The One Where Richards and Carter Get Hammered At The Trade Deadline

Okay, they drink their faces off regularly as they troll Olde City.  That's certainly not news.  But the passing of the NHL trade deadline for a team surely looking to make themselves serious contenders is.

So what happened?  Nothing.  Really?! 

I can't remember the last time a trade deadline passed the Flyers stayed completely quiet. While I'm not happy with this whatsoever, I really can't argue with what GM Paul Holmgren was dealing with.

Apparently, there was talk with the Florida Panthers for goalie Tomas Vokoun. Although he did get lit up like a Christmas tree for Russia in the Olympics by Canada, Tomas Vokoun is in the upper echelon of goalies in this league. Unfortunately, the Panthers grew a set, and asked for the Party-Boy Man-Whore himself, Jeff Carter, in return. Holmgren politely said “Go Vokoun yourself”. Then there was the on-again, off-again deal for Nashville’s D-man Dan Hamhuis. There were also reports that it included goalie Dan Ellis as well (which I don't understand… we're looking to upgrade here fellas). Originally, they asked for either Ryan Parent or the disappointing Braydon Coburn. While I would have taken Coburn’s luggage to the airport myself, they nixed their original offer and wanted both D men. Again, Go Vokoun yourself.

The only other options available for the Fly Guys were for goalies Marty Turco and Marty Biron While Turco sounds very appealing, his play this year has been really up and down. And let’s not forget to mention his enormous cap number (5.7 Million). That would have forced the Flyers to make some major moves in order to fit him. All I kept reading from analysts was "Why don't you go out and get Marty Biron?" Yes, Marty took us to the Eastern Conference finals 2 years ago and played out of his mind. Yes, they could have gotten him for nothing considering the Islanders have the problem of having 3 goalies on their roster right now. But no, Biron is not the answer. He’s a solid NHL goalie, and that is about it. I'd rather test the waters with Leighton who is playing very well (just ignore the game against Florida the other night...)

All in all the Flyers have a lot of questions to answer if they even want to get into the playoffs, let alone win when/if you get there. The offensive fire power is there, but will it show up every night when they need it? An up and down Defensive unit saw no upgrades, so who steps up? And the million dollar question - Can a journeymen goaltender really take you into the playoffs and win?

Stay tuned..