The Philadelphia Flyers have been linked to many rumors during this off-season.
They have been rumored to be in the mix for Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, Rick Nash,
Bobby Ryan, Shane Doan, and Shea Weber. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has been a busy
man.
His most recent move, the offer sheet sent to Nashville’s All-Star defenseman Shea
Weber, is flat out brilliant. The offer sheet that Weber signed to was $110
million over the next 14 years. The Flyers will be paying Weber $1 million for
the first four years of this contract, but it is the bonuses that Nashville
will have trouble matching. The bonuses equal $52 million.
This signing gives Nashville GM David Polie the ultimatum to either match
Philadelphia’s offer or let another star defenseman leave town. We will find out
if Weber will wear the orange and black by Wednesday night at 11:30. Not only
would this move be a huge leap towards the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since
1975, but it also keeps other teams such as the New York Rangers away from
Weber.
This is only the most recent of Holmgren’s big moves. In 2007, Holmgren acquired Kimmo
Timonen and Scott Hartnell from the Nashville Predators for a 1st
round draft pick. He also signed UFA Danny Briere to an 8 year/$52 million
contract in 2007.
Holmgren traded for Chris Pronger in 2009 with the Anaheim Ducks giving up Joffery
Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and two first round draft picks. Head coach Peter Laviolette
was also hired during 2009 to replace John Stevens.
Last off-season, Holmgren shook-up the franchise by trading captain Mike Richards to the Los
Angeles Kings for Wayne Simmonds, top prospect Brayden Schenn, and a second
round draft pick. He also traded Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets for
Jakub Voracek and the eight overall draft pick which the Flyers used to draft
Sean Couturier.
He also signed goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to a massive contract after the suspect
goaltending during their 2011 Stanley Cup playoff run. The signings of Jaromir
Jagr and Maxime Talbot provided leadership to a locker room full of young,
developing players.
This off-season, Holmgren traded James van Riemsdyk to Toronto for defenseman Luke Schenn. This move strengthened the defense, gave the Flyers a right-handed shot from the
point, and reunited the Schenn brothers which might help their play. They also
signed left winger Ruslan Fedotenko and defenseman Bruno Gervais to contracts
to provide more depth.
The departures of Jaromir Jagr and Matt Carle also must be noted. Resigning a 40
year old Jaromir Jagr for 4 million after it seemed he did not have much left
in the playoffs, would have been a mistake. Matt Carle, a puck-carrying
offensive defenseman, will be missed, but if Weber does become a Flyer, the
point production of Jagr and puck-carrying of Carle will be replaced.
Paul Holmgren’s tenure as general manager has been very productive and successful.
Philadelphia should be thankful to have a bold GM that has made many moves to
help point them in the right direction.
