Countdown to July 1

By Michael Rushton
Phanatic Magazine

Ah, July 1. Circle that day on your calender, because it is a day that will most likely reassert your confidence in the Philadelphia Flyers.

Arguably Philadelphia's most consistent winner until the Eagles really hit their stride a half-dozen years back, the Flyers took huge step back last year.

However, with money and a loyal fan base on their side, the Black and Orange are expected to make a big splash in the upcoming free agency period, which begins with July's opening day, and combined with the second overall pick in the draft, reestablish themselves in the Eastern Conference.

Having already locked up a need for a big-time number one goaltender with last year's trade and subsequent re-signing of Martin Biron, coupled with the recent re-signing of Antero Niittymaki, the Flyers will be able to just concentrate on the front and back lines.

Below is a list of targets for the Flyers this free agency period.

Forwards

1) Chris Drury (center): Drury should be the Flyers biggest target when the clock strikes midnight because of his excellent two-way playing ability, which will help the Flyers' offensive-minded defenders take more chances. However, it is going to take a nice chunk of money since a lot of reports have Drury signing over on the West Coast, specifically San Jose.

2) Scott Gomez (center): Though he has never been treated well in his visits to the City of Brotherly Love (wearing a Devils sweater will do that), Gomez will quickly be welcomed with open arms if he signs on the dotted line due to his playmaking ability. Gomez isn't expected back in Northern Jersey and a short trip down the turnpike into a hockey-crazed town may be a good selling point.

3) Daniel Briere (center): A lot of this depends on Drury. If Drury signs with the Flyers, they probably won't pursue Briere. However, if they miss out on Drury and Gomez, Briere is the best option left by far. However, with Drury not expected back in Buffalo, the Sabres may make a major play to keep Briere and take him off the market rather quickly.

4) Michal Handzus (center): The Flyers made a huge mistake when they shipped the rugged, hard-working Handzus to Chicago for the disappointing Kyle Calder and could quickly make amends by signing him this offseason. However, Handzus missed most of last year with injury and may feel he owes the Blackhawks one.

Which brings us to...

5) Peter Forsberg (center): Forsberg has said if he returns to the NHL for the 2007-08 season, it will only be for a handful of teams. However, one of those teams would be Philadelphia, and it was no secret that Forsberg felt he let the club down when he was traded to Nashville next year. With the Preds pending sale, their is little chance the playmaking Swede will be back in Nashville, and the classy center might even sign with Philly at a nice discount.

6) Ryan Smyth (forward): While Smyth hasn't been on the Flyers radar as much as I could tell, the power forward would make a nice fit in this blue collar town.

Defenseman

While the Flyers got young and talented through trade last year, they still lack any veteran teachers other than Derian Hatcher. Hence, look for the Flyers to add at least one, if not two, big-time defenders.

1) Kimmo Timonen: Should be the Flyers' number one target, Timonen is another guy Nashville could lose because of ownership issues. Timonen would fit nicely in Philly's scheme and could even bolster the confidence of Joni Pitkanen, who is entering a make-it or break-it year with the Flyers.

2) Sheldon Souray: The best available free agent after Timonen, Souray would instantly improve the Flyers' power play, which was a killer last year. However, Montreal is making a big play to keep Souray after having already re-signed Andrei Markov.

3) Scott Hannan: Won't help the Flyers offensively, but with Pitkanen, Braydon Coburn, Alexandre Picard and a young Ryan Parent already in the mix, the Flyers won't hurt themselves by inking a solid defender.

Send Michael Rushton your thoughts, insight and questions at mrushton@phanaticmag.com