Are You Ready for Hockey?

Okay, so the season is still a few months away, but the draft was just this past weekend – and the Flyers made some interesting moves both in and around the draft. After last year’s abyssmal showing, they had to do something, and it’s nice to see them not just picking up the latest 40-year-old plus player as was Bobby Clarke’s M.O.. They drafted some strong players, including trading up to get Kevin Marshall. I like 1st rounder James vanRiemsdyk, but the spirit that Marshall immediately showed seems to jibe better with the Flyers mentality – and they need to get back to that hard-nosed style of play. The Flyers aren’t – and probably never will be – a finesse or speed team, so wavering from that strong, brutal style of play can only hurt them. That was there edge, and in their attempts to get away from it, they suffered. So bringing in some strong, tough young players will make them a more competitive team.

That, coupled with the addition – and signing – of Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell from Nashville for the 23rd pick (which was Nashville’s to start with) gives them a stronger line-up already. Timonen is a heck of a defensemen, something they needed to shore up desperately, and Hartnell is a solid winger. He won’t be a superstar, but he’s a big guy who can help solidfy a line.

Plus, they still have room under the cap to add another stud player, with Scott Gomez, Chris Drury and Daniel Briere leading the list. Gomez is a good player, and Briere has a lot of pluses, but I would love to see Drury come to Philadelphia. I was sad to see the oft-broken Forsberg go, as I still think he’s one of the top players in the league, but I think that Drury would make an even better addition.

As an aside

On WIP yesterday, there was a discussion about whether the Phillies should consider picking up Barry Bonds after the Giants waive him (which they’ll most likely do right after he breaks the record*). I can’t believe that anyone would even consider it. Aside from the gross steroids issue, Barry is far from a team player, and this team is finally starting to gel. In a way, they remind me of the 1993 Phillies – talent but not the top of the heap; but their togetherness gives them excitement and makes you think that maybe, just maybe they can do something. Bringing in a prima donna like Bonds would be the worst thing that they could do. Plus, the fans HATE him. There would be a revolution.

Besides, what the Phillies need is pitching, not someone with a head the size of a planetoid (both figuratively and realistically).

*Bonds’ steroid-enhanced home runs will never really break Hammerin’ Hanks record in the fans’ minds.