Most Philadelphia Flyers fans probably experienced a similar range of emotions stemming from the Leo Carlsson offer sheet.<\/p>\n
There was the initial shock at the enormity of general manager Daniel Briere\u2019s boldest move to date; excitement over potentially adding a young No. 1 center who could transform the team into a legitimate contender; and, finally, disappointment, as the Anaheim Ducks chose to match it.<\/p>\n
Now, the Flyers are right back where they started after a quiet free agency signing period. Backup goalie Joseph Woll, depth defenseman Simon Benoit and fourth-liner Noel Acciari are the only notable additions.<\/p>\n
That begs the question \u2014 was there any point to all this Carlsson business?<\/p>\n
NHL offer sheets are just business<\/p>\n
Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe<\/p>\n
Briere believes there was. Speaking for the first time Thursday since Anaheim officially retained Carlsson on July 9, Briere expressed confidence that his headline-making moonshot resonated in NHL circles. \u201cIt was noticed around the league,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat I hope, too, is that it\u2019s noticed by our fans and by our players, that we\u2019re serious.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe players did their part last year. We\u2019re trying to do ours. We\u2019re going to keep trying to improve the team to give them the best chance to be a contender for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ducks retaining Carlsson and his new five-year, $90 million contract has only reset the clock in the Flyers\u2019 front office and with their fans, though. How long it keeps ticking before Briere takes another substantial swing is anyone\u2019s guess. The most difficult and complicated part of the rebuild, turning the Flyers from a playoff team to a contender, is here.<\/p>\n