Determined to upgrade their goaltending the Flyers signed Ilya Bryzgalov to a nine year contract worth $51 million dollars. As a result two trades were made to make room for Bryzgalov's contract under the salary cap.
The first deal was Philadelphia sending forward Jeff Carter to Columbus for forward Jakub Voracek, a 1st round pick, who ended up being forward Sean Couturier, and a 3rd round pick.
The second deal was the Flyers sending captain Mike Richards to Los Angeles for forwards Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and a 2nd round pick.
Those two trades would end up making an impact in the Stanley Cup Finals but not in a way any hockey fan would expect.
Philadelphia would reach the 2nd round of the playoffs where they would win one game before being eliminated by New Jersey. It's one game better than the previous season with the result being the same.
Columbus would start the season by losing their first eight games. The Blue Jackets struggles would result in Carter being traded for the second time in eight months as he would go to Los Angeles for defenseman Jack Johnson and a 1st round draft pick.
As for the Kings, the acquisitions Richards last June followed by reuniting him with Carter in February have Los Angeles two wins away from their first Stanley Cup.
Carter has five goals this post-season which is tied with Dwight King for second on the team. His latest goal just happened to be a game winner in overtime.
You have to admire the skill and patience by Carter to circle around and maintain possession of the puck as he waits for his shot.
Richards is tied for the on the Kings in scoring with 11 points (4G, 7A) More importantly his two way play and ability to forecheck is frustrating the Devils forward and making New Jersey's top two lines non-existent.
Watching Richards play in the playoffs two years ago I thought he was the best penalty killer on the planet. Watching him this post-season I think he might be the best two way forward in the game.
There are plenty of reasons why Los Angeles is two wins away from their first Stanley Cup. Carter and Richards are just two of them. However without those two, I don't think there would be a hockey game in June tomorrow night at Staples Center.
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