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Ohhhhhhhh. You didn't know about that did you? What better time to talk about the Flyers re-signing Les Habitants' 3rd Round pick from the 1996 draft than during the meat of a Canadian sandwich?
The Flyers made a great move yesterday by locking up and down 4th line superstud Blair Betts. That the Rangers passed up his incredible skill set for a $2.8M appartus that they have since waived and we've now signed Betts for half of that is truly amazing. I've always been a huge proponent of signing players you know you want to keep mid year and getting that 'secure future' discount, so I was wondering if there was anyone else we should look at signing before the season ends. And the only guy I think might be worth it is Arron Asham. Maybe because along with the newly acquired Lucas Krajicek he's the only impending UFA, or maybe because I love his little Chinese face. Either way it's a worthwhile question.
Arron Asham is going to turn 32 this April. Surprisingly in the New NHL that's not that old anymore. As generations of pro athletes have passed they've learned that their only real asset is their body and they've started taking very, very good care of themselves. Remeber Jim Dowd? That guy slept in one of those Michael Jackson sleeping tanks and played until he was 85. Anyway, Asham has really surprised me these past two seasons. I was against the signing to start but after almost two years I think I'm warming up to the guy.
When Smasham crash landed in Philly in the summer of '08 he was fresh off stints with two Atlantic Division teams and had fought Mike Richards a number of times - not a winning combination in my book (available at amazon.com). He was also fresh off a 77 game 10 point season in New Jersey. I thought it was a waste of $640k a year. But over the last two seasons, and this one in particular, he's really shown his true colors (Asian).
After a 20 point 155 PIM season last year Asham found himself as the odd forward out in the Flyers lineup on opening night of the 2009-10 journey. Over the summer the Flyers had signed a gaggle of bottom 6 forwards and were bringing in JVR. When the Flyers and 'Canes dropped the puck in early October #45 was in the press box next to new Flyers commentator Riley Cote. He kept saying he was going to make it back into the lineup, and when he did he was going to stay in. But why was there any reason to believe him?
And then it happened. The injuries started to come, just like they always do. And Asham was the first guy back into the lineup and he was right, as he's been dressing ever since. The guy has 19 points this season in 51 games. He's on pace for the second highest point total of his career. Lately he's been a useful part of the Flyers best line. He might even be the Flyers best fighter.
And that silky hair.
I say yes. Do it. His age is working against him negotiation wise so we could probably get him to sign two years at $800k each. I'd go to $900k but if he pushed it I'd let him walk. And that's one of the main reasons the in-season negotiation is so key - what's a 32 year old willing to pay for peace of mind?
But this raises another question. If we have Asham, Betts, and Lappy do we need Carcillo? Regardless of where Laviolette has him these days, at this point in his career he's a 4th liner. I supppose if you think he can be a real 3rd liner there's room for both. But if Carbomb doesn't develop a little more offensive skil there's no need for both.
Asham onto Hollywood, Simon?
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Matt - Powe will score 20 as a Flyer. So yes.