Is Brian Leetch headed to Broad Street? It certainly looks possible. The Flyers got caught in a cap conundrum with their now retired captain, Keith Primeau leaving them on the hook for his significant 2006-07 salary up until the very beginning of the season, while proven puck-moving defenseman Kim Johnsson left Philadelphia via unrestricted free agency en route to a big-time payday in Minnesota. And in today’s NHL, you can’t lose a 50-point defenseman without feeling it.

Critics of Clarke could say the Flyers’ GM never gives up on a target and Brian Leetch has been on Clarke’s radar screen many times before in years past. At 38, Leetch is no spring chicken but at the same time on a terrible Boston team last year, Leetch popped off a 40 point season. Forgetting age, there just aren’t that many defensemen that can produce at that level.

But production isn’t the only reason to have Leetch wearing orange and black. The Flyers have a leadership void on the blue line. The retirement of Eric Desjardin means that Ken Hitchcock is leaning on the likes of young players like Freddy Meyer, who might not be ready for that responsibility. Nolan Baumgartner is already in the doghouse and Euro-import, Lars Jonsson, has to be practically as good as Kim Johnsson to live up to his hype or at least fill his skates. Signing Leetch gives the Flyers a savvy, puck-moving defenseman who can swiftly run the power-play with or without Joni Pitkanen on the ice. Certainly, Leetch can help season Pitkanen who shows signs of being a true NHL star, but he can also knock some of the other players on the Flyers down a peg allowing for better defensive depth and likely a deeper playoff run. In the world of “what ifs,” imagine how the Flyers would have fared in their seven game series with Tampa a few years back if Desjardin, Ragnarsson and Johnsson were healthy?

In the end, this move will come down to money. Leetch is too young to retire and the Flyers have the cap room to afford him. With Mike Rathje somewhat of a disappointment and seemingly hurt for an extended period of time, the Flyers likely have both the means and the need for a player of Leetch’s caliber. In comparison, the Rangers don’t need or have the pressing urge to spend the money with players like Sandis Ozolinsh on the verge of returning to the lineup. The idea of Clarke trying to trade to get somebody at Leetch’s level will cost a young player and or a pick. It is just too early for such a move, but the team needs the help now if they want to make it to the playoffs again.

In the event Leetch makes it to Broad Street, he will be playing on a team that is quietly rebuilding their squad to be young, skilled and fast, yet have a host of big ticket players. Skating with the likes of Pitkanen, Gagne and Forsberg will only help Leetch pad his stats as he lines his wallet late in his career. It’s a win-win situation.