NHL free agency began yesterday and it didn’t take long for Mike Knuble to land with the Washington Capitals. The Caps inked Knuble for 2 years at $6.5 million. If Knuble is anywhere as good as Flyers fans thought, this move makes Washington even scarier.

The Flyers did pick up gritty forward, Ian Laperriere, from Colorado and brought back goalie, Brian Boucher, to back-up Ray Emery. For all the whining and bitching this town did about Martin Biron’s inability to take this team to the Cup, I sure hope everyone’s happy with his replacements: the ketchup and mustard bottles from the bottom shelf of the fridge.

Aside for Holmgren’s Hobos in net, I don’t have a problem with the Flyers’ off-season moves. Obviously, Chris Pronger is a blue line presence who can eat-up minutes and crush opposing centers. Laperriere should add some toughness up front and the loss of Lupol and Knuble really does little to slow a potent offensive lineup. The only problem I see isn’t of the Flyers making; it’s the existence of a growing Pittsburgh dynasty and two uber-talented teams (Washington and Boston) that make the Flyers’ task (regardless of off-season acquisitions) a daunting one.