Grossman Upgrades Flyers Defense, But Is It Enough?

       In my last blog entry, I tackled the subject of whether or not the Philadelphia Flyers should trade forward James van Riemsdyk for an upgrade on defense. I focused on the possibilities of Luke Schenn or Ryan Suter, two players that NHL scouts have been circling like vultures. Right league, wrong ballpark. Yesterday the Flyers acquired 6'4, 230 lb Swedish defensemen Nicklas Grossman from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2nd (acquired from Los Angeles in the Mike Richards trade) and 3rd round pick (acquired from Minnesota for Darroll Powe).

      Grossman is an upgrade over rookies Marc-Andre Bourdon and Erik Gustafsson, as well as veteran Andreas Lilja. He brings elements to the table that the Flyers defense need right now; size, physicality and toughness. At 27 years old, there is still room for improvement and he has a very friendly $1.625 million cap hit. His two year contract ends after this season, but assuming he asks for a well-deserved raise, he should still be very affordable if the Flyers choose to offer him a new contract. He brings very little offense to the table, but offense hasn't been an issue for the Flyers this season. They have the best offense in the NHL averaging 3.30 goals per game after last nights 7-2 drubbing of the Buffalo Sabres. What he does bring is the ability to block shots (100 blocked shots in 52 games), kill penalties and clear the porch. Flyers defenders have struggled with coverage in the slot and around the crease all season. This is part of the reason, along with inconsistent goaltending, that the Flyers have allowed 2.93 goals per game, 23rd in the NHL. If I had to pick one facet of the game where the Flyers miss Chris Prongers experience and snarl the most, it would be around our own net.

    Is it enough though? Is Paul Holmgren done? All of this remains to be seen, but I find it hard to believe the Flyers brass feel that acquiring a stay-at-home defensemen like Nicklas Grossman is the move they need to solidify their scuffling defense. The possibility certainly still exists for the Flyers to make a play at a defensemen of a higher-calibre. They have the bargaining chips and more importantly, they have the need. Regardless, you can never have too much defensive depth when the playoffs roll around. Most Flyers fans will remember our ill-fated 2004 playoff drive where injuries forced diminutive Flyers forward Sami Kapanen to play defense in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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What do you think? Is Nicklas Grossman the answer to the Flyers defensive woes, or is another trade on the horizon? Leave your thoughts below!
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OFF THE POST:  Just a few hours after acquiring Nicklas Grossman, the defensemen he will likely replace in the Flyers top 6, Erik Gustafsson, scored his 1st NHL goal. Oh, cruel irony.