Flying High

How about dem Flyers?!!! My home team finally got off their collective asses and made some major trades and free agent signings this off-season, with the biggest of them all going down earlier today.

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren may have to put in for overtime. After inking Daniel Briere to a massive eight-year contract earlier in the day, Holmgren on Sunday signed defenseman Kimmo Timonen and left wing Scott Hartnell to six-year deals and acquired blue-liner Jason Smith and center Joffrey Lupul from the Edmonton Oilers.

In the trade, the Flyers sent defenseman Joni Pitkanen, left wing Geoff Sanderson and a 2009 third-round pick to the Oilers. (H/T - Yahoo!)

Holmgren is quickly making me forget all of the lousy trades bunghole former GM Bobby Clarke forced upon this city. The Fly Guys won't win the Stanley Cup this season, but they'll be a much better team.

I may even cheer for them in public now!