job I think he can be good enough to get it done.
by chrislanci on Dec 9, 2009 9:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I have faith in our boys, but the road is not an easy one.
In six weeks it will be Jan 24th. We will have 9 more games before the entire League takes a break for the Olympics. This is the only silver lining in this massive crap storm cloud thats heading our way. The break will allow Emery will have time to get back into game time conditioning and ready for the final push without rushing it or extra stress.
We cant afford any goalie this year and every team knows this. Any move will be hi way robbery; losing a lot for little in return.
Next summer (hopefully it will be a short one) we are still screwed on the Goalie situation. We will either not be able to afford Emery if he returns and plays well, or another Goalie.
Now Boosh is capable of holding the down the fort and playing well. In fact he could do a fantastic job. An inspired, healthy Emery could come back and the dynamic duo could be unstoppable in April, May and those glorious days in early June!
However he is also capable of burning down the stadium and numerous other disasters. Then where do we turn? Baucland is not Varlmov.
Remember Buffalo last year? They should have been in the playoffs but lost just one ore two games too many when Miller was out.
We have to make the playoffs. From there we will be a dangerous team
by Prometheus74 on Dec 9, 2009 9:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just noticed I forgot to put it in the story: Harding’s cap hit is only $1.1 million. If the team were to make a move, he’s the one I’d want. The others either cost too much, aren’t an improvement, or would require the team to get rid of an important piece. Harding, however, is none of those things.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 9, 2009 9:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Harding’s by far the best solution here. If he doesn’t work out, you’re only on the hook for a little more than Boucher makes. If he works out, you may have to choose whether to demote Boucher or Harding when Emery’s healthy, but that’s not a bad problem to have. A middling prospect and a late round pick would probably get this done. Harding gets no playing time behind Backstrom and deserves a chance to show he can start in this league — why not in Philly?
But that being said, Backlund’s not a bad option either. I just hope they won’t try and start Boucher for 20 straight games — if you don’t trust Backlund, trade for somebody you do.
by memphisbrando on Dec 9, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Let’s see what he’s capable of first.
When Luongo got hurt last year, Vancouver didn’t trade for LaBarbera until Sanford went down. The Flyers should make a deal if:
1. Backlund sucks.
2. Boucher gets hurt.
3. Emery doesn’t recover.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
by mikefive on Dec 9, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d take Price in a heartbeat. He has unimpressed, but being touted in Montreal a few years ago as the next Roy is a hell of a lot of pressure. A change of scenery might be all he needs. Of course that being said, if the Flyers can get back into a solid playoff position with what they have now (which is what I think they’ll try to do), they can always sign Price in the off season.
by TRat on Dec 9, 2009 10:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
no matter what happens this creates a complete mess in net. If Boucher/Backlund/new guy comes back and plays well then what happens when Emery gets back? Furthermore he’ll likely struggle at first after being out for 6 weeks, making the call for his back up to play even louder. Even if Bouch/Backlund/New guy play well, who knows if they can sustain it for an entire season, much less the playoffs? Its not like Boucher is going to magically morph into a #1 cup contending goaltender (although given the state of the team right now contending for the cup is the last thing we shoud be worrying about). I sincerely believe that Emery is the best goaltender on our roster and has the best chance of taking us deep in the playoffs, this injury is to blame for his recent slide.
These abdominal injuries are such a mess in this sport. second year in a row we’ve been bitten by one. Emery’s injury, like Briere’s, will create a talent shortage in the short term and a chemistry issue in the long term. dear god I hope im wrong.
by njh3293 on Dec 9, 2009 10:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I will be redundant and agree with most by saying that I think the Flyers should stay put. Boush has done quite well in his time releiveing Emery. Boush isn’t the goalie that I want as my #1 heading into the playoffs, but for now, is sufficient. As mikefive already said, the Flyers may have to seriously consider this if Emery cannot regain his the stellar form that he showed in the beginning of the season.
(This is all assuming the Flyers even climb the standings and get themselves back into playoff contention, obviously.)
by flyrsfrk05 on Dec 9, 2009 10:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if the Flyers could get Cory Schneider from the Canucks.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Dec 9, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great idea, but...
… if they’re trying to win it all this year, I’d imagine they’d go after someone with NHL experience.
Schneider was the best goalie in the AHL last year, but Jean-Marc Pelletier was one of the better goalies in the AHL too (and we all know how that turned out).
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
by mikefive on Dec 9, 2009 11:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How long do you hold onto the possibility of “winning it all” this season?
by Ben Feldman on Dec 9, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ask Homer.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
by mikefive on Dec 9, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Emery misses exactly six weeks, he could return January 19th. That’s 42 days from now. They have 20 games (3 back-to-backs) in that period in that time.
Backlund has to play at least five of those games if they don’t get another goaltender.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 10:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I just think there’s no way that Emery only misses 6 weeks. We’ve been here before with Briere and that ended up lasting months—and Emery is a butterfly goaltender. Can you imagine trying to get into the butterfly with a tear in your abdomen? There will be the inevitable scar tissue which will cause additional problems.
I think they have to make a move. There is the outside shot that Emery doesn’t come back at all or does come back and is completely ineffective. I think you have to plan for worst case scenario here.
by doubleh on Dec 9, 2009 11:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Carter for Giguere and the Flyers’ #1 pick back solves A LOT of problems. It gives them a goaltender that actually fits this system. Giguere can bail them out on an off man rush against. And he’s an above average puck handler, something which this system also requires because the skaters are so far up the ice.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 11:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Holy crap, we agree again.
I thought they should have tried to get Giguere this off season.
The thought of losing Carter stinks, but to continue to ignore the goaltending black hole here is a tragedy.
I’m a little concernd about Giguere’s durability though.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Dec 9, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And...
… the scoring.
This will not be an issue if:
1. Gagne gets healthy and stays healthy, and can produce.
2. Giroux continues to produce.
3. Van Riemsdyk can fill in the gaps with timely scoring.
I understand why you’d have to move Carter here – it’s essentially need-for-need, contract-for-contract. But given our trouble scoring of late, I wonder if it’s the best idea in the world. I would imagine the Flyers would go a more cost-effective route which would not put a huge dent in their scoring potential.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
by mikefive on Dec 9, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I almost put that scenario in the story, but I then thought about Mike’s concerns. First, I don’t think the Ducks would give us our 1st rounder back in that scenario. I was thinking more along the lines of Giguere and Ryan (who was rumored to be on the block) for Carter, Coburn, and possibly one of the many goalies the team just drafted.
No idea how feasible that actually is, but giving up Carter does leave a huge hole that Ryan could fill. Since you wouldn’t give up even more forward depth that you’d have to fill later (unless it’s Gagne), a defenseman makes the most sense.
Again, just hypothetical. Like I said earlier, f I had to pick any of those, I’d go with Harding since he’s young, inexpensive, and wouldn’t require a lot going to Minnesota.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 9, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They should give the 1st back because Carter is RFA and Giguere is UFA.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point.
Plus, Carter still has a year left on his current deal.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
by mikefive on Dec 9, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So does Giggy.
The Carter-Giggy deal would free up about $1m in cap space for Anaheim, about $500k in cap space for the Flyers. Both guys are under contract until 2011. But Carter is also worth a 1st, 2nd, 3rd at that time, and Giggy is worth nothing after May 2011.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So you wouldn’t even ask about Ryan?
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 9, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I mean, you talk about it. But it seems to me that would just complicate the deal more.
I think its an easier deal if you’re just setting up anaheim to trade Ryan to somewhere else because they already replaced him in the lineup with Carter.
Also, I don’t think the Flyers are in a position to give up more future for present (even though Ryan does come with 3 picks).
Personally, I see no chance Anaheim accepts the deal you proposed.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, if you’re setting them up to trade Ryan (replaced by Carter), why not trade him here, where Carter needs to be replaced?
At 22, Ryan would hardly be giving up future for present, especially if you get him for Coburn.
So, my modification to your deal would essentially be Coburn and a 1st for Ryan (Giguere and 1st for Carter becoming Giguere and Ryan for Carter and Coburn) Since both Coburn and Ryan are RFA’s, maybe we could still get the 1st, since Anaheim would be receiving two RFA’s to our one?
Obviously, I have no idea what Anaheim would or would not accept, or even if Homer would pull that trade, but it seems to make logistical sense at least.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 9, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think the Flyers could resign Ryan.
Even if you did that deal, the Flyers now have $1m in cap space and only have 5 NHL caliber defensemen.
In that deal, yes, its Coburn for Ryan. But the Flyers need to make another deal after that which would require either prospects or draft picks for NHL players.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Forgot to mention, I don’t see Anaheim being interested in Coburn. Their blue line is pretty set (hence sending Sbisa back to Juniors). So you’re just swapping one disappointing about to be RFA for another disappointing about to be RFA. No real gain for the Ducks.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I say make no move. I think we’re doin’ ok with Boucher on top, and I have a fair amount of confidence in Backlund.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Dec 9, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
So with Emery out 6 weeks, I guess we won’t get to see the retro pads and new mask in the Winter Classic.
Deller
by diznella on Dec 9, 2009 12:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oh sad, hadn’t even thought of that part.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Dec 9, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know what they say:
“To do then now would be very retro. To do then then would be very _now_tro, if you will.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
by mikefive on Dec 9, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t forget we also have an Olympic break. No games from Feb. 14 – Mar 2nd. Additional time for Emery to get in game shape, work his way in slowly with 16 games in march. If at the beginning of March if it doesn’t look good(trade deadline March 3rd) I think Jiggy will still be there and Price-Harding also. In the cellar in the west Minnesota-Anaheim.
by Crosby sucks on Dec 9, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
They have like two days between the Olympic roster freeze and the trade deadline.
Besides which, they need a goaltender now. There are only 22 games after the Olympics.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Boush
hasn’t been bad we weren’t scoring he has been good plus when emery comes back when can truley see if Emery deserves a starting job Boush is playing well his worst game was against the sharks and He has made up for it 4 goals was the most he’s let up.
by tjflys10 on Dec 9, 2009 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
giving up Carter won’t really help our scoring issues that have plagued this team as of late, Carter is way better than Giguere I would make the move if Ryan was added he can be resigned for around 3. I would rather just move Gagne or Briere for Giguere straight up than Carter but I still don’t like it, Giguere has his issues too. The team will have to be out of the playoff hunt in my opinion to trade Carter.
by chrislanci on Dec 9, 2009 4:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’d rather trade Cote straght up for Giguere. But none of those scenarios are going to happen.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m a fan of the “8th round pick in 2027 and a signed Craig Berube hockey card for Roberto Luongo” trade.
Unfortunately, Mike Milbury isn’t a GM anymore.
by Phalange on Dec 10, 2009 8:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Briere’s got a NTC. Carter is a movable object because he’s young, healthy, desirable and doesn’t have a no-movement clause. He will net you the most return.
And if you think giving up Carter will hurt the teams’ chances of scoring, what do you think moving Danny will do? He’s been one of the most consistent players this season.
by doubleh on Dec 9, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
GIguere
I have considered the money. They just gave Thomas 4 years and he is 35 so don’t worry about the 32. Carter is at 5 mill, Coburn is at 1.3 mill and Emery is at 1.5 mill which equals 7.8 and Giguere is at 6 mill and Ryan is at 1.9 which equals 7.9. The numbers wash and none of those other goaltenders are going to be Giggy. I don’t want a stopgap, which what Biron and the others are. I want a sure thing for 4 years while we get serious about find the 10 year guy like Fluery. And if Giggy isn’t that good he has only one more year. It works for both teams when you think about it. Anaheim needs some D and a backup plus they get a party friend for Lupul. We need wingers and a real goalie. Giroux has to center a line of real talent to be succesful, he JVR and Ryan could be the next LBC line.
by M from Pdaddy on Dec 9, 2009 4:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Anaheim absolutely does not need any defensive help.
Anaheim wants a hell of a lot more than Braydon Coburn in exchange for Bobby Ryan.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There defense looks horrible they have one of the highest GAA. And Bobby Ryan wants more than Anaheim can give him under their cap. Keep Gagne on the LTIR and we have his 5 million to play with. They need to get 6 million dollars out of their back up goaltender spot more than anything else.
by M from Pdaddy on Dec 9, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Did you even look before you wrote any of this?
Festerling-Niedermayer
Whitney-Boynton
Wiesniewski-Brookbank
Eminger
Maybe Coburn would take Brookbank’s spot.
Anaheim has $14mil more cap space than the Flyers next season, so that makes no sense.
And you can’t just “keep” healthy players on LTIR.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You love GVT so much:
Coburn’s total GVT as of December 6th was 2.1
Niedermayer (2.3), Festerling (0), Whitney (3.2), Boynton (1.7), Wiesniewski (3.1), Brookbank (-0.8), Eminger (-0.4).
So he would be their #4 defenseman based on GVT alone. In terms of Relative Corsi ratings, Coburn’s 5.2 ranks him ahead of Festerling (-11.3), Boynton (-0.1), Brookbank (-15.4), and Eminger (-21.4).
So, he would certainly take someone’s spot, most likely Festerling (just called up, entry-level contract) and if not, at least Brookbank’s ($500k, last year of deal).
That’d be an upgrade I think they could use. With only Whitney, Festerling, and Eminger signed for next year, having Coburn to either sign cheap or get draft picks back for would certain help them.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 9, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They’re not going to trade Bobby Ryan for three months of Coburn, First off, put those numbers in a list and they prove my point:
Whitney
Wiesniewski
Niedermayer
Coburn
Boynton
Festerling
Brookbank
Festerling is being groomed for the future by pairing him with Niedermayer, so Braydon’s not getting that spot.
So, purely based on GVT and obvious logic, Braydon is in a fight for the 4th/5th D-spot with Boynton. For the next three months. In exchange for their second line winger with a much brighter future.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Your point?
Maybe Coburn would take Brookbank’s spot.
So, purely based on GVT and obvious logic, Braydon WOULD take Brookbank’s spot easily (forgetting Eminger’s 7th D spot) and “Maybe Coburn would take Boynton’s spot.” Or, you know, they decide to groom Festerling next year. Or in the minors. Maybe
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 9, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, Festerling played 40 NHL games last year paired with Nieds, so he’s not going to develop in the AHL at this point. And they’re not going to break up that pairing that’s worked well for almost a year now.
I take Boynton without hesitation over Coburn.
But, again, the real point is that Bobby Ryan for Coburn is just a pointless exercise. One RFA for another. The Ducks don’t need what would be their third pairing defenseman for him.
But the worst part is that this is HOF level speculation. Ryan is going to be worth a hell of a lot more than Braydon Coburn in return.
by MarioD on Dec 9, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know if anyone is still paying attention to this anymore but I had to run. You are getting to hung up on Coburn for Ryan. It is a package that has a lot of dynamics. In some sense you could also say that you are trading Carter for Ryan and Giguere. Remember the 46 goal scorer that almost every NHL was licking their chops over. At least that is what we were told. The other players even up the money and fill some holes. And as far as the defense goes those players you speak of are old and starting to really look like it. Coburn still has stay at home style upside that could be around for some years. Emery is a solid backup to their star goaltender who is going to want 4-6 mill. sooner or later. Listen this is never going to happen but for pondering sake it does work for both teams. And I am assuming we all know the Flyers well enough to know they are going to screw up solving the goaltending situation because they always have.
by M from Pdaddy on Dec 10, 2009 7:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Do we need a replacement for Emery? He seemed to be doing ok earlier in the season. We have no idea how long he’s been playing with an injury.
As long as the Boosh/Backlund combo keeps us competitive until he returns I see no reason to panic.
by ToddtheFox on Dec 9, 2009 5:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Actually the way the schedule plays out there are between 22 to 25 games over the next 6 weeks. If Emery can even come back healthy and playing, if it doesn’t work out welcome to 2006. I think they have to address this right now because three weeks into this thing could be way too late. And at 28 and not cracking the team Backlund is obviously not an NHL goaltender. But weirder things have happened I guess.
by M from Pdaddy on Dec 10, 2009 7:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I thinnk this all goes back to one simple question. Do the Flyers really have a number one guy? Is Emery really a number one in this league? This is something this team has lacked since Ron Hextell. I am not sure Backlund, Riiopel, or even the boy in the WHL is going to be a number one guy down the road. I am sure the Flyers are looking at every option, but there is not much talent to trade in Adirondack and a bunch of draft picks went for Pronger.
The Adirondack Phantoms: Bringing the AHL back to the Mountains!
by Dan Morency on Dec 9, 2009 7:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oh God, not Biron. I’d rather have Ray Charles than Marty Biron. There’s a reason he sat by the phone waiting for so long: he ain’t that great. I’d love to have Price though, but I think we’re good with what we got. Let’s see what happens with the rest of the team in this turnaround and see how the defense handles the backup and call up in net.
by Kanayd on Dec 9, 2009 8:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He also got shelled in the last game he played. Remember that one?!
by AshburnAlley on Dec 9, 2009 11:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Giguere buyout ????
With one year left on his deal and Hiller and Ryan coming up to RFA what are the chances Giguere gets bought out and we can TRY sign him next year for a reasonable price, assuming Emery doesn’t work out. Since he is already getting 7 million from the ducks and hasn’t played great he should come more affordable. I still like Emery hard to say who is better when Emery was healthy we was playing fine.
by chrislanci on Dec 10, 2009 12:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh
|
68 | 40 | 23 | 5 | 85 |
|
New Jersey
|
66 | 40 | 23 | 3 | 83 |
|
Philadelphia
|
66 | 35 | 27 | 4 | 74 |
|
New York Rangers
|
68 | 30 | 29 | 9 | 69 |
|
New York Islanders
|
67 | 26 | 32 | 9 | 61 |
(updated 3.13.2010 at 8:06 AM EST)
Flyers Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
@
New York Rangers
|
Sun 03/14 | 12:00 PM EDT |
|
@
Nashville
|
Tue 03/16 | 8:00 PM EDT |
|
@
Dallas
|
Thu 03/18 | 8:30 PM EDT |
|
@
Atlanta
|
Sat 03/20 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Atlanta
|
Sun 03/21 | 7:00 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
|
Chicago
|
Sat 03/13 | W 3 - 2 |
|
Boston
|
Thu 03/11 | L 1 - 5 |
|
New York Islanders
|
Tue 03/09 | W 3 - 2 |
|
Toronto
|
Sun 03/07 | W 3 - 1 |
|
@
Buffalo
|
Fri 03/05 | OT - L 2 - 3 |
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