Foppa as a Flyers - My 2 cents
Posted 6:06 PM ET | Comments 6
Let me first start by saying that this is my first blog, so if it sucks I apologize. I am a die hard Flyers fan, and am thrilled at the prospect of Peter Forsberg signing with the Flyers. Even at 70% I love watching Forsberg at work, and the excitement that I get personally from watching him step on the ice just about every other night is why I am excited about the possibility. I think it is a good fit for Forsberg, and the Flyers.
Why it is a great fit for the Flyers
If you have watched the Flyers this year, they have struggled quite a bit with teams that can stop their momentum and stand them up at the blue line (New Jersey is a great example of this). Forsberg is one of the best stick handlers in the game. He can memorize another team, and can carry the puck coast to coast and really help the Flyers get set up in another teams end. If the Flyers can not get their Forecheck going it is often a dump in, and then a rush the other way. Peter can help this team improve significantly gain the offensive zone and go to work. I really think Danny Briere, Jeff Carter, Joffry Lupul can become better players with the assistance of Peter. His play making abilities should help the Flyers get more out of Briere (who seems to be playing better with Gagne back), Carter and Lupul.
Why Peter will sign here
The one constant you hear about Forsberg is that he is a stand up guy, and is one of the few professional athletes that still has loyalty. I truly believe that Forsberg was disheartened with his time in Philadelphia. He holds himself to a very hight standard, and I do think he wants to give something back to the Flyers organization. Peter is a very honest individual as well, and when he departed from Philadelphia just about a year ago, he said that he enjoyed his time in Philadelphia, especially playing with Gagne and Knuble. I think the addition of Hartnel and Timonen makes it a little more enticing as well. With the acquisition of Briere, the resurgence of Richards/Lupul/Carter, and the acqusition of Jason Smith, Forsberg does not have to be "The Guy". There is enough leadership in that locker room, and talent on the ice that Peter can be Peter here. He is not going to be looked at at the Captain, or the best player on the ice. He can come onto this team, and just be a contributing factor, and that is what I think he wants.
What will it cost?
It is no secret that the Flyers are extremely close to the cap, and they will have to make a move or two, to free up some room for Peter. Now I have not majored in Capology like some of the people on HockeyBuzz, but here is what I think will happen. A few months ago I thought Jeff Carter was going to be the sacrificial lamb to better the Flyers team in the short term. That being said, I think his surge in performance in the last 3 weeks has saved him, so that means we have to move down the list. Next on the list are Sami Kapanen, Jim Dowd, and Fitzpatrick. Dowd has been impressive ever since he has cleared wavers, but I think he will moved as well as Sami. Sami has a ton of grit, and is one of the few players on this roster that will give you 100% every night. He is a great defensive minded winger, but I think the organization is going with a youth movement of sorts. With John Stevens continuously playing him on the 3rd or fourth line, that demonstrates how highly Stevens thinks of Sami, and based upon different things I have heard Sami is not overly thrilled with playing on 3rd and 4th lines. Kappy is making an estimated 1.25M , Dowd making 0.5M, and Rory is making 0.55M.
So that is my two cents, on why it works, and how it is going to play out. Nothing would make me happier than firing up HockeyBuzz.com on morning or evening in the very near future and seeing Foppa to Flyers for 3 years.
Why it is a great fit for the Flyers
If you have watched the Flyers this year, they have struggled quite a bit with teams that can stop their momentum and stand them up at the blue line (New Jersey is a great example of this). Forsberg is one of the best stick handlers in the game. He can memorize another team, and can carry the puck coast to coast and really help the Flyers get set up in another teams end. If the Flyers can not get their Forecheck going it is often a dump in, and then a rush the other way. Peter can help this team improve significantly gain the offensive zone and go to work. I really think Danny Briere, Jeff Carter, Joffry Lupul can become better players with the assistance of Peter. His play making abilities should help the Flyers get more out of Briere (who seems to be playing better with Gagne back), Carter and Lupul.
Why Peter will sign here
The one constant you hear about Forsberg is that he is a stand up guy, and is one of the few professional athletes that still has loyalty. I truly believe that Forsberg was disheartened with his time in Philadelphia. He holds himself to a very hight standard, and I do think he wants to give something back to the Flyers organization. Peter is a very honest individual as well, and when he departed from Philadelphia just about a year ago, he said that he enjoyed his time in Philadelphia, especially playing with Gagne and Knuble. I think the addition of Hartnel and Timonen makes it a little more enticing as well. With the acquisition of Briere, the resurgence of Richards/Lupul/Carter, and the acqusition of Jason Smith, Forsberg does not have to be "The Guy". There is enough leadership in that locker room, and talent on the ice that Peter can be Peter here. He is not going to be looked at at the Captain, or the best player on the ice. He can come onto this team, and just be a contributing factor, and that is what I think he wants.
What will it cost?
It is no secret that the Flyers are extremely close to the cap, and they will have to make a move or two, to free up some room for Peter. Now I have not majored in Capology like some of the people on HockeyBuzz, but here is what I think will happen. A few months ago I thought Jeff Carter was going to be the sacrificial lamb to better the Flyers team in the short term. That being said, I think his surge in performance in the last 3 weeks has saved him, so that means we have to move down the list. Next on the list are Sami Kapanen, Jim Dowd, and Fitzpatrick. Dowd has been impressive ever since he has cleared wavers, but I think he will moved as well as Sami. Sami has a ton of grit, and is one of the few players on this roster that will give you 100% every night. He is a great defensive minded winger, but I think the organization is going with a youth movement of sorts. With John Stevens continuously playing him on the 3rd or fourth line, that demonstrates how highly Stevens thinks of Sami, and based upon different things I have heard Sami is not overly thrilled with playing on 3rd and 4th lines. Kappy is making an estimated 1.25M , Dowd making 0.5M, and Rory is making 0.55M.
So that is my two cents, on why it works, and how it is going to play out. Nothing would make me happier than firing up HockeyBuzz.com on morning or evening in the very near future and seeing Foppa to Flyers for 3 years.
So 2.3 M for 3 years will do it? hmmm.. Im guessing the guy could get more somewhere else. But I agree it would be nice to see him play another few years (maybe just 2 though- id like to see Giroux get his chance next season).
If we sign him its for One Year at like 2 mil max we'll talk after we see Giroux and JVR at camp
Forsberg himself said on Monday, that when he returns it is not going to be for a few weeks, it is going to be for a couple of years. So I do not think he is interested in anything less than a 3 year deal.
If Forsberg wants a multi-year deal, kiss Jeff carter good bye.
Just wanted to say nice 1st blog G.M.! Very well thought out and written. While I don't necessarily agree with all of it, it is a nice piece. I personally don't think Foppa is going to come back. I would love to see him back in the orange and black, but I have a really hard time seeing where he fits? Is he going to play a wing? Are they going to force Carter to move to wing finally? Is Foppa going to be our 4th line center? These are all questions that unfortunately, we as fans don't have the answers too. I do agree though that he would add some control and stability to our line up and would be a welcome addition....if he can skate : )
Dowd and Fitzpatrick and UFA's next year. So they don't factor into the Cap for the Flyers next year.