As was mentioned on this site earlier today, long-time Philadelphia Flyer Simon Gagne has been traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Matt Walker and a 4th-round draft pick in 2011.  I could rant about the intrinsic qualities that Gagne brought to the team Рleadership, character, heart Рbut the details of the trade in the broader scheme of team management have established a case for general manager Paul Holmgren’s firing next season.
For starters, the timing of this trade makes no sense.  If the Flyers had been waiting for the Ilya Kovalchuk saga to close (he signed today with the New Jersey Devils) in order to know if the Los Angeles Kings would be trading partners, why make the trade to the Lightning an hour after the Devils’ press conference?  Homer backed himself into a corner by going over the salary cap with his previous moves, but I can’t imagine the timing was that critical that he couldn’t wait to hear better offers. 
Additionally, this move can’t be considered a pure salary dump if a player is brought back in the deal who will count against your cap space.  Matt Walker is a 30-year old defenseman with 30 points and 444 penalty minutes in 306 games, yet carries a three-year, $1.7 million per year contract.  That salary could theoretically be buried in the Phantoms’ line-up, which would free up space to sign a decent winger to replace Gagne.  In today’s press conference, however, Holmgren stated, “Right now we have eight defenseman on our contract for next year and thirteen forwards and two goalies… that’s a twenty three man roster right there.”
There you go.  All indications from Homer at this point are that the Flyers will move forward with the roster as is.  Without discussing any arguable deficiencies in that roster, the acquisition of Matt Walker will further hurt the Flyers’ ability to sign free agents Jeff Carter, Claude Giroux, and Ville Leino next year, as well as Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Carcillo if they have strong seasons (both recently signed one-year contracts).  If the forwards that saw sizable drop-offs in their production last year do not improve this season and the Flyers miss the playoffs, Paul Holmgren will have a lot of explaining to do to Ed Snider.
Holmgren plays his position (GM) with a poker face and says little. His saying he’d go into the season with the current roster means nothing. At least he has a very good defense in place, in case we have to enter the playoffs without the young talented goalie he knows we need. You loved the guys he brought in here: Pronger, Lappy, Betts, Leino, not to mention the best coach we’ve had in decades, yet now you want to axe the guy for trading Simon. C’mon man! Let’s wait and see.
I think he got fleeced in this deal. Think we could’ve gotten a goalie from LA. I don’t understand why he signed both Carcillo and Shelley. Carcillo was despensible if you ask me.
But I still like Holmgren’s moves outside of those two deals. I’m willing to wait and see if he has anything else in mind for this years team.
I am w/Boyer…
Garcillo not worth keeping at his new Salary level for part-time play… They have boxed themselves with overpaying players the last few years and now it’s time to pay the piper… (many teams are going thru the same thing).. Look at Stanley Cup Winners Black Hawks,they’ve had to release,trade 7-8 players from their winning roster to fit under the cap for this season..Anyone know where ex-Black Hawk Versteed ended up..he’s a good all around tough-nosed player..
I think Versteeg went to Toronto. Not 100% sure, would have to look it up.
From TSN: “The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Kris Versteeg and the rights to Bill Sweatt from the Chicago Blackhawks for Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico, and Philippe Paradis.” As of now, Bill Sweatt rejected the offers from Toronto. Sweatt was drafted #38 overall by the Hawks and is a top collegiate athlete. I have very, very stretched hopes that the Flyers somehow get this guy..
Thanx for the info Boyer/Josh..