Philadelphia-Philadelphia Flyers GM Mitchell Gelz announced today what could be the biggest trade of this early season. The Flyers sent Simon Gagne, Alexei Zhamnov, and Danny Markov to New Jersey in return the Flyers received unsung defenseman Brian Rafalski, along with Brian Gionta, Jeff Friesen, and John Madden.
GM Gelz made comment : It appears we've made a step in the right direction for this franchise. I'm commited in making changes that will reflect positively on the ice not in the media and sometimes not in the fan base. It is posible that some may say we've mortgaged some of our future by dealing a player like Simon (Gagne), but I feel we got in exchange some that couldnt be passed up. A player like Gionta whos the same age as Simon buried 21 goals last season and we feel he can better that on our squad. Rafalski could easily lead the leagues defenseman in points if he stays healthy and rounds out what I feel is the leagues deepest defensive unit ( Rafalski, Desjardins, Pitkanen, Johnsson, Ragnarson, Timander, and Malakhov).Furthermore in Madden we landed possibly the leagues best 2 way forward and added Jeff Friesen who can more then hold his own on the left side. I definitely feel this move was the best decision for my team and allows me the depth to make a run at the conference title.
It is still early but it seems that Philadelphia is on the road to becoming the beasts in the east this season.