Flyers get....

... Denis Gauthier from Phoenix for a minor leaguer and two second round picks.

Instant analysis:

1. Well, despite their languid and disheartening play lately against just about any team above decent, the Flyers are probably going to the play-offs with a serious chance to advance- so you can't probably go wrong adding a guy who'll play to your roster for guys who won't/don't exist.

2. He's a banger- a proto-typical Eastern defensemen. Clarke is making a real gamble that the play-offs are going to revert back a good way to "old hockey": clutch & grab. The GM has to add some real NHL depth- since Kim Johnsson can't shake his concussion. By electing to not add Johnsson-style defensemen, Clarke is making a statement on the nature of play-off hockey in the East. Rathje and Hatcher are the first two chips in that bet- this is another. He might be right- if you saw the Flyers-Devils 1-1 regulation tie last week- you realize that these teams are itching to slug it out like men.

3. In a capped league, you hate to give up picks, particularly two, for a rental. However, in a capped league, you don't want to have to take bad contracts in return for renting talent. Gauthier is a free agent at the year's end- so the Flyers are not yoked to him if this doesn't work out- but paid for that option with options on the future.

In conclusion, a seemingly fair trade in that both teams get what they want today.