"Cookie" joins Flyers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Flyers have recently acquired gritty agitating winger Matt Cooke for the rights to rugged defenseman Todd Simpson.

With the recent acquisition of defenseman Brendan Bell, the Flyers needed to move one of their regulars since someone would be sitting out the rest of the season. Unfortunately for Simpson, he was the chosen one and would be sent from one struggling young team to another. The 33 year old Todd Simpson is expected to give the Jackets a shot in the arm with his physical play and his defensive coverage.

Matt Cooke has been practicing on the rightwing side on the Flyers 3rd line for now. He can make his way up the roster, but that’s totally up to his play. Cooke is signed for 2 seasons (remainder of this, and next) at 1.95 mill, roughly around what Simpson made.

Cooke’s speed and two-way style made this deal worth doing for the Flyers and since the team is in a rebuilding mode as it is, if he does not produce to what’s expected the team will have to consider other options. For now, Cooke will play alongside Roman Lyashenko and Peter Polcik, two solid defensive players with a offensive upside.

The Flyers announced Thursday that they have traded tough guy Scott Parker to the New York Islanders for a draft pick and cash. This move was to try and make more roster space for the new comers. Parker should give the Islanders a player to try and take over the fighting position from star defenseman Zdeno Chara. Islanders staff would not like to see their star defenseman get injured in a fight so in order to try and cut down as much as possible they picked up someone who will gladly take over the heavyweight role.