VOORHEES, N.J. — Flyers captain Claude Giroux said he was not prepared to see teammate Braydon Coburn get traded (see story).
Giroux is now the lone surviving Flyer from Peter Laviolette’s 2010 playoff roster that advanced to the Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks.
“I didn’t talk to him about it before [the rumors] and it kinda surprised me,” Giroux said. “I try not to let it bother me. Just focus on what I have to do on the ice.
“It will be good for him in Tampa, they are in good position right now. Coby has a lot of experience in the playoffs and he will help them. Coby is a really good player and did a lot of good things for us this year and obviously, in the past.”
Giroux now becomes the longest-tenured Flyer: seven full seasons and two games from 2007-08.
Coburn, who was here eight-plus seasons, was a presence on the ice, especially in his better years.
“It’s going to show [without him],” defenseman Mark Streit said. “He’s been here so many years. Big defenseman who skates really well. Plays on the PK. A big man in the locker room. It’s part of hockey.”
NHL
Some could say the trade of Coburn and Kimmo Timonen weakens the Flyers in the midst of a playoff run.
Not really. The truth is, the Flyers have already gone the entire season without Timonen (blood clots) and Coburn has played just 39 games because of two separate fracture injuries to his left foot.
The Flyers were actually 12-7-5 this season without Coburn in the lineup.
“We lost a good player but we have capable guys coming in there,” coach Craig Berube said. “We won a lot of games without Braydon this year.
“He was injured a lot. I don’t believe it weakens us at all. Trades happen in the NHL. We got some good assets coming back.”
The Flyers received two a 2015 first-round pick, a third-round pick and young defenseman Radko Gudas (who Jakub Voracek says fans will love).
Sean Couturier said he was “shocked by everything” that happened between Friday and Monday with the trades of Timonen and Coburn.
“You see one of your teammates go away, especially Coby, who has been here so long,” Couturier said.
“He was the longest guy who played here and a huge part of our team. Always sad to see a teammate leave but it’s part of the business.
“Depth-wise, we’ve got less guys now. But he’s been injured a few times this year and guys have filled in. We won a lot of games when he wasn’t in the lineup. We’ve got a good bunch of a guys and good team and we can still work hard and battle hard for a playoff spot.”
Fellow defenseman Nick Schultz said the Flyers have lost “two big pieces” to their blue line.
“Guys have to step up and play big minutes now against teams top line and penalty kill,” Schultz said. “This is something I have been through and [Coburn] has been here a long time.
“He played here majority of career and it’s a tough situation for him. On the bright side, he is going to a great team in Tampa and hopefully, it works out well for him.”
Roster and practice
Defenseman Nicklas Grossmann (head/left shoulder blade) remains day to day and did not practice. Forward Wayne Simmonds missed practice with a maintenance day.
With the trade of two defensemen, the Flyers are now down to seven. Carlo Colaiacovo took Grossmann’s spot in practice with Andrew MacDonald and could play in that spot Tuesday against Calgary if Grossmann is not ready to play.
Grossmann said at the Carnival on Sunday that Rick Nash’s shot struck in both the head and back shoulder, which would explain why he appeared so woozy coming off the ice. The Flyers have not said whether he is concussed but if he doesn’t play, that may be an indication he has symptoms.
Goalie Anthony Stolarz went back to the Phantoms while Ray Emery took practice. Emery is slated to backup Steve Mason against the Flames.
Apparently, the Rob Zepp-Stolarz interchange had more to do with the Flyers not having two goalies on the active roster once Zepp was sent down because Emery was still injured and deactivated, leaving just Mason.