Western Conference Improves as Philadelphia Unloads Jeff Carter and Mike Richards
by Mr. Plank on Jun 23, 2011 4:11 PM PDT
in NHL News
Email
Print
A day before the NHL Draft and we already have some massive changes in the Western Conference.
The Philadelphia Flyers sent franchise cornerstones Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to the Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets respectively, acquiring Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, Jakub Voracek, and a first and third round draft pick. It was a notable haul in terms of promising young players, but there's no doubt the effects of these transactions will put a damper on the Flyers ability to win next season.
For all intents and purposes it is Claude Giroux's and James Van Riemsdyk's team now. While those are two excellent forwards you can build around, the increasing age of defensive stalwarts Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen make the window for success much closer to now rather than later-- today was a futures move for Philadelphia on the forward front, something that doesn't exactly mesh with the age on their backend.
As for Los Angeles, I don't think there's any doubt they just received a world-class two way forward that is as dangerous defensively as he is offensively. Joining Anze Kopitar and Jarret Stoll down the middle, the Kings now have three players who match up well against the best 1-2-3 center punch in the NHL (Thornton, Couture, Pavelski). And while Pittsburgh's duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is a better 1-2 combo, the Kings are now on par with (if not better than) every other NHL team in regards to their top two centers.
Los Angeles got the number two center they were looking for this offseason. With a deal sending Ryan Smyth to Edmonton reportedly imminent, the Kings should have enough cap space in order to sign Drew Doughty, Alec Martinez, Brad Richardson, Oscar Moller, and Trevor Lewis.
Expect the Kings to contend once again for the Pacific Division title. With the amount of talent they already possess on the backend, they should once again be a Stanley Cup contender provided they can stay healthy down the stretch.
As for Columbus, the acquisition of Jeff Carter allows them to finally give Rick Nash a player to work with in the offensive end of the ice. Whether or not that vaults them into playoff contention remains to be seen with free agency still a factor, but there's no doubt that the Blue Jackets have improved in the short term as well.
72 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
But if they can somehow get Brad....
we’d have to worry about the Richards – Richards – Richardson line.
Shameless radio show plug. Also, here's my twitter.
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
2010-2011 FTF 2 Fantasy Hockey CHAMPION
by jwizzle241 on Jun 23, 2011 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
What a bunch of dicks.
"Now get on board going down the river float, we gonna raise a ruckus tonight" - OCMS
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
I see what you did there
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
3yr/9M for Setoguchi, seems right to me
TSNBobMcKenzie: "@GMillerTSN: Devin Setoguchi signs a three year deal with SJ, $2.75m, $3.0m, $3.25" #tsn
Oh what? Really?
That’s not bad. Not bad at all. I would’ve preferred a cheaper 2 year contract to help us win a cup this year but that’s a real solid deal.
I think last offseason most of us were hoping for a 3 year 3.5 mill contract for Seto so 3 years at 3 mill is damn good. Now Seto just needs to stop going into slumps so he can go back to scoring 30+ goals for us.
Now Seto just needs to stop going into slumps so he can go back to scoring 30+ goals for us.
this
Daniel Erlich for President
\/\/\/\/\/
/\/\/\/\/\
GO SHARKS!!!
by SharksFanTillDeath on Jun 23, 2011 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions
It's not all about the numbers
Don’t judge him just by the quantity of the goals he scores, but the quality too. He scored plenty of clutch goals this past season as well as a few game winners in overtime. That shows his ability to do it when in tough situations.
by zack007attack on Jun 23, 2011 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I think this trade gives us a pretty good idea of what we could possibly get for Pavelski if we traded him. I don’t think there’s a better comparable than Mike Richards for Joe Pavelski.
Richards and Pavelski are pretty much the exact same height, weight, age, and they both play on the PP (they both play on the point) and the PK.
The only differences are:
1. Richards probably has better leadership qualities, though I think Pavelski could definitely be a leader if he was put in a position where he might be needed to.
2. Pavelski is much better at faceoffs.
3. Pavelski has had more points per game the last couple season playing with inferior linemates (especially this last season), though Pavelski has never gotten 80 points in his career as Richards did in 08-09.
Personally I think i’d rather have Pavelski than Richards. Then when you take into account their contracts i think the majority of GMs in the league would rather take Pavelski over Richards.
So I can’t help but wonder what we could get for a guy like Joe Pavelski.
I mostly agree, but I think there are some (probably stupid) factors that would slightly lower the value of Pavs. Mainly that he plays on the third line for the Sharks, thus some might wrongly consider him to not be a star center.
by WhatsAMataHari on Jun 23, 2011 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions
All the things we want
We can’t have. Also, losing Joe Pavelski immediately weakens our top 9. So unless we get Shea Weber, I don’t think there’s much I’d be interested in parting with him for.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
There are a lot of guys available out there who could make a great 3rd line center for us, and i’m only talking about FA’s.
Brooks Laich, Eric Belanger, and Alex Tanguay would be perfect imo. With any of those 3 we wouldn’t even lose much scoring on that 3rd line.
I take your point
But we’d have to pay any of those guys WAY more than they’re worth. While we might get some cap savings as they’d be cheaper than Pavelski’s $4M, the bang for the buck goes WAY down. That’s why I’d rather keep Pavelski. Unless he DIRECTLY contributes to bringing back a defenseman of Weber’s quality, the overall shuffle for the team is pretty bad. We have to overpay WHOEVER ends up coming in, and losing Pavelski would really make the cost per player look bad in my eyes.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
If losing a little bang for your buck on your 3rd line center is the only price we have to pay to finally get an elite #2 defenseman then that’s awesome. Also the type of guy i’d want to trade Pavelski for would have a MUCH better bang for your buck than any UFA defenseman we’d sign.
Example: 5 – 6 mill for Pitkanen vs. 3.5 mill for Luke Schenn, Brent Burns, maybe Hjalmarsson (though i’d want more in return in a Hjalmarsson trade).
That’s much better cap savings even if we have to overpay our 3rd line center a bit. It’s also a much better move for our future imo.
I'd be fine with those scenarios
But I don’t see how Joe Pavelski gets us Pitkanen or Burns without throwing in something that makes the trade a lose for us
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Not to mention that Burns will be making a lot more money 12 1/2 months from now, and no guarantee it would be with us even after we’ve mortgaged so much for him.
The principal supporting business now is rage. -- Richard Hugo
Not Pitkanen he’s a UFA and i don’t really think he’s the ideal guy to play with Boyle anyways. He would work fine with Boyle i’m sure but we’d have to pay him a lot of money for him to provide services that we don’t necessarily require.
I feel the same way about Burns actually, he’s a real offensive guy (though i’m sure he’ll be great all-around in the future) when we really need an elite defensive defenseman with some puck moving ability. There are rumors though, that Minnesota is taking offers for him. TCY has suggested trades involving Seto so i assume a trade involving Pavs would be much easier to make happen, but who knows.
Hjalmarsson would be a good fit, and supposedly Chicago wants to allocate less dollars to their defense, but it would be scary to send Pavelski to somewhat of a conference rival.
Luke Schenn would be ideal imo. Toronto is also desperate for a 1st or 2nd line center so maybe it could happen.
Schenn make a lot of sense. So does Staal, it would cost more then Pavelski i’d think but the Rangers need centers (especially if they don’t sign Richards) and are loaded with d prospects who are ready to make the jump soon.
I would throw Braun in if it would get us Marc Staal. We might then have capspace to resign Ian White.
Defintiely, but i don’t think they’re desperate enough for a center to trade their top defenseman. If they were though, how sick would this team be?
FORWARDS
Dany Heatley ($7.500m) / Joe Thornton ($7.000m) / Patrick Marleau ($6.900m)
Ryane Clowe ($3.625m) / Logan Couture ($1.241m) / Devin Setoguchi ($3.000m)
Torrey Mitchell ($1.366m) / Brooks Laich ($3.500m) / Pascal Dupuis ($2.300m)
Brandon Mashinter ($0.719m) / Andrew Desjardins ($0.550m) / Jamie McGinn ($0.700m)
DEFENSEMEN
Dan Boyle ($6.666m) / Marc Staal ($3.975m)
Marc-Edouard Vlasic ($3.100m) / Jason Demers ($1.250m)
Douglas Murray ($2.500m) / Ian White ($3.200m)
GOALTENDERS
Antti Niemi ($3.800m) / Thomas Greiss ($0.550m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,444,168; BONUSES: $575,000
CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $855,832
by Khaaz on Jun 23, 2011 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Staal is their franchise defenseman who just signed an extremely good contract – they’re not going to trade him.
Hjalmarsson is no better than Vlasic, in fact, he’s not quite as good defensively. If the Sharks are going to trade Pavs (which I don’t think is ever a good idea) it better be a top 2 d-man coming back – Hjammer is top 4.
Yeah, like i said i’d want more than just Hjalmarsson if we’re offering Pavelski. Originally i wanted to trade Seto for Hjalmarsson, but i don’t think that’ll happen now. Pavelski for hjalmarsson is not a good deal, unless they included Bolland or something.
Maybe Pavelski + Braun + a pick for Hjalmarsson + Bolland? I’d defintiely be down for that. Bolland would be a perfect 3rd line center to replace Pavs.
Pavelski, Braun and a pick
would be interesting and the Rangers would definitely think about it.
No, they really wouldn’t. He’s right behind Lundquist on their untouchable list.
by milanahalek on Jun 23, 2011 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Holy crap.
How did they lock him up at 4 mil? Craziness.
by SanFranciscoKnights on Jun 23, 2011 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I wonder if they would consider trading Staal and a center for Pavs and Demers since Demers is so cheap also.
by SanFranciscoKnights on Jun 23, 2011 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m sure they’d love to throw in Chris Drury lols.
I would defintiely trade Pavs, Demers, and a 1st for Marc Staal and Brian Boyle.
MARLO 4 DRURY
Shameless radio show plug. Also, here's my twitter.
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
2010-2011 FTF 2 Fantasy Hockey CHAMPION
Not that desperate
I wouldn’t do Schenn for Pavelski straight up from a Toronto perspective.
Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
by nhlcheapshot on Jun 23, 2011 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think you understand how good Pavelski is though. He hasn’t come close to a season worthy of his talents yet. Still though, he got .89 points per game this season with Torrey Mitchell and Kyle Wellwood as his linemates…Put him with Kessel and MacArthur and i wouldn’t be surprised if he put up 80 points next season.
I think Burke and RW do know how good Pavelski is, and i think two way centers who play in all game situations are worth more than defensive defensemen in general.
Then why is he being considered in a trade?
i think two way centers who play in all game situations are worth more than defensive defensemen in general.
Schenn at 21 still has a world of potential… yes he’s sometime overrated by fellow Leafs fans but he is a great dman. I realize Pavelski is just hitting his stride, but cmon… Leafs are in the middle of a rebuild, we shouldnt be dealing away our 21 year old cornerstone defenseman.
Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
by nhlcheapshot on Jun 23, 2011 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
No one other than Khaaz is considering it
:b
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
It's true =\
And the more i think about it the more overrated i think Schenn is and the more underated i remember Pavelski is.
I think the key pieces moving would make for a good trade for both teams, but i can’t decide if it’s really a good deal for us if we just traded them straight up.
Ah screw it, lets just overpay the shit outta Pitkanen or Brewer or something and call it a day.
“Pavelski if we traded him”
That’s where I stopped. No.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club
RIP Atlanta Thrashers. Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Look Pavelski is awesome, but there are a lot of other awesome dudes out there that play positions (DEFENSE) that we’re more in need of AIGHT??
Not AIGHT!!!
Honestly, if we could get a guy like Schenn, or a similar guy but on defense? Then it’d be okay. But the chances of a trade like that is low.
There aren’t many forwards out there to replace Pavs though, and that’s my main concern. Yes, the defense does have to get better and that suggests some forward will have to move. But unless it’s going to be something amazing, it’s just not worth it.
And among Laich, Belanger, Tanguay, or Pavelski, I’d really on want Pavs. Maybe Laich, but definitely neither of the other two.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club
RIP Atlanta Thrashers. Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Honestly, if we could get a guy like Schenn, or a similar guy but on defense? Then it’d be okay. But the chances of a trade like that is low.
lol well that’s what i’m talking about, so we’re in agreement!
I’m not talking about trading Pavs for depth defensemen lol.
Belanger would work well i think, he’s a good two way center who can kill penalties and put up points. Tanguay is a similar player but i don’t know if Tanguay wants to play center.
I think Richards is better defensively though.
Shameless radio show plug. Also, here's my twitter.
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
2010-2011 FTF 2 Fantasy Hockey CHAMPION
Man, i really think Philly got the better end of the deal.
Brayden Schenn is going to be crazy good, better than Mike Richards for sure imo. Wayne Simmonds is also a brilliant 3rd liner, with solid 2nd line potential, AND they got a 2nd rounder in the 2012 draft.
That’s a lot to give up. LA obviously wants to win now before they gotta resign all their young guys (Quick, Bernier, etc. + Willie Mitchell)
In the short term, LA wins
But yes, in the long term, Philly CLEARLY wins.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I don't think it's very long before Brayden Schenn is tearing it up in the NHL.
This season he’s played mostly in the WHL and a little in the AHL, and hes dominated in both leagues.
In his 29 games in the WHL he scored 22 goals and 57 points. He’ a freaking 2 point per game player in that league! lol that’s crazy.
In his 7 games in the AHL he’s scored 7 points.
Thank God he won't be a King!
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Except for that Bryzgalov deal. I’m not sure why they went crazy like that.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club
RIP Atlanta Thrashers. Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Rumors...
There was quite a bit of talk during the season about issues in their locker room, between the coach and some players…
Carter was moved to make room for Bryz, but moving Richards was just bizarre! They became Pronger’s team when he went there, maybe moving Richards was Holmgren’s way of backing the Coach and Pronger.
But why back Pronger? Richards is 26 years old and one of the team’s key guys. Pronger is 36, and while still quite good… it’s clear he’s nearing the end of his career at least physically.
But, ultimately, they get Schenn. That makes up for trading Richards, big time.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club
RIP Atlanta Thrashers. Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Don’t know, if there’s anything to the rumors about their room the Richards trade would lead me to believe he was the problem.
Their GM said that they needed to change the direction of the team, so ya, who knows.
Schenn is a good direction. Richards is actually still pretty young, but I think the Kings may have screwed themselves. He would’ve been good in just a few years. Oh well, not that I’m complaining.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club
RIP Atlanta Thrashers. Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
I think the Kings put themselves in a solid position. Last season they were the team that was one offensive piece away from being a scary scary team and even then AND without Kopitar, the Sharks still struggled against them.
Now a full season on the team for Penner (gotta get used to real teammates instead of the Oilers), a healthy Kopitar and now that 1 piece, in exchange for futures and a lower line guy?
The only down note to the whole thing for LA is that Smyth requested a trade. Without that I think they would have been a very potent force, even if they had to let Handzus and Ponti walk, though their fates will be determined by who the Kings get for Smyth. If i recall correctly, Handzus was mentioned as a quality PK forward, but I doubt we could get him at 2mil or some reasonable amount.
I still think that the Kings and the Canucks are going to be the 2 teams jockeying with the Sharks for top spot again this season, with the Kings truly becoming the rivals for us that Anaheim used to be.
Yeah, but Philly needs to be in win now mode.
Pronger’s not going to last forever.
Shameless radio show plug. Also, here's my twitter.
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
2010-2011 FTF 2 Fantasy Hockey CHAMPION
The Columbus trade was shockingly... Fair.
Both teams got exactly what they wanted. Voracek is only a slight downgrade from Carter, and Philly gets picks. Rick Nash gets to play with a legitimately talented player for the first time as a Blue Jacket. It’s a win-win.
That Richards deal though… Philly’s GM must have been stoned out of his fucking mind. Schenn isn’t as good as TSN thinks, Simmonds is a throw-away, and a #2 isn’t going to help much.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
Schenn
Between watching him play w/ the Blades and at the WJC, I think Schenn is probably as good as TSN, as well as the rest of the hockey world, thinks.
To put it in perspective...
McGinn was a point-per-game player in the OHL. Junior don’t mean nothin’ if you can’t prove it on the big stage.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Jun 23, 2011 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, and Simmonds is hardly a throw away player. Also, 2nd round picks can help a lot; the Kings got Tyler Toffoli with their 2nd rounder last year, and he just put up 57 goals and 108 points in 68 games in the OHL this year.
The Flyers definitely got the better end of the deal imo, but it was still a good move for LA since they probably want to win now before they gotta pony up the big dough for all their young guys.
You say stoned out of his mind like it’s a bad thing.
by Briceratops on Jun 23, 2011 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Fear The Fin
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Wednesday’s Three Stars: Devils fourth line steps up; Watch Prust dive
- Stephen Gionta leads Devils in Game 5 triumph over the New York Rangers
- Rangers, Devils back at MSG for pivotal Game 5; NHL 13 screenshots (Playoff Puck Previews)
- CBC announces ‘While the Men Watch Hockey Night,’ sets off backlash over sexism
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 Phoenix Coyotes
