Flyers Deal Calder; Acquire Biron

In separate deadline day deals, the Philadelphia Flyers dealt winger Kyle Calder to the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Lasse (pronounced La-She) Kukkonen and a 3rd round draft pick in the 2007 Entry Draft. The Blackhawks then dealt Calder to the Detroit Red Wings for young winger Jason Williams.

Calder's stay in Philadelphia was certainly a tumltuous one. Coming off back-to-back 20+ goal seasons, the Flyers traded away fan favorite Michal Handzus to acquire Calder. At the time, the Flyers had a glut of centerman and a dearth of wingers, so the deal made sense.

However, Kyle could never really find his game in Philadelphia. After 59 games in Flyers' orange, Calder only mustered 9 goals, 12 assists and a team-low plus/minus of -31. His numbers were not due to lack of opportunity or lack of hustle. He played on the 2nd line for the majority of the season and eventually developed a good rapport with center Jeff Carter.

Perhaps Kyle Calder is just a "Western Conference player". As evidenced by a goal and an assist in his debut with the Red Wings.

The acquisition of Kukkonen fordifies the Flyers blueline for next several seasons. Kukkonen, 25, is a steady defenseman that does everything well, but nothing exceptionally well. He can move the puck well, is very disciplined in his defensive zone and led Chicago in blocked shots before coming to Philly. His offensive upside is very limited, however, with the presence of Joni Pitkanen and Alexandre Picard as offensive defenseman, Kukkonen will not be relied upon to rack up points. The Flyers are also hoping that adding a fellow Finnish player on the blueline will help in the development of Pitkanen.


The main prize for the Flyers organization this season is goaltender Martin Biron, acquired for a 2nd round draft pick in the 2007 Entry Draft. Philadelphia has been without a true #1 goaltender since the early days of Ron Hextall in 1980's. Although Biron is not a proven #1 netminder, he certainly has the skills and attitude for it.

Biron was originally drafted by Buffalo in the first round (16th overall) of the 1995 Entry Draft. He has played seven seasons in Buffalo, playing second fiddle each season. Marty is extremely poised and rarely gets rattled after letting in a goal. He has tremendous agility and possesses the cockiness needed to become a true #1 netminder.

He is, however, a free agent at season's end. Says GM Paul Holmgren of the situation: “It was a big price to pay for an unrestricted guy and obviously we didn’t give up a second round draft pick with the idea of not trying to sign him. It’s an opportunity to bring him in, for us to get a little more familiar with him and for him to get a little more familiar with what is going on here. Hopefully he likes the direction we are going and we try to get something done. When I talked to Marty right after we made the trade I said, ‘Come in get settled in and we will talk about later on, later on.’ And I also spoke with his agent and said the same thing.”

So Biron will get the majority of the starts for the rest of the season and it will give the Flyers a good look at his skills and mindset. I'm sure before season's end, there will be discussion of extending his contract.

With the addition of Biron, Robert Esche's days as a Flyer are dwindled. He'll be 3rd string, behind Niittymaki, so unless Antero decides to have his hip surgery before the season is over (he needs to have it done at some point, so why not now?), its unlikely that Esche will see any more time on the ice as a member of the Flyers organization.

Zhitnik Dealt!

Flyers defenseman Alexei Zhitnik was dealt Saturday night for Atlanta Thrashers defensive prospect Braydon Coburn.

The Flyers relieve themselves of the remaining $7 million in the final two seasons of his contract. The Flyers now have close to $23 million in cap space this summer, depending on the status of Mike Rathje.

A little bit about Braydon Coburn from HockeysFuture.com:

Coburn was listed as the site's 33rd best prospect coming into the '06-'07 season. After four seasons playing junior hockey with the WHL’s Portland Winter Hawks, Coburn signed a professional contract to play for the AHL Chicago Wolves at the end of the 2004-05 season. Last season, Coburn played almost the entire year as a member of the Wolves AHL team. In 73 games with Chicago, Coburn tallied 26 points and accumulated 134 PIM, while maintaining a plus/minus of +12. In the nine games Coburn played as a member of the NHL Thrashers last season, he registered only 1 assist and 4 PIM, while maintaining a –2 plus/minus. A big physical defenseman with a nasty streak, Coburn can be very intimidating on the ice, but struggles with awareness. As the Thrashers will have some hotly-contested battles to make the roster, Coburn will have to step up his game to start the season with the NHL team.

Coburn is a mostly stay at home defenseman who skates very well and makes a good outlet pass. Though not a bruiser, he uses his size to his advantage. Coburn is still loaded with all the right raw materials and his potential remains extremely high. But neither offensively gifted nor a physical force, Coburn’s career hinges on him being very solidly defensively, and that’s where he needs to improve.

Two Wins in a Row?

After last night's 6-1 thumping of the Red Wings, the Flyers have now won two games in a row...at home! Before these two victories, the Flyers last won at home on Black Friday vs. Columbus.

The top line of Knuble/Forsberg/Gagne has been on fire of late. This is mostly due to their health. Peter Forsberg seems to be skating much more freely, deking opponents much more frequently and enjoying the game much more openly. Gagne, who was slowed by some pain in one of his hips, has been taking medication that has made him feel better. He has responded with 5 goals in his last 3 games.

The team as a whole seems to have a jump in their step ever since the return of defenseman Denis Gauthier from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for 2/3 of the season. His big hits, stellar penalty killing and willingness to stand up for his teammates has this team re-energized.

Its amazing how draining losing constantly can be...

Michael Leighton has played well in his two starts. GM Paul Holmgren and coach John Stevens have both said they plan to get Leighton into games to show what's got. So far, two starts....two wins.

Antero Niitymaki might be asked to have surgery on his hip prior to end of the season. The Flyers aren't going to the playoffs, so having the surgery done earlier means he should be fully healed earlier.

Look for Robert Esche to possibly be dealt to Ottawa to back-up Ray Emery for their Cup run. To say Martin Gerber has been a disappointment is an understatement.

Another Game, Another Loss

Its now February 9th, and the Flyers still have not won a game at home since November 24th. The poor season ticket holders...

After last night's 5-4 OT loss to the Penguins, the Flyers are now 0-7 vs. Pittsburgh this season. The Flyers were 6-2 against the Pens last year.

LW Simon Gagne originally was credited with a hat trick last night, but one goal was later (and rightfully so) credited to Mike Knuble. Do the fans who threw their hats on the ice get them back?

In only 12 minutes of ice time, R.J. Umberger was a -3 with 2 PIM.

Peter Forsberg did notch three assists, however, he also had four giveaways.

How important is Peter Forsberg to the Flyers? He is the only player on the current roster with an even +/- or better. Kyle Calder sports a team worst -28.

The Flyers are now 1-5 in shootouts. In related news, Simon Gagne just tried to kiss his girlfriend and missed high and wide.

Antero Niitymaki has played well the past few games, however, his glove side is weaker than the border patrol trying to keep Americans out of Canada.

The Penguins entered last night's game 1-30-1 when Sidney Crosby is held scoreless. They are now 2-30-1 when Crosby is held without a point.

So goes the Flyers season...

A Little Bit About Geoff Sanderson

So I was poking around the Flyers website the other day, and I realized something: I don't know a whole heck of a lot about Geoff Sanderson.

He was born and raised in Hay River, Northwest Territories, which is a territory north of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan in western Canada. Hay River is the 2nd largest town behind the capital city of Yellowknife. Geoff was drafted by the Whalers in the 2nd round (36th overall) in the 1990 NHL draft.

Sanderson began his NHL career in the 1990/91 season in Hartford. He only appeared in two games that season, but did notch his first career goal. He went on to score 195 more goals in the following six seasons with the Whalers, and spent half of a season in Carolina when the team relocated there for the '97/'98 season.

In January of 1998, Sanderson was traded along with Sean Burke and Enrico Ciccone to Vancouver for Kirk McLean and Martin Gelinas. And then a month later dealt to Buffalo for Brad May and a 3rd round pick in the 1999 draft.

He played two and half season in Buffalo, leading the Sabres to the Stanly Cup finals in 1999. The following season, Sanderson was left unprotected by the Sabres in the expansion draft and was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He spent four seasons in Columbus amassing 30 goals or more twice before being sent back to Vancouver at the end of the 2003/'04 season (for a 3rd round draft pick). Sanderson also played for the Phoenix Coyotes before joining the Flyers last year.

He is a two-time all-star (1994 & 1997) and his cousin, Wade Brookbank has appeared in 37 career NHL games and is currently playing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pens in the AHL.

As The Rumors Swirl

Hockey writers (and fans alike) love to hear juicy gossip about where players from their favorite teams may end up, especially in February - near the trade deadline.

The Flyers are no exception to this rule, as many websites and blogs across the Internet continue to fan the flames of Player A going to (name of city here), Player B going to (name of city here).

So let's get down to the nitty-gritty and analyze what may take place in Philadelphia. First of all there aer several players and prospects whom are virtually "untouchable". Meaning, unless the Flyers get bowled over with an offer they can't refuse (and this has nothing to do with a horse's head), these guys aren't going anywhere:

• Simon Gagne
• Mike Knuble
• Jeff Carter
• Mike Richards
• R.J. Umberger
• Steve Downie
• Claude Giroux

I'm sure the first name you don't see on the list of "untouchables" that may surprise you is: Joni Pitkanen.

Let me explain.

Joni Pitkanen is a good, young mobile defenseman with a very good offensive skillset and average defensive skills. Generally speaking in hockey, you don't trade good, young defenseman (as with good, young starting pitching in baseball). And I agree whole heartedly.

However, Joni has not progressed as much as the Flyers would have liked this season, especially in the offensive zone. He has been good at carrying the puck into the zone, but he has not found the back of the net much this season. Now, I do not believe that the Flyers are actively shopping Pitkanen, nor do I believe that they have given up on him. But his reputation has taken a hit this year, even as much as him being referred to as "dumb" and/or "lazy".

Despite all of this I do not believe the Flyers are "actively" shopping Joni, but I do believe he could be had if another decent young defenseman were coming back to Philadelphia (even if his ceiling isn't as high as Pitkanen's).

Here's a quick look at the Flyers who could be traded by the Feb. 27th deadline:

• Kyle Calder: There has been talk recently of the Flyers giving an extension to UFA Calder (much lower than his $2.95 mil salary this year). I believe its to gauge his interest in re-signing, and if the he balks at the price, he'll be traded to the highest bidder. Chance of being traded? 80%
• Mike York: York was acquired from the Islanders earlier this season for fellow UFA Randy Robitaille. Since Robitaille was not going to be re-signed, the Flyers took a gamble on York to see how he would mesh with this team. Outcome? Not so good. Chance of being dealt: 70%
• Sami Kapanen: Both the Flyers and Kapanen have expressed interest in continuing their relationship. The Flyers fear Sami might retire if he's dealt, so look for him to stay put. Chance of being traded? 10%
• Geoff Sanderson: Sanderson has one year remaining on his contract for $1.5 mil. His speed and play-making abilities are somewhat valuable to other teams. Look for Sanderson to be dealt by the end of February. Chance of being traded? 70%
• Dmitry Afanasenkov: If anyone will take him for more than a bag of pucks, look for Dmitry to finish his '07 campaign in another sweater. Chance of being traded? 50% (based on other teams wanting him)
• Ben Eager & Todd Fedoruk: These two are the Flyers two energy/tough guys. Do not look for them to be dealt unless the Flyers, once again, receive an offer they cannot refuse. Chance of being traded? 10%
• Derian Hatcher: The Flyers would love to rid themselves of the final two years and $7 million remaining on his contract. Hatcher is slow and has not adapted well to the "new" NHL. It remains to be seen if his services as a hitter and stay-at-home defenseman would benefit a team like, Nashville. Chance of being traded? 30%
• Alexei Zhitnik: The Flyers (also) acquired Zhitnik from the Islanders earlier this season, but I believe he the Flyers view him as part of their future and their solution, rather than as a rental and part of the problem. Chance of being traded? 0%
• Denis Gauthier: Since Gauthier's return from a shoulder injury, he has brought a level of intensity and fearlessness that has given the Flyers a bit of resurgence. Since he still has two years and $4.3 million left on his contract, I believe the Flyers will listen to offers for him. But I doubt he is moved. Chance of being traded? 10%
• Robert Esche: Esche has been the scapegoat for a lot of the Flyers troubles the past two seasons. He is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, with little doubt that he will not be back in Philadelphia. With all of the goaltending woes throughout the NHL, someone could use Robert as a back-up for a playoff run. Plus, I think the Flyers would love to get Michael Leighton into a few games this season to show what he's got. Chance of being traded? 80%
• Antero Niitymaki: With the price of star goaltending, with the financial restraints of the salary cap and how cheaply they can probably re-sign Niity, look for the Flyers to offer him a one year deal and make him the starting goalie again in '07/'08, with Leighton as his back-up. Chance of being traded? 0%