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Meltzer's Musings: Weise and Gordon signed, Flyers Free Agency Outlook

July 1, 2016, 8:15 AM ET [1115 Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
UPDATE 2:30 PM

The Flyers have also signed unrestricted free agent veteran defensive-minded center Boyd Gordon, who spent last season with the Arizona Coyotes, to play the sort of role that Adam Hall used to play. He's excellent on faceoffs, a proven penalty killer and used to starting the large majority of his shifts in the defensive zone.

Those looking at offensive numbers or Corsi are barking up the wrong tree. That's not where his value comes from and is not why he's a veteran 693 NHL games.


UPDATE 12:45 PM

The Flyers have reportedly signed unrestricted free agent forward Dale Weise. It has said but not confirmed that is a four-year deal with a $2.35 million cap hit. If so, it sees unlikely that Ryan White, who plays the same sort of role, will be retained.

Would the reported term and cap hit be an overpayment? Yes, but not an outrageous one. Weise is a versatile role player who slot into a third-line or fourth-line role and can center as well as play right wing (his most likely spot). He's still only 27 and is coming off a good all-around season (14 goals, 27 points) on top of the physical element and size he brings.

In the latter part of the 2015-16 season, White started to get power play time as the netfront player on the second unit. Weise, who had three power play goals last season with Montreal, could also assume those duties on top of the crash-and-bang forechecking role White played at five-on-five.

White's unbeat, bubbly personality will be missed around the team if all of the above plays out but Weise is probably a better -- better skating for sure -- version of the same type of player.


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Free agency season opens today. Caveat emptor: This is the time of year where, after NHL teams work hard to clear existing albatross contracts off the salary cap, they compete to sign players to brand new albatross contracts that they'll be trying to get rid of in the future.

I'm joking, of course. Some free agent signings are worth every cent. For example, where would the Flyers have been without Danny Briere's playoff heroics especially in the 2010 run to the Final and in the upset of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2012 but also in 2008 and the 2011 seven-game series against Buffalo? Add that to his two 30-goal seasons and all that he came to represent over the years within the dressing room and for the team's presence within the community.

Even with the salary cap-forced compliance buyout of Briere in 2013, his was a free agent signing the Flyers never regretted.

Nevertheless, the truth of the matter leaguewide is that sticker prices at the start of unrestricted free agency -- both in salaries and contract terms -- are inevitably inflated. Annually, there are some bargains to be had, where useful players can be signed at modest prices. That, however, requires being patient and letting the seller's market switch to a buyer's market in a week or so.

Flyers general manager Ron Hextall did not deny that the team is looking through various means, whether it be via free agency or mutually viable trade possibilities, to seek upgrades. The team still wants to add some size at wing and more scoring certainly could not hurt.

In the scoring department, no matter what the Flyers do in the days and weeks to come, they are going to need more those already within the roster.

Keep in mind that Jakub Voracek -- who can safely be called a proven 20-plus goal scorer -- is likely to bounce back to his accustomed form after a difficult 2015-16 season. Only Wayne Simmonds (32 goals, 60 points) had a "career-year" type of season offensively among the Philadelphia forwards. Restricted free agent Brayden Schenn set new career offense highs (26 goals, 59 points) but these are matchable or even exceedable totals as he starts to hit what should be the prime of his career. Claude Giroux (22 goals, 67 points) can (and must, for the Flyers to take the next step) do better offensively than last season.

A little bit more offensive output here and there up front and the continued strong offensive play from defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere entering his second NHL season would add up to a big difference on the whole. The Flyers' power play, which annually had ranked right near the top of the NHL, was quite spotty last season. That needs to bounce back a bit in 2016-17.

As for the likes of Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny, two players whom the Flyers believe will make NHL impacts in the future, the organization is NOT planning as if roster spots need to be "held" for either or both on opening night. They are both going to have to have standout training camps to convince general manager Ron Hextall -- who is also not a big fan of the "nine-game trial" method -- they are ready now for the NHL. Being "too good for the CHL" (which is hard to deny at this point, especially for Provorov) is not necessarily the same thing as NHL-ready.

For those fans banking on Provorov as a "shoo-in" for the NHL this season and Konecny as a "likely" NHL roster player this season, consider yourself forewarned: it's not a guarantee in any way, shape or form. If there is any doubt, the Flyers are going to err on the side of caution and send them back to their junior teams. It won't be popular if that happens, but it should not be surprising if one is paying attention.

Get ready for some fierce debates on both sides.

Hextall is not bluffing when he says they're going to have earn their NHL spot. By "earn it," he basically means by playing to standard similar to what Gostisbehere did in the weeks following his NHL recall last season. Anything less, including "not looking out of place" in preseason games is not going to be enough.

The players will have to outright make reassignment unjustifiable in Hextall's mind, and the fans' or the media's opinions are not to be factored. Head coach Dave Hakstol's opinion will be factored, along with those of assistant coaches. Hextall is also well aware that the NHL is trending younger and younger, and that will also be considered, but he's not going to make his decision based on what other teams are doing. It's going to be his final call based on his own observations and beliefs.

There will absolutely be training camp articles, columns, blogs and preseason preview shows that jump to conclusions, and people will go nuts as soon as one has a preseason highlight -- such as Konecny's nifty goal in the preseason opener last year.

This year, both players figure to be kept around in camp rather than being among the early cuts. I think even the GM would concede that is likely. Do not be surprised if Hexy's ultimate decision is to return one or both to their CHL clubs even if they have "pretty good" camps. Hate it or support it. Be patient or feel frustrated. Just don't be surprised. The bar for them to make the opening roster is going to be set quite high. It's not a foregone conclusion they can't make it yet, but rather a challenge to be met. Plain and simple, they are going to have to skate circles around vets who are mostly focused on getting their game legs and timing ready for the season.

How this pertains to July 1: There is every indication, both from Hextall's public statements and from conversations with several people in the organization, that the GM is proceeding this offseason the same way as before: sticking to the patience-minded development plans for all prospects (including Provorov and Konecny) and supplementing the current NHL roster based solely on the current roster and not penciling in the kids to fill the needs.

As for trade rumors involving Flyers' prospects -- not Provorov or Konency, but rather the likes of Sam Morin or Travis Sanheim -- the GM has flat out said time and again that the only way he'd trade prospects or young NHLers is if the Flyers are getting back young players whom he feels will significantly help both now and in the future. That's probably not happening, and trading high-end future draft picks or prospects as "incentives" for other teams to take undesirable contracts in order to increase Philly's cap flexibility is definitely not happening.

I am not saying Hextall's philosophy is wrong. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just stating the reality as I understand it.

In the meantime, the Flyers and the Brayden Schenn camp will try to come to terms on a new multi-year contract that is agreeable to both sides. That usually means there's some compromise involved, but compromise here may be tough because Schenn will no doubt either want something long-term that pre-empts unrestricted free agency in two seasons (meaning a significantly higher salary) or, if the cap hit is lower, would carry him directly into unrestricted free agency. The Flyers' other RFA negotiations do not figure to be particularly difficult ones.

Philly would also like to get unrestricted free agent Ryan White re-signed. If not, there are similar players on the UFA market.

Today's blog will be updated if and when Flyers-related news happens.


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2016 FLYERS ALUMNI GOLF INVITATIONAL

 photo Alumni Golf 2_1.jpg

The 2016 Flyers Alumni Golf Invitational will be held on July 18 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. The event will raise money for the Flyers Alumni Association, Flyers Charities and BLOCS.

The Golf Invitational will offer a round of golf, lunch, cocktail reception and dinner program.

Subject to changes and additions, the following Flyers Alumni -- widely representing every decade of team history -- will be attending: Ray Allison, Bill Barber, Frank Bathe, Craig Berube, Brian Boucher, Jesse Boulerice, Danny Briere, Terry Carkner, Lindsay Carson, Jeff Chychrun, Bob Clarke, Bill Clement, Steve Coates, Riley Cote, Doug Crossman, Barry Dean, Eric Desjardins, Andre "Moose" Dupont, Doug Favell, Todd Fedoruk, Ross Fitzpatrick, Mark Freer, Larry Goodenough, TJ Gorence, Paul Holmgren, Ed Hospodar, Mark Howe, Kerry Huffman, Bob "the Hound" Kelly, Tim Kerr, Orest Kindrachuk, Mike Knuble, Ian Laperriere, Mitch Lamoureaux, Neil Little, Brad Marsh, Phil Myre, Bernie Parent, Dave Poulin, Brian Propp, Chris Pronger, Luke Richardson, Don Saleski, Dave "the Hammer" Schultz (attending but not golfing), Ilkka Sinisalo, Derrick Smith, and Joe Watson.

For more information, click here.
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