Yesterday the Flyers made a move that frankly...well I believe is a steal.

Simple and plain. The Flyers moved Downie, who has talent and toughness but was not popular in the Flyers locker room, and Steve Eminger, who despite being LOADED with talent was often overmatched and certainly not strong on the first pass or the transition game...to Tampa for Matt Carle, who was THE key piece in the Dan Boyle trade with San Jose....

The trade that sent the key to the Lightning transition game (along with a possible Stanley Cup) to San Jose was: Dan Boyle and veteran blueliner Brad Lukowich for defensemen Matt Carle and Ty Wishart, a first-round selection in 2009 and a fourth-round pick in 2010.

Carle is gone along with the fourth round pick to Philly...

Wishart is NOT playing in the NHL yet...he may be a top 4 d-man someday...but not yet...

So, essentially....

Boyle and Lukowich for Wishart, Downey, Eminger and a #1...

Wait....what?

I am a big fan of the school of thought that the team that gets the best player wins the deal. It doesn't matter how many spare parts there are...

The best player in the Boyle trade was Boyle. No question.
The best player in the Matt Carle trade was Carle. Again, no question.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Lightning team as a a whole. I like the aggressive ownership. I like the ***** of Melrose and the team building that he has put into these guys...

As for if this deal makes it easier to sign Shanahan in Philly....I think that it doesn't play into it. Everything that I have heard to this point is that Shanahan holds the ball here and it will come down to ice time, proximity to NY, and the team's cup chances...

I am also under the impression that even before this deal the Flyers were expecting a reply from Shanny in the next few days...

Ek likes the deal...

and now I'm worried.

I'm too

Shockingly, he also thinks that this is the place for Shanny

Since he likes it, does this mean it will blow up in our face?

Even if we hate the guys predictions, he is a Flyers fan, right? I figure his opinion's as valid as ours...

Fair enough

honestly, I'm not convinced that anything can turn this team around this season, but I'll be hapopy to eat crow on that.

I think a huge shakup in the coaching staff is needed, now, or in the offseason. Im not gonna write this season off yet, but if they continue to play like this........

Eklund's opinion is actually decent for once....

Eat crow, 14 games in and you don't see anything turning the season around!!! I can't imagine living in a world of doom and gloom. 14 game in- OMG!

This is the last time I'll say this: Terry Murray> Craig Berube. That's the only change that needs to be made.

Finally eklund's opinion makes some sense

i actually liked something eklund wrote, besides downey lol. he did get it right the first time

I don't know Steve Downie is a pretty good hockey player. Matt Carle has really underperformed the past 2 years. The guys also really overpaid.

The Flyers or someone had some sort of get together at the game yesterday and good ol' Eklund was there. Freaking dude wore a mask. Talk about a loser.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/3014...57608780527343/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/3014...57608780527343/

Hahaha...what's that all about? Does he think he's a Mexican wrestler?

He doesn't want people knowing what he looks like even though his pic can be found on the net very easily.

Hahaha that's hilarious! I don't know why he insists on keeping up with that silly gimmick because everyone knows who he is by now. It's not like that gimmick markets his site. No one cares if he is some anonymous hockey blogger or not.