Cechmanek to Los Angeles for 2nd Round Pick

[Turbulence]

The Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday traded goaltender Roman Cechmanek to the Los Angeles Kings for a second-round pick in the 2004 draft.

"Although he never asked to be traded this season, he did ask after last season," Flyers general manager Bob Clarke said in a statement Wednesday. "We just thought that it was time for us to go in a different direction."

Cechmanek, 32, signed a three-year contract extension worth $3 million a season in January 2002. He returned earlier this month to his native Czech Republic for the summer. At that time, Clarke said he wasn't sure if the goalie still wanted to play in the NHL.

Clarke said this month the Flyers would pursue a new goaltender through a trade or free agency. He expects backup Robert Esche to be a starter in the league, but isn't certain the 25-year-old goalie is ready.

Cechmanek was 33-15-10 with a 1.83 goals-against average in the regular season, helping the Flyers finish just one point behind first-place New Jersey in the Atlantic Division.

But Cechmanek played poorly in the final two games of Philadelphia's second-round series against Ottawa, allowing nine goals on 46 shots.

Cechmanek has a 1.96 lifetime goals-against average in three seasons, lowest among goaltenders with at least 150 regular-season games since 1943-44.

Cechmanek, whose unconventional style sometimes left him vulnerable to rebounds, had been erratic since becoming the Flyers' starter in 2001.

In the 2003 playoffs, he won his first playoff series in three tries by shutting down Toronto, giving up only four goals in the last three games. In the Ottawa series, Cechmanek had two shutouts before the Flyers fell apart in the last two games, losing 5-2 and 5-1.


2nd round? He comes pretty cheap, doesn't he?...
Hey Philly...how about taking Irbe for a few years until Esche matures enough?...

[Shell]

wow, what a surprise! Not surprised he is gone, but surprised that a second round pick did the job. Wonder what Philly has up their sleeve?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

What? They didn't want our #2 pick plus Irbe? :roll:

2nd round pick. Poor guy. Hope LA treats him well.

[Captain Slack]

Think they'll go with Eshe now or try to trade for another #1? I seriously doubt they'd want Irbe, but I hear they're looking to move John LeClair also. If they made a LeClair-for-Irbe offer, I'd jump!

[moonstomper]

I seriously doubt they'd want Irbe, but I hear they're looking to move John LeClair also. If they made a LeClair-for-Irbe offer, I'd jump!

hey ya never know...he did just trade one of the best goalies of the past few years for a draft pick :eek2:

[talkingcanes]

I would think it would be a relief to him to play somewhere else next year. I think he would have taken massive amounts of grief playing in orange and black next season. at least this way he gets a fresh start in the other conference.

[Captain Slack]

I would think it would be a relief to him to play somewhere else next year. I think he would have taken massive amounts of grief playing in orange and black next season. at least this way he gets a fresh start in the other conference.

My sentiments exactly. Hopefully he'll get a better shake in LA.

[Alicia]

Kind of a shock, but I wish the best for him (although IMO he deserved better than this).

[Jeff O Rocks]

I am surprised...I think he played really well in the playoffs...except Game 7... :roll: I wish him well also!! :spin:

[AbNormal27]

Look at the teams that are still looking for a goalie. St. Louis, Boston, Philadelphia, and possibly Buffalo. With Irbe, Potvin, and Hackett being available I see some more deals being made. Now that The Cat has been "cut loose" from LA, would anyone like to see him brought into the fold?

Aaryn

[nccanes]

Look at the teams that are still looking for a goalie. St. Louis, Boston, Philadelphia, and possibly Buffalo. With Irbe, Potvin, and Hackett being available I see some more deals being made. Now that The Cat has been "cut loose" from LA, would anyone like to see him brought into the fold?

Aaryn

This is all very intriguing. But, after last season's goalie debacle, I guess I was thinking that JR was going to sit on his current goalie situation -Weekes/Patty D. Didn't DesRochers get an NHL (no two-way thingy) contract? Wouldn't that indicate that he didn't anticipate sending him down to Lowell this year? So, what does everyone think might actually happen? Maybe I'm naive, but I guess the only thing that will happen is the disposition if Irbe's contract - one way or another. Not that I wouldn't be happy to see some sort of goalie shakeup, but I wasn't really expecting anything to come of it.

[crazy4canes]

Not to get too way off topic here but I agree, nccanes. I thought Weekes would be the undisputed number #1 right out of the gate next season with DesRochers as backup. Perhaps I'm not reading the situation right.

As for Cechmanek, I'm also surprised he went for just a 2nd round pick. Oh well, I hope he's happy there.

[Guyute]

There's no way Bobby dumped Roman for a 2nd round pick with nothing else in the works. THE question is..... what is it?

I wish Roman the best of luck. always liked the guy. (though still wish we had Boosh on Broad ST.)

[Captain Slack]

So, what does everyone think might actually happen? Maybe I'm naive, but I guess the only thing that will happen is the disposition if Irbe's contract - one way or another. Not that I wouldn't be happy to see some sort of goalie shakeup, but I wasn't really expecting anything to come of it.

I agree. They have to either deal him or buy him out. Having him play in Lowell next season while making 2.5 mil doesn't make good financial sense. Also, now that we're sharing the Lock Monsters with Calgary, having him there hurts our goalie prospects. You know he's going to be the starter and with the Flames sending in one of their goalies, our prospects are going to get pushed down further in the farm system. And personally, I think they need to get Cam Ward up here as soon as reasonably possible.

OK, back on topic now: I'm glad Cechmaneck is out of Philly. They hated him there and he would have had a terrible season next year if he'd stayed.

[Guyute]

I'm glad Cechmaneck is out of Philly. They hated him there and he would have had a terrible season next year if he'd stayed.

who hated him? and what makes ya think he would've had a terrible season next year... look at what he's done the last 3 seasons as a starter there. ?

his problem is the playoffs. period. plain and simple. during the regular season, he's top 3 in the league, imho.

[nccanes]

who hated him? and what makes ya think he would've had a terrible season next year... look at what he's done the last 3 seasons as a starter there. ?

his problem is the playoffs. period. plain and simple. during the regular season, he's top 3 in the league, imho.

Dunno Guy, but it seems like the media painted it very much like the Philly fans (in general) were blaming Roman. I guess the general idea that Philly just couldn't be successful in the playoffs with him - and so thinking that the rest of the team was built for the playoffs, they needed to get rid of Roman?

Maybe "hated him" is not accurate, but they "hated the idea" of him in between the pipes in Philly this time next year?

What's the general reaction from the Philly fans? Anyone check out their message boards?

[Guyute]

lol... Philly fans are bred to dump on someone. ;) It's a part of sports there. Did they hate Roman? no.

Did anyone up there think that Roman would be the guy to get us to the Cup? I Highly doubt it. So yes, there is probably some truth to the fact that not many fans wanted him there next year... but solely because of his playoff performances in years past. Your goalie can have under a 1.9 GAA for THREE YEARS... but if he can't get the job done in the playoffs, he's not doing you much good.

Same could be said for any goalie/any team, imo.

[Shell]

from:
After Game 6, Cechmanek was upset at the way he was treated by the fans. "I don't know why they hate me," he said.

to:
"I'm so excited," Cechmanek said from his home in the Czech Republic during a media conference call. "LA was my first choice, and I played in Philadelphia for 3 years and I feel it's something new.

"Now, when I'm in LA, it's great for me and it's a new chance to play. It's new for me. Philly gave me a chance to play in the National Hockey League.

"Maybe I was older when I started and it was very nice place there for 3 years, but now it's a different situation and I feel great. I needed something new."

Cechmanek was asked if he was relieved to be playing in another city.

"We had a couple of problems, not big problems," he said. "I play for team, and I think I had great three seasons in the regular season. The playoffs, maybe it wasn't great, but not bad. LA has a great team and I want to help the team for the playoffs."

so working out for the best. Now, about that veteran goaltender....

[Shell]

No mention of Irbe (yeah, like I'm surprised)

Roy's exit will have impact on Blues
By Jeff Gordon Post-Dispatch Online Sports Columnist
updated: 05/28/2003 03:51 PM

Patrick Roy was the very best.

He was the top goaltender of his era and arguably the greatest of all time. He was a rare big-game performer who created an aura around his goal mouth, emboldening his teammates and intimidating opponents.

The Blues were never, EVER going to beat this guy in a playoff series.

But now Roy is gone and the hockey world is wondering what will happen next.

Who will the Colorado Avalanche select as his successor? Will general manager Pierre Lacroix, expected to follow Roy into retirement in the not-so-distant future, make a blockbuster move to land a Stanley Cup-caliber goaltender?

Will the Avalanche take one more run at a title before the Great Lockout of 2004?

Or will Roy's exit trigger a scale-back in Colorado, where owner Stan Kroenke would like to trim his hockey deficit?

Ah, the intrigue. If Lacroix decides to forgo retirement and lead his franchise into the post-Roy era, we're betting that he finds a dramatic solution to his goaltending crisis.

That scenario -- plus the likelihood that Philadelphia Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke will make a major goaltending play now that he has unloaded Roman Cechmanek to the KIngs -- makes Blues Nation wonder which direction Larry Pleau will go in Our Town this summer.

Roy's exit frees $8.5 million in payroll space. The Avalanche could let incumbents David Aebischer and Phil Sauve fight it out for the job, but that move would signal a major downsizing of team goals.

After all, Peter Forsberg is constantly threatening to finish his career in Sweden. The Great Lockout of 2004 would seem to provide his escape hatch, so this upcoming season could be his last run.

Assuming that he doesn't follow Roy out the door, that is.

Should Lacroix elect to go for it, here are his best options (which originally included that he should attempt to salvage Roman Cechmanek, who instead was traded to Los Angeles today in exchange for a draft pick):


1. Trade for Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore. Last season he fried under the magnifying glass in Montreal, failing to meet the expectations created by his MVP campaign the year before and that fat contract that came with it. By getting him out of Quebec and sticking an all-star team in front of him, the Avalanche could quickly rehab the lad.

The Canadiens could fetch some young talent from the Avalanche and dump a big salary. If Theodore stays in Montreal, he'd have to fight for the No. 1 job while lugging the baggage of his 2002-03 flop.


2. Trade for Capitals goaltender Olaf Kolzig. He has taken a marginal team to the Cup Finals, so he has some rink credentials. When he is good, he is very good. Caps owner Ted Leonsis has lost staggering sums and moving Kolzig would sure be easier than unloading franchise albatross Jaromir Jagr.

If Kolzig was French-Canadian, he would be Lacroix's first choice. But he's certainly not a bad second option. The Caps could move him out of the Eastern Conference and get some cheap young talent in return.


3. Trade for Coyotes goaltender Sean Burke. Phoenix tried, unsuccessfully, to hold up the Blues last spring for this end-of-the-road veteran. Now his trade value has dropped appreciably. He could be just the guy for a one-and-done Cup run.

The risk with Burke -- and it's a significant one -- is that he could break down or run out of steam during such a long haul. Any team acquiring him would want to let a young guy log lots of regular season time as his tag-team partner.


4. Sign free agent Felix Potvin. He revived his career in Los Angeles, creating some value for himself in the marketplace. He modeled himself after Roy and, given his experience, he would likely hold up well in Colorado.

He doesn't have Theodore's acrobatic upside, but he could do a nice, steady job for the 'Lanche without costing his new team any players.


5. Acquire Nikolai Khabibulin from Tampa Bay. He, too, has played spectacularly for long stretches of regular seasons. John Grahame would be a cheaper alternative for the Lightning, which could get a couple of prospects from the 'Lanche and dump a big contract.


6. Acquire Martin Biron from Buffalo. Here is a French-Canadian kid with some interesting upside. The Sabres have budding star Ryan Miller in the wings, so a deal makes sense. Biron would be a speculative pick-up, but there might be something special there.

After all, Jean-Sebastien Giguere didn't blossom until after Carolina and Calgary gave up on him. So you never know.


7. Sign Chris Osgood. The Blues have discussed bringing him back if he is willing to take a significant pay cut. We don't regard Osgood as a difference maker and we doubt that any other club views him that way, so we suspect the Note will be bidding against itself for his services.

Maybe Lacroix sees something in Osgood that the Red Wings and Islanders missed, but we would be surprised.


8. Sign Jeff Hackett. He is available, but he's really not much of an option. He has had some good runs here and there, but he has also been injury-prone. He could be an insurance signing if the club elected to give the younger goaltenders a crack.


9. Acquire Brian Boucher from the Coyotes. He reminds us of a young Osgood -- a guy that can play well behind a good team, but lacks the big upside. Maybe the right coach could help him develop an "A" game, but that's just a guess.


All of this speculation impacts the Blues. If the Avalanche stand pat for this season and look to the future, the Blues and Flyers would be the only two contenders looking hard at goaltender moves. If the Avalanche make a major play, that would cut into Pleau's options.

If the Avalanche get the right goaltender and the Blues soldier on with the candidates they currently have . . . well, let's just say a chunk of the fan base will be none too pleased.

This hockey offseason got a whole lot more interesting when Roy hit the road.

[Captain Slack]

I'm glad Cechmaneck is out of Philly. They hated him there and he would have had a terrible season next year if he'd stayed.

who hated him? and what makes ya think he would've had a terrible season next year... look at what he's done the last 3 seasons as a starter there. ?

his problem is the playoffs. period. plain and simple. during the regular season, he's top 3 in the league, imho.

I have to learn to elaborate more. :angel:

He would have had a terrible season with the fans, not with performance. He's great during the regular season. Philly will probably realize that at some point, especially if he clicks with the Kings. However, he was the fall guy for the Flyers losing to the Sens this year and I think he'd have had a bad time with the fans next season because of that. Just my opinion. :smoke:

[Shell]

There's no way Bobby dumped Roman for a 2nd round pick with nothing else in the works. THE question is..... what is it?

I wish Roman the best of luck. always liked the guy. (though still wish we had Boosh on Broad ST.)

Please don't tell me you have faith in Bobby Clarke?!?!?

Clarke in no hurry to find new goalie
Canadian Press
5/29/2003

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Flyers are in no hurry to replace Roman Cechmanek.

One day after trading his No. 1 goaltender to the Los Angeles Kings, Flyers general manager Bob Clarke said he'll probably wait at least another month to find a replacement.

``There are some teams who have mentioned goaltenders to us,'' Clarke said Thursday. ``We'll wait until the first of July and see if there are any free agents.

``We don't know who's going be available when free agency starts. But we know there are some goaltenders available. We're confident that we will be able to get another good goaltender.''

Among those expected to become free agents are the Kings' Felix Potvin, Boston's Jeff Hackett and St. Louis's Chris Osgood.

The Flyers still have Robert Esche, who they expect to develop into a No. 1 goalie.

Potvin, who'll be 32 when next season starts, was 17-20-3 with a 2.66 goals-against average and .894 save percentage for Los Angeles. He has a lifetime mark of 254-252-71 with a 2.78 goals-against and .905 save percentage.

Hackett, who turns 35 on Sunday, was 15-17-2 with a 2.86 GAA and .911 save percentage for Boston this year. He was 1-2 and allowed just five goals in a first-round playoff loss to New Jersey. Hackett is 156-234-50 lifetime with a 2.93 GAA and .902 save percentage.

Osgood, 30, was 21-17-6 with a 2.95 GAA and .892 save percentage with the Islanders and Blues last season. He was 3-4, allowing 17 goals in a first-round series against Vancouver.

Osgood helped Detroit to a Stanley Cup championship in 1998, going 16-6 in the playoffs. He has a career record of 274-152-58 with a 2.46 GAA and .907 save percentage.

``We're going to find - or hoping to find - a good, solid replacement for Cechmanek,'' Clarke said. ``Whoever that goalie is will depend on the coaching staff.

``I think our team plays a particular style of game that should allow any goaltender we get to have some success, because we built our team around good defensive play.''

Esche, acquired last off-season from Phoenix, was 12-9-3 with a 2.20 GAA in 30 games with the Flyers. The 25-year-old is 30-33-9 with a 2.70 GAA in his career.

Cechmanek, 32, had a 33-15-10 record in 58 regular season games for the Flyers, and his 1.83 GAA was second in the league to Dallas's Marty Turco. Cechmanek's .925 save percentage was third-best in the NHL.

His career GAA is 1.96, lowest among goaltenders with at least 150 regular-season games since 1943-44. He has 20 shutouts.

But Cechmanek's unconventional style and erratic play in the postseason caused the Flyers to move him.

``We thought Cechmanek was a pretty good goaltender,'' Clarke said. ``His time wore out here so we made him available to all the teams.

``There was more than one team who called on him.''

Still, the Flyers only received a second-round pick in June's entry draft for Cechmanek.

[talkingcanes]

Look at the teams that are still looking for a goalie. St. Louis, Boston, Philadelphia, and possibly Buffalo. With Irbe, Potvin, and Hackett being available I see some more deals being made. Now that The Cat has been "cut loose" from LA, would anyone like to see him brought into the fold?

Aaryn

This is all very intriguing. But, after last season's goalie debacle, I guess I was thinking that JR was going to sit on his current goalie situation -Weekes/Patty D. Didn't DesRochers get an NHL (no two-way thingy) contract? Wouldn't that indicate that he didn't anticipate sending him down to Lowell this year? So, what does everyone think might actually happen? Maybe I'm naive, but I guess the only thing that will happen is the disposition if Irbe's contract - one way or another. Not that I wouldn't be happy to see some sort of goalie shakeup, but I wasn't really expecting anything to come of it.

according to the N&O today, Irbe won't even be in Lowell. with the new deal with Calgary and either Zepp or Petruk will be in Lowell for the Canes.

on topic......hopefully, a change will be good for Roman. even if they don't "hate" him, a lot of really terrible things have been said and blame placed for the loss. hard to be comfortable there after that, IMO.