Flyers trade Richards, Carter

The Flyers seized attention on the final day before the NHL draft by dealing two of their most talented forwards and signing the goaltender they have lacked for years.

In a matter of minutes, the Flyers sent high-scoring center Jeff Carter to the Blue Jackets for forward Jakub Voracek, the No. 8 overall pick in Friday night's draft and a third-round pick, then sent captain Mike Richards to the Kings for winger Wayne Simmonds, 19-year-old center Brayden Schenn and a second-round pick.

With much-needed salary-cap space, the Flyers announced they signed goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, whose rights were acquired from the Coyotes two weeks ago, to a nine-year, $51-million deal.

The Flyers were two wins away from a Stanley Cup in 2010 and were strong again this season. But even with all the talent up front, their goaltending let them down in a second-round sweep by the Bruins, and word leaked out that the Flyers' locker room was not a positive place.

Now they have drastically altered their chemistry and unloaded two hefty, lengthy contracts. Carter is just beginning an 11-year, $58-million deal and Richards is in the fourth year of a 12-year, $69-million contract.

These moves might signal more trades coming this weekend, and the Flyers' deals could help the Rangers in their pursuit of center Brad Richards next Friday. Along with adding Mike Richards' contract, the Kings need to re-sign defenseman Drew Doughty, and there might not be enough cap room for Brad Richards, whom they have wanted to pursue since the trade deadline.

The Flyers, who have roughly $7 million of space under the 2011-12 cap of $64.3 million -- the official number was announced Thursday -- could be in play for Brad Richards, even though they still have talented forwards, led by Claude Giroux.

Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has made no secret of his desire to package the 25th and 30th picks for an NHL player, and the Leafs reportedly made an offer to the Flyers for Mike Richards before he was dealt to the Kings.