[CityofBrotherlyShove]

The Flyers picked up defenseman Denis Gauthier from the Coyotes to help shore up a blueline that's been depleted by injury all season. They gave up Phantom Josh Gratton and two second round picks.

Gauthier is a typical Bob Clarke-style player: a bruising defenseman with quite a few penalty minutes. He'll be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

I'm not sure I like this deal. I won't miss Gratton, or the draft picks, and I realize my Flyers needed another body on the blueline, but I can't imagine Gauthier is the best we could get. Perhaps Clarkie wasn't willing to give up any of our rookies, which pleases me greatly, and this IS the only deal he could make. But as the Flyers have had issues with taking undisciplined penalties and perhaps being a step or two behind some of the quicker teams, I'm not sure Gauthier solves any of our problems.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Apparently, I'm in the minority. This certainly makes me feel better about this trade:

Pierre McGuire on the Denis Gauthier trade - Derien Hatcher got hurt last night and he's going for an MRI on his knee today. The Flyers said it was fine, but there is still concern about the knee. Kim Johnsson's concussion problems just won't go away. They've had a hard time getting Randy Jones to be a steady NHL defenceman. They need some depth on defence in Philadelphia and this is a good acquisition. Gauthier is the ultimate leg-breaker in the league right now. He leans on people, he attacks people, and he is not a pleasant person to play against.

Darren Pang on the Denis Gauthier trade - First of all, Gauthier is a quality guy. He keeps himself in outstanding shape. He runs around a litle bit trying to make the big hit, but he's a menace to society. You better have your head up in the neutral zone, because he's coming at you with that big rear end of his. He's going to be good for the Flyers - it's a perfect scenario for them.

Keith Jones on the Denis Gauthier trade - This guy is just what the doctor ordered for the Flyers. They've got some big guys on defence, but they don't hit like Gauthier. He can elevate a line-up that's been a little bit quiet.

[blueandwhite]

sounds like you got yourself a goon.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

No, I think he actually plays a little bit of defense. The guy we got rid of was a bit of a goon.

[blueandwhite]

a little bit of both is good.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Ooh. More stats on Gauthier I hadn't seen:

His 120 hits are second only to Shane Doan's 140 on the Coyotes. He also had 62 blocked shots.

I'm flip flopping: now I dig this trade.

[blueandwhite]

I always admire the blocked shots stat - Yushkevich was my most favourite when he played for the Leafs and he lead the league. Crazy russian.

[ThePundit]

I wouldn't pay too much attention to Pierre McGuire. He predicted that the Rangers would be the worst team in the NHL this year.

Question for you Flyer fans? How does Bobby Clark still have a job? I'll trade you Milbury for Clark. At least from Milbury you get some great quotes.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

You're kidding, right? Why do we keep around the guy who has made the Flyers a playoff contender for over ten years now? Why do we keep around the guy who got us Handzus AND Esche in exchange for Brian Boucher? Why do we keep around the guy who pulled off a Forsberg trade deal when he was about ten minutes from signing with another team?

Clarkie is determined to bring another Cup to Philly. THAT is why we keep him around.

[blueandwhite]

I have a question for CBS. We were talking awhile back about Tie Domi and you mentioned how Philly hates him - I assume that's cause he's a fighter, a bully - so after defending Clarke like you just did (and I do see Clarke's positives as well as negatives) - do you see your team as carrying on the Broadstreet Bullies reputation they've had since the 70s?
Getting Forsberg was a real turn, i thought for you guys - Recchi, Gagne, primeau - there have been aberrations along the way. But as long as you have Clarke as GM, do you think there's always going to be a stress on the physical?