AJgoal

But they only gain $125,000 in cap space over demoting him, versus a $600,000 penalty next year. If Fletcher needs $125,000 cap space more than he has today to do something tomorrow, he's doing it wrong.

Just saw this. ...Why?

Until he struggles and they bring in a psycho to stabilize the position and Hart demands a trade, and gets traded to Columbus for a 3rd....

My only question about Elliott is whether the damage Hakstol did to him is fully healed, or if it's going to be something that lingers. If it's not a lingering issue, than he was likely the best FA option out there that wasn't a guy looking to be a starter. If he gets 30-35 games (that's the number of back to backs this season, right?), he should be fine. It's not an exciting signing, but I much prefer not getting excited over the backup goalie. Otherwise we're doing it wrong.

Goulbourne is a UFA. Good chance the Flyers don't sign him.

Is not worth Ghost, and Toronto no longer has a 1st.

There's really no sense to trading Ghost. The team is clearly going for it. And you won't get the value back from him that makes sense. What do you have open? 3RW. Who are you going to bring in to fill that slot, that provides as much on-ice value as Ghost? Nylander is too expensive. Even so, Ghost has been equally as productive from the back end. Nylander won't get his usual point totals on the 2nd PP unit. So you're downgrading the team there. A Ghost trade ONLY made sense before the Hayes move. Trade Ghost for a young 2C - Aho, Karlsson... Then it makes sense because the value is similar and you have the cap space to play with. Now, there's none of that. Of course, the fact that it doesn't make sense, given what we've seen so far, probably mean it's going to happen.

But Ghost is 6th.

Guy said he was going away off grid for a while. There's nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think it's healthy. Timing was weird, but he probably figured he wouldn't get an offer sheet, so what did it matter if he was talking contract with Fletcher this week or not?

I'm talking about ANY GM. And I've been harping on the rest since Niskanen.

It's also an RFA deal vs. a UFA deal. They're really not comparable. Doesn't make the Hayes deal a good one, but this deal isn't a reason why. I do see a lot of good things for Konecny's deal, though (Karlsson, Kapanen, Johnsson...)

CDP is even more of a simmering bag of anger than I am. He's awesome.

They've "agreed to terms," but word was they were waiting to figure out Marner to actually sign anything. To which I say, "Hey NHL GMs, you know how much the Leafs are willing to pay, and it's under the 2nd round pick threshold." But it's too much of a good old boys club to do something that benefits your team like that.

I'm holding out hope that they find a way to trade Hayes before July 1 when that kicks in.

I'm not usually a ranter. But here we go. I know some people are happy that the team will be better this season. And I won't argue that the team will be better. Even if Patrick was to break out this season, Hayes is an upgrade at 3C over Laughton. And if Patrick doesn't, he's an upgrade at 2C over Patrick. While I will argue the idea that Niskanen is a clear upgrade on Gudas, he is a clear upgrade on McDonald. And Gudas/Braun are probably a wash. But here's the thing: This team isn't winning a Cup on the backs of Kevin Hayes and Matt Niskanen. They always were, and still are, going to win a Cup (if they do) on the backs of their homegrown guys. This group has no shot now, much as it didn't before, if Patrick, Konecny, Provorov, Sanheim, Myers, Ghost, and Lindblom don't step up and play to their potential over the next couple of years, and if Frost and Farrabee don't come in and play big parts. If they don't, it won't matter if they have Kevin Hayes on the team, and if they do, it probably wouldn't matter if they didn't have Kevin Hayes on the team. And if it did matter, that's when they could have gone out and gotten a Kevin Hayes. Hell, they could have traded for JT Miller this offseason and it would have been a better team-building move. He's not as good as Hayes, but his cap hit and term are a much better fit. And they certainly could have provided the same value to Tampa that Vancouver did. Hayes just makes it more difficult to add a true impact guy when you can use one the most. Now we get a bridge deal for Sanheim, and a trade of Hartman. Sanheim is the kind of player you bet long term on. His numbers suggest, much as Couturier's did, that he will break out in the next couple of seasons. Much like what you get with Ghost's and Couturier's contracts, a long-term deal with Sanheim in the 4.5-5 range is better for your planning and team building than setting him up to get paid in just two years (when Hart is also up). Part of this was likely done to keep his cap hit down. Which wouldn't have been necessary had Fletcher not chewed through the team's cap space last week. It's also telling that Fletcher said that Sanheim's camp and he were on the same page with regards to the contract - that says he was never really thinking of going long term with him at all. And that's troubling. Hartman didn't do well last year, but he's better than Pitlick, and has upside that Pitlick doesn't have. You also had three years of control on Hartman versus a rental in Pitlick. But, it's likely you're saving money on a contract, although you could take him to arb and probably get a decent 1 year deal if you really wanted to. Again, this likely wouldn't have been necessary had you just held off on one of those moves last week. Let's not also forget the negative value that he got in that trade - he was treated exactly as he should have treated Washington and San Jose. Want cap relief? Well, I need a discount. And now you really have a hole at 3RW. Where before, worst case you could have slotted in Hartman, now you almost have to go get someone, as Pitlick is assuredly not a capable 3rd liner. NAK can get a shot, but there's no fallback now if he fails. Look at the names out there. Aho. Marner. Subban... Might not it have been better for Fletcher to see how everything developed before going all in on what was available at the time? No, the team is not worse today than is was two weeks ago. But it's not leaps and bounds better, either. For all the spending, both of money and of assets, that's what I would have expected. Instead, we have a team that on paper, should be able to compete for a playoff spot. Are we really so beaten down that that makes us happy?

Ugh. Definitely don't like the term here. But hey, it helps with the cap issues Fletcher has created, so...

As I noted above, I'd take a draft pick for Hagg to clear his cap space. And I assure you, the Penguins NEED Hagg. They need someone to replace Maata's on ice value.

I'd prefer to play Hagg six times a season. Send him to Pittsburgh.

The Flyers are in a tough cap position though, 22 million with 8 roster spots unclaimed. They can somewhat bridge themselves out of it with Provorov, Sanheim, and Konecny, but they set themselves up for a problem down the line that way. And then the same issues next year. So they really can't do anything that brings significant salary back (like Shaw) without sending something significant the other way. It's one reason why a Ghost deal makes little sense now. The kind of pieces you trade Ghost for are generally not going to fit into the Flyers' cap picture. And those that do, aren't likely to be moved by their respective clubs. Trading Ghost for futures doesn't make sense given the apparent direction the team wants to go. Moving Hagg for a draft pick gets you some cap space, but that's honestly enough at the moment.

It's not that bad for them. 13 forwards under contract, six defensemen, and one goalie. Clarkson goes on LTIR and that gives them 5.25 million in relief. Really, all they need is a cheap defenseman and to get Subban under contract. They'll have to make a move, but nothing crazy.

Not true. Since you can't sign him to an offer sheet until after the draft, the pick needed is next year's. What they can't do is go up into the 1+3 territory.

Honestly, I'd be pretty ok if they didn't get another winger and left one spot open for Frost, Farabee, Ratcliffe, NAK, Rubtsov, etc. to fight over. Of course, I'm weird, and I might mix the lines up some so I have a top line, middle six that gets the same amount of even strength ice time (Something AV has alluded to doing), and then a 4th line. Giroux - Couturier - Frost/Ratcliffe/Farabee/etc. - Honestly, unless it's me playing on that wing, that guy is going to get his. Giroux shifts to RW if a LW makes it out of camp. The biggest issue is that takes away his one timer. JVR - Hayes - Konecny - Two big boys and the jerk. They can create space for TK. Lindblom - Patrick - Voracek - This line looked pretty good for the brief period it was together last year. Raffl - Laughton - Hartman/NAK - Would be one of the top 4th lines in the league. The safe bet of course if Konecny on Couturier's right and Lindblom flipping to the RW if they use one of the youngsters. I'd still prefer that they spread the talent out though, and not go JVR - Hayes - Voracek. Go JVR - Hayes - Lindblom. Use Voracek to help prop up Patrick's confidence and create matchup problems for opponents.

Cam York Scouting Report Defence — shoots Left Born May 1st, 2001 — Anaheim Hills, California Height 5’11” — Weight 174 lbs [180 cm / 79 kg] Skating York is a very good skater. He has good but not great speed and acceleration in both directions. However, it is his outstanding edgework, agility, and pivots that really set him apart. York’s footwork allows him to maintain good gap control in the defensive end. It also allows him to make quick movements in the offensive zone, helping him get open to receive a pass when he does not have the puck or to create a shooting or passing lane with it. It is this strong skating ability that gives York the ability to play a strong two-way game. He is also strong on his skates. York has good balance, helping him to battle in front of the net and on the boards. Offensive Game York’s biggest asset is his hockey sense. He usually makes smart decisions both with and without the puck. York joins the rush and pinches at the right times. He also makes the right breakout pass and can skate the puck out of danger when necessary. This allows him to create offence while still maintaining his defensive responsibilities. York has excellent vision and the passing skills to quarterback the power play. He can put the puck through tight spaces and can set up teammates on both his forehand and backhand. He sees and anticipates the movements his teammates will make. York also has a hard shot but needs to get better at getting it through shooting lanes and on the net. While his skating gives him the ability to create those shooting lanes, he sometimes rushes to get a shot off and does not always take advantage of his abilities. Being a little more patient would help him here. York likes to sneak down from the point and use his wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circles. Defensive Game York’s strong skating ability allows him to maintain gap control, and to keep opponents to the outside, playing a strong defensive game. His quick stick poke checks opponents and creates turnovers. He also reads the play well and his positioning is strong. His ability to move the puck up the ice quickly helps to clear the zone and minimize the opponent’s zone time. York could stand to play a bit more physical though. Projection and Comparison York’s game is reminiscent of Keith Yandle, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill or ability. He could develop into a top pairing defender with the ability to move the puck up the ice, create offence from the back end, and quarterback the power play. Some time in the NCAA to bulk up as well as to continue to work on using his skating to create shooting lanes would help him going forward. He’s likely two to three years away from being NHL ready.