Flyers make no major moves at NHL trade deadline

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Monday, February 28, 2011
Posted: 5:23 p.m.
By Tim PanaccioCSNPhilly.com

So North America, which was more boring: Trade deadline day or the Oscars?

One of the most unremarkable NHL trade deadlines passed on Monday with little action. That was the case for the Flyers, who made only a prospect deal for the Phantoms.

Through the day and over the last few days, we looked for depth, said general manager Paul Holmgren. Nothing really came up that made sense for us. As Ive said all along, we like our team.

We made the moves in the summertime with the players weve added, free agency, the trades we made for Kris Versteeg and the waiver pickup for Nick Boynton. We did what we felt we needed to do.

Holmgren said he told his club a while ago he wasnt going to do anything to jeopardize the chemistry in the dressing room on the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference. He held true to that.

I like our team; I feel good about that. Im a man of my word, he said.

League-wide, two players expected to be move werent: Dallas Brad Richards and Floridas Marty Reasoner, who the Flyers had interest in.

One club source insisted Florida did not offer Reasoner and that in the few calls the Flyers got, teams wanted major names off their roster or high draft picks they didnt have.

Because of our assets, in terms of draft picks, were not as well stocked as other teams, maybe that was a reason, but I did feel prices were high for basically, rental players, Holmgren said.

Basically, Im happy with our team. And in no way disappointed. Im actually excited to see how we do.

Because the Flyers werent moving any core players, and because they dont have a first or second round pick this summer, enticing deals was virtually impossible.

The Flyers are well-stocked for a long playoff run. They have some injuries now, but none too serious that would threaten that run. If the goaltending sharpens and the defense can get cleaner breakouts that has handcuffed them lately, everything should fall in place for Peter Laviolettes club.

Boynton gives the Flyers critical playoff experience at the 7th defensive spot which the team sorely lacked in last springs Stanley Cup Final against Chicago when the Blackhawks took advantage of Oskars Bartulis and Lukas Krajicek.

Holmgrens only deadline move was taking left winger Tommy Sestito from Columbus for forward prospects Greg Moore and Michael Chaput.

Sestito, 23, is 6-foot-5 and 228-pounds, and will be assigned to the Phantoms. He had 192 penalty minutes in only 46 AHL games. He Tweeted today that if Philly "likes seeing an ass kicking," he will give fans what they want. Ah, a true "Bully" at heart. He played just nine NHL games this season.

Hes a big kid, he has 30-some odd points in Springfield, which would make him our second-leading scorer, Holmgren said of Sestito. Hes a big kid who we have always liked. We think he has a chance to play at some point with us, whether it be later this year but certainly, next year hell get a good look.

Chaput was the Flyers first pick in last summers draft - a third-rounder (89th overall) and remained unsigned, which likely contributed to his departure.

The biggest deal of the day saw Dustin Penner head back to the West Coast. This time its with Los Angles as the Kings sent Edmonton Colten Teubert, plus a first-round pick this year and third-round pick next year.

L.A. is making a push to get into the playoffs. Just seven points separate first from fifth in the Pacific Division.

Two clubs that perennially seem busy at the deadlineAtlanta and Floridapulled off a deal as the Thrashers sent Niclas Bergfors and Patrick Rissmiller to the Panthers for fellow forward Radek Dvorak and a fifth-round pick.

The Thrashers also traded Fredrik Modin to Calgary. Hard to figure if Atlanta was trying to make the playoffs or not with that move.

Florida also acquired Sergei Samsonov from Carolina for defenseman Bryan Allen. Anaheim got forward Brad Winchester from St. Louis for a third-round pick.

Former Flyer Ryan Potulny moved again. He went from Chicago to Ottawa for defenseman Chris Campoli.

Washington gave up David Steckel to the Devils for Jason Arnott in a deal that seems to benefit New Jerseys push for a playoff bid.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
Related: Flyers Notes: Players relaxed on trade deadline dayBuy Flyers gear

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