Summertime can be an enjoyable time, lounging on the beach and taking in the tide with a cold beverage by your side. Unless you're a hockey fan.
But while fans are at rest, NHL teams work nonstop throughout the summer to try to piece together a Stanley Cup contender. And perhaps no teams have labored harder this offseason to do so than the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks.
After his team suffered an early dismissal from the 2009 playoffs, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren knew he had work to do over the summer. Goaltending has been an issue for several decades for Philadelphia, which could not find a consistent starter in either Martin Biron or Antero Niittymaki over the past two years. To fill the hole between the pipes, Holmgren decided to recruit former Ottawa Senator and Stanley Cup netminder Ray Emery, who did not play in the NHL last season.
Instead, without interest from any NHL team, Emery went to play in Russia's KHL. The netminder has been notorious for his violent behavior, which resulted in numerous suspensions throughout his early career and caused most teams to shy away from him despite his talent.
But the Flyers have faith that Emery has tamed his temper and will fill the void in net. Emery certainly has the ability, as he has compiled a respectable 2.71 GAA, .907 save percentage and eight shutouts in 134 career regular-season games.
Yet Emery was just the beginning of a series of blockbuster signings by Philadelphia. On the night of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Flyers made their biggest move of the summer: Forward Joffrey Lupul (25 goals, 25 assists), along with promising defensive prospect Luca Sbisa and two first-round draft picks, was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks in return for defensive powerhouse Chris Pronger and forward prospect Ryan Dingle.
At 6-foot-6, 214 pounds, Pronger adds the physical presence the Flyers were lacking in their own zone following long-time defenseman Derian Hatcher's career-ending injury. The Flyers signed the sturdy blueliner for seven years — a contract that extends through Pronger's 42nd birthday.
But like Emery, Pronger has been at the center of several controversies during his career, having dished out some terrifying — and occasionally illegal — hits. Without a doubt, signing Pronger sent a message to the rest of the NHL that the Broad Street Bullies are back.
As if Holmgren had not revamped his team enough, he also opted to add Colorado Avalanche grinder Ian Laperriere — who has compiled 1794 career penalty minutes — and rugged Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to the roster. Additionally, bruisers Riley Cote, Daniel Carcillo, Arron Asham and Darroll Powe are all still wearing Flyers uniforms, as is star captain Mike Richards, who will drop the gloves at a moment's notice.
So what can we expect from Philadelphia in the 2009-10 season? The Flyers were already first in the NHL last year in penalty minutes, so we can expect to see plenty of black and orange in the box.
But more importantly, the Flyers will be on a mission to continue being an extremely potent goal-scoring team. Led by Jeff Carter (84 points) and Richards (80 points) — and with Pronger and Emery holding down the fort — look for the Flyers to make a Stanley Cup run this year.
Should Philadelphia make it, one team that could oppose them from the Western Conference is the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite a heart-breaking departure from last year's postseason, the Blackhawks' season was filled with numerous bright spots. For one, the team led the league in home attendance with 912,155, averaging 22,247 fans per game. This, paired with the Blackhawks' playoff success, marked a great renaissance of hockey for a franchise that had failed to clinch a playoff berth since the 2001-02 season and had not reached the conference finals since 1995.
While Patrick Kane and the other Blackhawks hit the gym this offseason to stay in shape, Chicago management hit the phones, making the bank-breaking deal of the summer. On July 1, the day free agency began, then-general manager Dale Tallon — who has since been replaced by Stan Bowman — announced that the Blackhawks had signed superstar forward Marian Hossa for 12 years and $62.8 million.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound former Detroit Red Wing posted 40 goals in the 2008-09 regular season to bring his career points total to 719 points in 775 games (339 goals, 380 assists). In addition to signing Hossa, Tallon also brought over Tomas Kopecky from Detroit and veteran center John Madden from the New Jersey Devils.
Chicago's blend of experience and youth will make for a multifaceted approach to playing the game. Young Blackhawks such as Kane and Jonathan Toews will be able to overwhelm their opponents with skill, speed and tenacity, but experienced players like Hossa, Kopecky and Madden will bring a much-needed calmness and structure to Chicago's system. The offensively savvy Brian Campbell (52 points) and 40-plus point-scorers Duncan Keith and Cam Barker give the Blackhawks some serious depth at the blue-line.
All in all, Chicago means business this year, so don't be surprised if the Blackhawks play host to the Stanley Cup Finals in May.
