Steve Mason (Columbus) for Michael Leighton and a 3rd Round Pick
This is by far the most intriguing of the deals the front office has made this past week. Many fans are speculating that this deal is a sign that Bryzgalov is on his way out of Philadelphia.
I don't really see it that way though. Steve Mason may have won the Calder Trophy in 2009, but has had any comparable seasons since then. Talk is starting amongst the fan base that the Flyers will take advantage the amnesty buyout stipulation that was put in place after the recent lockout and buyout Bryz from the rest of his bloated contract. While this would help free up some cash to fix our ailing defense, Steve Mason is 100% not the answer. This move was most likely done for the obvious reason that Holmgren has no faith in our backup situation. In a season where Bryz has been performing above average, despite having to play almost every game, it wouldn't hurt to find him a decent backup. Bryz gets next to nothing in terms of off days. This move will help him get a day off in every now and then as the orange and black push for the playoffs.
Adam Hall (Tampa Bay) claimed off waivers
Hall is a journey man, having played for both Carolina and Tampa this season. The Flyers are the 7th team he's been on in his career. This is not a big move by all means, and was most likely done after finding out that Max Talbot will be out for the remainder of the season with a broken leg. Hall is a 3rd or 4th line caliber forward, but he can take faceoffs and should prove to be a suitable short-term replacement for Talbot.
Jay Rosehill (Anaheim) for Harry Zolnierczyk
This will please any writers who cover Flyers hockey because we can finally stop having to spell check 'Zolnierczyk'. That aside, this is a decent trade for the Flyers. The effects of this trade probably aren't going to be felt too much, since both players just periodically bounce back and forth between the NHL and AHL. Rosehill is basically being brought in to fight. That's a good thing though, so Voracek won't have to stick up for Giroux anymore and absorb 17 penalty minutes a game.
Kent Huskins (Detroit) for a conditional 7th round pick
I have to assume that the condition on this trade is whether or not Huskins resigns with the Flyers, since he is soon to be a UFA. Even if the Flyers lose the 7th round pick, they still got Huskins for essentially nothing. Huskins has only played 11 games for the Red Wings this year and is not a top-line defenseman, which means he could probably start for the Flyers this season.
I was thinking for a while I would grade all these moves, but they're all so minuscule I really can't even muster up the desire to do it. I'd rather see small moves like this by Holmgren though, than going for broke. This season may just be a lost cause. We should be able to tell very soon anyway. It is better to wait until the offseason to start making bold moves. Here's hoping the rest of the team can just stay healthy for the last 13 games this year.
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