If Roster Moves Are Coming, Who's Going?

by Flyersfan94 on Jan 27, 2011 7:18 PM EST

All signs are pointing to the flyers bolstering their roster when the trade deadline comes around next month. the Flyers seem to be in the market for a veteran winger, hence them trying to aquire Jamie Langenbrunner a couple of weeks back. Players rumored to be on the Flyers' radar are Andrew Brunette, Eric Cole and Chris Clark, amonng many others. The Flyers are reportedly not looking for younger players like Kris Versteeg and Scottie Upshall. From rescent reports, the Flyers would like to aquire a player who's contract is up at the end of the season.

So if the Flyers are looking to get another players, what players on the current roster are vulnerable to trades? After the jump, I will list the untouchables, the unlikely players to be traded, the players who may be traded and the probably tradable assets.

Untouchables

Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Claude Giroux, Danny Briere, Kimmo Timonen, Chris Pronger, Sergei Bobrovsky and James van Riemsdyk.

None of these players will likely be traded when the deadline comes around. Giroux, Carter, Richards, BOB and JVR are the future of the team and Briere, Timonen and Pronger are the veteran leaders on the team. Expect this core of players to stay.

Unlikely

Andrej Meszaros, Braydon Coburn, Matt Carle, Sean O'Donnell, Jody Shelley, Scott Hartnell, Ville Leino, Brian Boucher and Blair Betts.

Most of the players will stay, but I don't consider them the "core" of the team. Although none are likely to be traded, they're not considered "untouchable". The three young defensemen in Carle, Meszaros and Coburn are all unlikely to be dealt. The defense is working very well and there's no reason to fix anything that isn't broken. O'Donnell is also going nowhere, for the same reason as the other three. Shelley is here because he seems to be a favourite in the dressing room, and it's doubtful that any team would pick up Shelley's hefty contract. Betts is going to stay because of his top-notch penalty killing and leadership in the dressing room. Leino and Hartnell are also probably going to be sticking around. The two have too much chemistry along with Briere to be dealt, plus Hartnell has a no-trade clause while Leino is expecting a deal in the near future. Boosh will probably be staying with the Flyers. He has performed great this year, and has done everything asked of him.

Maybe

Darroll Powe, Dan Carcillo and Oskars Bartulis.

These three may be dealt if a proper deal comes around. I like all three, but they may be vulnerable to a trade should a good deal comes along. Car-Bomb and Powe are in the final years of their deals and may be attractive assets to teams looking for grit. Bartulis could be attractive to a team based on his age and his contract. He is still young and has a very friendly cap-hit at only 600k per season.

Probables

Andreas Nodl and Nikolai Zherdev

These two will probably be the first to go should the Flyers elect to try and aquire a veteran winger. If the Flyers are going to aquire a winger, one winger will have to be dealt. Zherdev has been Laviolette's wipping boy all season, and is probably going to be shopped around come the trade deadline. He is an attractive asset and could bring a lot in return. He is also in the final year of his deal. Nodl is also due for a new deal at season's end. Nodl has played well this year, mostly playing alongside Richards on the top-line. But Nodl may be an attractive asset for his young age and solid skills. The Flyers may look to deal Nodl based on the fact that he is due for a raise next season, which the Flyers may not be able to afford.

This item was written by a member of this community and is not necessarily endorsed by Broad Street Hockey.

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Comments

Erik Cole

If we get this guy let’s all at least learn how to spell his name right Eri(k) with a kay. I’ve seen his name written as Eric Cole all over this blog. Let’s get it right as hockey fans. He’s a great 2-way player who has had success in Lavy’s system (see: 30 goals in 60 games ‘05-’06) and would be a noticeable upgrade on the wing with Richie. This guy can play the pk, pp, grind, you name it.. He would be immediately well received the way Uppie was. He’s got size (6’2"), grit, skill, and while health is a concern — at 32 years old he’s hardly over the hill. Cross your fingers Homer can pull off a reasonable deal b/c Erik Cole fits the mold of Flyers hockey.

by McNabbSoup on Jan 27, 2011 8:12 PM EST reply actions

My Bad about Cole's name

by Flyersfan94 on Jan 27, 2011 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

The Flyers may look to deal Nodl based on the fact that he is due for a raise next season, which the Flyers may not be able to afford.

Really? How much of a raise do you see him getting? He is the Flyers young, in house, cheap depth talent…going in to a year next year where they will be desperate for those type of contracts, why get rid of it?

And Zherdev? Who is going to be an upgrade over Zherdev that is actually available?

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Jan 27, 2011 8:29 PM EST reply actions

Well Excuse Me

But you can’t expect to keep all of the forwards. Some one will have to be traded, and other teams will want somethin gin return besides Carcillo. Zherdev and Nodl are good players who I think the Flyers could afford to trade. As for Nodl’s raise, he’s gunna prolly go up to at least $1.5 million next year, and that’s a lot with the Flyers’ cap situation.

by Flyersfan94 on Jan 27, 2011 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

He’s just obsessed w/ Nodl and doesn’t want to see him go, but I think you make an honest point regarding who, if anyone is expendable. I wish we could add Shelley to that list (s/ but he’s great in the locker room and protects our top players) but no one wants to take on his contract for what he contributes in today’s NHL. I also think Zherdev will be getting a $750k+ raise next year wherever he goes and a guy like Cole would be a better fit for the price. We got Z on the cheap and aren’t even utilizing him to his full goal scoring potential which makes me think someone will pay him what he thinks he deserves.

by McNabbSoup on Jan 27, 2011 8:47 PM EST up reply actions

Who are you trading either of Zherdev or Nodl for in order to upgrade at the wing position and not push the cap?

Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Jan 27, 2011 8:51 PM EST up reply actions

Good question. Someone else will have to go or make it a 2 for 2 deal and get a prospect back, but unless Homer pulls a shocker and sends out a household guy like Upshall again, I just don’t see him making a move. I think waiving Walker was a move to give himself a chance at a home run deal. He’s banking on the D staying healthy and the Wolf can still fill in if need be. I’m pretty sure Walker can come back up for the playoffs if we need a bigger body on the back end if a trade doesn’t happen.

by McNabbSoup on Jan 27, 2011 8:56 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, you’re right, there is absolutely no logic in my thought process on this…did you ever consider the point I was getting at (see below, my comment, or Todd’s).

And I have no problem if Nodl leaves, I’ll still follow his career. There just isn’t a clear upgrade available for Zherdev, and in Nodl you are giving up a depth forward next year, who will be cheap, and allow you to have more room to keep or bring in other players. It’s called common sense. If you give me a scenario where trading either of those players makes sense, I’ll agree with it…but it just doesn’t.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Jan 28, 2011 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

But you can’t expect to keep all of the forwards.

For the rest opf the season you can, unless you are getting a clear upgrade, and that’s the point isn’t it. Why trade a cheap player that will help you keep more of your players next year in Nodl, and why trade Zherdev when there aren’t any clear upgrades available for him.

I think you are a bit out of touch with Nodl’s raise, and the object of trades.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Jan 28, 2011 9:18 AM EST up reply actions

Um, not really. If the opportunity comes up, someone MAY be traded, but there’s no rule that says Holgren HAS to trade anyone. He’s running under the cap for now, the team’s atop the standings, and there really aren’t any gaping holes in the lineup … so unless it’s a sweet deal that both aids the current team AND the cap situation for next season, I’d argue to stand pat.
He could just let some FAs walk after the season – O’Donnell, Boucher, and Zherdev – and resign Leino with some RFA qualifying tenders, and be well on his way to a good lineup with the addition of one FA winger from elsewhere.

Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.

by MaximumTalbot on Jan 28, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

I completely agree. I don’t think he’s going to make a move personally, but by clearing Walker’s cap space, he’s at the very least giving himself a chance at taking on a little more salary if he can find a suitable upgrade on the wing.

by McNabbSoup on Jan 28, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

I think you’re totally overvaluing Nodl. DLJr is right; we need him next year as cheap talent. There isn’t much else in the pipelines.

by phinally on Jan 28, 2011 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

Faulty Logic

From the post:

From rescent reports, the Flyers would like to aquire a player who’s contract is up at the end of the season.

Conclusion:

Andreas Nodl and Nikolai Zherdev

These two will probably be the first to go should the Flyers elect to try and aquire a veteran winger.

(Obviously, all block quotes are sic’d)

So the Flyers are looking to acquire an expiring contract by trading… expiring contracts.

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

by Geoff Detweiler on Jan 28, 2011 10:04 AM EST reply actions

How do they do it you ask?

Volume!!!!!!!

"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."

by boknows71 on Jan 28, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions

if it ain’t broke don’t fitz it

by McNabbSoup on Jan 28, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

That’s Holmgrenian Logic sir.

by phinally on Jan 28, 2011 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

Not even he is that bad.

"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27

by Mike B on D on Jan 29, 2011 6:48 PM EST up reply actions

Seems to me that Nodl isn’t very strong with the puck. Maybe I’m just noticing that when he has a bad night though. From what I remember he had a half decent post season last year when he was called on. Zherdev seems be a better fit as a Flyer as long as the coaching staff can break any bad habits they have issue with. I thought that he had a great defensive game the other night too. Could be someone we’re overlooking….or Nodl in my opinion!

by FreeLerxst on Jan 28, 2011 5:50 PM EST reply actions

I’ve been thinking for a while now that Z would be the main trade bait if homer did feel the need to make a move. Personally speaking I feel that the only reason to make a trade would be to improve, so as long as we’re sitting at the top of the league why change things? However, Z seems to be a healthy scratch far too much and I really get the feeling Lavi doesn’t like him much. I understand he gets sloppy sometimes but his numbers are pretty decent given the short time he plays. He’d certainly help a team pushing for a lower playoff spot but then again why would they want to give up anything of worth if they’re still hoping to grab a spot? Plus I also feel that a team such as the Flyers is expected to make a move at the deadline, and since we didn’t do that last year homer might feel pressured to make one this year. I just hope it’s worth it and doesn’t disrupt the chemistry if he does. I’d stand pat with what we have now unless an injury comes along but I have a feeling we’re going to see something happen this week.

by Kanayd on Jan 28, 2011 10:52 PM EST reply actions