Earlier this morning, former NHL player and TV analyst Enrico Ciccone reported via twitter that the Philadelphia Flyers were interested in Vancouver Canucks goaltender (until next week) Roberto Luongo.
Casual fans and Philadelphia media alike scoffed at the notion; after all, why would the Flyers trade one salary cap headache for another?
By this evening, though, two other reporters- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post and James Duthie of TSN– confirmed that the Flyers have contacted the Canucks and expressed interest in the former Olympic gold medal-winning netminder.
It’s difficult to say just how much one should read into this. Duthie himself clarified, “Doesn’t mean they are going to get him. Doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll make an offer. But they’ve inquired. Could buy out Bryz in June.”
As “@WTPuckingPuck” commented on twitter as well, “You can ‘safely’ attach the Flyers name to any player rumored to be available. It’s up there with death and taxes.”
This is nothing unprecedented for general manager Paul Holmgren. He fields calls regularly on his and other players, and as a manager of professional sports team, one would expect him to.
It’s just due diligence.
After this season, Ilya Bryzgalov, 32, will have seven more seasons under contract with a cap hit of $5.67 million.
After this season, Luongo, 33, will have nine more seasons under contract with a cap hit of $5.33 million.
It just doesn’t make much sense to trade existing assets to bring in an even more volatile contract. If anything, Holmgren is just driving up the price for any other bidders in the market for Luongo’s services.
The team known publicly to be most interested in Luongo- the Toronto Maple Leafs- just fired their general manager Brian Burke this afternoon. It doesn’t take much creativity to imagine what franchise-altering decision he and the ownership group disagreed over.
Lou is better but both will be bought out in June. Lou would be a good deadline deal for a team going for it.
Maybe Lou is a better goalie, but he’s still 33 years old with 9 more years on his contract.
According to Adrian Dater, the Canucks’ asking price is Nicklas Grossmann. If he’s not available, Brayden Schenn.
Neither of these players should be going anywhere.
“Why would the Flyers trade one salary cap headache for another?”
Because he is better, & more consistent, than the nut job we have! It’s not that long ago, he was considered the best in the NHL! Although their size, save%, & GA avg are identical, Luongo avg 60+ games a year & Bryz only 38+ a year. Luongo hasn’t won less than 31 games, since 05′. If we can get him straight up for Bryz, I’d drive Bryz to Vancouver.
Hows about Bryz, Grossman, +, for Lou & Edler? Possible?
Edler is an upcoming UFA.
DCar, it’s expected that Edler will be re-signed by Vancouver before his contract expires. Obviously that could change, but the impending free agent market for defensemen is going to be thin this summer.
I know. Thanks. Was trying to be optimistic! LOL!! Homer is more than likely going to go the trade route.