Here is the list of the Flyers free agents.
Restricted
Jeff Carter
RJ Umberger
Randy Jones
Riley Cote
Patrick Thoresen
Unrestricted
Jason Smith
Jim Dowd
Vaclav Prospal
Jaroslav Modry
Yesterday, Eklund over at Hockey Buzz brought up the rumor/speculation that Flyers may move RJ Umberger in exchange for the Nashville Predators’ Ryan Suter. Suter was Nashville’s 1st round draft choice in 2003 (7th pick overall). This past season he had 31 points and 7 goals in 76 regular season games and was a +3. The scouting report on him says that he has an excellent all-around game and is able to rack up points on the power play “mainly due to a heavy point shot.” He also has a penchant for hitting people. It’s no secret that Paul Holmgren is looking to upgrade the Flyers defense.
For a possible comparison, take a look at Braydon Coburn. Coburn was drafted right after Suter in 2003 by Atlanta as the 8th overall pick. This past season Coburn had 9 goals and 36 points in 78 games and was a +17.
Tags: Carter · Jones · Predators · Prospal · Smith · Suter · Umberger4 Comments
4 responses so far ↓
Everything out of Nashville has worked out OK so far….
Bring Smith back with him, and retain our Captain…get him healthy, and the D takes on a great look…
Everything that I’ve been reading on Suter is that trading Umberger straight up for him would be another steal for Holmgren.
If this is true, I’m a bit torn. I like Umberger and think he has great potential. But the Flyers are deep at forward, plus add in the fact that Giroux will probably joining the team next year and vanRiemsdyk probably in 2 years. The D, not so deep.
Sorry it took me a while…
The way I see it, Briere needs to play wing next year…we need a two way center with more physicality than Richards. As much as Mike means, and will contribute both ways, Carter and Briere wouldn’t be enough physically up the middle.
We will need Carter healthy for offense, and he hasn’t proven more physical than being able to stand up for himself at this point. Nobody messes with him, but he doesn’t have a rep for being able to hurt guys clean. We need to have that threat. Preems could knock you out, same with Zeus…we need that 3rd line guy who can punish.
I’d like to see Briere out there at Wing with Gagne and whoever the new C might be…maybe even give RJ a shot at that (if he returns), since I think he mixes it up well in the middle. Briere can’t Center at a plus level 5 on 5…
Richards-Hartnell-Lupul (Already established great balance)
Carter-Upshall-Downie/Giroux (this line could be a 150 pointer)
Umberger-Gagne-Briere (I like the possibilities here)
New C (for Dowd)-Knuble-Thoresen check line might be very good…with a scoring threat…
We need to re-sign Sami for the playoffs next year….he turns up his game, and he won’t bear the wear and tear of 82 games if he plays in Finland. I wouldn’t mind having him around for 50-60 games during the year too and rotating in with Downie/Giroux/Thoresen, etc….since he can play all lines. But I fear we might buy him out.
I really don’t know what’s wrong with Dowd…he wins faceoffs, and plays nice even, experienced hockey…if there’s an improvement, let’s go get it, but I’d be hard pressed to find a check line Center as effective for as cheap…some guys have to be value guys…it’s why my Washington Bullets can’t re-sign Roger Mason even though he broke out…they need a guy at his salary slot, regardless.
I don’t want Brian Campbell, especially if Biron and him have beef.
I like those line combinations. They need to work with Downie in the off season to get him to play more disciplined. I liked his energy level, but his temper was his Achilles heal. It also seemed that he was more effective when he played regularly. When he would be scratched for a few games then played, he was either completely off and would take bad penalties. Next season is key for Downie. If the Flyers lock up both Carter and Umberger and with Giroux and vanRiemsdyk in the pipeline, I doubt Stevens and Holmgren will keep him around if he doesn’t start playing smart. I definitely agree about Campbell. Everyone was talking about how tight this team was this year. Introducing someone who has an existing problem with another key player is just asking for trouble. Think TO and the Eagles.