Flyers playing it smart by building for the long haul

	By eschewing the chance to trade the No. 2 pick and opting to select James vanRiemsdyk, the Flyers shoed a patience of which many fans are running thin. AP

A couple of Flyers fans lamented their team's recent swoon. ...

Does Ed Snider realize that he has destroyed his team?
-- John Raup Jr., Philadelphia

With Paul Holmgren having done a great amount of rebuilding since he took over GM (Biron, Upshall, Parent, Timonen, Hartnell, for example) to join established players like Gagne and Knuble, is Philly a playoff team in 2007-08?
-- Michael, Baltimore

First of all, let's give the Sniders credit for building and maintaining one of the game's most successful franchises over a long period of time. You can make the case that, the dynasty years on Long Island and in Edmonton notwithstanding, the Flyers have been the best expansion era (1968-) franchise in the NHL. Still, it has been too long since the Flyers have been a serious contender.

It's interesting that moments before the Flyers drafted James vanRiemsdyk at No. 2, Holmgren was about to take part in a step-ladder trade involving four teams that would have given the second pick to the Oilers. Where that would have left the Flyers, we can't be sure, but it was Holmgren who came down with cold feet seconds before the pick was announced, thereby negating all the moves that had to be made at the same time. Perhaps the fact that he didn't pull the trigger is an indication that the Flyers have more patience than a team in their predicament would usually display.

As Michael mentions, there are some young players to work with here. Watch the Daniel Briere sweepstakes. The Flyers have enough room under the cap to go after the free agent forward from Buffalo and they are interested in the skills and numbers he could bring to the table. Bringing in Briere or another comparable free agent should make the Flyers much better next season. Of course getting from near the basement to mediocrity is the easy part. What the Flyers need now are players they feel who can be a part of a deeper run in the playoffs three or four years down the road. For that reason, the moves Holmgren makes next summer may be even more important to the club's ability to climb back to championship contention.

Other readers continued to respond to the Dany Heatley column of May 30. Here are some of the responses:

This is a response to Kinsey of Georgia. How do you feel Dany Heatley turned his back on your community? He didn't leave Atlanta as a free agent; he was traded to Ottawa by the Thrashers (who no doubt were doing him a favor by moving him). He is now a Senator, living in Ottawa; why in the world would he travel all the way to Atlanta to do his community service, in a place that got rid of him and holds tragic memories for him (after all, Dan Snyder was one of his best friends, right?)
-- Todd Purvis, Thomasburg, Ont.

I would just like to thank you for your writings on Dany Heatley and his tragic story. As an aspiring sports writer, too often do I read stories of athletes being vilified, often justified, but this story is one of genuine misfortune. Heatley fell victim to an American culture that adds sex appeal to speed and I just want to thank you for reminding the reading public that there are athletes who deserve to be forgiven for their past mistakes.
-- Corey Griffin, Buffalo