Flyers Hoping to Overcome Poor Start with Major Changes
By: Bryan Ford
Issue date: 10/27/06 Section: Sports
Originally published: 10/26/06 at 9:48 PM EST
Last update: 10/27/06 at 3:34 AM EST
Originally published: 10/26/06 at 9:48 PM EST
Last update: 10/27/06 at 3:34 AM EST
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Since trading Jeremy Roenick and the retirement of Keith Primeau, the Flyers have lacked a true vocal leader in the locker room. Peter Forsberg took over the captaincy this year, but has yet to prove that he is a true leader. While his skills and determination are unquestionable, he seems to lack the extra component that is necessary to wear the C in the NHL. In the second game of the season, the Flyers went to a shootout with the New York Rangers. Forsberg elected not to be one of the initial three shooters and did not shoot until five Flyers had already missed. Forsberg said after the game that he was "lacking confidence" and that he was not comfortable with his new sticks that arrived earlier that day.
Not only do the Flyers need a vocal leader, they also need a puck-moving defenseman. Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje, two slow-footed defensemen currently taking up $7 million of the Flyers' $40 million payroll, are not getting the job done; they seem to be standing still when players like Maxim Afinogenov speed past (en route to netting a goal and 4 assists in the 9-1 embarrassment by the Sabres).
Robert Esche, who the Flyers are willing to part with because of the emergence of second-year goalie Antero Niittymaki, should be a viable option for many teams as either a starter or a veteran backup. He is due only $1 million this year and hopefully a team is willing to trade a young defenseman in return for him, especially if the Flyers throw in a draft pick as well.
Now that the Flyers have cleaned house in the front office and made a few changes in personnel on the ice, it is time to continue to make more changes and gear this team up for the new, quicker NHL. If that means radical changes, like waiving Derian Hatcher, then do it. Holmgren must prepare this team to face the elite teams in the league.
After the Sabres, the East is a weak conference, and the Flyers should take the opportunity now to make the necessary changes so that they can build team chemistry and develop into a team that is able to compete in May and June in the new NHL.
Bryan Ford is a pre-junior majoring in sport management. He can be reached through sports@thetriangle.org.
Not only do the Flyers need a vocal leader, they also need a puck-moving defenseman. Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje, two slow-footed defensemen currently taking up $7 million of the Flyers' $40 million payroll, are not getting the job done; they seem to be standing still when players like Maxim Afinogenov speed past (en route to netting a goal and 4 assists in the 9-1 embarrassment by the Sabres).
Robert Esche, who the Flyers are willing to part with because of the emergence of second-year goalie Antero Niittymaki, should be a viable option for many teams as either a starter or a veteran backup. He is due only $1 million this year and hopefully a team is willing to trade a young defenseman in return for him, especially if the Flyers throw in a draft pick as well.
Now that the Flyers have cleaned house in the front office and made a few changes in personnel on the ice, it is time to continue to make more changes and gear this team up for the new, quicker NHL. If that means radical changes, like waiving Derian Hatcher, then do it. Holmgren must prepare this team to face the elite teams in the league.
After the Sabres, the East is a weak conference, and the Flyers should take the opportunity now to make the necessary changes so that they can build team chemistry and develop into a team that is able to compete in May and June in the new NHL.
Bryan Ford is a pre-junior majoring in sport management. He can be reached through sports@thetriangle.org.
