Sharks and Flyers Fix What’s Not Broken in Search of Cup

The most interesting part of last week’s roster moves (and this weekend’s) was that two very successful NHL teams were willing to dramatically reinvent themselves, even though the previous season’s versions of the teams were successful. Both the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks, two teams that, had some things gone just a little bit differently, could have played each other for the Stanley Cup, made big moves via trade and free agency, sacrificing rosters that were proven to be effective to take each team in a new direction. In essence, Philadelphia GM Paul Holmgren and San Jose GM Doug Wilson each said that winning doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t result in a Cup. So each GM reworked their winning-yet-Cupless teams. The Flyers started with a purge of their core, trading away Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. They ended by signing Jaromir Jagr and Max Talbot (maybe…). The moves represent a change in philosophy for the Flyers. Coach Pete...