|
Meltzer's Musings: Battle for 7th D |
|
|
|
|
|
One of the most interesting battles in training camp is the battle for the seventh defense spot between Matt Walker and Oskars Bartulis. I have stated my opinion of the situation numerous times on the message board, and will reiterate it here.
In the pre-cap NHL, Walker would have been an ideal number seven defenseman: a veteran depth guy who brings toughness and a strong work ethic. In the pre-cap world, his $1.7 million per season contract would have been tolerable for a big-budget club like the Flyers.
But this is the salary cap age. Teams don't have the luxury of evaluating the roster based on what they'd ideally like to have in place. The Flyers already have a huge chunk of their salary cap devoted to the defense, and while they'd like a veteran insurance policy in case of injury, Walker simply makes too much money to be a part-time player.
Conversely, Oskars Bartulis is exactly the type of player who makes an ideal seventh defenseman in the cap age -- young, inexpensive, and at least has several years of pro experience under his belt. Paul Holmgren has confirmed to me that Bartulis (who is slated to make just $600,000 this season) is NOT waiver exempt and would have to pass through waivers in order to be sent down to Adirondack.
Even if the Flyers waive Walker this season, he is someone with a shot at passing through re-entry waivers (at an $850,000 price tag) if the club were to need him later in the season. To me, it just makes more sense cap wise to carry Bartulis than Walker, unless there's an injury in the starting six before the start of the season.
However, from everyone I've spoken to around the Flyers, the club did not pick up the player in the Simon Gagne deal with the intention of waiving him for cap space. The likely signing of Bill Guerin may change the team's thinking.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»