Braydon Coburn looks at it with a begrudging smile and sighs: A new chapter of his life is about to begin.
The Flyers traded the 30-year-old defenseman to Tampa Bay in the middle of the night for a pair of draft picks and defenseman Radko Gudas before Monday’s NHL trade deadline expired (see story).
“Tampa has been near the top of the East all year,” Coburn said. “They have a lot of great pieces, they got great goaltending. They have really significant skilled forwards. I think their defense is good, too.
“They’ve got a lot of skill there. I’m excited to join that group.”
He will be reunited with ex-Flyer Matt Carle, who is currently inactive following abdominal surgery but expected back soon.
“Any time when you go into a dressing room and know some other players, it’s going to help,” Coburn said. “Me and Matty were really close when we were on the Flyers.”
Coburn was also close with Timonen, his on-ice partner for parts of seven seasons. The two exchanged text messages Monday, wishing each other luck. Timonen was traded Friday night to Chicago.
NHL
Texting is how Coburn learned of his trade.
Flyers general manager Ron Hextall called him hours before the trade and he didn’t get the call because he was asleep and had his phone off.
When his wife, Nadine, awoke at 6:30 a.m., they saw messages informing him what had happened overnight.
“I didn’t get the call, kinda glad I didn’t — I wouldn’t have gotten much sleep,” Coburn said. “She told me, ‘Time to wake up.’ Not too many trades happen like that at night. It was a little bit of a shock to wake up to that news.”
Coburn treasured his time here as a Flyer.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have worn a Flyers jersey,” he said. “And play for this team and an owner like Ed Snider. Mr. Snider has been nothing but gracious to me. I think all the guys feel like that.
“This has been a dream come true for me to play for the Philadelphia Flyers and have been part of this. With all the great guys who have come through here, time has flown. It’s kinda crazy.”
Funny this is, he came to the Flyers via trade the day of the 2007 Flyers Wives Carnival and leaves the day after this year’s Carnival.
“Flash-forward eight years, two kids, one wife, and a whole lot of games in between, and it’s already over,” he said. “But there’s a new chapter for me going to Tampa Bay, and I’m looking forward to that.
“I was lucky to play with so many great teammates here in eight seasons with the Flyers. The times we had in the dressing room, out for dinners, and just the battles on the ice.”
Some memories stand out.
“I think when we made the playoffs in the last game of the season in the shootout (2009-10) with Boosh (Brian Boucher) shutting the door, that was unbelievable.
“Playing in the Stanley Cup Final in Philadelphia, that was an unbelievable feeling, as well.”
For time being, his family will remain here.
“It’s tough to leave Philly,” he said. “This is my home and I really love it here. Both my kids were born in Philadelphia and I’m really proud of that.
“Lots of friends. I feel like the Flyers have been family to me most of my 20s. There’s a lot of good people here.
“I understand it’s a business and I am going to a great organization in Tampa and have heard nothing but good things. I’m going to try and help them any way I can.”
Coburn spoke to Bolts general manager Steve Yzerman on Monday.
“[He] said they felt they needed a guy like me on their defense and I could definitely help them out and he was excited to have me,” Coburn said. “Little details and stuff like that. It was a good conversation and I’m excited to get down there.”
He also spoke to Lightning coach Jon Cooper. Coburn will join the Lightning later Monday evening.