swflyers25
8-01-05, 8:20 PM
Flyers seek to get physical
They will try to obtain a strong defenseman when free agency begins today.
By Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Staff Writer
NHL free agency officially begins at noon today. It should be a whirlwind of activity for some clubs competing for a few select players while dealing with the new $39 million salary cap.
For the Flyers, it's all about the blue line. They desperately need an impact defenseman with size.
Think about the Eastern Conference, which has Mats Sundin, Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Yashin, Mario Lemieux, Joe Thornton and Vinny Lecavalier. All are big, strong forwards.
Whom do the Flyers have on defense to play any of them man-to-man? Vladimir Malakhov didn't re-sign. Danny Markov plays above his 195 pounds, but he can't do that every night in the NHL.
Eric Desjardins is 36 and is not a physical defenseman. Though he remains a trusted staple, he has been hurt in each of the last two postseasons - a critical factor in the Flyers' not advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003-04.
General manager Bob Clarke acknowledged that defense is his priority.
"Getting a defenseman, maybe two defensemen," Clarke said. "We will hear from the agent or call the agent and find out what it will cost. We know what the order is, but money is a factor right now. We have a list as to what our priorities are. It all comes down to whether you have enough money under the cap to get them."
Though Joni Pitkanen and Dennis Seidenberg are expected to become full-time regulars this fall, the Flyers still lack a physical presence.
Usually a forward or goalie heads the list of available talent in free agency. This summer, however, it's New Jersey defenseman Scott Niedermayer.
Given the interest, Niedermayer should get $7 million (the maximum allowed is $7.8 million) - which takes the Flyers out of the picture because their projected cap room is $8.4 million. Clarke wants to be at least $2 million under the cap.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues, who made a $7.2 million qualifying offer to defenseman Chris Pronger rather than lose him to unrestricted free agency, are trying to deal the former Norris Trophy winner. GM Larry Pleau has little cap room, with nearly $20 million tied up in Pronger, Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk. Pronger would be an ideal fit for the Flyers if they could rework the deal long-term.
If Niedermayer goes to Anaheim to join brother Rob, as some expect, look for the Flyers to consider Derian Hatcher, Adam Foote and Pronger. That's the Flyers' short list of impact blue-liners. After that, a lower-tier player such as Adrian Aucoin is on the long list.
As much as Brian Rafalski is a tremendous talent, he lacks the size the Flyers need. Besides, if Niedermayer leaves the Devils, as everyone assumes, GM Lou Lamoriello will have to re-sign Rafalski and Scott Stevens.
Hatcher and Foote are the most logical choices, since Niedermayer's salary demands are going to be very high. Hatcher, 33, has had some health issues. Foote is 34. Colorado GM Pierre Lacroix doesn't have enough money to re-sign Peter Forsberg, Paul Kariya, a couple of restricted free agents, and Foote without trading someone.
The Flyers seem willing to commit a total of $6.5 million on defense. That means they either sign one player at $6 million or two lesser players for a combined $6.5 million.
"It won't take $6.5 million to sign Adam," his agent, Rick Curran, said yesterday.
Inky (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/nhl/12272367.htm)
They will try to obtain a strong defenseman when free agency begins today.
By Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Staff Writer
NHL free agency officially begins at noon today. It should be a whirlwind of activity for some clubs competing for a few select players while dealing with the new $39 million salary cap.
For the Flyers, it's all about the blue line. They desperately need an impact defenseman with size.
Think about the Eastern Conference, which has Mats Sundin, Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Yashin, Mario Lemieux, Joe Thornton and Vinny Lecavalier. All are big, strong forwards.
Whom do the Flyers have on defense to play any of them man-to-man? Vladimir Malakhov didn't re-sign. Danny Markov plays above his 195 pounds, but he can't do that every night in the NHL.
Eric Desjardins is 36 and is not a physical defenseman. Though he remains a trusted staple, he has been hurt in each of the last two postseasons - a critical factor in the Flyers' not advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003-04.
General manager Bob Clarke acknowledged that defense is his priority.
"Getting a defenseman, maybe two defensemen," Clarke said. "We will hear from the agent or call the agent and find out what it will cost. We know what the order is, but money is a factor right now. We have a list as to what our priorities are. It all comes down to whether you have enough money under the cap to get them."
Though Joni Pitkanen and Dennis Seidenberg are expected to become full-time regulars this fall, the Flyers still lack a physical presence.
Usually a forward or goalie heads the list of available talent in free agency. This summer, however, it's New Jersey defenseman Scott Niedermayer.
Given the interest, Niedermayer should get $7 million (the maximum allowed is $7.8 million) - which takes the Flyers out of the picture because their projected cap room is $8.4 million. Clarke wants to be at least $2 million under the cap.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues, who made a $7.2 million qualifying offer to defenseman Chris Pronger rather than lose him to unrestricted free agency, are trying to deal the former Norris Trophy winner. GM Larry Pleau has little cap room, with nearly $20 million tied up in Pronger, Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk. Pronger would be an ideal fit for the Flyers if they could rework the deal long-term.
If Niedermayer goes to Anaheim to join brother Rob, as some expect, look for the Flyers to consider Derian Hatcher, Adam Foote and Pronger. That's the Flyers' short list of impact blue-liners. After that, a lower-tier player such as Adrian Aucoin is on the long list.
As much as Brian Rafalski is a tremendous talent, he lacks the size the Flyers need. Besides, if Niedermayer leaves the Devils, as everyone assumes, GM Lou Lamoriello will have to re-sign Rafalski and Scott Stevens.
Hatcher and Foote are the most logical choices, since Niedermayer's salary demands are going to be very high. Hatcher, 33, has had some health issues. Foote is 34. Colorado GM Pierre Lacroix doesn't have enough money to re-sign Peter Forsberg, Paul Kariya, a couple of restricted free agents, and Foote without trading someone.
The Flyers seem willing to commit a total of $6.5 million on defense. That means they either sign one player at $6 million or two lesser players for a combined $6.5 million.
"It won't take $6.5 million to sign Adam," his agent, Rick Curran, said yesterday.
Inky (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/nhl/12272367.htm)