Staff Blog
Morning Rounds, March 5th
I don’t understand hockey the way I should, it’s a black mark and I know it. It isn’t that I don’t care about the Flyers, or that I’m not interested in their comings and goings, it’s just that I’ve never played a minute of hockey in my life and thus watch it with the interest of a amateur but the skill of a poorly trained monkey.
For example, intellectually I understand that I shouldn’t be watching the puck but rather what is happening on the rest of the ice – hockey isn’t the product of one gifted individual imposing his will on the rest of the guys on the ice, it’s the product of a team working cohesively to create shifts in percentages and opportunities for dynamic players to showcase their unique skills (or so I’m told), but emotionally I can’t stop watching that damn puck.
Anyway, I bring this all up because now, in the wake of the Flyers trade deadline, I am left totally perplexed, and I the more I read the more I believe that it isn’t me who is being crazy, it is the Flyers. I’ve even played the good journalist and reached out to a couple experts, all of whom have gotten back to me shaking their heads. So this morning I’m turning the tables on you, dear reader, and asking for your request with these few questions.
- If the Flyers moves were made to clear cap space and allow for flexibility in moving players up and down for the rest of the season (and it certainly seems like they were) why in the world did they release Glen Metropolit and Ossi Vaananen?? Weren’t those two players the Flyers would have liked to have? I understand that they needed to clear cap space for Briere’s return, but couldn’t they have either waited one game to bring the center back or made these trades a week earlier?
- Is Upshall a real douche? I mean, why else trade a talented youngster for cap space in the midst of a playoff run? I know he’s not really needed now (Briere will take his spot, no?) and they wouldn’t be able to keep him when he hits free agency, but isn’t depth important? It is possible that the returning center and the departing one really don’t get along? Obviously all speculation on my part here.
- Why in the world did the Flyers trade for Notre Dame’s shooting guard? And why doesn’t anyone else find this strange?
Educate me people. Like they say … The More You Know …
 |
“The fans are going to love him. Trust me.” – Homer, defending his new acquisition
Three lines on their world:
- Missouri took down Oklahoma
- T.O. isn’t a cowboy anymore
- and everyone good in the NHL East (well, except the Flyers) loaded up.
Three lines on ours:
- The Flyers made a couple of cap clearing moves
- Cole Hamels returned to the mound against Team Canada
- and Nova got the win they needed to control their own destiny
Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump
PHILLIES
READ
Andy Martino talks with Kyle Kendrick about moving forward.
Jim Salisbury’s gets the Phils equipment manager’s best memory of 2008.
SKIP
1Chair is baffled by the concept of an exhibition game.
Jim Salisbury believes Cole Hamels has earned the acclaim.
David Murphy points out that Hamels has got a road this season, but admits be started it well.
Martino’s notes checks on Werth’s health, Drew Carpenter’s progress, and more.
Murphy’s notes look at Coste’s health and the catcher battle, and more.
SIXERS
READ
Tom Moore says Tony DiLeo is going to make an attempt to play AI2 and Thad more on the wings.
SKIP
Bernard Fernandez explains what Andre Miller brings to the team.
EAGLES
READ
Paul Domowitch digs deep to explain Stacy Andrews‘ athleticism.
Joh Smallwood says Shawn Springs will never be Brian Dawkins, and he knows it.
Bob Brookover says that Joe Banner is complaining that he never had a chance to counter the Broncos’ offer for Brian Dawkins.
SKIP
Bob Brookover reports that Springs left Philly without a formal offer.
Les Bowen breaks down Joe Banner’s WIP interview.
Frank Fitzpatrick mocks the fans.
FLYERS
READ
Ed Moran tries to explain the trades.
SKIP
Sam Carchidi reports it all out.
TODAY and MORE
Villanova has Providence at the Ski Lodge – if they win they’re a top 4 seed in the Big East Tourney, which means the coveted double bye. What a great tournament.
Around these parts we’ll give our thoughts on T.O. an hour ago, plug the week’s column, and explain a little bit more about our thought process writing it (all before noon!) so check back early and often – we’re not making any promises for after the noon.
As always, feel free to email with any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.
the way i understand it, if the Flyers had needed to bring up a defenseman without this trade — since they only have 6 healthy ones — they woulda had to cut someone (which probly would have ended up being Metropolit anyways). by trading Upshall, apparently the money to bring up a d-man in case of an injury is no longer an issue and the fact that the guy they traded for is a defenseman helps out too. I still think it was a very questionable move (and why did the Flyers have to give up a 2nd round pick too?), but that’s the explanation i heard from Tim Panaccio this morning.
the trade for scotty upshall was certainly odd. all year the flyers home announcers have indicated that penalty minutes have been a problem ( i can’t find the stat). trading day arrives and we sign the nhl penalty minute LEADER from phoenix.
it seems that some teams have really thrived on younger talent. with upshall’s speed and eagerness he would have still contributed more than this new goon.
eh. i’m a fan of the sport for game, not the math. i won’t pretend to understand 100% of the salary cap, etc. i felt good with the team we had. hopefully these latest additions push us up in the playoff race.