Flyers acquire Modry
The Flyers, having failed in their attempts to get Tomas Kaberle who would not waive his no-trade clause with Toronto, struck a deal today for Kings defenseman Jaroslav Modry.
What on earth do the Flyers want with a 36-year-old defenceman who has one goal and six points this year, you might ask?
A few things here: (a) Philadelphia just found out they'll be without Derian Hatcher for six weeks due to a knee injury, (b) Modry's played an entirely defensive role all season with the Kings, and (c) He's actually done pretty well in that regard.
Playing a shutdown role at even strength, with rookie Jack Johnson to start the year, and lately with Tom Preissing, Modry is one of only two plus players on the last-place Kings' roster (among regulars) this season. He's also been a solid penalty killer, and has far better defensive numbers than Rob Blake or Brad Stuart, two other pending UFAs who have been rumoured to be on the move.
A third-round pick doesn't bring you much these days, but Modry can still play — and the Flyers need help on the back end given their recent seven-game losing skid.
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by James Mirtle @ 3:52 PM
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"Modry's played an entirely defensive role all season with the Kings and (c) He's actually done pretty well in that regard."
How does that mesh with this quote from your Rod Langway blog? "The worst ranked players (out of the 77 who meet the ice time thresholds) are: Brad Stuart, Tom Poti, Ryan Whitney, Dion Phaneuf, Roman Hamrlik, Garnet Exelby, Jaroslav Modry, Andrej Meszaros, Tim Gleason and Francois Beauchemin."
It doesn't. Modry has been the scourge of most Kings fans for the 8-9 some years he's been here, so most won't call it a loss. In fact it opens the door for Manchester's Peter Harrold.
Compared to some of his teammates on the Kings blueline, Modry's been a stalwart.
He's tops among defencemen in quality of competition, has been paired with the likes of Johnson and Preissing, and leads the Kings in fewest goals against per minute at even strength.
His brutal PK numbers (something everyone on the Kings has, aside from LaBarbera), are what drop him way down the "top defensive defencemen" list.
Let's put it this way: Visnovsky's been on the ice for 60 5-on-5 goals against this season; Modry's been out there for 37, and they've played nearly identical minutes.
And Harold's plus-minus will fit right in.
I will most certainly give you that. Visnovsky got a new contract last summer and has underperformed in a big way this season.
Not that that's unique to him on this Kings team.
This discussion shows ow strongly tem dependant any defensive numbers are. And hence why they are not (yet?) as reliable as some believe them to be.
Hatcher's career is over. His knee is in horrible condition and he is going to need knee replacement before he turns 40.
Philly players said that his knee is like a cantaloupe and muscles above this have pulled up. A total mess.
As an LA fan, I was shocked when I heard we had re-acquired Modry a year ago. This year though, he's been good. Doesn't make big mistakes, etc. I would not of minded an extension. I'll take a 3rd though. Good luck Modry!
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