So the drama of the Philadelphia Flyers continues. The new word on the street is that Nikolai Zherdev is close to signing a deal with the Flyers. If that is not mind-boggling enough, the deal is rumored to be worth around four million per season. Now in a non-cap world, this would be pretty good, but unfortunately we aren't. This is one of the few things that I (and others) have questioned over the course of this off-season.

First off, why would the Flyers target Nik Zherdev. He is known to be inconsistent, have an attitude and have a lack of love for the game of hockey. Yes he can help any team, but the Flyers have no reason to aquire this high priced inconsistent player, even though he has good offensive skill. Plus, where would the cap space come from? Oh yes, the Flyers are shopping there best winger and longest tenured Flyer, Simon Gagne. So in effect, Holmgren's plan is to replace Gagne with Zherdev. Is it just me, or is this just a little rediculous? What in God's name is Homgren thinking? Even though it saddens me, I can understand trading Gagne if it means getting a good goalie and sheading cap space, but to just aquire an inconsistent winger? Even if he has a heafty cap hit and may be somewhat injury prone, I would still have Gagne at 5.25 mil/season rather than Zherdev at 4 mil/season, how 'bout you? This move wouldn't even free up enough cap space to sign Dan Carcillo and Darroll Powe.

I'm not trying to bash Homgren, because he is the man who rebuilt this team after it finished last in 2006-07, but I don't understand he is trying to make numerous moves. Why brake up a team that was two wins away from the Stanley Cup? There were only three things that needed to be upgraded on the Flyers' roster: the right wing postion, defensive depth and goaltending. So far, Holmgren has completed one of the three, the defensive depth. I'm still hoping to see th goaltending get upgraded, even though Holmgren has repeatedly stated that he's in no hurry. I actually wouldn't mind to see the forward core remain the same, because they do have terrific goal scorers. But if a change was needed (which would be Gagne more than likely), it would need to be an upgrade on the wing from Gagne and/or aquire a goalie or free up enough cap space to sign Marty Turco. But if the Flyers are just trading Gagne in order to make room for Zherdev, there will be many un-happy Fans in the City of Brotherly Love.

Do you guys agree or disagree?