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UPDATED: Source says Focus on Playoffs

August 7, 2012, 2:58 PM ET [45 Comments]
Tim Panaccio
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
UPDATED: A source told CSNPhilly.com TUE night that Meszaros goal should be to "focus" on being healthy for the playoffs, an indication the Flyers are preparing for the worst, much like they did with Chris Pronger last season.

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Whenever I hear Flyers GM Paul Holmgren say the magical words, "We like our team," my mind begins its automatic countdown.

Much like NASA, waiting for a rover to land on Mars, I'm waiting after those words to hear within 24 hours that the club has traded for someone.

So when I asked Holmgren on Tuesday about going out and making move now that his already weakened defense suffered another blow with the loss of Andrej Meszaros (right Achilles tendon surgery), I knew the answer in advance.

“Well, we’ll see," he replied. "We like our team. We like some of the kids we have in our system. We’ll see where it goes.”

Up until now, the Flyers have been flirting with thoughts of Bobby Ryan or Shane Doan but it's time to put those thoughts to rest and get serious.

Holmgren has no choice but to make a move for another defenseman. While Michal Rozsival might be the best UFA out there, he would actually cost this team MORE than what Matt Carle signed for in Tampa Bay.

Personally, I like the idea of trying to pry Dan Boyle, a huge upgrade all-around, fro San Jose. Which I suggested after Nashville traded Shea Weber. Or perhaps Douglas Murray, another Shark, who will be a UFA next season.

Regardless, the Flyers have no choice now but to go after someone. Holmgren wants to believe that Meszaros will come back early because Justin Williams did some years ago from the same injury.

Well, Travis Zajac tried it last season - same injury _ came back early for the Devils and ended up re-injuring himself. He missed 7 months total.

Ryan Howard of the Phillies missed 8. Meszaros? The Flyers can't afford to rush him back and I am fearful they will do just that. Meszaros should NOT have played in the playoffs with a bad back and he did in an elimination game.

I don't like tempting fate twice. Way I see it, Meszaros will miss most, if not all of next season, but could get a reprieve (of sorts) with a lockout. Time will tell.

For now though, the Flyers need to do something because as good as their kids are, none of them are Barry Ashbee Trophy winners.

Here's a gaggle of stories today from CSNPhilly.com:

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