No one can ever accuse Flyers’ owner Ed Snider of not being willing to take a risk to better his team.
The Flyers have not won a Cup in a quarter century. They are coming off a disappointing early exit from the playoffs.
Snider didn’t like what he saw, either from the bizarre roulette of goaltenders employed by Coach Peter Laviolette, nor from some of the studs who were supposed to form the core of the team.
Yesterday, Snider pulled the trigger.
He pushed the plunger and blew up the core of a team that went to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals just two years ago.
Captain Mike Richards? Gone.
Star forward Jeff Carter? Outtahere.
In goal? Star netminder Ilya Bryzgalov, tucked in securely with a nine-year contract.
The Flyers sent Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets for 21-year-old winger Jakub Voracek and a draft pick, and Richards to the L.A. Kings for Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and a second-round pick.
All this on a day when the Sixers were taking part in the NBA Draft, getting a big man out of USC, and Phillies fans were wincing as Roy Oswalt left last night’s blowout loss to the Cards in the second inning for pain I his back.
Anyone remember the Eagles?
Flyers fans will long remember this day. And an owner who is not afraid to make a change.
Bottom line? This was a message from Snider, both to his front office and the guys in the locker room.
Win. Now.
Or my hands just might be back on the plunger.
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