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Blockbuster: Flyers Trade Mike Richards to Kings for Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds

On the heels of trading Jeff Carter to the Blue Jackets, the Flyers shipped out Captain Mike Richards for Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds.

While the Carter trade was not a surprise – it had been rumored for weeks – the trade of Mike Richards was completely unforeseen. While one trade can be seen as clearing cap space for Ilya Bryzgalov, trading both of your 2003 first round picks – which make up the core of your team – signifies something completely different.

This isn’t about getting a goalie, this is about a complete organizational rebuild. A month ago, we wrote that the argument over a big-name goalie was about the makeup of the team. Trading your franchise cornerstones, who were contracted through 2020, is a complete reworking of your team.

While neither trade was poor – Brayden Schenn is going to be a legit star in this league while both Voracek and Simmonds are top-9 talent – the act of trading your two most recognizable faces is a risky move. Ed Snider ordered Paul Holmgren to get a goalie, and Holmgren took the opportunity to start from scratch.

Barely over a calendar year after being two wins away from the Stanley Cup, the Flyers have traded their two franchise players. They’re starting over, and they’re building around Ilya Bryzgalov.

[Update by JasonB, 06/23/11 5:07 PM EDT ] The Flyers have announced that they've also received a 2nd round pick from LA.