CALGARY _ Ok, w/out being an apologist, is there is anything the Flyers could have done to improve their depth on defense given their cap-prospects-draft choice situation?

It's true the Flyers heard what Darryl Sutter had to say a few weeks ago in private w/Paul Holmgren about Dion Phaneuf. But the simple fact is, the Flyers had no wiggle room, as they say.

They have too many vets on no-trade, too few prospects, and NO draft picks.

So, Lukas Krajicek is their inexpensive answer to a 6th/7th d-man. We can debate forever whether he is better than O-K Tollefsen or Danny Syvret, but I know this: he is healthier than either of them and they need healthy bodies who fit under the cap.

Is there is anyone who really thinks Ryan Parent is going to come back in mid-February and take punishing hits to his L-5 lumbar and be the same player this year he was before he was injured?

The Flyers did what they could w/little cap space available.

Would Panotch like Phaneuf? Absolutely. But his $6.5 million salary made it impossible for the Flyers to absorb given their situation.

Several readers said this a while ago: Paul Holmgren's moves to get the Flyers back into contention immediately after their last place finish in 2006-07 had led them to the path they now walk w/out dollar redemption.

Think back to then. Think to the year after when the Flyers met the Pens in the Eastern Conference Final? Was anyone complaining then? No. They went for broke.

As for Krajicek ... here's my story on CSNPhilly,com:

Click Here

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