We'd Cry Too if You Traded Us to Phoenix, But It's Time for Flyers Fans to Move on

When the trade deadline was approaching, it was easy to look at two glaring on-ice needs: a top blueliner and a true #1 goalie. However, no players fitting either description changed teams yesterday. No great goalies were really available, and the asking price on the defenseman was too rich for any team's blood. Paul Holmgren was reportedly one of the top two suitors for Jay Bouwmeester, but in the end, Florida didn't want to let him go for anything less than a king's ransom. I'd much rather be talking about seeing a very nice player in Scottie Upshall with a carry-on bag on CSN than watching at least one everyday player, a top prospect like vanRiemsdyk, and a draft pick or two headed to Florida for a rental. That's really what it would have cost.

But it seems most fans aren't pissed at the deals that didn't happen, which is a great sign. Clearly no one was interested in giving up the farm for J-Bo, including Homer. But many are unhappy to see what they consider to be at best a lateral move, sending one energy player away in favor of another with seemingly little reward.

The fan reactions to the news that Scottie Upshall had been traded were fast and furious.

Upshall was a popular player here, as most decent Flyers quickly come to be (just last week we were outraged at the loss of Glen Metropolit). He played hard and with intensity, and everyone who has followed sports in this town knows that that's what we ask for above all else—even raw talent in some cases.

So the disappointment and anger are understandable. Upshall himself is quite disappointed, leaving a town he says has the best fans in the NHL.

Seems like we've been saying a lot of sad goodbyes lately, huh? I think I heard Ron Burke make a Boyz II Men reference today. The top story in Philly continues to be the departure of Brian Dawkins—6 days after the rumor of his pending deal with Denver first broke. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are likely to be next. We'd only just said goodbye to Pat Burrell, but at least he left a champion, and the rest of the Phillies' nucleus is amazingly intact. In short though, the timing of the Flyers trading a popular player for a guy with a questionable track record, whom most fans couldn't pick out of a lineup, was unfortunate to say the least.

But that's not to say they made the wrong move.

"Management Was Restructuing"
It's been en vogue to criticize Paul Holmgren lately for what some are calling poor cap management, and there may be some truth to that. However, effective cap management always means making tough choices—personnel decisions that are bound to be unpopular (like this post will inevitably be). And that's primarily what this was. A cap move to free up some wiggle room in the daily roster. An alternative, comforting (if somewhat orange-colored-glasses'd) view of the move isn't that Homer traded Upshall for Carcillo. Rather, he traded him for Claude Giroux—or more accurately, for the ability to keep Giroux on the active roster for every game.

Sure, we all liked the lines that skated against the Bruins and won. But what about the game before that, when Giroux was a Phantom? I'm no cap wiz, but listening to the Flyers brass, moving Upshall means that G is here to stay.

Scottie Upside
I won't use any of this space to speak negatively of Upshall in hopes of making the trade sound better to myself or you. I liked him a lot as a player, and he was a key part of a cohesive young core that plays well as a unit and spends unprecedented amounts of free time together. Upshall was a major force in last season's playoff run. His presence was and is more than the sum total of his points and production, which on the stat sheet—and only on the stat sheet—can be replaced on a team this deep.

But hockey is a sport in which tenure is fleeting. Only an elite group within the best of the best stays anywhere for long, and even that has changed dramatically in the salary cap era.

The unanswered question is what we got in return, other than the cap room. Who is Dan Carcillo?
At first glance, he is the NHL's leader in penalty minutes. The Flyers are suffering from being penalized too much, which some homers think is a result of bias against their longstanding Bully reputation, but all of us agree has a lot to do with a lack of discipline and a tendency to take some dumb penalties. Carcillo has been publicly criticized by Phoenix head coach Wayne Gretzky for taking "selfish" penalties, which, if true, is a seemingly a terrible thing to add to the Flyers club. However, the Great One was a perennial Lady Byng candidate, so it's possible he isn't the best guy to have as a mentor for someone who has discipline problems. That said, the Flyers weren't able to do much with Steve Downie—the player most people think of when Carcillo is discussed—nor the rest of the team, who continue to go to the box too often.

Bottom line: All eyes are on Carcillo.
He can win over this fanbase quickly by playing smarter hockey, while also mixing it up and scoring the occasional goal. After years of seeing the Flyers be a very physical team up front, the current squad has lacked that aspect this season. They're being out-hit and out-muscled in many games, which isn't the worst thing you can say about a high-scoring club in the New NHL. But the hope is that Carcillo will bring a little more of an aggressive streak, while not hurting the team offensively. Time will tell.

Otherwise, he loves to fight, and he's pretty good at it. Like Riley Cote, he gives up size to many of the enforcers he tangles with, but he has a better record from what we're told. I still wonder whether this team needs three eager combatants, but Homer has made it clear that he expects Carcillo to be more than a fighter. To start, he'll probably skate with Briere and Giroux, and at the very least be a great bodyguard for them. 

It probably won't take more than one game before we see what he looks like with his gloves off. 

 

I've gone way past the point of interest most fans have in two very minor trades, but I did just want to briefly discuss the Kyle McLaren acquisition. I've seen and heard a fair amount of disgust over this one, asking why the Flyers needed to add another Hatcher type, only one who can't even seem to stay in the NHL these days. I don't understand all the fuss. I actually like the McLaren deal. To clear up one misconception that a minority of people have, his big salary doesn't count against the Flyers cap as long as he's in the AHL, which is the main reason he's been there all season. It's very similar to the situation the Flyers had with Denis Gauthier. 

If anyone who makes $2.5mil or more gets hurt in the regular season, and McLaren is healthy, the Flyers can add a veteran defenseman with good size. In the playoffs, I'm told the cap isn't an issue, but I'm still trying to get further verification on that. It isn't likely we'll have one d-man suffer a blood clot, another a shot to the face, and still another have to leave the continent due to the loss of his father. But if any or all of these happen, we'll at least have an insurance policy that cost just a 6th round pick and a prorated portion of $2.5mil of someone else's money. Sounds like a good trade to me.

Clearly, I'm taking an optimistic approach here. It beats the alternative of shouting at things that can't be changed.

(Upshall pic by Will Elliott)

Comments

[BT]

Just watched the vid. Poor guy. Quite obvious he was trying to keep his emotions in check. We'll miss ya Scottie! Total class act on and off the ice. I hope we reacquire him sometime in the future.

[MG]

McLaren was a depth deal and nothing more. He won't see any kind of meaningful time in the playoffs unless there is a significant injury.

Problem with the Flyers is the same problem they had since Hextall was really in his prime during the late 1980s - the Flyers are going to enter the playoffs with spotty goaltending that it is going to make it difficult to win 3 series to get to the Cup in a tough Eastern Conference.

[BFisch]

I thought the Flyers had taken a step back in this trade at first glance, and I still think they have taken a step back. If Carcillo or whatever his name is plays smart and doesnt do what he did in Phoenix, then this could work out.
However, the trade to Phoenix seemed unncessary fo the moment.
but, Go Flyers!

[kkreider13]

nice write up. It is disappointing to see Upshall go, but I guess you can keep all the ones you like.

Hopefully the new guy can stay out of the penalty box.

Maybe when he is a free agent we can get Scottie back. I hope we don't have cap issues next year.

[jd]

we got rid of the wrong scott

[Eddie Pinz]

I understand the need for cap room (especially given the Flyer's cap situation), but why trade a good, young player and a 2ND ROUND DRAFT PICK, for a goon. I don't understand the draft pick. The Coyotes got the better player.

But you have to waive Cote, have Ross center the 4th line and move Powe to the 3rd line, right??

[D-Riz]

First and foremost I was a total Upshall fan, still am and hope he comes back to Philly at some point during free agency. That being said, I am a huge hockey follower and I have always LOVED Carcillo.

This post pretty much nails it so I wont be redundant. however, i think the potential benefit Carcillo brings could outweigh what would have been with upshall. the 3rd line had to get tougher come playoffs and Carcillo will hold to task anyone that touches Briere/Giroux. plus he'll hopefully open up the front of the net so danny and X can work their magic in the slot. yes, that is what she said.

give it 2 weeks and you'll be seeing some Carcillo jerseys floating around.

[Matt P.]

@EddiePinz: agreed on the 2nd rounder. if you can imagine a post that long missing something, it's a sentence on how that aspect is probably officially overpaying.

[dapopeovoz]

i'm going to miss upshall. i felt like crying for him when i saw that vid this morning.

and the cap restrictions are lifted come playoff time

[bob]

The second that Carcillo hits Sidney Crosby, he will become pretty damn popular. I hate to see Upshall go, but we need to give this a chance. Hopefully he opens the net in front, fights and puts the occasional puck in the net.

Tonights a good test against a Calgary team who probably had the best deadline day.

And I'm ok with a goalie platoon as long as one or both-like right now-are playing well. There was no upgrade available for goaltender. We'll see what happens this summer when it comes to the goaltenders and defensemen.

This team is built for playoff hockey, lets see what they do. We are HUNGRY FOR MORE!

[dalovin]

I posted about the cap not mattering during the playoffs in an earlier article and will try to get some material to back that statement up for ya MikeP.

[Justin Evans]

Carcillo minor penalties 27
Upshall minor penalties 24

Carcillo just has a lot of fighting majors.

People are pissed about trading the 2nd round pick. Sure Upshall was loveable, but he was also the same guy that was benched last year for effort. Carcillo will protect Giroux and Briere on the third line.

Also, Upshall is an RFA next year and there was no way the Flyers could re-sign him. Carcillo is cheaper and is under contract for next year.

[Kyle]

RE: jd- "we got rid of the wrong scott"

So you're saying we should have traded the team's 4th leading scorer (a perennial 20 goal scorer) instead of a career 3rd/4th line "energy guy" like Upshall? Doesn't make a lot of sense.

For the sake of keeping the important pieces of the team together and keeping Giroux up for the stretch, I think it's a solid trade. I love Scottie as much as the next guy, but I love the Flyers' overall success much more. That's what this move was all about.

[Matt]

I'm still pissed we got rid of Rod Brindamour 10 years ago.

[Walklett]

Carcillo is not just a goon. The guy has some legitimate hockey skill. The fact that he's tough is a bonus. Besides, Holmgren seems to really like him and if there's anyone who won't tolerate player bullshit, it's big Paul. I think Carcillo will soon become a fan favorite.

(nice pic Will)

[Salmon]

If Carcillo takes so much as one dumb penalty tonight, put him on waivers.

[PhiPhan5648]

I hope this doesn't come back to bite us in the ass, like I think it will.

[GeoEnv]

Yeah... if Lindros had kept his 'Rod' to himself... our "Rod" wouldn't have left to win a cup in ... Carolina?

(It hurts to even acknowledge that a team from NC has a Stanley Cup).

[pelle31lives]

With the Upshall deal, that move really cancels out. The cap is more secure, but the club loses a better body for a glorified goon. There's no way Carcillo is even equal value for Scottie; it weakens the fourth line; he may not even get a role in the postseason depending on his play over the last 20 games.

The fans may love it the first time he gets into, and wins, a fight, but they'll quickly turn if he does have that rumored undisciplined streak without the offensive and energy upside Scottie brought.

As far as McLaren is concerned, it's a stretch to even compare him to a Hatcher-type. Plus, the team may not get far enough in the postseason to suffer the injuries which would call for McLaren to be brought up from the Phantoms.

Remember, Holmgren got himself in this mess with some of his deals in the offseason; it isn't like he made a savvy move to get the team in a better financial position. He basically managed at the last minute to reverse some errors he himself caused.

[Drew]

That was a sad video, but I'm optimistic for our Flyers.

[Brandon]

Wow. I've never seen a player so upset to leave the Flyers. I didn't know he cared that much. Makes you want him back even more. Just feel bad for the guy now. Yeesh.

[Duge]

I DONT GET THE 2ND RD DRAFT PICK?!??!! Ok, we needed to move Scottie to clear up cap space...I can understand that. BUT HOW DOES THE DRAFT PICK MAKE SENSE! I'd rather just WAIVE Upshall rather than have given up a draft pick to unload him. Can anybody explain this?

[dalovin]

The 2nd round draft pick is not until 2011. So I guess we give Carcillo and Holmgren a couple of years to see if it was all worth it.

[Pat]

The 2nd round pick was from 2011 because Homer's already traded away our 2nds from '08, '09, and '10 since he became GM. For a guy whose best skill is probably in drafting, Homer's not giving himself a chance to find a good player in the draft.

My problem with the Upshall trade is that it addressed not an area of need, but an area of strength and managed to make the area weaker. Carcillo would be a good player to have if we didn't have Cote and Asham to fight, but we do. Cote might not be a legitimate heavyweight, but he's fine for what he's being paid. Meanwhile, you wouldn't think that Homer would make his forwards group weaker when the guy he's cleared cap room for has reinjured himself twice already. Now if Briere ends up being out for a while again (I know, he's supposedly day-to-day, but that's how the whole groin tweak started in the first place), Homer has essentially screwed himself over, leaving a third line of Carcillo-Giroux-Powe.

Next point, I don't understand what Carcillo really adds to the team other than fighting. I'd wager to say that he has less scoring potential than Scottie and definitely less speed, while Scottie was also a popular guy in the locker room (one of the many who lived in Old City and hung out in the Richards/Lupul/Carter group) and delivered as many bone-crushing hits as Carcillo will.

And for the whole Flyers wouldn't have been able to resign Scottie argument, if he was this upset to be traded, you have to think that he would've taken a hometown discount in the offseason; and even if he didn't, he probably would've gotten enough money in RFA to warrant a 1st and 3rd rounder (around $2.5 Million, if I remember correctly). The Flyers also could've saved around the same amount of money by trading Randy Jones (who I'll admit has been playing well, but is still the #5 defenseman on the team, and could conceivably be replaced by Sbisa after his Junior season is over, if we needed another offensive D-man) and not waiving Ossi and trading Scottie. But, Homer also gave Jones that contract, so there's no way he would trade him away now...

Hopefully Scottie can come back here in the future; I'd accept him on my team any day.

[linnat]

I have even found some of their games in the internet ( http://file.sh/Flyers+vs+Maple+Leafs+torrent.html ), it's for those who missed something.