Holmgren did not answer the Flyers' question marks in goal, the biggest item on his offseason checklist, though he at least inquired with Boston about former Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas and double-checked that the Los Angeles Kings weren't parting ways with either of their two young, up-and-coming netminders.
Holmgren did, however, leave with options. And proof that sometimes he isn't going to get everything right - which comes with the territory.
"The one thing I'm a little disappointed in is the Hamhuis thing," Holmgren said after the draft wrapped up and the Flyers went home with six prospects. "We took our shot at him. It didn't look like it was going to work out, so we moved his rights. I don't think it had anything to do with our cap situation. But [he] may come around again on July 1. Who knows? He might be a free agent on July 1 like he is scheduled to be."
After the draft concluded, Holmgren received permission to try and negotiate a new contract with San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. While Nabokov has been prone to poor play in the playoffs, he does have four-straight 40-win seasons and a career 2.36 goals-against-average in nine seasons in Silicon Valley.
Holmgren would not comment on Nabokov and still has not confirmed that the two sides are talking. A league source told the Daily News that Holmgren exited the draft floor during Friday night's slow and uneventful first round to get some face time with Nabokov's agent, Don Meehan.
"We will continue to look at all positions," Holmgren said. "Evgeni Nabokov is a good goalie. If he is a free agent, we . . . I can't even say that I don't think."
