SB Nation's Mock NHL Expansion: Flyers lose Carcillo, O'Donnell to draft

by Travis Hughes on Sep 7, 2010 12:46 PM EDT in Features

The new fake teams in Winnipeg and Quebec have selected their teams in a 52-player expansion draft that took place this morning (okay, actually on Friday, but whatever... the results were unveiled today). Two Flyers have fallen victim to the process, but at least they're still going to be teammates.

Forward Dan Carcillo was selected 11th overall by Gabe Desjardins, GM of the Jets. Desjardins cited his acumen for drawing penalties as a main reason for selecting him.

Eight picks later, with the 19th overall pick, Desjardins selected veteran defenseman Sean O`Donnell to join the new club. He cited his age and expiring contract as a strong reason for picking O`Donnell.

The most surprising aspect of this drafr from a Flyers perspective was that Blair Betts wasn't picked, especially since James Mirtle, GM of Quebec, thinks so highly of him.

But in the end it does work out quite well for the Flyers. Carcillo can be replaced (hey, Bill Guerin, what's up with you around September 17?) and Sean O`Donnell is old and does have an expiring contract. While he was a good signing this offseason, he can be replaced on the bottom pairing.

For more on the expansion draft, check out the StoryStream at sbnation.com.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Fourth team to lose its second player, behind the Yotes, Wild, and Habs. Carcillo is not a surprise (he went before Ryan Malone!), but I’d say Sean “Expiring Contract” O’Donnell was a bold choice for an expansion team uncertain of its prospects.

by Snevik on Sep 7, 2010 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

I’m not that surprised Bugsy wasn’t picked higher… his contract is big.

I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.

by Katchis on Sep 7, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Gabe’s explanation for taking O`Donnell makes sense, and it’s the same reason why we all think he was a good signing here.

Plus, he grabbed a ton of better faceoff men than Betts.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Sep 7, 2010 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Isn’t everyone a better faceoff man than Betts? Didn’t we disprove that he’s at all useful in that way?

by Snevik on Sep 7, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, I guess it’s all relative.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Sep 7, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Can we do what I believe is a more realistic possibility a mock retraction (or whatever it is called) draft where the NHL flat out blows up 2 or more teams and goes back to 2 divisions per conference and increases the cap after cutting the dead weight. No more Pheonix Nashville, Columbus and Florida.

by chrislanci on Sep 7, 2010 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

We tried that, but a lot of people (especially those teams being retracted) were rightfully opposed.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Sep 7, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s far less realistic. There will never be a contraction as long as teams aren’t filing for bankruptcy without a market to move them to.

by Snevik on Sep 7, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree that retraction is not going to happen but the last thing the league needs right in an expansion. I still think a retraction is more likely the players and big clubs are going to be pushing for a higher cap or no cap come next CBA putting those “non-traditional” markets according to Bettmen or “retarded” markets according to me in a bad situation.

by chrislanci on Sep 7, 2010 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions