Reaction to Flyers big moves...

I remember the Sabres losing both Danny Briere and Chris Drury after a conference finals loss, and my reaction to todays trades by the Flyers is pretty much the same...

The Flyers, much like that Sabres team that lost to eventual Cup-winner Carolina, had everything break right, yet the team couldn't close the deal. Remove the emotion and make a business decision - you can either keep falling short or you can retool and try again. This collection of Flyers, and Buffalo before them, weren't good enough to win a championship. Those Sabres were given the choice to overpay for their co-captains and, as Einstein said, display insanity by expecting different results from the same roster (apology for the Liberty, Mr. Einstein) or they could cut bait, get what the could from the most marketable of their assets and try again with a new roster.

Claude Giroux ascended to top line center status in this year's playoffs, Danny Briere's clutch play is perfectly suited for the 2nd until Braden Scenn's potential is realized, and there is finally balance to the Flyer's forward corps after the addition of gritty 22 year-old Wayne Simmonds and former Blue Jacket winger Jakub Voraek.

Mike Richards was no longer the perfect fit as Bobby Clarke 2.0 in Philly. E.J. Hradek quoted a former Flyer in a reactionary peice for nhl.com today stating that Richards had a falling out with coach Peter Laviolette. Seems the Flyers' bench boss wanted a relationship with his captain similar to the one he had with Rod Brind'Amour in Philly. The source staed "Mike's not that kinda guy." Ouch.

Brind'Amour had a reputation as a stand-up, lead by example, rallying type of captain. Kind of what the Canadian media types have been billing Richards as since he captained Canada to World Junior Gold prior to being drafted in 2003. As somone who has watched many Flyers games, his play hasn't screamed "clutch leader" to me recently. Briere has been the one who seemed to bury pucks when Philly has needed them most recently, and in this years' playoffs, the ascension of both Giroux and James van Riemsdyk, along with Ville Leino, has made Richards expendable. I do remember, however, Richards laying questionable hits (hello, David Booth and Rule 48) and losing his composure on more than one occasion.

The fact that he didn't wind up in Toronto speaks volumes to the way his sparkling image has started to taint. Everyone and their mother knows Brian Burke wants a top-line center to skate with Phil Kessel and is willing to overpay. But, as eported in articles on both ESPN.com and NHL.com, he wouldn't give up Nazem Kadri and Nikolai Kulein for him.

Needless to say, I'm not a huge Mike Richards fan at this point. But, I am willing to admit that maybe he will fit better in LA as a 2nd line center and without the "C" on his chest. He can focus on playing a gritty 2-way game and not be the franchise face when things get bumpy. He can do his job and go home, leaving captain Dustin Brown to lead the team. This is definitely Brown and Anze Kopitar's team. But they now have Richards under contract for the next 9 years. Hard to imagine, after all the praise he received comin out of junior, that this new role may come to define the now-former Flyer captain.

Canucks Lucky To Be Up 2-0

The energy level thus far in the Stanley Cup Final has been incredibly enjoyable through 2 games. But let's be frank. The Canucks are much more talented a team, and the Bruins could very well be up 2-0 instead of looking for their 1st win of the series.

Tim Thomas' aggressiveness has been to blame in many circles for the game winning goals thus far, but it is also the reason the Bruins are even in the finals. i dont think there are many people who closely follow the game whoi feel Roberto Luongo has outplayed Thomas to this point.

Zdeno Chara's effort on Alex Burrow"s game winning goal was embarassing. How a 6-9 dman could be beat the way he was on that goal was flat out inexcusable. Yes, Thomas came way too far out to play the puck, but any type of physicality on Chara's part could have made that wrap-around much more diFficult.

Let's look at facts... Vancouver is much more talented. Yet, both ganmes came down to the final seconds. They say a series isn't in danger until a team loses at home. Vamcouver's 6 defenseman are much better than Boston's. But the teams are playing close games, as mistakes decided games 1 and 2. However, Boston isn't burying chances. And Thomas is outplaying Luongo.

Ryan Kesler appeared to be injured in game 2. Kevin Bieksa seems to be mentally affected by the slash of Rich Peverly. Boston's forwards, inclidong BC-natives Milan Lucic and Mark Recchi are playing inspired. Chara and Seidenberg have done a good job neutralizing the Sedin twins.

Boston needs to not panic. They are playing this series very well. But late mistakes have cost them. They need to keep playing their ganme and finish the opprtunities they're being given. Until they lose at home, this series is still wide open. And that's how every team wants to be sitting as an underdog.