Flyers get Calder from Blackhawks for Handzus

[Jgator21]

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Flyers acquired left wing Kyle Calder from the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday for center Michal Handzus.


The 27-year-old Calder had 26 goals and 33 assists in 79 regular-season games for Chicago last season, leading the team in goals, assists, points and game-winning goals.

Calder was drafted by Chicago in the fifth round in 1997 and over six seasons had 85 goals and 125 assists along with 184 penalty minutes in 359 regular-season games.

"Calder is a player who we have coveted for a long time," Flyers general manager Bob Clarke said in a statement. "He can score; he can kill penalties; he can play on any of our top three lines."


Calder's statement didn't conceal his excitement.

"Words cannot even describe how excited I am right now," he said. "The Flyers have always been one of the teams that I wanted to come to. The dream is finally here and now I have to make the best of it."



The 29-year-old Handzus had 11 goals and 33 assists in 73 regular-season games for the Flyers last season. In three seasons with the team, he recorded 54 goals and 92 assists along with 166 penalty minutes in 237 regular-season games.

Just days before, the Blackhawks accepted an arbitrator's decision that awarded Calder $2.95 million. Handzus makes $2.128 million

[gagne22]

This move was an obvious win/win deal, perhaps more because of team needs than overall skill. Chicago desperately needed to strengthen in the center position, with Ruutu possibly moving back to wing and Toews' decision to play college hockey before joining the club. They got a big center who is great on faceoffs, defense, and working along the boards.

Philadelphia went out and signed Randy Robitaille, Marty Murray, and Mark Cullen, who can all play center (although I believe Robitaille is listed as a winger), to add to Forsberg, Primeau, Nedved, Potulny (if he makes NHL), Richards, Umberger, and Carter, who can all play center as well, even though several of them will be playing wing. With this much strength at center, it was obvious that one or more of our centers would be moved. While I would have preferred to have seen Nedved, Hatcher, or Rathje traded than Zus, I believe Calder will be a great addition to our team. He has more speed, scoring ability, is younger, can play defense well, and
fits our needs better than Handzus. If only we couldve packaged a couple more 6'5"ers.... well one can dream.

But all in all this seems like a trade to help both teams...and its nice to see the Flyers make a bigger move than signing third-line defensemen and third-fourth line centers.

[Jgator21]

I think it was a great trade for Philly. Calder has the ability to be a great player.