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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 4, 2006
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Well, yesterday sucked as an end to the season, but I think anyone would have to call this season a success. Going from the worst team in the league to a Final Four team was a great accomplishment. And despite the fact that we went into each series as an underdog, I didn't feel like the Flyers were a Cinderella team at all, I think they quickly made themselves into a legitimate threat, just ran into a deeper and more talented team in the Penguins. But I think everyone that's followed sports over the years can recognize that while these turnaround years are great, the harder accomplishment is to keep improving towards a legitimate championship team. So with that being said, Holmgren has his work cut out for him right away. So what happens with the defense next year? I think judging them on the Penguins series would be wrong, seeing as how we lost our top pairing. But I think Smith is an unrestricted free agent, will he be back? Timmonen and Coburn are no brainers. I really liked Hatcher this year, but is he getttin too old? After those names I would like to see some upgrades if we can. The biggest off season addition will be someone we already have---Simon Gagne. I think Briere had a pretty decent season and first couple rounds of the playoffs, but Gagne is in my opinion still our best player. So where do we upgrade with the forwards? Will Prospal be back? Carter will definitely be resigned, how about Umberger? Let's keep the momentum going into next year Holmgren, Let's Go Flyers!
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 14, 2007
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I'll give my answers to your questions:
1. Defense - Timonen, Coburn, Brian Campbell (from San Jose), Hatcher, Parent, and Jones (who played well in the pitt series surprisingly)
2. Smith is long gone, and his C goes straight to Mike Richards who was one of two players, including Jeff Carter, who gave absolutely everything the entire Pens series
3. I don't think Gagne is our best player, but if he comes back at anyhting close to 2005-2007 levels it would be like making a huge free agent signing. With forwards, we bring up Giroux and let him pick up play in the NHL, and while he may not be great next year, from everything I've seen and heard, he could be a stud in a few seasons.
4. Prospal is gone, he was non existent in the playoffs like usual anyway so good riddance. We don't need someone with a solid regular season and no output when it really matters.
5. Our biggest signing in the offseason will actually be resigning Carter and to a lesser extent Umberger. Carter will command a ridiculous contract, but I believe the Flyers will give it to him because this is one guy they don't want to lose after his monster post-trade deadline and playoff performances. Umberger could get offered too much, depending on how the cap works out with Campbell and Carter coming back.
That's what I'm thinking, obviously some other signings will happen that I doubt very many people could guess, but let me know what you all think about these.
Stanley Cup '09!!!
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Reputation:81
Level:All-Star
Since:Jun 26, 2007
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i think def were goin to sign umby and carter to long contracts..i think theres a 75 percent chance that hatcher n Jason Smith are back in the line up..our whole offense will be back..if we should worry about anything then it should be our defense..then again Holmgren knows how to work out deals n all...but we should be okay...come back next year more hungry..come on gagne come back on fire...
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 4, 2006
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Maybe I should qualify the Gagne comment. Not out best player but possibly our best forward? I definitely think the best scoring threat on the team, and also a very underr-rated two way player. He's been a good scorer when the team was good and even last year when they sucked, so I think he's a great asset. Now I'll get off his jock.....but I don't know how the salary cap works. Was he counting against it all this season even though he was out with an injury. I mean, does getting him back affect our cap space or is he already counted? Where did you pull Brian Campbell's name from? Is he just someone you want here or are there actual rumors floating around?
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 14, 2007
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Campbell has been thrown around by a lot of people. Just saw a quote from paul holmgren in today's inquirer... "We'll sign or match," Holmgren said yesterday. "We're not going to lose Jeff."...the article is here and it talks about campbell and other possibilties for the offseason. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20080519_Flyers
_have_foundation_to_build_on.html
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 30, 2007
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I would like to know the same thing were did Brian Campbell come from? I would love to get him. Isnt his best friend Briere?
I do believe that Gagne is gonna be a problem with the concussion. I saw a video with him getting needles into his brain to try and help with his headaches. It seem to work for now. But who know concussions are a strange thing. Ill hope for the best and move on.
Im hoping but I can't seeing them able to afford all those big contracts with Carter,Umberger,Brian Campbell (is atleast 5 or 6 million). I sure do hope they can
Well Have a nice offseason Boys ......Thanks for a great season and see ya next year
GO Flyers ! ! !
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 21, 2006
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I can hardly find what I need here and that is the list of previous draft picks and their status and development. I read last month about how dominating VanRiemsdyk has been and Giroux has been lights out. There is also talk of the Swede (best player in the world not under contract with the NHL). Don't ya think Marian Hossa should be someone they try to acquire to replace the probably departing Prospal. I do expect the Flyers to acquire Brian Campbell, since they really like his prescence. I know there are a few other FAs or the possibility of trades as last year by Holmgren. So are these young kids ready? Who might be this year's Alexei Zhitnik?
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 14, 2007
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Giroux and VanRiemsdyk have played well from what i hear. Giroux will be with us next season, but VanRiemsdyk is still not ready. The Swede signed with Dallas a week agoish. Hossa would be a great aquisition but i don't know if we will have enough money if we sign a Brian Campbell type player especially since holmgren said carter will be back no matter how much he commands basically. I hope they could make a splash in the free agent market like that, but im not sure exactly about the cap numbers for next year.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 30, 2006
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I think in order to compete with Pittsburgh we will need more skating from the back end.
Carter and Brian Campbell are priority #1 and #1a. If we then have to choose between Umberger and Jones, then I will take Jones. We have Kukkonen, Parent and Guenin waiting in the wings at Def, but on the forward lines we have Gagne, Giroux, and Downie coming back to fill those holes. Plus Van Reimsdyk is growing up swiflty. Remember, Umberger has proven himself to be a winger and not a center. The Flyers have Gagne, Hartnell, and Knuble making money already at wing. Lupul and Upshall already provide depth. If I have to basically trade Randy Jones and Brian Campbell for R.J. Umberger, then it's a done deal.
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