Yesterday, the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired Jeff Carter from the Philadelphia Flyers. The price was steep, but for a #1 center and one of the league's top goal scorers it was fair in my opinion.
However, after hearing some comments, I'm left wondering whether Jeff Carter is the right fit for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Apart from some of the rumors and gossip that have surrounded Carter the past couple of years, and the fact that Carter is so disappointed and shocked that he hasn't spoken to Columbus yet, I'm also just not sure that he's the right fit from a hockey perspective.
The reason the Blue Jackets acquired Carter was because Rick Nash needs a #1 center. It's already been stated that Carter is likely to play with Nash. However, I see this as a problem because both Nash and Carter are among the league's elite snipers. This past year, Carter was third and Nash was sixth in the league in most shots on goal as can be found here. It's difficult to fathom two players who are so prone to shoot the puck having good chemistry together. So if they play together, one will have to start thinking about passing as opposed to shooting, which isn't the strength of either player. In the super competitive Central Division, I just don't think it's going to work out well.
However, if coach Scott Arniel is smart he'll end up splitting up Rick Nash and Jeff Carter. For all the talk of Nash needing a better center, he's still been able to score 30+ goals four the past five seasons. Likewise, Carter has scored 33+ goals in each of the past three seasons. Columbus has other solid top-6 forwards at their disposal in Brassard, Umberger, Huselies, and Vermette. They could also possibly sign Scottie Upshall before he becomes a free agent giving them another possible top-6 forward. So it would seem possible to construct two scoring lines, one for each of their star goal scorers. And it would still help Nash as his line would no longer be the only line that rival teams are looking to shutdown.
So, in the long run I think Jeff Carter can be successful in Columbus, but I would think the way to do it would be not playing with Rich Nash.
Oh, and Columbus needs a puck-moving defenseman to get him the puck in the first place.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Winds of Change in Philly
I like the Philadelphia Flyers a lot more after today's trades than I did before. However, their makeup is still confusing at best.
I don't think too many hockey fans were surprised to see Jeff Carter get traded. While he's an elite scorer, the Flyers enjoyed success in the playoffs without his services due to injuries and when he was playing in the playoffs he was largely invisible. Philadelphia also got a good return for him in Jakub Voracek, the 8th overall pick, and a third round pick. Thus the Flyers were able to increase their cap room by about $3 million (I'm assuming Voracek - a restricted free agent - will sign a deal for a shade over $2 million), add a good young winger who could play anywhere from the first to third line, and add two picks to help add to the team's shallow group of prospects. Even though they lost one of the league's top goal-scorers, it's hard to argue that this wasn't a good trade for Philadelphia - I'm not so sure for Columbus, but I'll blog about that later.
The Mike Richards trade was much more stunning as he was the team's captain and a star two-way center who many fans of the Flyers like to think of as some kind of second-coming of Bobby Clarke (which, of course he's not). This move definitely changes the identity of the team. In return the team acquired Wayne "The Pain Train" Simmonds whom will quickly become a Philly fan favorite, a terrific prospect/young player in Brayden Schenn, and a second-round pick. In the long run I think this will be a great trade for both teams, as it had become painfully obvious that Richards was struggling as Philadelphia's captain. He struggled at dealing with the media and wasn't able to really communicate with his coach or general manager. A trade to a market with less pressure on the hockey team may very well be in his best interests.
Then the Flyers finished the day by signing Ilya Bryzgalov to a mega 9-year contract. This is where things get confusing for me.
Clearly the Flyers are trying to win now while also add to the future. And while different, the current group of Flyers can definitely contend for a Cup. To be honest, they're still one of the deepest teams in the league. Their top-5 defenseman are deeper than any when healthy, and their top-9 forwards will be strong.
The part that confuses me is Bryzgalov. Yes, he's a darn good goalie. Two years ago he was nominated for the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender. However, he's been lit up by the Detroit Red Wings the past two years in the playoffs. Just follow this link and scroll down to his playoff statistics. And then think about how fans feel about Roberto Luongo right now - who would get lit up at times this postseason though he would slam the door at other times. Also, Bryzgalov has never played in a NHL market where there has been a lot of pressure. There's good, knowledgeable fans in Anaheim and Phoenix, but nothing like the rabid fan base of Philly - a market that is a true pressure cooker for goalies. And then it has to be considered that trading Richards and Carter was at least partially about helping the long-rumored locker room problems with the team and Bryzgalov has made plenty of comments that would make it seem as if he's not exactly the best guy in the locker room.
However, Bryzgalov is a number one goaltender, no questions asked. I just think Philadelphia may have better to wait and also talk with Tomas Vokoun on July 1st. Vokoun in my mind is every bit the goaltender that Bryzgalov is, and is much more of a team guy. I also feel as if he would have settled for a lower cap hit than Bryzgalov, which is important because the Flyers till have a lot of work to do. Ville Leino is an unrestricted free agent, newly acquired Voracek and Simmonds need new deals, and they probably would like to add a defenseman for the third pairing, which will all be tough with roughly $7.5 million left to spend until they hit the cap.
In the end the Flyers are a different team. And in my mind, a team both better prepared for the present and the future.
The legions of Flyers fans who are now staring at their Mike Richards and Jeff Carter jerseys and shirts need to keep that in mind.
Still, I'll be watching Bryzgalov closely - particularly come playoff time. And so will a heck of a lot of other people. Here's hoping he's up to it.
I don't think too many hockey fans were surprised to see Jeff Carter get traded. While he's an elite scorer, the Flyers enjoyed success in the playoffs without his services due to injuries and when he was playing in the playoffs he was largely invisible. Philadelphia also got a good return for him in Jakub Voracek, the 8th overall pick, and a third round pick. Thus the Flyers were able to increase their cap room by about $3 million (I'm assuming Voracek - a restricted free agent - will sign a deal for a shade over $2 million), add a good young winger who could play anywhere from the first to third line, and add two picks to help add to the team's shallow group of prospects. Even though they lost one of the league's top goal-scorers, it's hard to argue that this wasn't a good trade for Philadelphia - I'm not so sure for Columbus, but I'll blog about that later.
The Mike Richards trade was much more stunning as he was the team's captain and a star two-way center who many fans of the Flyers like to think of as some kind of second-coming of Bobby Clarke (which, of course he's not). This move definitely changes the identity of the team. In return the team acquired Wayne "The Pain Train" Simmonds whom will quickly become a Philly fan favorite, a terrific prospect/young player in Brayden Schenn, and a second-round pick. In the long run I think this will be a great trade for both teams, as it had become painfully obvious that Richards was struggling as Philadelphia's captain. He struggled at dealing with the media and wasn't able to really communicate with his coach or general manager. A trade to a market with less pressure on the hockey team may very well be in his best interests.
Then the Flyers finished the day by signing Ilya Bryzgalov to a mega 9-year contract. This is where things get confusing for me.
Clearly the Flyers are trying to win now while also add to the future. And while different, the current group of Flyers can definitely contend for a Cup. To be honest, they're still one of the deepest teams in the league. Their top-5 defenseman are deeper than any when healthy, and their top-9 forwards will be strong.
The part that confuses me is Bryzgalov. Yes, he's a darn good goalie. Two years ago he was nominated for the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender. However, he's been lit up by the Detroit Red Wings the past two years in the playoffs. Just follow this link and scroll down to his playoff statistics. And then think about how fans feel about Roberto Luongo right now - who would get lit up at times this postseason though he would slam the door at other times. Also, Bryzgalov has never played in a NHL market where there has been a lot of pressure. There's good, knowledgeable fans in Anaheim and Phoenix, but nothing like the rabid fan base of Philly - a market that is a true pressure cooker for goalies. And then it has to be considered that trading Richards and Carter was at least partially about helping the long-rumored locker room problems with the team and Bryzgalov has made plenty of comments that would make it seem as if he's not exactly the best guy in the locker room.
However, Bryzgalov is a number one goaltender, no questions asked. I just think Philadelphia may have better to wait and also talk with Tomas Vokoun on July 1st. Vokoun in my mind is every bit the goaltender that Bryzgalov is, and is much more of a team guy. I also feel as if he would have settled for a lower cap hit than Bryzgalov, which is important because the Flyers till have a lot of work to do. Ville Leino is an unrestricted free agent, newly acquired Voracek and Simmonds need new deals, and they probably would like to add a defenseman for the third pairing, which will all be tough with roughly $7.5 million left to spend until they hit the cap.
In the end the Flyers are a different team. And in my mind, a team both better prepared for the present and the future.
The legions of Flyers fans who are now staring at their Mike Richards and Jeff Carter jerseys and shirts need to keep that in mind.
Still, I'll be watching Bryzgalov closely - particularly come playoff time. And so will a heck of a lot of other people. Here's hoping he's up to it.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Jaromir Jagr: A Fit for Detroit?
Most hockey fans are well aware of 39-year-old Jaromir Jagr's impending NHL comeback, which is apparently between Detroit and Pittsburgh and possibly others depending on who you follow. As a Red Wings fan, I've decided to take a look to see if there is a fit with Detroit.
First off, it truly is impossible to determine just how Jagr would be in the NHL. He's never had the defensive acumen to be a third line forward, yet he may be unable to play top six minutes for a whole season as he's been playing in the KHL the past three seasons where the seasons are shorter, and the competition is less fierce. For argument's sake, I'll say he'll see time as a top six forward, at least to begin the year. He'll also likely sign for between $2 and $3 million.
Also, for Detroit, I'll assume that Patrick Eaves and one of either Drew Miller or Kris Draper will return. So let's look at the forwards without Jagr:
Franzen - Datsyuk - Holmstrom
Bertuzzi - Zetterberg - Cleary
Abdelkader - Filppula - Hudler
Mursak - Helm - Eaves
Draper/Miller - Emmerton
Well, looking at those lines there simply isn't any room for Jagr. However, I don't see the Wings being overly concerned with losing Cory Emmerton to waivers as he's never been able to really put his game together with Grand Rapids. However, there's no reason for any of the players I have penciled into lines to not be playing regularly.
So how would Jagr fit?
Well, only one way in my mind. And that way would be if the Wings do trade Jiri Hudler to Valtteri Filppula at the draft for a defenseman. I'm a proponent of trading Filppula for several reasons: he's got more value than Hudler, his cap hit is higher than Hudler's, he's a second line center when Datsyuk and Z play on the same line but last year I think proved that the two are better apart. Meanwhile, Helm should be getting experience as a third line center which he seems ready for, and Abdelkader has proven that he can play center.
So great, sign Jagr and trade Filppula for the defenseman we need after Rafalski's retirement. Unfortunately though, there just aren't any defensemen who could be had for Filppula who really jump out. Cam Barker (Minnesota), Nick Schultz (Minnesota), and Keith Ballard (Vancouver) could probably be had, but only because all three of those players have struggled recently. The idea of trading for a good young defender really has dried up with Atlanta moving to Winnipeg and the likelihood of Bogosian being an option back to zero (if it ever was a possibility to begin with).
So really in my mind there's nobody to trade Filppula (or Hudler) for. Of course there could be somebody available whom I have no idea about, but I doubt that player will be better than whichever UFA we'll end up with.
So, in short, I just don't see how Jagr fits with this team. And for the record, if the Wings sing a possible top six forward to a reasonable deal I would much rather see that forward be Tampa Bay's Simon Gagne than Mr. Jagr. Just my two cents though.
First off, it truly is impossible to determine just how Jagr would be in the NHL. He's never had the defensive acumen to be a third line forward, yet he may be unable to play top six minutes for a whole season as he's been playing in the KHL the past three seasons where the seasons are shorter, and the competition is less fierce. For argument's sake, I'll say he'll see time as a top six forward, at least to begin the year. He'll also likely sign for between $2 and $3 million.
Also, for Detroit, I'll assume that Patrick Eaves and one of either Drew Miller or Kris Draper will return. So let's look at the forwards without Jagr:
Franzen - Datsyuk - Holmstrom
Bertuzzi - Zetterberg - Cleary
Abdelkader - Filppula - Hudler
Mursak - Helm - Eaves
Draper/Miller - Emmerton
Well, looking at those lines there simply isn't any room for Jagr. However, I don't see the Wings being overly concerned with losing Cory Emmerton to waivers as he's never been able to really put his game together with Grand Rapids. However, there's no reason for any of the players I have penciled into lines to not be playing regularly.
So how would Jagr fit?
Well, only one way in my mind. And that way would be if the Wings do trade Jiri Hudler to Valtteri Filppula at the draft for a defenseman. I'm a proponent of trading Filppula for several reasons: he's got more value than Hudler, his cap hit is higher than Hudler's, he's a second line center when Datsyuk and Z play on the same line but last year I think proved that the two are better apart. Meanwhile, Helm should be getting experience as a third line center which he seems ready for, and Abdelkader has proven that he can play center.
So great, sign Jagr and trade Filppula for the defenseman we need after Rafalski's retirement. Unfortunately though, there just aren't any defensemen who could be had for Filppula who really jump out. Cam Barker (Minnesota), Nick Schultz (Minnesota), and Keith Ballard (Vancouver) could probably be had, but only because all three of those players have struggled recently. The idea of trading for a good young defender really has dried up with Atlanta moving to Winnipeg and the likelihood of Bogosian being an option back to zero (if it ever was a possibility to begin with).
So really in my mind there's nobody to trade Filppula (or Hudler) for. Of course there could be somebody available whom I have no idea about, but I doubt that player will be better than whichever UFA we'll end up with.
So, in short, I just don't see how Jagr fits with this team. And for the record, if the Wings sing a possible top six forward to a reasonable deal I would much rather see that forward be Tampa Bay's Simon Gagne than Mr. Jagr. Just my two cents though.
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