6'5", 235.

Those are the magic numbers.

With the NHL Free Agent season just one day old, the Flyers have called a press conference for 1pm (EST) to announce a handful of free agent signings sure to strengthen their blue line. Former Dallas Star and Detroit Red Wing Derian Hatcher and former San Jose Shark Mike Rathje have both been signed to multiyear deals. They also welcomed back longtime Flyer Chris Therien, who they had sent to Dallas during the 03-04 season.

All three defenders measure 6'5" and weigh in at 235 pounds. If Hatcher can stay healthy and avoid any serious knee injuries like the one that kept him out of all but 15 games in 03-04, the Flyers will find themselves with the hard-hitting blue line they have lacked in recent years.

However, one can't help but notice the absence of a name that has been high on the wishlists of Philly fans in recent weeks. According to Canada's TSN, Bob Clarke never seriously explored the option of bringing disgruntled Devil Scott Niedermayer to the Flyers.

Kevin Epp, the agent for free agent defenseman Scott Niedermayer, says he's disappointed the Flyers have not called. It's believed Niedermayer's reported $7-million asking price was just too high for Clarke.

The next paragraph in the same article:

Clarke has reportedly budgeted $6.5-million to try and shore up the Flyers glaring need for a big defenseman.

Half a million dollars is the difference between bringing in Scott Niedermayer and the Hatcher/Therien/Rathje combination? Until the Flyers hold their press conference, we won't know what the actual contract details are. Did Hatcher and Rathje really come that cheap?

Assuming they did, sure, three defenseman are better than one, especially given the Flyers' recent lack of depth at the blue line. But this is Scott Niedermayer we're talking about. He's a young defenseman at 31, he's healthy, and he's an unbelievable talent when it comes to taking the puck up the ice, something the Flyers have always lacked. Given the new style of play sure to result from the lack of a red line, Niedermayer becomes that much more valuable. And Clarke didn't even talk to his agent?

Perhaps the Flyers are confident in Kim Johnsson's growth over the last couple of years. Perhaps the sheer volume of injuries to the Flyers' defense corps during their 03-04 playoff run scared Clarke into signing as many guys as he could. But not making an effort to talk to the most impressive free agent defenseman on the market? Time will tell, but I sure hope that doesn't come to be one of Clarkie's biggest regrets.

Another interesting note is that Jeremy Roenick and Derian Hatcher have a bit of bad blood between them dating back to Roenick's time with the Phoenix Coyotes. The two have traded numerous vicious hits and in 1999, Hatcher served a 7-game suspension for breaking Roenick's jaw. As these things often do in sports, this will probably work itself out and the two will end up being close friends. Still, it's something to keep an eye on.

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In other Philly-related news, the Sixers have locked up Samuel Dalembert, Kyle Korver, and Willie Green with six-year deals. According to the Inky, "Dalembert's is thought to be worth $58 million, Korver's $27 million and Green's $20 million."

There is also word that GM Billy King is in talks with free agent Christian Laettner. However, I'm choosing to ignore said rumors in order to prevent my head from exploding.

I can see it now. "Allen, we'd like to introduce you to your newest, whitest, stiffest teammate, Christian Laettner. We're also thinking of making Shawn Bradley an assistant coach. What do you think?"

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As Eagles training camp gets underway, T.O. is present and Brian Westbrook is not. no one ever said being an Eagles fan was easy.