One of the nice things about the Flyers is they are and always have been willing to spend in free agency -- when the club has room under the cap, that is. This summer, a stud blue liner is at the top of the wish list, and the consensus best defenseman available seems to be Nashville's Ryan Suter, so GM Paul Holmgren should just go out and sign him, right?
Not so fast. In a report filed on Thursday afternoon, Tim Panaccio revealed the 2012 All Star and former seventh overall pick does not want to come to Philadelphia. Burn.
According to Panotch's source, Suter gave the Predators a list of teams he is willing to talk to if his rights are traded before free agency opens on July 1, and the Flyers are not one of them. No reason was stated for Suter's choices, but the report adds every team on the list plays in the Western Conference.
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If true, the news is disappointing. While nothing is official on Chris Pronger, his return to the ice remains doubtful. Matt Carle is also heading to free agency, and although Panaccio says the Flyers are trying to re-sign him under the $5 million mark, the prospect of his return makes some fans sick to their stomach. Still, the team has to do something.
Of course there are always other options, perhaps even a trade or a restricted free agent (Suter's teammate Shea Weber, for instance), but nothing beats landing the top guy on the market without giving something up in exchange. If Suter isn't willing to talk, what's your next move?