Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Posted: 11:01 a.m.
By Tim PanaccioCSNPhilly.com
Part two of three on the Flyers' off-season and looking ahead to 2011-12.
If the Flyers had had Chris Pronger during the Boston series, a lot of people think they would still be playing.
But they didnt.
Boston had Zdeno Chara, their towering 6-foot-9 defenseman, and the impact he had in the series speaks for itself.
How Pronger comes back from herniated disk surgery in his back is nothing short of pivotal for the Flyers next season. Pronger is the heart of the blue line.
Heres a recap of the defense:
Oskars Bartulis
Age next season: turns 25
Cap hit: 600,000
A severe shoulder injury ruined his season. The Flyers remain high on Bartulis, but he needs more playing time to develop, and that may not occur here given those ahead of him. He seemed more secure with the puck this yearwhen healthythan in the past.
Nick Boynton
Age next season: turns 33
Cap hit: UFA
NHL
Boynton wasnt very productive when claimed off waivers, with no points in 10 games and limited action. Personal issues saw him leave the club during the playoffs. He wont be re-signed.
Matt Carle
Age next season: turns 27
Cap hit: 3.43 million
A lot of people wondered what Carle would be like if separated from Prongers side for an extended period of time. Well, it happened this year, but Carle was still a plus-30 in the regular season, although the defensive side of his game really tailed badly during the playoffs as he finished minus-8. Hes still a guy other clubs think highly of.
Braydon Coburn
Age next season: turns 27
Cap hit: 3.2 million
His point totals have steadily declined as a Flyer while his ice time has risen. He can be so much more if he would just shoot the puck. He had a great shot from the point once upon a timewhat happened to it? Like Carle, Coburn has high trade value if the Flyers need cap space.
Andrej Meszaros
Age next season: turns 26
Cap hit: 4 million
Its hard to believe that he had a bad right wrist with multiple damage given his shot from the point was the hardest of anyone on the club, start to finish this year. Meszaros was firing hard in the playoffs, too. He had a very productive season and won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the teams top defenseman. Meszaros was a great pickup by the Flyers last summer.
Sean ODonnell
Age next season: turns 40
Cap hit: UFA
ODonnell is a consummate pro who had a pretty good year overall and a solid playoff run. Hes one of the great minds of the game a la Mike Knublea guy who can dissect things and offer perspective. The Flyers should re-sign him, but a strong push from rookie Erik Gustafsson could stand in the way
Chris Pronger
Age next season: turns 37
Cap hit: 4.92 million
The biggest concern here, coming off the most injury-filled season of Prongers career, is whether his back surgery (herniated disc) will negatively impact him or even prevent him from playing the kind of mean, tough game that has always defined him. One thing is certain: Prongers dedication to fitness and being the best he can be wont ever be questioned.
Kimmo Timonen
Age next season: turns 37
Cap hit: 6.33 million
If Pronger is your No. 1 defenseman, Timonen remains No. 1-A. While his offensive production has declined in recent years as hes gotten older, his defensive efforts on the ice have not. He wasnt happy with his power play time during the playoffs and were told he let that be known to those in charge.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
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