The Day After

Just a few thoughts now that the initial shock has worn off.

-Trading both Richards and Carter seems to lend credence to the idea that there were locker room issues with the young players on this team.  Going back even further, every last piece of the "Old City Crew" has been shipped out; Upshall, then Lupul, now Richards and Carter.  Seems a long time ago Stevens was coaching that big group of young forwards.

-I have to assume Pronger will be named the captain, as he kind of assumed the role of de facto captain last year anyway.

-As much as I like the deal, Simmonds, Voracek and Schenn will not be able to match the outgoing production of Richards and Carter this year.  They are still young and developing, and are where Richards and Carter were a few years ago.  Can they develop quick enough to win before Timonen and Pronger get too old?

-I really don't think I'll miss Carter too much, but the Richards trade does make me a little nervous.  Richards looked out of shape to me down the stretch this year, but he can still do a little bit of everything and never quits.  All is well if Schenn develops as most expect he will, and he's not a dissimilar player to Richards.  However if Schenn fizzles by any significant amount, the Flyers will have traded their captain in his prime and not have too much to show for it.

-Apparently the Flyers almost sent Richards to the Leafs for Kulemin and Kadri, but the Leafs couldn't make up their mind.  Also the Flyers apparently asked for Ryan Johansen, another center (and #2 on hockeysfuture.com top prospects behing Schenn) from Columbus.  Maybe if Columbus had given in on Johansen the Flyers wouldn't have traded for Schenn?  Who knows, who cares.

-There are some ridiculous rumors floating around about the Flyers chasing Brad Richards or Steven Stamkos.  I can't imagine it.  The Flyers opened up some cap space, but not that much cap space.  Future acquisitions should be to round out the chemistry of the forwards at reasonable prices, not expensive high-end players.  Cole, Gagne...etc.

-I'd also try and get Leino back because of his chemistry with Briere.  People forget how much this team relied on that line up through January, because quite frankly Richards, Carter, and Pronger were having pretty sleepy seasons.

-The team is placing the offense into Claude Giroux's hands.  He is the new franchise center, a role he seemingly was eager to accept this season anyway.  With any luck, Schenn will be there supporting him sooner rather than later.

-The only thing the Flyers didn't address yesterday was young defensemen.  Presumably the Flyers will take a defensemen with the #8 pick, though personally I would even look for a deal to trade Versteeg+#8 pick for a top notch defensive prospect who is close to NHL ready.