2009-10 NHL Season Preview: Philadelphia Flyers
by James Mirtle on Sep 25, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
9 comments
Who's in: Brian Boucher, Ray Emery, Ian Laperriere, Chris Pronger, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen
Who's out: Andrew Alberts, Martin Biron, Mike Knuble, Joffrey Lupul, Antero Niittymaki, Luca Sbisa
Outlook: GM Paul Holmgren's biggest move in the off-season was to deal for franchise defenceman Chris Pronger — swapping Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa and two first-rounders for the big blueliner — and his presence gives the Flyers a far deeper defence core than they went into battle with last season. That alone should make Philadelphia's own end a tough place to play this season.
And it's a good thing, too.
With so many dollars committed to Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Danny Briere, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter (among others), Holmgren had little left over to fill the hole in goal created by the departures of Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki, and instead went with two bargain basement options in Ray Emery and Brian Boucher. The pair signed on for a combined $2.425-million to mind the goal, and while both have had successful seasons in the past, they remain the Flyers' No. 1 question mark for 2009-10.
Up front, Philadelphia lost both Lupul and Mike Knuble but should remain one of the highest-scoring teams in the league. Reinforcements are coming by way of the team's youth, namely Claude Giroux, who will prove more than ready for a starring role in the top six in his first full season.
If either Emery or Boucher proves up to the task of giving Philadelphia average goaltending behind what should be a tight defensive team, the Flyers will challenge for the Atlantic Division title. Pronger's contract may prove a boat anchor down the line, but for now, he's precisely what this team needs.
X-factor: Ray Emery
For a more in-depth Flyers preview, visit Broad Street Hockey
For more NHL analysis, check out the McKeen's Hockey Yearbook
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Holmgren had little left over to fill the hole in goal created by the departures of Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki, and instead went with two bargain basement options in Ray Emery and Brian Boucher. The pair signed on for a combined $2.425-million to mind the goal, and while both have had successful seasons in the past, they remain the Flyers’ No. 1 question mark for 2009-10.
What’s funny about this is that the two goalies that left, Biron and Nittymaki, have a combined cap hit in 2009-10 of only $2.0m, less than Emery/Boucher. It’ll be interesting to see which pair of goalies does better.
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by saskhab on Sep 25, 2009 10:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Biron was a pleasant surprise in that case.
I voted 4th. Pittsburgh edges them out for the division crown, but they finish with the 3rd best points total in the East and 5th overall.
by red army line on Sep 25, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually think the exact number ($1.4m) that Biron signed for was a bit of a shot at Philly management for signing Emery at $1.5m instead.
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by saskhab on Sep 25, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Emery originally asked for a Tim Thomas-like contract, and that’s why the Flyers let him walk.
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by Travis Hughes on Sep 25, 2009 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gotta think it’s either 1 or 4, like the voting says.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 25, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Even with the amount of injuries Philly normally deals with, it’s hard to see them sliding below maybe 5th.
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by saskhab on Sep 25, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Emery looked solid last night, he read the play well, and he seems to rotate square to the puck as well as anyone in the league.
by cubanpuckstopper on Sep 25, 2009 11:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Gotta love those 8 people who are clearly bitter about something. 15th? Do you feel better about your day now? Can we finally get past the fact that we took Braydon Coburn from you, Atlanta?
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by Geoff Detweiler on Sep 25, 2009 5:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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