“There is no fire sale.” – Paul Holmgren, days ago.
I don’t know what changed Homer’s mind, but it’s official- sweeping changes are coming to the 2011-12 Flyers, starting with the trades of centers Jeff Carter and Mike Richards and ending with the official signing of Ilya Bryzgalov.
Carter has been traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, as rumored for awhile, for the #8 overall draft pick in Friday’s draft, their 3rd round draft pick, and RFA Jakub Voracek.
Richards has been traded to the LA Kings for Braydon Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and their 2nd round draft pick in 2012.
The trades officially freed up an additional $11 million in salary cap space, which didn’t stay very long as the Flyers announced they have signed Bryzgalov to a nine-year, $51 million contract. The cap hit for the contract is $5.67 million.
I will write more on this and what it means to the future of the Flyers as I continue to wrap my head around it. On the one hand, Richards and Carter have been considered the “core” of this team for some time. On the other, Carter has been nagged as “lazy” by many and Richards has been hassled for his quiet handling of the captaincy. With Carter, Richards, Upshall, and Lupul all gone, who will the media hassle for partying hard now?
More importantly, who will be the new “core” of the Flyers? Claude Giroux, Schenn, Simmonds and James Van Riemsdyk?
For the latest Flyers news and updates, you can follow me on twitter (@JoshJanet).
Wow, shocking news, but I’m glad to hear it. I’ve never been much of a Richards fan. I actually think we will miss Carter’s productivity more than Richards. Is the goalie signing official yet?
I think between these moves and tomorrow’s draft, the Flyers can easily win a Stanley Cup in the next 30 years.
Cmon Emoney
Stop with the negativity.
It will only take maybe 25 years and Roman Chechmanek Jr to win ot.
The Flyers are starting to lean more towards the European players it seems. I don’t care that they gave up Richards. Richards is soft. I liked Carters goal scoring ability and think that will be missed, but at least they can sign Leino now.
I just woke up, & put WIP on. All I can say is WOW!!! I thought news 2night would be coming from the 76er’s. They signed Bryz for 9 years $51 million. Let me get this right, they trade Richards & Carter, & in return we get Bryzgalov, Schenn, Vorachuk, Simmonds, a 1st, 2nd & 3rd round pick & $11 million in cap space. WOW!! Once the initial shock wore off, I kinda like it. They are a really, really, young team now. But Schenn is going to be a studd, Simmonds & Vorachuk, give them 2 bigger, physical forwards. They also have the 8th pick in the draft now. There’s also rumor of Versteeg & the 8th pick being shipped to Tampa for Stamkos & Timmonen going to Detroit for picks, to give more cap space to sign DF Weber. MAN! MY HEADS SPINNING! Homer better know what he’s doing
Finally finally finally, I cant say that im suprised at all, i expected it…they value goalie more obviously and they saw that they couldnt get over the hump with these guy, the drunk richards and injury prone carter… Bye guys thanks for no Cup… appreciate it… these guys we brought in thru the trades are talented, young and hungry, and they have the 8th pick overall in this years draft, they continue to wheel and deal, Holmgren your the man!… Lets hope all this activity from the flyers, phillies and possibly the 6ers can motivate the Eagles to be aggressive this off season…
Believe the 2nd rd pick from LA is in 2012, not this year as those from Columbus. Flyers’ farm team was depleted of talent ready to move up.
Despite all the whirlwind trades, there actually seems to be a well thought-out plan in the midst of the “madness.” Those super-long expensive contracts were ridiculous, so they got rid of them and hopefully got the goalie we’ve needed for so long. I don’t think they’re done yet, but I actually like the changes… for now.
Snyder was ticked off the way this season ended and he wants another Cup in Philly. Only time will tell if the moves were right, but personally have no problem with Carter and Richards moving on.
Happy to hear about the Carter Trade who was an underachiever and disappeared every playoff season..Surprised to hear about the RIchards Deal and don’t know if Goalie Bryz is worth that kind of $$ on for 9 years.. If he is good as advertised, then FLyers should be able to compete for years to come if draft well with these high picks they got in the tradeds.. IF Bryz doesn’t pan out, then theis deal could set them back for a while.. It will be a different team lead by Giroux,JMR,Schenn and hopefully Leino
Leino reportedly wants $4 million… who knows. Iggles, you are correct, I will update that it is a 2012 draft pick.
Josh, there is no way in hell I would give Leino $4 million a year, would you? What the hell has this guy done in his career, but have 4 or 5 good months. He is not worth that kind of a cap hit. Don’t let the door spank you Leino There are plenty of free agents worth that kind of money & are better. Versteeg needs to go also. Keep the moves coming Homer. Cut off the dead meat. Get Timmonen’s hindering contract too.