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Meltzer's Musings: Eve of Free Agency |
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Contrary to some reports, the Flyers have apparently finally made contact with the Ville Leino camp this week. A source close to the situation indicated that Paul Holmgren spoke with Leino's agent, Bill Zito, on Tuesday. As of yesterday, the two sides did not appear close to reaching an agreement.
Several times over the last week, Holmgren has indicated to the media that the club hopes to resign the impending unrestricted free agent. However, based on the fact that Holmgren did not make any contact with the Leino side -- either face to face or by telephone -- over the entire draft weekend, the comments appear to have been a stalling tactic more than anything else. The club is weighing other options while, at the same time, was hoping to keeo the Leino camp at bay by paying lip service to making a top priority of signing him by July 1.
As I wrote the other day, I think the ultimate decision is Leino's. He may prefer to stay in Philadelphia with all things being equal, but I also think that he's eager to see if there may be a better fit (read: more power play time and more money) under a different coach.
If no deal is struck today, I expect Leino to sign elsewhere. If he does not return, Erik Cole may be a viable UFA option to provide wing goal scoring on one of the team's top two forward lines. In addition, Jakub Voracek (who should be signed relatively soon) will be counted on to assume Leino's playmaking role, possibly taking his place on Danny Briere's line with Scott Hartnell. There is an outside chance that Simon Gagne could return to Philadelphia, but that would depend on how much of a pay cut he'd take off his now-expired $5 million per season deal.
The Flyers are also said to be weighing offers to third line center options Michal Handzus and John Madden, as well as veteran winger Jamie Langenbrunner.
Having seen Langenbrunner play on an every-game basis Dallas this past season, I don't think there's much left in the tank. He also disappointed with New Jersey last year prior to the trade to the Stars. Madden has apparently changed his mind about retiring and could center the fourth line (with Blair Betts either moving to a wing or being traded).
Handzus is a slow skater who has become even slower with age and injury, but he has missed only one game in the last four years, leading his team's forwards in blocked shots each season. The 6-foot-5 pivot is still a good faceoff man, and has underrated hands around the net. He has scored 20-plus goals in four NHL seasons, most recently in the 2009-10 season. But Handzus is also coming off a $4 million cap hit contract and, while he will have to take a cut wherever he goes, may also still cost a little more than the Flyers would want to spend for a player in his role.
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No, I still don't think the Flyers are tendering an offer sheet to Steven Stamkos. I agree with Al Morganti and others who have said that there is a lack of consensus in the organization about whether to make the effort -- especially since it is unlikely to succeed.
Something else to keep in mind: If the Flyers got Stamkos and capped themselves out, they would leave themselves vulnerable to an offer sheet for James van Riemsdyk next summer. I think common sense will prevail here. Stamkos is already one of the top five players in the NHL but the Flyers really aren't in good shape to land him either via offer sheet or trade.
Also, I will reiterate that the Flyers have a greater need for a long-term succession plan on the blueline than they are in need of bringing in a superstar forward. I think the hockey people in the organization understand this. In a couple years, who knows how healthy and productive Chris Pronger will be? Kimmo Timonen will be at the end of the line in his Flyers career.
In the short term, I think there is a glaring need for a big third line center who can win faceoffs and a need for some more help on the PK. Hopefully, someday Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier become faceoff and PK aces. I don't think this will be the year.
By the way, I strongly doubt that either Timonen or Briere -- for family reasons even more than hockey reasons -- would be receptive to waiving their no-trade clauses even if the Flyers were inclined to ask. It isn't happening, and hasn't been considered.
It would be asinine to try to move out Briere when he's the team's top playoff performer and still has plenty of good hockey left in him. Timonen got worn down this past season, especially when Pronger was lost to foot, hand and back injuries. That showed in the playoffs when the rest of the team was also getting pummeled by Boston. But Timonen is still an integral on-ice and off-ice part of the team.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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