Krajicek Another Band Aid for Ailing Flyer Defense

Yesterdays announcement that the Philadelphia Flyers had signed 26-year-old ex-Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Lukas Krajicek is another sign that GM Paul Holmgren is not making any progress in trade talks to acquire a rearguard from a current NHL roster.

With Ryan Parent (back surgery – out until March)  and Danny Syvret (shoulder seperation – not progressing well in rehabilitation) on the mend, the Flyers have been going with just six defensemen:  Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Matt Carle, Braydon Coburn, Oskars Bartulis and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen.  Bartulis is playing anywhere from 10-15 minutes per game, and Tollefsen has logged more than 10 minutes just once in the last three games.  That means 20+ minutes average for the other four.  Pronger is always in the high-20′s and has cracked 30 minutes several times, and Timonen is frequently in the high-20′s.  And with the way some games have been officiated, turning into special teams-fests, the top four log much more ice time than usual, and Bartulis and Tollefsen sit more.  They are the two best defensemen the Flyers possess, and also just happen to be their oldest.  Pronger is 35 and Timonen will turn 35 in March.  Hopefully the pair are not getting burned out before the playoffs.

Krajicek began the year in Tampa Bay and had one assists in 23 games.  He was placed on waivers by the Lightning on December 11th and cleared.  Krajicek was assigned to the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL, where he played 15 games before quitting the team.  This move cancelled his contract and made him an unrestricted free agent.  Over 301 NHL games with the Panthers, Canucks and Lightning, the 6′ 2″, 195 pound D man has registered 10 goals, 70 assists, and 231 PIMs.

Krajicek accompanied the team to Calgary for the start of their three-game western road trip.  He has been given uniform #2.