The Philadelphia Flyers Need A New Ron Hextall
On Wednesday’s trade deadline day, the Philadelphia Flyers failed to shore up their shaky goaltending situation, following suit with a long-standing franchise trend. A look at history and a quick glance between the pipes in Philadelphia tells the story of a franchise that has long suffered from ineptitude in goal. GM Paul Holmgren’s inability to bring in a legitimate netminder may quickly end his team’s chances of going deep into the playoffs. The Flyers have a great looking lineup with top-end skill up front and veterans on the blueline, but their weakness lies in the crease -– the Flyers haven’t had a solid starter since Ron Hextall’s glory days.
Temperamental ‘tender Ray Emery returned from the KHL in the summer to sign with the Flyers, who essentially pinned their hopes on an undisciplined and cocky young goaltender. Emery has been less than impressive this year, and his season is now officially over as he requires a bone graft on his hip.
The Flyers have had their ups and downs this season. A few months back there were rampant rumours of a feud between Captain Mike Richards and Alternate Chris Pronger. The Flyers struggled out of the gate, posting a 13-11-1 record — disappointing for a team that was supposed to compete for the Eastern Conference title. After being shut out in two straight games, head coach John Stevens was let go and replaced by Peter Laviolette. Their new coach has guided them into a playoff position in the last four months. While there is no guarantee they will qualify for the post-season, they currently sit in 6th position in the Eastern Conference and are four points ahead of the ninth place New York Rangers.
With Emery out for the season, the goaltending duties will fall on waiver pickup Michael Leighton and veteran backup Brian Boucher. Pinning playoff hopes on two mediocre goaltenders is risky business. (Sorry Flyers fans, but despite Michael Leighton’s positive stint with Philly thus far, he remains a fringe goaltender). On an offensively explosive team, you can afford to have average goaltending, in the hopes that your offense will get you by. This system works for the likes of Chicago and Washington, but it will not work for the Flyers. That said, even Cristobal Huet is a league above Michael Leighton.
Underachieving netminders have become commonplace in the city of brotherly love. The Flyers have continually refused to address their goaltending situation since Ron Hextall began to show signs of aging. Recently, the Flyers have had salary cap issues. They are right up against the cap, and four roster players have no trade clauses. A creative GM with faith in his team would be able to flip either a roster player, prospect or draft picks for a serviceable goaltender. If the Flyers have any intention of making as strong a playoff run as they did in 2007-08, when they reached the Conference Finals, they’ll need great goaltending. Could Paul Holmgren really not have snatched Dwayne Roloson, Dan Ellis or Tomas Vokoun at the deadline?
We’ll rest our case with a list of the goaltenders the Flyers have employed since Ron Hextall retired. These names speak for themselves.
09-10 Ray Emery, Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher (Currently 6th in the East)
08-09 Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaaki (Lost 1st Round, Pittsburgh)
07-08 Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaaki (Lost Conference Final, Pittsburgh)
06-07 Antero Niittymaaki, Robert Esche, Martin Biron, Michael Leighton, Martin Houle (Did Not Qualify)
05-06 Antero Niitymaaki, Robert Esche (Lost 1st Round, Buffalo)
03-04 Robert Esche, Jeff Hackett, Sean Burke, Antero Niittymaaki, Neil Little (Lost Conf. Finals, Tampa Bay)
02-03 Roman Cechmanek, Robert Esche (Lost 2nd Round, Ottawa)
01-02 Roman Cechmanek, Brian Boucher, Neil Little (Lost 1st Round, Ottawa)
00-01 Roman Cechmanek, Brian Boucher, Maxime Ouellet (Lost 1st Round, Buffalo)
Brittany on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 7:49 am
Tonight was an epic battle between Nashville and The Sharks and there was no hope for the sharks with a 4 to 2 lead by the Predators but in the last period the sharks came back with and scored six points making the fine score 8 to 5. An epic win for the San Jose Sharks. I for one am hoping to see this team at the Stanley Cup. After all got to root for the home team!
Broad Street Benny on Sat, 13th Mar 2010 10:57 pm
Not sure what Brittany's on about but…sadly I agree the Flyers haven't placed enough importance on goaltending…Hextall was a good goalie but also a sociopathic flake who couldn't be trusted…and a choker…yes He won the Vezina and the Conn Smythe in 87, but never won the Stanley…I'm afraid you have to go way back to the Bernie Parent era if you want a high standard of solid excellence in goaltending for the Flyers 1974, Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup, 1975, Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup…Bernie was the man…Pele Lindberg was next but was tragically taken away. Hex was next best and a parade of mediocrity since!