Consider The Possibilities

Imagine if you will, a couple scenarios that have made their way into the news in these hockey-mad parts recently:

#1: According to the man himself, Peter Forsberg is going nowhere once the February 27th trade deadline hits.

Rampant rumors, mostly churned out from the gossip-laden hockey center of Toronto, have Forsberg going to Montreal, simply because the Canadiens are flu-ridden, slumping, and are in need of that offensive spark which catapulted them to second place in the Northeast at the turn of the new year. The idea has raised a few eyebrows in my little corner of the universe, but I always end up asking him/her the same question: can you take a rumor seriously even one iota if there's no player(s) attached on the other end? Thus far, no Habs have been mentioned in the rumor, and it is completely unlikely a player of Forsberg's caliber (supposing he waives his no-trade in the first place) could be dealt without at least two bodies in exchange. One of those, unfortunately, will not be Saku Koivu, a man who can teach Forsberg and the rest of the Flyers a thing or three about leadership among hardship.

Despite his groin problems and this ongoing skate boot controversy, it's at least admirable that Forsberg has come out and said he doesn't want to go anywhere, that he really hasn't done what he's supposed to as a captain and as the best forward on the club, and intends to see this miserable season to the end in Philadelphia. But his two-year tenure here has become so pockmarked with roadblocks, potholes and false starts, you wonder just where his value lies - and it's about even at this moment - that's he's neither really impacting the team on ice converting his skill to goals and victories, nor is he valuable trade bait for two or more players which might add real depth to the club (not just in terms of how many Phantoms can be called up on any given night, which passes for "depth" this year).

Perhaps the best option for all involved is to wait until the offseason, then decide what Forsberg is worth, even though he's a free agent because his two-year deal would be complete. As horrid as the team is even with his presence on ice despite his points, it would be exponentially worse if he were traded. He exhibits a burning desire to prove himself in Philly, which is worth serious re-signing consideration. Even if that does occur, the Flyers have about $18 million to mess with to totally revamp the roster. Still, a burning heart and desire to prove what you're worth doesn't preclude a man from suffering the same type of injuries which have cut short an already stellar career.

#2: According to the Flyers organ-eye-zation, the waiver acquisition of Michael Leighton as a third goaltender is a preventative move, since both Antero Niittymaki and Robert Esche could go down with hip/groin/hamstring issues at any time.

On the surface, I can see how legitimizing the move is. Back when Ron Hextall had his groin troubles between 1989-91, the Flyers carried Hextall, Ken Wregget and Pete Peeters on their roster. It should be noted, though, that those years were in the thick of the worst set of seasons in franchise history, and even three goalies with decades worth of ice time couldn't prevent a slip into fifth and sixth place.

Leighton barely qualifies though, having been passed through the Blackhawks, Ducks, and Predators organizations on his way here. He's more of the Bruce Hoffort/Neil Little backup ilk than a legitimate veteran third choice. However, the questions begin to fester with juicy unsubstantiated rumors that Robert Esche had been slowly clearing out his locker during the five-day break the team had between the Penguins and Islanders home games. Earlier this week, talk was bandied about at work and at home, about whether it could signal a move for one goaltender to another city - namely Los Angeles, whose top two netminders are in the MASH unit. Again, I applied the rumor rule to the situation - and since no player(s) were mentioned on the other end of any deal, there couldn't be much credence lent.

That was until yesterday, when the plot thickened considerably...

Due to the Kings' net loss, veteran Sean Burke, having been unceremoniously dumped by the Tampa Bay Lightning, was signed for at least the remainder of this season. Where's the beef, you might ask, in this morsel of information?

It's twofold: One, Burke and Esche struck up a personal friendship from a professional one when Esche came up with Phoenix seven years ago, and Esche was instrumental in convincing whoever filled the Flyers' GM chair in the spring of 2004 to pick up Burke as veteran insurance for that great playoff run. Two, Ron Hextall and Dean Lombardi, both former Flyer employees, hold high rank within the Kings front office these days. Hexy knows from goaltending, and how a good net gain can be the difference in so many ways. Lombardi, a super scout with previous GM experience that serves him well as LA's president and general manager, presides over a team with loads of good young talent.

In short, the Kings may be the Flyers best, and most beneficial trading partner. That depends, of course, on the internal opinions about the arc of success for one Mr. Esche.

True, wheeling and dealing on a team which is 11-31-4, sitting an uncomfortable 12 points out of second-worst in the NHL, is like putting a big red ribbon on a pile of bat guano. But it needs to be done since this franchise, if nothing else, has not lost its pride and its unwavering belief that image is everything.

Even if they're guided by the maxim of "the worst move to make is no move at all," do the Flyers have any power at all to turn these fleeting rumors into reality?