After Losing Out On Weber, Many Defensive and Offensive Options Still Available For The Flyers

After days of waiting, Nashville killed the chances of Shea Weber becoming a Flyer. It wasn't the end of the world for the Flyers. They Still have many choices to explore.

Shane Doan is a great option, but the only issue is the amount of money he wants. He wants a 4 year deal worth $30 million. He is a great two way player and brings leadership and a veteran presence to the locker room, but his production in the past years has slowly began to decline. That calls into question whether he is really worth all that money for declining offensive production and a locker room presence?

The thought of Bobby Ryan on a line with Claude Giroux makes me smile like a little kid at Disney World. I'm all in on Bobby Ryan as long as Homer can get him without spending an arm and a leg. The Ducks probably want Schenn or Coutuier and more. I don't think Bobby Ryan is worth that much.  Meszaros could be another piece to that deal, but that could hurt an already downgraded Flyers defense. If Holmgren can pull it off with Read, prospects, and picks I would love to see him in orange and black.

There are still smaller options on the market that would cost a lot less. Those include Jason Arnott, Jay Bouwmeester, and Mike Knuble. The only issue with Bouwmeester is his cap hit. If the Flyers leave the team how it is now they will still be solid, and can enter the 2013 free agency with money to spend with forwards like Corey Perry, Joffrey Lupul , Jarome Iginla, and Ryan Getzlaf and defenseman such as Ian White, Mark Streit, and Douglas Murray are available. 

                                         

                                                                Photograph by: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

My Predictions For The Top Eight Seeds In Each Conference

Eastern Conference

1. New York Rangers

2. Washington Capitals

3. Boston Bruins

4. Philadelphia Flyers

5. Pittsburgh Penguins

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

7. Carolina Hurricanes

8. Buffalo Sabres

Western Conference

1. Chicago Blackhawks

2. Vancouver Canucks

3. LA Kings

4. St. Louis Blues

5. Detroit Red Wings

6. Nashville Predators

7. Minnesota Wild

8. San Jose Sharks

An Open Letter To Sidney Crosby

Most Penguins fans don't see it. A few would agree that Crosby's antics are annoying and some are disappointed that he acts the way he does while being the face of the NHL and their franchise. Don't get me wrong, every player has their moments, but Crosby is the biggest offender. There are some who are up there with Crosby such as Avery. Is Avery considered the face of the league and the franchise he plays for? No. Crosby plays himself off as the good guy or "Sid the Kid". Sorry Sid, but you're not what you make yourself to be. Character wise I can't stand Sidney Crosby, but I don't have trouble respecting him as the best player in the game. So here it goes.

Dear Sidney Crosby, Sid, Sid the Kid, whatever you want to be called,

You probably know a lot of hockey fans hate you. I'm sure when you step off the ice you are a great guy, but on the ice you play a different role. I understand everyone acts up on the ice, but you go a bit far for being the face of the Penguins franchise and the league.

It's just the good kid act that catches us all. Like Mike Milbury was saying you, try and play off as that kid who is innocent and nice, but under that all you truly aren't. What annoys me the most is the dirty things. It's a bit ridiculous for the best player in the world to go after other players and damage their career, isn't it? If I were playing the best hockey of my career and got knocked out by a cheap shot I'd be extra careful with the decisions I make. I wouldn't want to put any other players through what I had just gone through.

For a couple examples we can visit you causing Claude Giroux to have wrist surgery. Slashes happen, but when you fracture both wrists on a player? Too far. Let's move to a late hit on Brayden Schenn. After the whistle Schenn  gave you a crosscheck and you flew to the ice like you were shot by a shotgun and looked helplessly for the refs. Was that really necessary? Let's get this straight now. You throw a late high hit on a player, then proceed to drop like you were blasted in the back by a shotgun when you get crosschecked by him. What about that time against the Thrashers? You were the third man in and repeatedly punched the guy in his lower area. What's that all about? How about game 3 of the playoffs? Attack Hartnell from behind then run away and let Craig Adams fight him for you and have him take a suspension. C'mon buddy. That's why we hate you.  

The worst of it all is the diving. A stick within a few inches of you? Time to fly! A hand or stick near your face? Your neck snaps back like Mike Tyson just laid a solid punch on you. The worst thing about it is that all these get called penalties. You take advantage of the fact that the league has made you the poster boy.

How about the crying and whining? There's videos of you mic'd up crying to the refs. There's you admitting that you asked the refs to tell the fans to stop throwing hats after Ovechkin scored a hat trick. That's terrible respect for your peers  and even worse sportsmanship. Grow up.

I highly doubt you'll see this, but I hope somehow you do. I respect your skill and wish no harm onto you like others, but I can't wish you success. I'm a Flyers fan and don't like you much. Clean up your act and make the face of the league a good one.

Sincerely,

Me

                                                                                                      (Getty Images)