Show me a trade where a very good but not great forward (TK coming of last season), got traded for a "massive" haul. His last 3 seasons at ES, 42, 40, 52. Which is very good, but not franchise level.
Meier is probably the closest comp, 1st, 2nd, "B" prospect (Zetterland who turned out better than expected) and some cap moves.
"trading a young player, top prospect, a 1st and 2nd for a 31-year-old is exactly the type of move the Flyers would make."
I would have taken the Meier deal. Adding another 1st is great, a 2nd really nice, and a prospect who could pan out like Zetterlund would be a huge win. But your line of thinking is where the Flyers always fall short... not thinking big picture.
In addition to the ^ return for Konecny, the Flyers also receive:
1. $8.75 million in cap space for 8 years
2. Not being hindered by said cap space when the team is truly ready to contend and Konecny is on the decline
3. Significantly improved odds of landing a franchise player in the next 2 drafts, including a Schaefer, Hagens, Martone, McKenna, etc.
4. The ability to spend mega bucks on a superstar or two right as the team is ready to compete for a Cup, approx. 4-5 years from now.
Extending Konecny, who will be 32 or 33 when the Flyers are ready to compete for something significant is fool's gold. As is the whole Torts
"we need to build a winning culture today with veterans" nonsense. These are just as short-sighted as trading for JT Miller.
The kind of move Holmgren would make - there has not been a single rumor about Flyers interest in Miller, Nelson or any other veteran center. Briere is looking for a young center.
The jury is still out on Briere. But Clarke, Holmgren, and Fletcher all lived in the moment, making moves with long-term ramifications. I'd argue that Briere not moving Laughton or Risto last season or now... plus extending Konecny... are clear indicators that he lacks a true long-term plan. At best, he's looking like a potential
"hybrid" GM, which would match the persona of the President (Keith Jones) who always tries to play both sides of the fence.
I think we're giving Briere too much credit and a free pass, tbh. Outside of jumping on Michkov when he fell into the Flyers lap, he has been incredibly underwhelming. Passed on Perreault, passed on Buium, and didn't make a play for Askarov or Necas. The Drysdale for Gauthier trade is meh so far. And he still hasn't traded the guys who shouldn't be part of the long-term plans.
So, yes, I could see Briere being talked into trading for Miller because
"he's got heart, jam, and plays a strong 200-foot game." When Briere does something bold like acquire a Pettersson or Brady Tkachuk, let's revisit. Right now, he's like Hextall with the potential to play the Fletcher card.
