Welcome to that wonderful time of the year when not only are the Eagles in the middle of free agency, but the Phillies are into Spring Training, the Flyers are days away from the trade deadline, and the 76ers are still…well…the 76ers. The Flyers OT loss last night to the Canadiens didn’t make matters any better or even calm anyone’s nerves going into the deadline. As a matter of fact the terrible display of defense letting in 3 goals in quick succession late in the first period of Friday’s game only displayed a need for a top notch blueliner. More than ever the Flyers need help defensively. That isn’t to say that they need to acquire one in trade, but with Ossi Vaananen being claimed off waivers early Friday morning by Vancouver and Timonen out with the flu you could almost see this coming. Timonen is that all-star defenseman that the Flyers need. Anything added on at the trade deadline is just icing on the cake.
In a similar issue, does anyone realize why star center Danny Briere remained out of the lineup even after the Flyers waived two players in order to bring him back off LTIR? Of course it can’t be admitted by the organization because they might get into trouble with the league, but everyone knows that because of Timonen’s battle with the flu left the team with only 5 starting blueliners Lasse Kukkonen had to be called back up thus negating any cap space the Flyers had just cleared for Briere’s comeback.
Now, back to Kimmo Timonen. For all those who swear on their lives that Mike Richards and Jeff Carter are the two team MVPs please take a look at the numbers when Kimmo Timonen is out of the lineup. The powerplay numbers drop. The winning percentage drops. The turnovers go through the roof. I’m not saying that Kimmo Timonen is an important part of the Flyers team; I’m saying that Timonen is the Flyers. Without him they are a mediocre team with a good offense. And everyone seems to forget that both he and Coburn were out for the Pittsburgh series in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Why do you think the Flyers did so poorly?
With the Trade Deadline days away and the Panthers GM visiting Philadelphia for the last two games there is more and more buzz about Bouwmeester coming to Philadelphia. The Flyers don’t “need” him so to speak, but think about the Flyers with another “Timonen” on the blueline; one that’s younger.
That’s why everyone’s nerves are “racked” here in Philadelphia as March 4th edges closer. The Flyers are good, especially with Timonen in the lineup. With Bouwmeester they are VERY good. Here’s hoping for the best. Sunday takes the Flyers to New Jersey to face Brodeur. Tuesday takes us to Boston. Then Wednesday, March 4th comes. All eyes and ears will be on Paul Holmgren as he tries to make this team better. The rest of the season doesn’t get any easier for the Flyers so here’s to our defense and Kimmo Timonen, may he never again get the flu.
