Wondering why the Flyers did this and paid slightly more money now than later?
Because Nashville GM David Poile had at least one other team who wanted Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell. Holmgren had 72 hours to make the deal, I am told by someone involved in it.
Otherwise, they were gone. So he paid a little more.
Asked about competition had he waited till July 1, Holmgren said during his conference call tonight:
"You can only speculate. As I stated earlier, both are very good players. It is fair to say that there would be tremendous interest in both of these players."
Contracts have not been filed yet with the league but the numbers we gave you on Hockeybuzz.com are correct.
For the audio of that, click onto this link:
"http://flyers.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=319760&page=NewsPage&service=page
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Suddenly, the next move for the Flyers is to lose salary.
With today's trade/signings of Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell, the Flyers have commitments for $40.7 million next season.
If the salary cap is $49 million, that's not a lot of bucks left to sign a No. 1 center and have some relief money in hand.
I just got off the phone with Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren who admitted the same thought has crossed his mind. I think he will try to lose about $2 million between the draft and August.
It won't prevent them for signing a big-name center - if they can get one _ but it will make them sweat a bit.
One defenseman has to go. Will it be Denis Gauthier ($2.16 million cap hit)? Will it be Derian Hatcher ($3.5 million cap hit)? Maybe even a forward or two.
Taking Joni Pitkanen to salary arbitration only gains the Flyers about $500,000 - if they win.
Look for a trade of players to someone for draft picks. Any top center in free agency is going to get between $6 and $7 million. Which is why the Flyers now have to lose dollars.
"You never know,” Holmgren told me. “There are other options. We’re looking at a whole lot of things.”
And obviously, no Group II offer sheet to Thomas Vanek.
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Major news before the draft ... Looks like Nashville it can't re-sign Kimmo Timonen while dumping a future salary to Scott Hartnell.
Timonen gets 6-year deal woth $6.3 million against the cap; Hartnell same years but $4.2 vs. the cap.
I'm guessing losing Hartnell's future salary plays into the larger picture of moving the club and paring payroll, as well.
Flyers strike early in free agency by determing the market themselves rather than have others do it for them.
Great move by GM Paul Holmgren.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
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