Richards And Carter Traded Away!

They were the trades heard around NHL circles that took everyone by surprise.  It was no secret that the Flyers were in a cap crunch and desperately wanted to sign newly acquired Ilya Bryzgalov.  It was expected that either Jeff Carter or Mike Richards would be dealt to provide the cap relief.   When the Flyers announced they traded both star players, that sent shock waves around the NHL.  It may come as a shock to most fans but the Flyers are a better team now and in the future.

Flyers captain Mike Richards single-handedly took the team deep into the playoffs previously and had a bit of an off-season this past season.  Carter had solid year last season and was starting to play a more dominant role with the Flyers.

Flyers Acquire:

1. future NHL star Brayden Schenn (2009 1st round, 5th overall)
2. top six NHL forward Wayne Simmonds (2007 2nd round, 61st overall)
3. and additional second-round pick 

Kings Acquire:

1. Mike Richards (2003 1st round pick, 24th overall).

The Kings needed to get better now and were willing to gamble on Schenn and Simmonds for the immediate help from Richards.   The Kings are now better team and can make a deep run into the playoffs having a solid group of top six forwards.

The Flyers needed the cap relief and are a better team now since they have goaltending that could win a playoff round for the team in Ilya Bryzgalov.  With the departures of Richards and Carter, the Flyers can allow JVR, Leino and others to develop further and take more ownership for the success/failure.  Simonds is a RFA and will potentially earn a higher salary.

Flyers Acquire:  

1. future NHL star Jakub Voracek (2007 1st round, 7th overall)
2. 2011 1st round, Columbus, 8th overall
3. 2011 3rd round, Columbus, 68 overall

Blue Jackets Acquire:

1. Jeff Carter (2003 1st round pick, 11th overall).

The Blue Jackets need a center to play with Nash and acquired Carter.  Carter is known as a scorer rather than a puck distributor so this pairing may not be ideal for both players.

The Flyers replace Carter for a younger, and potentially more talented Jakub Voracek, along with the 8th pick and high 3rd round pick.  The 8th pick could become Ryan Strome or Sean Couturier.  Voracek will help the Flyers immediately and at much easier cap hit.

The Flyers had one big area in need in goal and have addressed it with Bryzgalov.  They also moved established star players in Richards and Carter for unknown potential star players and also getting younger.  The future is looking good for the Flyers and now they have cap spaced to added more depth if needed.

You may be asking how does this tie in with the Maple Leafs?  The Flyers have echoed the asking price for a relatively young star player will cost approximately two 1st round picks and 2nd round give or take.  The Flyers trade closely resembles the Leafs trade for Kessel if you consider that Kessel is not locked into a long term contract and was younger when traded to the Maple Leafs and Boston acquired only picks and no players.