Plekanec dealt to Flyers; Tucker dealt back to Wings

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Just about a month after acquiring the gritty winger, the Flyers sent Darcy Tucker along with a conditional draft choice and cash to the Detroit Red Wings for young left winger Tomas Plekanec.

In Tuckers 14 games with the Flyers he finished with 5 goals and 3 assists, with 8 penalty minutes and 18 hits, solid numbers for a player who seen most of his time on the 2nd line alongside Igor Grigorenko and Alexander Steen. While on the top line Tucker never really produced like expected so this move was to help please Darcy and give him a legit shot at the cup.

Plekanec was a team worst -17 on the Red Wings with 29 points in 45 games, 11 goals 18 assists, having 67 penalty minutes and 51 hits. The Flyers will not be in as much of a hurry as they were with Tucker. They will be patient and hope Plekanec can mature into a solid two way winger. Tomas will be inputted into one of the top two wing positions either behind Matt Stajan or on line one alongside Wellwood and Steen. Management will juggle the lines to see who fits in where and once things are clearer hopefully the production of Plekanec could maybe spark the weak offence of the Flyers.

The Flyers were rumored to be shopping Restricted Free Agent, Jamie Lundmark for more young depth on the right side but as of late with no offers coming in that fit into their plans they are now expected to wait things through with the 25 year old. With just one game into the 2nd half of the season, Lundmark has 9 goals and 14 assists, and is tied for 5th on the team in worst plus/minus rating with a -10. Management wants him to get back to the basics and play a simple game and once again earn top minutes playing with the team. Last game against the Bruins was a definite start when he picked up a goal and two assists with a +3 rating and earned the game first star honors. Things may be looking up for this youngster.