Guess We Can't Complain About More Blue Line Depth

As we discussed after the draft, in the wake of the series that shan't be mentioned, most Flyers fans commented that the team's most glaring need was more depth at rearguard and, hopefully, a puck-moving defenseman. GM Paul Holmgren obviously saw the same needs (they were hard to miss), and has concentrated all of his efforts so far this off-season on solidifying the Flyers defense.

In yesterday's installment, Homer traded forward Triston Grant and a 7th rounder in 2009 to Nashville for Janne Niskala. Niskala is a Finnish d-man who can score, having finished second among AHL defensemen in goals last season (19). At 26, you have to wonder why he isn't an NHL player yet, but he's spent the majority of his career playing in Europe, most recently in the Swedish Elite League, so we're hoping it's more a matter of acclimation to the North American game than a lack of sufficient defensive skill.

Will Niskala be an impact player for the Flyers at any point next year? It's hard to say. With all the "depth" they have added, we won't know for a while which players will actually make the big club's roster and which will spend their seasons at the Spectrum. Plus, the hope is that the Flyers are still actively in the market for a Brian Campbell or a Mark Streit, which will bolster the top-4 and clutter (in a good way) the remaining two or three slots. Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn are the clear elite, and Derian Hatcher sounds like he'll return. Randy Jones will likely stay as well, and we'd be surprised if Ryan Parent weren't on the team right away. Jason Smith has likely played his last game as a Flyer, and Lasse Kukkonen struggled for ice time last season. With the addition of Mike Eminger and now Niskala, the lines between 7th defenseman, healthy scratch, and Phantom phenom are looking pretty blurry.

But after losing both Timonen and Coburn to injuries in the post-season last year, Homer is making it clear that there will be reserves when needed. A guy like Niskala with an offense-oriented skill-set could be able to step in and help on the power play if Timonen misses any time next year. Overall, the Flyers are moving in the right direction, but they don't appear to be through yet.

Comments

[Nixorbo]

Timonen-Coburn
Hatcher-Parent
Jones-Eminger/Niskala

Sounds decent, though I'd much prefer to be able to change "Hatcher" to, say, "Streit."

[Ben]

Streit wont cost as much as Campbell so I'd rather the Flyers go after him.
Parent should be on the club with Smith going to the Devils.
I heard Homer wa shaving a "heart to heart" with Hatcher at some point, so I think its possible Hatcher will not be in a Flyers jersey next season, but you never know.
But I do like that our defense now has incredible depth, after all its what the Flyers needed the most.
Anyone know who will be on Line 1 with Briere/Gagne?

[Sanganoski]

As long as they're looking for defensemen, unless he re-signed?, I think that Orpsic,was that his name?, from the Pens, is still available? He's got a little size to him, and then maybe the Flyers can unload Hatcher and start camp with a whole new set of defensemen that can "move the puck" instead of just "lugging out of their zone.

[MikeY]

@ Saganoski - Orpik from the Pens is an RFA, I've heard he is talking to the Pens about a deal.

@ Ben - it could be one of a few different guys playing with Briere and Gagne.
Knuble
Hartnell
Lupul
Richards?
Giroux (although a long shot)

I think a good question that I haven't heard anyone ask is:

Who is going to play on the 4th line?? Down, Kapanen and Thoreson are all probably gone...Thoreson is an RFA so maybe he stays.

Right now, we have 10 forwards:
(assuming they sign Carter and get Gagne back)

Gagne - Briere - Lupul
Hartnell - Richards - Giroux
Knuble - Carter - Upshall
Downie - ?? - ??

Do they bring a guy up from the Phantoms?? If so, then who?? Ruzicka is the only forward on the Phantoms who has play a game in the NHL. They traded Potulny (Center) for Edmonton, so he's not here...I think they need to re-sign Dowd, and maybe Thoreson too.

...Don't forget, we also have to sign Eminger...he's an RFA.

I don't know if they will be able to sign another UFA defenseman with having to re-sign 1 or 2 guys to play on the 4th line.

I'm pretty sure they have about 11 million is cap space before we sign anyone...how much will be left after we sign Carter, Jones and Eminger?...2 million?...3 million?...not enough for a UFA defenseman who is better than anyone we have now.

Hatcher retiring has become the most important thing in my mind that need to happen...he'll free up 3.5 million towards the cap...that'll bring our number up to about 14-15 million free before signing anyone...maybe we can get a d-man then.

[MikeY]

- has played* a game

- to* Edmonton

- 11 million in* cap space

- that needs* to happen

I really do know how to type the English language...I just sit at a computer all day so, a 2nd set of eyes to proofread my writing would prevent this kind of thing from happening. I only have 1 set though...

[MikeY]

*UPDATES*

According to NHLnumbers.com, the Flyers are at about $49 million as of right now, without signing Carter, Jones or anyone else.

I just read on hockeybuzz.com, that the salary cap this year is 56.7 million...the Flyers have 7.7 million dollars to play with...uh-oh.

[Ben]

I was disappointed when they traded Potulny, but Homer has a plan for the 4th line which means Jimmy Dowd will most likely be back and so will Thorosen.
Remember I think the Flyers still have Dennis Tolpeko and Cote is coming back from what I gather.
So the 4th line will probly be:
Downie/Dowd/Cote or Tolpeko or Thorosen
Gotta love that Flyers depth.

[MikeY]

@ Ben: I hear Tolpeko is going to Russia to play next year. Word is that they extended qualifying offers to all pending RFAs, except Lars Jonsson, Martin Houle, Scott Munroe, and Rejean Beauchemin.

This means Carter, Jones, Eminger, Thoreson, Cote and Guenin have all gotten offers.

Here's what I've heard on Carter, Jones and Cote:

* Jeff Carter is close to signing the 3 year contract we heard about last week. It was reported to be $15 million but I've also heard it could be lower.

* Riley Cote's contract will be worth between $1.7 million and $2.4 million over 3 years.

*Randy Jones is close to a three-year deal worth around $4 million