The Philadelphia Flyers have received a total overhaul after losing out in the second round of last season’s playoffs to the eventual Cup winning Atlanta Thrashers. Many pundits expected the failed playoff run to result in a complete dismantling of the organization, especially coupled with the fact that a number of the team’s top players were pending unrestricted free agents, including future Hall of Famer’s Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Niklas Lidstrom and star goalie Marty Turco. Others such as defensive centres Kris Draper and Jim Dowd were also free to go wherever they wanted.
Fortunately for the organization, superstar blue liner Lidstrom elected to return to Philly for two more seasons with an enormous $7.6 million salary. Dowd also resigned with the organization, pleased that the team wanted him back in the fold.
On the left wing the team has a pair of new faces, both of which are players who will be called upon to play a defensive role whenever they step onto the ice. Hard-nosed veteran Jason Wiemer will make $900,000 for the next two years while patrolling the third line and seeing spot action on the penalty kill. Brad Larsen has been signed at $500k for each of the next three seasons to provide the organization with some depth this season and beyond. Larsen is expected to get into the line-up for at least 30 games this season.
No changes have been made to the right side, with Milan Hejduk, Brian Gionta, Mark Parrish and Tom Kostopoulous forming potentially the most dangerous right wing group in the entire OTHL. At just $496,340 for the season, Gionta is the biggest bargain in the OTHL, bar none.
On the blue line, veteran Jason Marshall will see some big minutes with the Flyers this season. Rookies Alex Picard and Freddy Meyer will also hear their names called on the blue line as this team is seriously lacking depth among defensemen.
Marty Turco is gone, leaving Vesa Toskala as the new starting goaltender. He is ready to step into the new role and will likely turn some heads in the 06-07 season. Backing him up is Chris Mason, who was acquired via trade for a 4th round selection in the 2007 OTHL Entry Draft.
This team doesn’t have the power that last year’s did and has some serious concerns with depth if injuries arise. However, they do possess more than five million dollars of cap space and some valuable assets in the system that they will be willing to move in order to make the team into a stronger contender. This team should make the playoffs as is, but what looks acceptable on paper can prove to not gel properly on the ice.
They make their debut tomorrow night against the Montreal Canadiens.