Adrian Dater of the Denver Post reported via twitter that the Philadelphia Flyers have traded forward Max Talbot to the Colorado Avalanche for forward Steve Downie. The report has been confirmed by multiple news outlets.
Downie, a first round draft pick of the Flyers in 2005, was one component of a trade in 2008 (along with Steve Eminger) to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Matt Carle. His first stint with the Flyers is perhaps best known for the 20-game suspension he received for nearly ending the career of Ottawa Senator Dean McAmmond.
Downie, 26, had a breakout year with the Lightning in the 2009-10 season, scoring 22 goals and 46 points. Since then, he has put up respectable bottom six production averaging around 10 goals and 35 points per season.
On the one hand, moving Talbot could hurt the penalty kill along with the overall team defensive play. The Flyers rank 15th in goals-against per game and 6th in penalty kill success.
On the other hand, the third line left winger position seemed like a question mark at the beginning of the year and was never really addressed. Neither Michael Raffl, Tye McGinn or Chris VandeVelde really “earned” the position, so the Flyers sent all three to the Adirondack Phantoms and moved Talbot to that position.
Downie currently has 1 goal and 7 points in 11 games, sadly tying Vincent Lecavalier for the team lead in scoring. It would be unrealistic to expect Downie to return to a 20-goal scorer, but he presents a more offensively talented bottom six forward than Talbot.
In terms of the salary cap, Downie makes $2.65 million and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Talbot makes $1.75 million per season and has two additional years remaining on his current contract. In this sense, there is more flexibility moving forward with Downie’s current contract.
The biggest question here is really Downie’s style of play. He was nearly suspended for a dangerous hit against Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi earlier this month and presents the type of player that many in the fanbase aren’t exactly keen on anymore.
The Flyers take on the Washington Capitals on Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Effin Downie? The hits just keep coming. Get Homer outta here.
He’ll tease with flashes of skill and then kill us with a stupid third period penalty. The ref’s arm is already in the air.
Hooray, the missing piece of the puzzle is Steve Downie.
When his playing career is over, the Flyers can promote him to VP or GM or some other important position that they like to fill with former goons.
The hilarity, ineptness, & @$$clownery, continues! SMMFH!
haha… I immediately thought of your reaction to this one when it happened DCAR. Dude is redundant, as they already have Rinaldo.
I think that I saw Homer working out every goon over the past 10 years in the league. Still living in the 70s.
bugs, Homer loves his retreads, muckers, grinders, & non-talented scorers. “Redundant” is the perfect word. I just don’t get it. Homer is just spinning his wheels in the mud at this point, until the inevitable Hextall takeover. Rate our 4 GM’s in accordance of ineptness.
My picks-
1- Ruin 2morrow.
2- Weaselman.
3- Homer-less.
4- Nerd-boy.
You?
Snider is 100% responsible for Pronger, Bryz, Richards, Carter, and Lecavalier. Holmgren couldn’t purchase a pizza without Snider picking the restaurant and toppings.
1) Amaro
1) Homer
3) Roseman
4) Hinke
Those 2 dudes are tied for first because they basically have open checkbooks and they still can’t build a winning team. One has no plan at all and the other is planning on having a team of Steve Otts and Stu Grimsons. Roseman is not far behind though, since he cannot evaluate talent at all.
Hinke is the only guy who has some potential, because he at least had some success somewhere else. I am not convinced that Noel will turn into anything, but Carter-Williams seems like he could bring a lot because of his length and his ability to see the court on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. (I am not just basing this off of Wed’s game, so don’t worry) They end up with Wiggins or Parker and suddenly Hinke is a genius.
Flyers love muckers –
I’ll give him a chance, at least if Steve Downie is not a successful upgrade it won’t be because of effort. Steve will put his entire body on the line.
So… that last sentence turned out to be fairly prescient.