TSN: Flyers off-season game plan

[brelic]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=424843

After missing the playoffs for only the second time in 18 seasons Philadelphia Flyers are due to make some changes.

Off-Season Game Plan examines a Flyers team that will have to make some tough decisions in order to get under the cap for next season.

The Flyers are big spenders and some of that is coming home to roost this summer as the Flyers may be looking at a couple of compliance buyouts just to get their salary cap situation into a more manageable position.

According to www.capgeek.com, the Flyers have $69.8-million committed to next year's salary cap for 22 players. Considering the cap is $64.3-million, that's going to require some financial shuffling.

First off, the Flyers are likely to have defenceman Chris Pronger on long-term injured reserve, creating nearly $5-million in extra cap room, but if the Flyers are really looking to free up room under the cap, they have the option of using their compliance buyouts. Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and forward Danny Briere are natural candidates and buying them out would give the Flyers the kind of room under the cap to be as aggressive as they usually are in the offseason.

Even though the Flyers added Steve Mason, they will still need another goaltender if Bryzgalov is bought out.

The Flyers tried to address Pronger's absence last summer when they signed Nashville Predators defenceman Shea Weber to an offer sheet, that the Predators matched. It was a bold attempt by the Flyers but, since it failed, the Flyers are still left looking for, ideally, a number one defenceman. It's that kind of transaction that may require room to move under the salary cap and the impetus for those buyouts.

Thing is, especially for a team that didn't make the playoffs, the Flyers have lots of talent, particularly up front and that's precisely why the Flyers would take an aggressive approach to fix or upgrade their goaltending and defence.

Another thing about the Flyers is that they are never boring, so it will be fascinating to see how they address their needs this summer.

The TSN.ca Rating is an efficiency rating based on per-game statistics including goals and assists -- weighted for strength (ie. power play, even, shorthanded) -- plus-minus, hits, blocked shots, giveaways, takeaways, penalty differential and faceoffs. (Stats are listed in this format: G-A-PTS, +/-, PIM, GP). Generally, a replacement-level player is around a 60, a top six forward and top four defenceman will be 70-plus, stars will be over 80 and MVP candidates could go over 90. Sidney Crosby finished at the top of the 2013 regular season ratings with a 93.65.

Salary cap information all comes from the indispensable www.capgeek.com.

GM/COACH

Paul Holmgren/Peter Laviolette

RETURNING FORWARDS

Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Cap Hit

Jakub Voracek 76.34 48 22 24 46 -7 $4.25M

Claude Giroux 75.66 48 13 35 48 -7 $3.75M

Wayne Simmonds 69.90 45 15 17 32 -7 $3.975M

Matt Read 68.09 42 11 13 24 +1 $900K

Brayden Schenn 65.55 47 8 18 26 -8 $3.11M

Scott Hartnell 62.33 32 8 3 11 -5 $4.75M

Danny Briere 62.05 34 6 10 16 -13 $6.5M

Maxime Talbot 60.87 35 5 5 10 +2 $1.75M

Sean Couturier 59.58 46 4 11 15 -8 $1.375M

Zac Rinaldo 56.14 32 3 2 5 -7 $750K

Jay Rosehill 52.58 11 1 0 1 -4 $675K

FREE AGENT FORWARDS

Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Class '12-'13 Cap Hit

Simon Gagne 63.19 38 5 11 16 -1 UFA $3.5M

Ruslan Fedotenko 59.69 47 4 9 13 +8 UFA $1.75M

Mike Knuble 58.40 28 4 4 8 -4 UFA $750K

Adam Hall 54.96 37 0 4 4 0 UFA $650K

Jody Shelley 50.81 1 0 0 0 0 UFA $1.1M

Flyers Forwards Usage Chart from somekindofninja.com

23-year-old Jakub Voracek broke through in his fifth NHL season, nearly reaching his career-high of 50 points despite playing a shortened 48-game schedule. Though Voracek played a career-high 17:14 per game, that was still relatively low for his level of production. Among 32 players to score at least 0.90 points per game in 2013, only Toronto's Nazem Kadri has less ice time per game than Voracek, which is too bad because Voracek was a beast last season.

Over the last three seasons, Claude Giroux has accrued 216 points, ranking fourth in the league (behind Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis and Henrik Sedin). He wasn't quite as strong in 2013 as he had been the previous two seasons, but Giroux is an elite talent, one that is eligible to sign a big contract extension this summer and the Flyers seemingly have every reason to want to lock up their franchise player.

For a player who gets so physically involved, Wayne Simmonds has stayed remarkably healthy, missing a total of nine games in his first five seasons. Simmonds has thrived with the Flyers, playing a more offensive role, and he's one of four players to have at least 40 goals while racking up at least 150 penalty minutes over the past two seasons. Corey Perry, David Clarkson and Scott Hartnell are the others.

A versatile forward who moves up and down the depth chart while also playing centre or wing, Matt Read ranked second among Philadelphia forwards in ice time, with 18:01 per game. He's older, 26, for a guy with just two NHL seasons under his belt, but Read has proven to be a great signing out of Bemidji State in 2011.

It seems like it's taking quite a while for Brayden Schenn to start producing as befits a top prospect and last season's 26 points in 47 games represented a career best, but he's not yet 22-years-old, so there is certainly time and room for further development.

When considering Schenn's future, it could be noted that Scott Hartnell didn't break through, with a 60-point season, until he was 26. In his first five seasons with the Flyers, Hartnell had missed three games total, then he missed 16 games with a broken foot in 2013 and his production was way down, even though his possession stats were quite strong. One season removed from a career-high 37 goals and 67 points, Hartnell provides a rare combination of scoring and toughness.

Danny Briere will be 36 in October and scored 16 points in 34 games last season, his lowest per-game scoring rate since 1999-2000. With a couple years left on his contract, at a salary lower than his cap hit, Briere is a prime candidate for a compliance buyout.

He's well compensated for his efforts, but Maxime Talbot provides a measure of reliability among the Flyers' bottom six forwards. He took on tough assignments, with zone starts tilted towards the defensive zone and, despite fighting that uphill possession battle, managed to finish as a plus player.

Sean Couturier may not have scored as much as expected in his second season, and his minus-8 rating was a far cry from the plus-18 of his rookie year, but the 20-year-old takes on an incredible amount of responsibility, especially given his age. He's such a sound two-way player that he's always going to provide value, but he showed in junior and in half an AHL season (when he scored 28 points in 31 games) that there is still offensive potential waiting to blossom.

In 98 career games, Zac Rinaldo has 14 points, 20 fights, 318 hits and 317 penalty minutes. He's a wrecking ball that wreaks havoc on the fourth line, but can be overmatched if he's asked to do too much.

Jay Rosehill has six points and 22 fights in 83 career games, but showed enough in 11 games, playing a career-high 6:48, with the Flyers that he landed a two-year contract extension. He struggles with the non-fighting portion of his part-time role.

Free agent wingers Ryane Clowe, Nathan Horton and David Clarkson offer the combination of talent and toughness that the Flyers (among other teams) tend to find appealing.

RETURNING DEFENCE

Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Cap Hit

Kimmo Timonen 75.57 45 5 24 29 +3 $6.0M

Luke Schenn 69.11 47 3 8 11 +3 $3.6M

Nicklas Grossman 64.27 30 1 3 4 -1 $3.5M

Braydon Coburn 61.85 33 1 4 5 -10 $4.5M

Bruno Gervais 60.12 37 1 5 6 -17 $825K

Andrej Meszaros 59.98 11 0 2 2 -9 $4.0M

Marc-Andre Bourdon $613K

FREE AGENT DEFENCE

Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Class '12-'13 Cap Hit

Erik Gustafsson 67.24 27 3 5 8 -1 RFA $900K

Kurtis Foster 64.02 23 1 4 5 0 UFA $950K

Kent Huskins 58.87 19 0 1 1 -3 UFA $750K

Flyers Defence Usage Chart from somekindofninja.com

38-year-old Kimmo Timonen remains the anchor on the Flyers' blueline, for better or worse. Ideally, they would still have Chris Pronger, or their Shea Weber offer sheet would have gone through but, absent one of those top tier blueliners, Timonen is the guy and he's rock solid for 21 minutes a game, night after night.

Acquired from Toronto for James van Riemsdyk, Luke Schenn is going to be hard-pressed to give the Flyers equal value, but he was decent in nearly 22 minutes per game last season. He led all defencemen with 187 hits and had okay possession numbers considering he was often facing quality opposition.

Since he came into the league in 2006-2007, Nicklas Grossman has been a steady enough defensive defenceman, with minimal offensive contribution. His 0.13 points per game (51 in 385 games) ranks fifth-lowest among defencemen to have played at least 300 games. He knows his role, does his job and it's up to coaches to accept his limitations because they are not going to change now.

Braydon Coburn struggled in 2013, quite possibly his worst year since arriving in Philadelphia, yet he played 22:37 per game, the second-highest time on ice of his career. He has good size and skates well, but turned the puck over too often last season. When he's on his game, Coburn makes a terrific breakout pass but, apparently, when he's not, the other team gets more of those passes.

Even in a depth role, Bruno Gervais took his lumps in his first year with the Flyers, his minus-17 rating in 37 games counting among the league's worst, even if his possession numbers were merely subpar. He's played 418 NHL games and has yet to have a plus season.

Shoulder woes limited Andrej Meszaros to just 11 games in 2013, and he was a disaster when he did play, but it can be attributed to injury because, when healthy, the 27-year-old has been a steady top four defenceman throughout his career.

Sidelined by post-concussion problems, Marc-Andre Bourdon still has a year remaining on his contract and he could fill a role on the blueline if healthy, but predicting concussion recovery, particularly after he's missed a full season already, is risky business. Hopefully, the 23-year-old will eventually have a chance to resume his career.

Erik Gustafsson doesn't have ideal size, but he can move the puck and does it well enough to hold down a regular spot. He handled more than 20 minutes per game last season and, given the characteristics of others on the Flyers blueline, his brings something different to the table.

Assuming that Pronger's myriad of injuries don't miraculously heal, then the Flyers are apt to keep looking for a top pair defenceman. An unrestricted free agent like Mark Streit could help, but the Flyers have a tendency to go bolder, whether that's via trade or maybe looking at another restricted free agent blueliner. Alex Pietrangelo, Zach Bogosian, Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Shattenkirk and Slava Voynov are some of the better RFA options that the Flyers could target.

RETURNING GOALTENDER

Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Cap Hit

Steve Mason 72.09 20 7 8 1 2.59 .916 $1.5M

Ilya Bryzgalov 62.13 40 19 17 3 2.79 .900 $5.667M

There are few positions as maligned as that of Philadelphia Flyers Goaltender. Ilya Bryzgalov was supposed to be the answer to those problems but, in two seasons, has a .905 save percentage, which ranks 34th among 38 goaltenders to have played at least 50 games. It's not going to be cheap to buy out Bryzgalov but, with the opportunity to avoid a cap hit with a compliance buyout, it's the best way to get a fresh start at the position.

As noted above, Bryzgalov was 34th in save percentage over the last two seasons. His heir apparent, Steve Mason, was 37th with a .901 save percentage. Mason was stellar (1.90 GAA, .944 SV%) in seven games with the Flyers, after he was acquired from Columbus, but....it was seven games! Before that late surge, Mason had spent the better part of the last four seasons -- ever since winning the Calder Trophy in 2008-2009 -- as one of the worst starting goaltenders in the league.

The Flyers signed Mason to a contract extension, which is fine if they think they can turn around his career, but if they harbour hopes of being competitive next season, they can't just go with Mason and some random backup off the street. If they stick with their big and bold strokes, maybe the Flyers take a run at Buffalo's Ryan Miller via trade or try to lure Tim Thomas out of retirement.

If not, picking a free agent that can compete with Mason and even take over if Mason falters is imperative. Ray Emery, Jose Theodore, Nikolai Khabibulin and Anton Khudubin are a few of the more intriguing options available in free agency.

TOP PROSPECTS

Player Pos. Team/League Stats

Scott Laughton C Oshawa (OHL) 23-33-56, +22, 49 GP

Brandon Manning D Adirondack (AHL) 6-15-21, -28, 65 GP

Shayne Gostisbehere D Union (ECAC) 8-18-26, +19, 36 GP

Anthony Stolarz G London (OHL) 13-3-2, 2.29 GAA, .920 SV%

Tye McGinn LW Adirondack (AHL) 14-12-26, -9, 46 GP

Nick Cousins C Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 27-76-103, +19, 64 GP

Oliver Lauridsen D Adirondack (AHL) 1-5-6, -2, 59 GP

Marcel Noebels C Adirondack (AHL) 13-10-23, even,43 GP

Jason Akeson RW Adirondack (AHL) 20-33-53, -6, 62 GP

Last year's first-round pick, Scott Laughton started the year in Philadelphia and then had a strong season once returned to the Ontario Hockey League. He's a gritty two-way centre who could play a hard enough game to potentially handle fourth-line duty next season.

A battler who has 216 penalty minutes in 111 AHL games, Brandon Manning has played 10 games with the Flyers over the past two seasons and may not be far off from getting a chance at a more permanent spot.

A skilled, and small, blueliner who was born in Florida, Shayne Gostisbehere was a third-round pick last summer and continues to excel for Union College, not exactly a traditional hockey powerhouse. He can use at least one more season in college to keep getting stronger as he prepares to make the jump.

6-foot-6 goalie Anthony Stolarz was a second-round pick in 2012, and ended up leaving the University of Nebraska-Omaha to join the London Knights of the OHL. The Flyers need help in net, but the 19-year-old needs time to develop at his own pace and get into more game action.

Tye McGinn is a rising power forward who played 18 games (five points, even rating) for Philadelphia last season. With a little more speed, he would have a better shot at climbing the depth chart.

A scrappy centre whose point totals increased every year in the OHL, Nick Cousins was a third-round pick in 2011 and is ready to take his game to the next level. Some time in the AHL will help determine how quickly he's ready to challenge for a spot among Philadelphia's deep forward ranks.

The 6-foot-6 Dane out of St. Cloud State, Oliver Lauridsen, played 15 games (three points, even rating) for Philadelphia last season. He has limitations when it comes to puck skills, but has the size to at least work in a depth role.

Forced to start the season in the ECHL, while the likes of Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier were playing centre for Adirondack, Marcel Noebels moved up for the second half of the season and showed some skills. The German-born forward, who played in the Western Hockey League, could use more time to develop.

Undrafted out of Kitchener in the OHL, Jason Akeson just keeps scoring (108 points in 138 AHL games) so the Flyers have been forced to take notice. He may not be more than a good scorer in the minors, but he scored a goal in his only NHL game and might warrant a longer look at some point.

A second-round pick of Columbus in 2010, Petr Straka wasn't signed, but then he ripped through the QMJHL as an overager and landed a contract with the Flyers. He's one of the spring signings -- along with QMJHL defenceman Maxim Lamarche, collegiate playmaker Kyle Flanagan and Swedish wildcard Michael Raffl -- that the Flyers have added to bolster their prospect pool.

DRAFT

11th - Max Domi, Nikita Zadorov, Ryan Pulock

FREE AGENCY

According to www.capgeek.com, the Flyers have approximately $69.8M committed to the 2013-2014 salary cap for 22 players.

Check out my possible Flyers lineup for next season on Cap Geek here.

Needs: One top six forward, one top four defenceman, goaltender.

What I said the Flyers needed last year: One top four defenceman, veteran backup goaltender.

They added: Ruslan Fedotenko, Luke Schenn, Bruno Gervais.

TRADE MARKET

Danny Briere, Andrej Meszaros.

[flyercanuck]

So a replacement level player is ranked around 60. And Briere and Bryzgalov each earned themselves a 62 while being paid a collective caphit of almost $12.2 million. Ya think that money could be spent more wisely???

Laughton could very well be a 4th liner who could add a bit of offence next year. Heres hoping Stolarz just needs to learn how to physically play more games...he was downright horrible against Barrie and in the Memorial Cup. I thought Akesons game might stall in the A but he kept right on scoring. He may end up being a decent signing. Gostibehere needs a growth spurt. At least some weight. Cousins gets my vote for most despised rookie in the AHL next season.

[Bertmega]

TSN provided a great write up. I like what I am reading and it drills down the exact state of the Flyers. What I don't get is the whole CORSI equation, and I am a math guy of sorts, or at least I get paid to be one. It just seems that stats bubbas try justifying everything with a number and in this case their numbers cannot predict an outcome given an uncontrolled environment, but I do digress.

I agree with @flyercanuck that the Nick Cousins may be the Steve Downie + Zac Rinaldo hybrid that this team seems to salivate over. Here's to hoping he can hide the bulls eye that will be on the back of his jersey.

I like what I saw from Gostibehere at the World Jrs, but also agree that he needs a pro-hormone cycle, or the very least some Decca to size up. (this is a joke by-the-way). He may not have the same magic in a more competitive environment, but he is a project that adds some depth none the less.

I am not too sure what Danny B will get the Flyers in return, but a package of him with (Homer's favorite trading chip) a 2nd rounder, and Meszaros may be enough to convince St.Louis to trade us an impending RFA. I get that Briere does not want to leave, but he could get top 6 minutes with the Blues and he'll probably be bought out in Philly. Wait that logic is off, ok wishful thinking.

In net there is a problem. The sample size for Mason is too small and Bryz has to go plain and simple. He may be good (somewhere, like a Beer League), but not in with the Flyers current make-up.

So at the end of the day, there is a lot of depth at the forward position, goaltending is shaky and unresolved, and we need a #1 defender going forward.

Man that last statement in orange could have been said 10 years ago and the result would still be the same.

[albertaflyer]

At this point the Flyers have to buy out Bryz. I can't imagine the Fyers wanting to deal with a full year of dealing with the Bryz buyout drama. It won't be good for the players or management. Because we all know if it's not this year it's next year. Might as well do it sooner than later. It would be different if he was the type of player that just plays and doesn't say much. But that is just not him and it will be become a huge distraction. More than it already is.

[OccamsRazor]

At this point the Flyers have to buy out Bryz. I can't imagine the Fyers wanting to deal with a full year of dealing with the Bryz buyout drama.

I'll second that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :blink:

[murraycraven]

At this point the Flyers have to buy out Bryz. I can't imagine the Fyers wanting to deal with a full year of dealing with the Bryz buyout drama. It won't be good for the players or management. Because we all know if it's not this year it's next year. Might as well do it sooner than later. It would be different if he was the type of player that just plays and doesn't say much. But that is just not him and it will be become a huge distraction. More than it already is.

If the Flyers brass cant figure out if they are going to buy him out (this year or next) they are dumber than a box of rocks. I cant imagine the Flyers going through next season with the Bryz's buyout as the elephant in the room. And as you said Alberta... Bryz is not going to keep his mouth shut and this could be a serious distraction. Moreso than it is now...

[brelic]

If the Flyers brass cant figure out if they are going to buy him out (this year or next) they are dumber than a box of rocks. I cant imagine the Flyers going through next season with the Bryz's buyout as the elephant in the room. And as you said Alberta... Bryz is not going to keep his mouth shut and this could be a serious distraction. Moreso than it is now...

In the absence of a better plan/option, they will keep him through this next season. I'm sure they'll look at all the options out there, and if they can pull off some sort of trade for a goalie, Bryz is gone. But other than that, he'll be here hopefully warming the bench for Mason. And if he's in net instead of Mason, I guess that just means Mason is really as bad as advertised. His rookie year notwithstanding.

[albertaflyer]

For some reason I think the Flyers got a steal with Mason. I look at his age and ability and he isn't even in his prime years for an NHL goalie. With Bryz there is plenty of better options out there at a 1/4 of the price. Right now in my opinion Emery is a way better option as tandem with Mason. Just my two cents. There is just to many holes in Bryz's game right now. And the side act that goes along with it isn't worth it. And the fact that I don't really think he has the support of coach or teamates. The comments out Phoenix after he left says a lot. They weren't to crushed that he left.

[OccamsRazor]

Assuming that Pronger's myriad of injuries don't miraculously heal, then the Flyers are apt to keep looking for a top pair defenceman. An unrestricted free agent like Mark Streit could help

Dustin Leeds on twitter was suggesting that the Flyers could land Runblad cheaply for maybe just Matt Read.

Now at first i'm not keen to this because he is not that top tier Dman were looking for however he is a project for the blueline but none the less a young first round pick that everywhere i looked has him labled as a "puck moving defensman"...which the Flyer sorely need...and for a guy they are about to lose after this season it may be worth the risk...maybe.

He's 6'2" 195 and a RH shot and still only 22...worth looking into without gutting the roster, seen him mentioned before just not real familiar with his game....maybe someone here can shed some light on the subject.

And let's face it they ain't going to have the room to resign Read with all the other signing needed and then you wouldn't have to let him walk for nothing.

Just a thought.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=7651

[doom88]

I wonder how much value Briere has to a team like Nsh? A smaller budget team would like a low actual dollars for a higher cap hit player, and he's immediately their best forward. Maybe send him and Hartnell, if both agree?

[brelic]

Dustin Leeds on twitter was suggesting that the Flyers could land Runblad cheaply for maybe just Matt Read.

Now at first i'm not keen to this because he is not that top tier Dman were looking for however he is a project for the blueline but none the less a young first round pick that everywhere i looked has him labled as a "puck moving defensman"...which the Flyer sorely need...and for a guy they are about to lose after this season it may be worth the risk...maybe.

He's 6'2" 195 and a RH shot and still only 22...worth looking into without gutting the roster, seen him mentioned before just not real familiar with his game....maybe someone here can shed some light on the subject.

And let's face it they ain't going to have the room to resign Read with all the other signing needed and then you wouldn't have to let him walk for nothing.

Just a thought.

http://www.tsn.ca/nh...rs/bio/?id=7651

That's an interesting option, and I don't know much about Rundblad.

But two flags come up right away:

1) He's already been traded twice. From St. Louis for a 1st rounder, which ended up being Tarasenko! And then from Ottawa for Turris. Might we have another Eminger on our hands? At this point, I don't think a "project" is what the Flyers need.

2) He's been up and down and up and down and up and down. Not sure what that's all about (cap space? injuries?). Is that reflective of his play? Strange...

His numbers in the AHL and SEL are pretty solid. And he is only 22. But the Flyers need a guy without question marks.

EDIT: Regarding Read and the salary cap, I think they will be able to find a way to keep Read if they want to. After this season, it's a virtual guarantee that $18M will be freed up from our salary cap - Timonen, Briere, Bryz. I think at least one of those will happen before the season, which gives them the room to round out the roster.

[murraycraven]

In the absence of a better plan/option, they will keep him through this next season. I'm sure they'll look at all the options out there, and if they can pull off some sort of trade for a goalie, Bryz is gone. But other than that, he'll be here hopefully warming the bench for Mason. And if he's in net instead of Mason, I guess that just means Mason is really as bad as advertised. His rookie year notwithstanding.

brel... I agree for the most part but this season could turn into a circus honestly. The media is not going to let the "pending buyout" go and it will turn into a monumental distraction. If you are planning on buying out Bryz next year than you might as well do it now so the situation does not get out of hand. Bryz will not keep his mouth shut and by keeping him around you are basically adding fuel to the fire. This is not the type of situation I want our young Captain to have to handle day in and day out of the season.

[pensuck]

The most amazing thing on that list was how much coburn makes. How does someone so inconsistent make 4.5 mil. That's just crazy.

[brelic]

brel... I agree for the most part but this season could turn into a circus honestly. The media is not going to let the "pending buyout" go and it will turn into a monumental distraction. If you are planning on buying out Bryz next year than you might as well do it now so the situation does not get out of hand. Bryz will not keep his mouth shut and by keeping him around you are basically adding fuel to the fire. This is not the type of situation I want our young Captain to have to handle day in and day out of the season.

Good point. That could very well happen. But, I do have to admit that Bryz did a good job at keeping his yap shut this past season. Of course, that could all change if he's demoted to backup and has to drink tea on the bench.

[murraycraven]

demoted to backup and has to drink tea on the bench.

or decides to take a nap on the bench... or decides to duck out of the way of another puck... or naps in a team meeting...

[DaGreatGazoo]

EDIT: Regarding Read and the salary cap, I think they will be able to find a way to keep Read if they want to. After this season, it's a virtual guarantee that $18M will be freed up from our salary cap - Timonen, Briere, Bryz. I think at least one of those will happen before the season, which gives them the room to round out the roster.

Also, don't forget the Cap is still tied to reveune, so it's very likely that the Cap number will increase after next season, from $64 million. So, it's possible the Flyers will have more than the $18 million in your scenario.

[Phillygrump]

1) He's already been traded twice. From St. Louis for a 1st rounder, which ended up being Tarasenko! And then from Ottawa for Turris. Might we have another Eminger on our hands? At this point, I don't think a "project" is what the Flyers need.

I agree with this caution and would rather try and offer Read and maybe Mezsaros for the rights to Shattenkirk.

Maybe that is not realistic value for Shattenkirk I really don't always know when it comes to hockey but I agree a project is not exactly what this team needs.

If you could trade for Shattenkirk and maybe draft Pulock that could really help out with some offensive production from the D-men down the road.

Also a trade for Shattenkirk could allow you to go BPA in the draft.

[OccamsRazor]

But the Flyers need a guy without question marks.

See that is going to cost you, like i said it's a risk but a low one...like everyone says defenseman take longer and all that...i'm low risk/reward type of thing, and i understand both sides...of argument.

However Yotes need forwards and Flyers need defenseman...and like you mention it could turn it around for him just like Turris in Ottawa...ya neva know...Homer is a gambler.

[Howie58]

or decides to take a nap on the bench... or decides to duck out of the way of another puck... or naps in a team meeting...

For some reason I think the Flyers got a steal with Mason. I look at his age and ability and he isn't even in his prime years for an NHL goalie. With Bryz there is plenty of better options out there at a 1/4 of the price. Right now in my opinion Emery is a way better option as tandem with Mason. Just my two cents. There is just to many holes in Bryz's game right now. And the side act that goes along with it isn't worth it. And the fact that I don't really think he has the support of coach or teamates. The comments out Phoenix after he left says a lot. They weren't to crushed that he left.

This is a great post; thanks for the thread. The comments are intelligent too--it's hard to imagine Bryz around for another year and Mason's comments about fighting for number 1 didn't strike me as something coming from a guy told up front he was a backup.

Trying to size things up, I'd say it portrays a group where the sum of the parts performs as less than a whole. Individually there is talent; collectively things aren't so great.

Buyouts aside, we have to ponder who goes from the forward slot to make for player/cap space. And I really wonder if Mez will ever play again. The same for MAB. We may have more cap space than we think.

Now we have to hope that Homer and Company will put it to good use.

Best,

Howie

[mojo1917]

the way this team's front office works ... nothing will surprise me about this offseason,

we could do nothing different draft another gd centerman, throw a ****pile of money at a washed up d-man (Mark Streit), offer-sheet some team's most prized young player ( Alex Peietrangelo) who knows, it's never dull except for last year and even then who saw the offer sheet for Weber ?

homer is a wily operator.

[brelic]

See that is going to cost you, like i said it's a risk but a low one...like everyone says defenseman take longer and all that...i'm low risk/reward type of thing, and i understand both sides...of argument.

However Yotes need forwards and Flyers need defenseman...and like you mention it could turn it around for him just like Turris in Ottawa...ya neva know...Homer is a gambler.

I'm not against it as a move to bolster our defense. But I wouldn't want that to be our 'big' move to shore up the blueline, know what I mean? I think that would leave me underwhelmed, much like the Meszaros trade a few minutes before free agency opened up.

Of course, I don't really think we need a big move anyway. I say we keep what we have, draft a nice defensive prospect, and keep on keepin' on.

But if we do make a trade, I'd rather use Read et al. to try and get rights to Shattenkirk or maybe even Bogosian (though I'm not sold on him).

[OccamsRazor]

Of course, I don't really think we need a big move anyway. I say we keep what we have, draft a nice defensive prospect, and keep on keepin' on.

I'd be ok too...this team is young with a solid core (even with the bryz cirucus looming)and i don't want to gut it....

..let them grow and marinate!!!!!!

i have time....although Snider might not.

[Mad Dog]

I'm not against it as a move to bolster our defense. But I wouldn't want that to be our 'big' move to shore up the blueline, know what I mean? I think that would leave me underwhelmed, much like the Meszaros trade a few minutes before free agency opened up.

Of course, I don't really think we need a big move anyway. I say we keep what we have, draft a nice defensive prospect, and keep on keepin' on.

But if we do make a trade, I'd rather use Read et al. to try and get rights to Shattenkirk or maybe even Bogosian (though I'm not sold on him).

Hey Bre. I have a somewhat different position on this. I am generally against "big moves" especially in the capped world, and God knows, all these big moves for the most part have been a disaster for the Flyers. But in this particular case, I am of an opinion the Flyers need to shore up the defense in a big way. The defense we all watched last year, frankly, was a joke. I really don't feel like paying the money the Flyers charge for their tickets to see a bunch of AHLers, headed by a 38-year old, bumping at each other and looking like.... well... a bunch of AHLers.

I am not advocating a big makeover of the blueline, and I don't even think that's practical given where teh team is cap-wise. But they do need one very, VERY good defenseman. And they know it thmsleves, otherwise Homer would not have tried to sign Weber a year ago. They need a calming presence to help Gus, Luke Schenn, and others to to keep growing. I am not sure who is even available, but they do need a difference maker on the blue line. THey can't go into the training camp with this defensive corps.

[doom88]

I wouldn't touch the blue line unless they can get Weber somehow. Otherwise, let the guys develop some chemistry before blowing the team up, again.

[OccamsRazor]

I wouldn't touch the blue line unless they can get Weber somehow. Otherwise, let the guys develop some chemistry before blowing the team up, again.

I agree i like the path it looks like they are taking...and hey what if...thats a BIG IF...this blueline was just to get some luck and actually live up to potential...

...it is a pretty damn good blueline..on paper and yes i know the game ain't played on paper i just would like a season were they get togel and no devastating injuries they have a chance for one season to be really good...

Kimmo/Coby---Mezz/Schenn---Gus/GrossmanN

not to shabby...now on to the goaltender....

Edited June 7, 2013 by OccamsRazor