Stanley Cup Finals: Former Flyers

Stanley Cup Finals: Former Flyers

This past season, Flyers Nation watched as Ron Hextall trade away two veterans of the orange and black for valuable picks in both this year’s and next year’s draft. Ironically, both Braydon Coburn and Kimmo Timonen will be competing for the world famous Stanley Cup this month. Although the Flyers will most likely become the winner of both of these trades, it is still bittersweet to see former players getting the opportunity to be crowned champion with another franchise.

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On February 27th, the Flyers traded away veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen to the Chicago Blackhawks. In return Philadelphia received what ended up being a 2nd-round pick in this year’s draft, and a 2nd-round pick in next year’s draft. Before the start of 2014-2015 regular season, it was unclear if Timonen would ever play hockey again. He was diagnosed with a blood disorder that caused clotting, and there was a great deal of risk that came with returning to the ice. It is possible that Kimmo would have considered retirement if he was not put in a position to win a Stanley Cup this season. Ron Hextall decided to make winning the cup a reachable goal for Timonen by sending him to Chicago.

Apr 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kimmo Timonen (44) with the puck during the first period against the Nashville Predators in game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

In seven seasons with the orange and black, Timonen played in 519 games, scored 38 goals, and provided 232 assists. He was a respected leader of the Flyers, and one has to believe that most of Philadelphia will be pulling for him and the Blackhawks to win Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Three days after the Flyers sent Timonen to Chicago, Hextall traded away Braydon Coburn to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Radko Gudas, and a first and third round pick in this year’s draft. In nine years with the Flyers, Coburn played in 576 games, scored 37 goals, and added 124 assists. Coburn was one of the few constants on Philadelphia’s blue-line, and was also paired up with Kimmo Timonen.

May 20, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates with defenseman Braydon Coburn (55) after scoring a goal during the first period in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

It must be noted that Matt Carle is also a member of the Lightning; however, we at the Broad Street Buzz find this information to be both unimportant and insignificant.

Although Braydon Coburn was a respected member of the Philadelphia Flyers, it is safe to say that most of Flyers Nation will be pulling for Timonen and the Blackhawks to win it all. Not only was Timonen a much popular player in Philadelphia, the Flyers will also receive a better pick (not by much) if the Lightning lose. Regardless of who is crowned victorious in the end, it is sure to be a fantastic series against two great teams.

Next: The Philadelphia Flyers Draft.......

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