Well, that was unexpected.
This time last year, the Flyers surprised the NHL community with a blockbuster trade: two first round draft picks (this year’s and next’s), highly touted defensive prospect Luca Sbisa, and talented winger Joffrey Lupul for the monster we know as Chris Pronger. A year after the trade, it’s difficult to look down on that trade. Two first-round picks hurt, but 29th overall this year doesn’t mean much. Sbisa is still not ready to make the full jump to the NHL (although Scott Niedermayer’s retirement may expedite any development plans that the Anaheim Ducks have), and Lupul spent most of the season with back injuries.  There was much speculation that the Flyers would make a splash this year at the draft, as they have no first or second round draft picks and a penchant for being bold.
The deal that occurred could be argued as bold, but not in quite the same manner.  It was heavily twittered around the time that the Nashville Predators drafted Austin Watson that general managers Paul Holmgren and Ray Shero (Pittsburgh Penguins) were talking at length. Initial speculation was that Pittsburgh was looking to trade for UFA defenseman Dan Hamhuis’ rights from the Flyers for the #20 overall pick.  Hamhuis had been traded by the Nashville Predators for defenseman Ryan Parent by the Flyers last Saturday.  This was not to be, as Shero walked up the stage and announced that the Penguins had selected right winger Beau Bennett, who played in the British Columbia Hockey League (and is a good draft pick).
The rumors, however, picked up steam towards the end of the draft.  Then, the blasphemous news broke across the floor: the Philadelphia Flyers had traded the rights to Hamhuis for a 2011 third-round draft pick.  Essentially, the Flyers traded Parent for a third round pick.  While the trade in itself was not that bad, the idea of the Flyers now playing against Hamhuis at least six times next season is ridiculous.  Trading him for a Western Conference team is one thing; trading within the division is sacrilege.
The only conceit that may serve the Flyers is that it was rumored Hamhuis was not interested in playing in the Eastern Conference.  He hails from Vancouver, whose team is in need of a top-four defenseman, and may be holding out for free agency.  If Homer knew that the Pens wouldn’t be able to sign Hamhuis, then this deal is brilliant.  My guess, though, is that this is wishful thinking. 
Oh, and Homer had lengthy talks around the 26th pick with San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson about some guy named Nabokov. Could make for an interesting NHL 2010 Draft day two.
I’m really sick of hearing the “trade within the division” line over and over. You get something in return. It’s a trade, not a gift. The point is, both teams should be better against everyone else.
In fact, if Pittsburgh doesn’t sign him in the next 4 days, we get something for nothing.
Trading for a few days worth of negotiating rights with a player is often meaningless. That’s why we “got” Nabakov for so little… he probably wants to become a free agent and see how much he can get on the open market. Chances are Hamhuis will do something similar.