Sunday, February 11, 2007
Can It be True
The Flyers won at home finally last night, 4-3 in overtime. The big question was obviously who was in goal. Was it Antero Nittymaki or Robert Eshe. No it was unknown Michael Leighton. He played a steady goal behind offense provided by Simon Gagne. Gagne had two goals with Mike Richards and Mike Knuble each adding one goal apiece.
The Peter Forsberg situation looms over this team wielding a large shadow. Forsberg was scheduled to meet with Comcast-Spectacor chairman, Ed Snider today to discuss his future. Will he request a trade, commit to be here in the long-term or as I suspect offer very little into his future plans. Forsberg meeting with GM Paul Holmgren earlier this month got considerable press but very little concrete plans were discussed. Snider is trying to determine whether Forsberg needs to be traded this month or whether he will be resigned for a couple years.
Forsberg has had the title of "best player in the world" for the past couple of years but his play is starting to slip. It may be because of his sore feet or his age. His is still one of the top players and would bring a good return in a trade to a championship contender. He has consistently made the Flyers better whenever he is on the ice, which has been rare.
So three option remain in how to deal with Peter Forsberg. The first option is a bad and I think it is obvious why. That option is to keep Forsberg and deal with the futre in the offseason. Option 2 would be to hold onto him and sign him to a contract extension for probably two years. The third option is two trade him for younger talent.
Option 1 could be a lose-lose situation for the Flyers. If he is not dealt or resigned the Flyers would come out without Forsberg and no younger talent to build around. This option should be torn up and thrown in the garbage.
Option 2 is to hear that Forsberg would like to remain in Philadelphia and to sign him to a contract extension. This would be the perfect solution. Forsberg would be a great talent to build around and for the younger players to learn from. It is always easier rebuilding around a great talent. For example the Sixers rebuilding around Allen Iverson or the Phillies rebuilding around Jim Thome. He raises the play of everybody around him which is important when rebuilding.
The third option and the one I think is most likely is for Ed Snider to give Paul Holmgren the go-ahead to trade Forsberg to a title contender. Forsberg should bring some considerable younger talent in return that the Flyers could pair with some of their own young talent to help expedite the rebuilding process. Forsberg claims to like Philly but which great player wants to play for a team with little chance of winning when the could demand a trade to a team that will make the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The situation with Peter Forsberg should play out over the next week or two. My preference would be that Forsberg remains with the Flyers and signs a two year extension but I believe he will hint that he wants out and Holmgren will grant his wish and deal him to title contender to put them over the top. In return the Flyers should get some considerable young talent to rebuild their team into a winner quickly.
Coming Up: The Flyers will honor former captain, Keith Primeau Monday night before their game against the Detroit Red Wings (reportedly one of the teams interested in trading for him).
On Thursday, the Phillies pitchers and catcher report to Spring Training. Does anyone else smell spring in the cold air?
The Peter Forsberg situation looms over this team wielding a large shadow. Forsberg was scheduled to meet with Comcast-Spectacor chairman, Ed Snider today to discuss his future. Will he request a trade, commit to be here in the long-term or as I suspect offer very little into his future plans. Forsberg meeting with GM Paul Holmgren earlier this month got considerable press but very little concrete plans were discussed. Snider is trying to determine whether Forsberg needs to be traded this month or whether he will be resigned for a couple years.
Forsberg has had the title of "best player in the world" for the past couple of years but his play is starting to slip. It may be because of his sore feet or his age. His is still one of the top players and would bring a good return in a trade to a championship contender. He has consistently made the Flyers better whenever he is on the ice, which has been rare.
So three option remain in how to deal with Peter Forsberg. The first option is a bad and I think it is obvious why. That option is to keep Forsberg and deal with the futre in the offseason. Option 2 would be to hold onto him and sign him to a contract extension for probably two years. The third option is two trade him for younger talent.
Option 1 could be a lose-lose situation for the Flyers. If he is not dealt or resigned the Flyers would come out without Forsberg and no younger talent to build around. This option should be torn up and thrown in the garbage.
Option 2 is to hear that Forsberg would like to remain in Philadelphia and to sign him to a contract extension. This would be the perfect solution. Forsberg would be a great talent to build around and for the younger players to learn from. It is always easier rebuilding around a great talent. For example the Sixers rebuilding around Allen Iverson or the Phillies rebuilding around Jim Thome. He raises the play of everybody around him which is important when rebuilding.
The third option and the one I think is most likely is for Ed Snider to give Paul Holmgren the go-ahead to trade Forsberg to a title contender. Forsberg should bring some considerable younger talent in return that the Flyers could pair with some of their own young talent to help expedite the rebuilding process. Forsberg claims to like Philly but which great player wants to play for a team with little chance of winning when the could demand a trade to a team that will make the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The situation with Peter Forsberg should play out over the next week or two. My preference would be that Forsberg remains with the Flyers and signs a two year extension but I believe he will hint that he wants out and Holmgren will grant his wish and deal him to title contender to put them over the top. In return the Flyers should get some considerable young talent to rebuild their team into a winner quickly.
Coming Up: The Flyers will honor former captain, Keith Primeau Monday night before their game against the Detroit Red Wings (reportedly one of the teams interested in trading for him).
On Thursday, the Phillies pitchers and catcher report to Spring Training. Does anyone else smell spring in the cold air?
Labels: Flyers
