Flyers trade first, sign Timmonen and Hartnell

[Dan]

What a day for Nashville and Philadelphia.

We traded the 23rd overall pick for the rights to Kimo Timmonen and Scott Hartnell. We then signed both to 6 year deals.

Immediate thoughts are that the deal is superb for both sides. Nashville get a first round pick for two players that were leaving them regardless and we got the chance to sign them both before the free agency bidding wars.

The amounts (4.2 for Hartnell, 6 something for Timmonen) are a touch high, but they'd have gotten that or more on free agency anyway so it's not like we're drastically over-paying.

The deal ultimately means we've managed to turn Peter Forsberg into Timmonen, Hartnell, Parent, Upshall and a third. Pretty fine work there Mr Holmgren.

Oh yeah, and we can sign Forsberg back too, for less money than he was on last year...

Holmgren also managed to turn Freddy Meyer into Braydon Coburn. He's completely renovated our team in little over 6 months, he's turned our defence into something that will be mean in a few years. He's got to be in the running for the top GM award?

We're in the running for play-off qualification for sure now. Wouldn't say we're contenders yet at all though, wait until we've got Pitkanen and a #1 centre signed and then we'll think about that.

[andyd]

Do you think Forsberg will re-sign in Philly though?

For my money he's highly likely to make his way back to Denver now the Avs have cap space and his demands are not as high. He didn't want to leave in the first place.

[Dan]

He stated in an interview that he would only go to three teams: Philadelphia, Colorado or Nashville. I think he'll sign for someone with a 2 year $6m deal. A steal if by some miracle he could sort himself out.

[sawchuk]

Rumour is that the Flyers will also make an offer for RFA Tomas Vanek.

[Dan]

Hmm...I can see offer sheets becoming more frequent nowadays. In the days before the cap they were seen as a major faux paux but if a team doesn't lock up their RFA's soon enough, they deserve what they get.

Meh, even if they match the offer sheet, that's more cap taken up and less money they can use to sign Briere and/or Drury.

[sawchuk]

Anything that makes Buffalo weaker, chap, naything that makes 'em weaker



It'd cost you to sign Vanek but I think it'd be worth it as he's a good player.

[Dan]

He's better than that. What dya reckon it'd cost? 3/4 first rounders? Dangerous stuff.

[sawchuk]

upshall said:

He's better than that. What dya reckon it'd cost? 3/4 first rounders? Dangerous stuff.

Five 1st rounders is what I read recently

[Dan]

Jesus! I would have thought 5 would be enough to get hold of master Crosby!

If it would cost that much, just go for a trade. It'd undoubtedly be cheaper.

[sawchuk]

I think the situation the Flyers find themselves is deeply envious for me as a Leaf fan. You're absolutely stacked with young talent and I think you'll be making noises in the post season in a year or too.

The Hartnell deal is a great one but I'd be concerned if the Leafs had given that type of contract to Timonen considering his age and it's one that is akin to the McCabe contract, which while I like Bryan, is a large pill to swallow.

[Dan]

I've got to admit, i am liking the looks of the Hartnell contract. It looks like he'll be put onto a line with Upshall and Carter. It'll be young, fast and will put up plenty of points. Maybe it'll be the secondary scoring line we've been after for a while now.

As for Timonen, we needed a #1 defenseman and he'll probably have gotten that much or more in the FA dealings anyway. I'm not disappointed in the slightest, it also means that Pitkanen will have a fellow countryman next to him to teach him how to play offensive defense.

What's your opinion on how Holmgren has done? I know from a personal POV that he's turned this club around. Some teams take years to rebuild, he's done it in 6 months. Turning Meyer into Coburn and getting 4 quality players and a third for a potential rental of Forsberg is nothing short of incredible.

[sawchuk]

upshall said:

I've got to admit, i am liking the looks of the Hartnell contract. It looks like he'll be put onto a line with Upshall and Carter. It'll be young, fast and will put up plenty of points. Maybe it'll be the secondary scoring line we've been after for a while now.

As for Timonen, we needed a #1 defenseman and he'll probably have gotten that much or more in the FA dealings anyway. I'm not disappointed in the slightest, it also means that Pitkanen will have a fellow countryman next to him to teach him how to play offensive defense.

What's your opinion on how Holmgren has done? I know from a personal POV that he's turned this club around. Some teams take years to rebuild, he's done it in 6 months. Turning Meyer into Coburn and getting 4 quality players and a third for a potential rental of Forsberg is nothing short of incredible.

I think your GM has done incredibly well considering how low the Flyers were at the end of the season (and even during the season.)

It goes to show what teams will do when they have a chance (or think they have one) when it comes to winning Lord Stanley. You got rid of Forsberg who couldn't keep himself fit and got lots of picks for him. Toronto did a similar thing in 2004 when we made the Leetch deal.

Gave up picks for a genuine talent, but didn't do anything in the play offs and it was a costly trade as we lost our 1st rounder and two prospects, that draft pick could have been used to select someone like Wolski, Meszaros or Zajac.

[sawchuk]

upshall said:

As for Timonen, we needed a #1 defenseman and he'll probably have gotten that much or more in the FA dealings anyway. I'm not disappointed in the slightest, it also means that Pitkanen will have a fellow countryman next to him to teach him how to play offensive defense.

I read a couple of articles that state Pitkanen is on his way out of Philadelphia?

[Dan]

With Edmonton being the main suitors, aye. I can't see what we've got to gain from trading Joni. He's at his absolute lowest value after having a stinker of a season last year and he's only going to improve when next to Timonen. I have faith in Holmgren though, if we do trade him i expect to get a quality return.

[sawchuk]

upshall said:

With Edmonton being the main suitors, aye. I can't see what we've got to gain from trading Joni. He's at his absolute lowest value after having a stinker of a season last year and he's only going to improve when next to Timonen. I have faith in Holmgren though, if we do trade him i expect to get a quality return.

That's why teams will want him, because his value is low but is bound to rise when his team is playing better. It's much like the Bell trade for Toronto, as he was awful last year but he remains a good player and can rebound.

[Yotes]

Pitkanen swap for Niclas Wallin rumour:

tinyurl.com/3859sl

[Dan]

With all due respect, that's nonsense.

[Yotes]

upshall said:

With all due respect, that's nonsense.

Yeah probably, the unfortunately named Luke DeCock (http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/617018.html) has probably made it up.

Does seem that Pitkanen is being let go though?

[Dan]

There's little to nothing from the actual Flyers organisation, so i pray that it's all media hoo-ha-ha.

No smoke without fire and all that though...

[sawchuk]

One rumour floating around involves the Flyers, 'Canes & Oilers making a three way deal.

Oilers get Cole (Hurricanes)
Flyers get Torres (Oilers)
Hurricanes get Pitkanen (Flyers)

There's also suggestion the Oilers may move for Pitkanen regardless.

[Dan]

No thanks. Saw this a few days ago, it scares me.

[Deleted]

The wings might be able to start dealing now, starting with Ryan Smyth this week ;D

[sawchuk]

pidge said:

The wings might be able to start dealing now, starting with Ryan Smyth this week ;D

Are there even any rumours about Smyth going to Detroit?

Besides you've still got to re-sign Markov, Hasek & Schneider...