FUNHL News and Notes

- Well that was unexpected.

I think everyone saw the possibility that Carter would be moved on from Philly. The Flyers were logjammed at center with Carter, Richards, Briere, Betts and Giroux, and moving Carter's big ticket on for prospects/picks was the clear choice to make a run at Bryzgalov.

But Mike Richards? Really?

The return on Carter is the #8 overall pick, a 3rd rnder, and Jakub Voracek. All in all a nice little haul for a 30g pivot with size and speed.

The Richards trade to LA brings in power winger Simmonds, and top prospect Brayden Schenn - but represents a huge move by the franchise.

Carter immediately makes the Bluejackets a more balanced team. He jumps to the top line, and gives highly rated prospect Johanssen room to develop on a lower unit (likely 3rd line behind Umberger) until he is ready to take over. By bumping Umberger and Johanssen down the depth chart like this, they make their entire team more formidable. Carter can center a scoring line with Nash (though there may be some chemistry adjustment as both are shoot firsters), Umberger can do the heavy lifting on the 2nd line, and the rook and others can split the rest of the time. The 8th overall wasn't going to get the BJ's into the playoffs, and Voracek, while talented, was not overwhelming anyone offensively, so this deal clearly works well for them.

LA getting Richards is a major coup, and he provides a similar benefit to the Kings that Carter does for the BJ's. Kopitar will continue to see the ice in all offensive situations, Richards will do the knife-fighting on the 2nd line, and Stoll will slot back into a 3rd line role where his talents are best suited.

Philly moves out two of the best young pivots in the game (both Olympic caliber guys), and gets back; a high 1st, perhaps the best prospect in the game in Schenn (and not coincidentally he plays a game a lot like Mike Richards), a young power winger in Simmonds, a scoring winger with finesse in Voracek and a depth pick in a weak draft. All in all about what you would hope for. The key though is that it also gives them enough cap space not just to sign Bryzgalov (9 years $51M), but to also take a run at FA Brad Richards.

Two years ago they were in the Stanley Cup finals, and now Carter and Richards are being moved out for prospects and picks. Strange game.

- Along with the big news regarding the Flyers, Calgary has asked Robyn Regehr to waive his NMC to allow for a trade to Buffalo. No details yet regarding what the return would be from the Sabres, but the speculation is that it would be Buffalo's pick (#16), and Luke Adam. Adam is a grinding type of center likely best suited to the 3rd line. Colour me unimpressed if that is the prospect coming back, as I would hope for something more like Tyler Ennis. Should Calgary land the pick at #16, it bodes well for the chances of the Flames packaging it with their own pick at #13 to move up higher.

I've mentioned previously that I think the best move for the Flames is to find a taker for Regehr. His skillset is duplicated by Bouwmeester, and his salary - while commensurate with his talents - would create the cap space necessary for Calgary to re-sign Tanguay.

- A separate bizarre rumour involves Calgary apparently being interested in former Oiler Ryan Smyth. The 35 year olds best years are way behind him, and I don't see how he fits into the plan to make the Flames younger and more talented. If we were inches from the finish line, he's the kind of guy you want to help push you over, but the Flames are moving away from the Cup at this stage, not towards it.

- Some interesting parallels between the recent NBA draft and the NHL one. In both cases there were two players regarded as most likely being the best (Irving, Williams), but none that were likely to be superstars. A lot of projects, raw talents, mystery Euros, a commissioner who gets booed lustily, and expectation that the following years draft would be a much superior place to be picking high in. If there is a chance that someone at the NHL draft gets a snogging as good as Jan Vesely got upon being drafted the parallels will be eerie. The good news is that the Raptors selected a nice piece in Jonas Valanciunas - a 6'11" center who is the ant-Bargnani (he isn't much of a scorer, but he rebounds, blocks shots, plays defense, and lives in the low-post). The bad news (for the NBA) is that they are facing a lockout - one that could get very nasty.

- Looks the PV will get to avoid having to replace Lidstrom for at least another year. Which sucks.

- My suspicion is that Bryzgalov moves way up on most draft lists as a result of signing in Philly.

- I also suspect that Kopitar's draft stock improves - but I don't think Richards' does.

- Voracek's arrival all but buries the chances that Zherdev stays with the Flyers - or the NHL.

- One rumour I heard is that Toronto was VERY interested in Mike Richards (which makes sense), but were unwilling to part with both Kadri and Kulemin in the deal to get him. If true, Burke is an idiot.

- One reason why the Flyers had to act now is because the new contract extension for Richards kicks in July 1, and he would have had a NMC. If you are ever going to move him, now was the time.

- No coincidence that 20 years of contract were unloaded in these deals. The next CBA is likely to frown upon deals longer than 5 years.

- My best guess is Jagr doesn't sign in the NHL, and all of this noise is to crank the pressure on KHL teams to pony up more cash. That said, if he were to sign for a year or two in Pittsburgh I would likely orgasm in my pants.

- Speaking of Pittsburgh, I keep hearing rumours that Crosby isn't improving, and that there is serious consideration he may be looking at retirement. I'll believe it when I see it.

- Found out why Heatley had such a terrible time getting around the rink in the playoffs - he was playing through a high-ankle sprain.

- Last but not least, it's time for the ROYAL CROWN BAG OF FATE! If GMS could please submit your slot selection preferences in the comments or via e-mail to the league it would be most appreciated and we can move forward with getting the lottery done in a timely fashion.