Storm freezes PA, Christmas freezes NHL rosters... for now

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts. And wolves dressed as sheep.

These are the cliches that Flyers GM Paul Holmgren better start brushing up on as he prepares for what will in all likely hood be a very busy Dec. 27 as he looks to fix a very, very broken team. A team that has already quit on one head coach and now seems to be quitting on themselves and the snow-laden city that loves them.

Homer's got quite the task in front of him and he needs to resist the urge to make just any move. Obviously changes need to be made. Cages need to be rattled and skulls need to be cracked. Sadly, as the NHL is trying to cut down on blows to the head, Homer won't be allowed to crack any one's skull literally, as much as some players on this team may deserve such treatment.

So what to do, what to do. The biggest names who are rumored to be packing their bags are pretty boy Jeff Carter and his line mate Scottie "I'm won't cut my hair until I learn not to take stupid penalties" Hartnell. These are the only really tradable Flyers who may bring something back in return, though Hartnell's value may be a little low at this point. As for Carter... well, he's definitely been more attractive transactionally-speaking but he should still bring some solid players back.

Who would have thought it would come to this? This team used to be a contender, now they're just a bunch of over paid lay-abouts. Sadly, Carter and Hartnell have been two of the Flyers better players of late, but of course that hasn't exactly translated into filling the net with pucks. At least they're trying... sort of.

So, if you're out there reading audience, where do the orange and black go from here? A trade seems like a must, or do you see things differently? Who stays, who goes? Are the Carter and Braydon Coburn for Carolina's Eric Staal rumors effectively done now that Carolina has discovered how to win games again?

Six days and 15 minutes until the gossip could turn to reality. I like this team as presently constructed and they are clearly good enough on paper to compete with any team in the league. Sadly, as yet another cliche goes that's why you play the games. The Flyers have no heart or soul. They have no drive to win. The more games you watch them throw away, the less likely it seems that they will pull themselves out of this monumental tailspin. The coach has been changed. You could change the GM, but to me that seems like admitting that the team is built wrong, which basically means the season is over. No, if Homer goes, chances are it will be during the off season, unless the wheels really come off this thing. It's hard to imagine them coming off more, actually...

The only thing left to change is the players. A good, likeable group, but one that doesn't seem to have the spice anymore. Who knows why. They had it earlier this season, as little as three weeks ago they looked unbeatable. Now, it seems as though the mites on ice games that take place during intermission are providing a better product.

Sad times...