Interesting. What is your source? I would have thought $27 millon out of pocket this year (and almost 70 million in 5 years) to one player would cause a much larger debt service alone this year. The size of this debt on the teams' books, when it is only worht 160 million or so is also an issue. From what we do know about the fiscal peformance of this team and the public money that it receives, and the fact that it is banking on increasing its revenue sharing (as stated publicly) this year, I think it is surprising that a team in that kind of fiscal condition would make this deal. But, that is why I do not own a professional sports team.
- Patrickj

We don't really know, but as MJL said you have to be careful trying to read something into another teams financial statements. Purely a guess on my part, but it is very possible that the Flyer offer sheet allowed one of the deep pocketed Nashville owners to guarantee the funds. Good chance the extra monies get worked into the capital structure of the team and the ownership ratio gets rejigged in favor of the guy with the deep pockets. My guess is it required nothing more than getting the team operating capital account extended. It really is small potatoes. For that reason, some of us thought that those who were over talking the Nashville financial vulnerability were creating a false hope in being able to get a deal done.

What MJL has said and, I think, entirely correct. Does Weber fit Nashville needs on a long term budgetary basis? I thought for sure a deal would have been done today and either Schenn or Couturier would have got it done.

I think Weber was the only player who would get you to think about Schenn or Couturier. Obviously, I don't think Holmgren would include either of those kids in a deal for Ryan.

also lets see what LSchenn can do in a Flyers uniform. I heard a lot of bellyaching about getting Mezaros a couple years ago and he worked out just fine here. We're more than capable of making the playoffs. So we might not win the cup this year, oh well the players need to develop and grow as a cohesive unit. A cohesive unit trumps a roster full of names anyday.
- JoeRussomanno

agreed and I think Schenn is going to be awesome -- I'd put him with Timonen. I'm just worried about the third pair.

i have a feeling we will have a new flyer by the end of the day

i have a feeling we will have a new flyer by the end of the day
- griouxmvp2012

what makes you say that, gri?

agreed and I think Schenn is going to be awesome -- I'd put him with Timonen. I'm just worried about the third pair.
- flyersfan51

we always worry about the third pair and playoffs we appear.

what makes you say that, gri?
- aightwebang17

just a gut feeling i could be wrong i dont know

There seems to a lot of the tension on the board today. This is natural. We lost the opportunity to secure the best D-man for 14 years. With Giroux and Weber, a cup was almost guaranteed.

With so much tragedy in the world, this is a minor annoyance. In a hockey sense, the Flyers will move forward with their youth intact. More moves will be pondered, as reported by the Great One. This is obvious to most. Homer, as reported, has been, is, and will continue to be aggressive.

We have a great young team. As we all know, Schenn and Coots are budding superstars. G is already there. Our D may lack an elite player, but they are tough and physical. They won't be fun to play against, that is for sure.

At this point, we should all take a deep breathe and share in each other's wisdom. We are one HB family, and we are all headed in the right direction.

-Gent from NJ

Flyers GM Paul Holmgren spoke to the media via a conference call on Wednesday morning. Below is the transcript from the call.

Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren:

Q: Because of the way the offer sheet to Shea Weber was front-loaded, did you expect Nashville to match it?

"No, it was structured where we were hopeful that they wouldn't match it. But, obviously they did and as I said yesterday we wish Shea and the Predators all the best. We tried to add, in our minds, one of the best defenseman in the game to a good, young, up-and-coming team, and it didn't work."

*I have to agree Homer, I didnt think they would match either. Now back to being a shark in water...

I think Giroux needs a top flight winger.......and I know nobody wants Semin, so Ryan is the next best.

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Matt Read ($0.900m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Alexander Semin ($7.500m)
Scott Hartnell ($4.200m) / Danny Briere ($6.500m) / Bobby Ryan ($5.100m)
Jakub Voracek ($3.500m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($1.750m)
Ruslan Fedotenko ($1.750m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Tom Sestito ($0.605m)
Eric Wellwood ($0.580m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen ($6.333m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Braydon Coburn ($4.500m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Cam Fowler ($1.400m) / Luca Sbisa ($2.175m)
Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) /
GOALTENDERS
Ilya Bryzgalov ($5.667m)
Michael Leighton ($0.900m)
BUYOUTS
Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $70,200,000; CAP PAYROLL: $69,995,000; BONUSES: $2,755,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $205,000
- flyersfan51

And who are you trading for who?

Flyers GM Paul Holmgren spoke to the media via a conference call on Wednesday morning. Below is the transcript from the call.

Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren:

Q: Because of the way the offer sheet to Shea Weber was front-loaded, did you expect Nashville to match it?

"No, it was structured where we were hopeful that they wouldn't match it. But, obviously they did and as I said yesterday we wish Shea and the Predators all the best. We tried to add, in our minds, one of the best defenseman in the game to a good, young, up-and-coming team, and it didn't work."

*I have to agree Homer, I didnt think they would match either. Now back to being a shark in water...
- stveshdy

I'm a firm believer that they thought so because that contract will hurt that franchise.

I'm a firm believer that they thought so because that contract will hurt that franchise.
- JoeRussomanno

and as i read this i can hear a guy playing the banjo....

they have 5 20 goal scorers returning and like two players that could hit that mark this year. They have enough scoring. Timonen is aging but if you decrease his minutes he'll be fine.
- JoeRussomanno

I've made this point numerous times. Look back at last year and see how many teams in the League had 5 20 goal scorers.

I've made this point numerous times. Look back at last year and see how many teams in the League had 5 20 goal scorers.
- MJL

I'd rather the team as a whole worry more about allowing the other team the chance to score less and make the most of their opportunities when they happen due to the skill, skating and passing of our own forwards. But what the hell let's to balls to the walls Xbox gm style,

and as i read this i can hear a guy playing the banjo....
- phi1671

I heard nascar engines myself

would love to do this to all of the stupid ideas thrown around here

would love to do this to all of the stupid ideas thrown around here


- OrangeBlack27

go for it, I'll get the one running around you in the shorts

I heard nascar engines myself
- JoeRussomanno

We shouldn't stereotype our friends to the south (or in hockey terms, to the west).

I must admit that I also enjoy a little Nascar, banjo, straw hat, grass in my teeth, chewing tobacco, and grits myself. Nothing wrong with cultural differences. We celebrate our differences, b/c in the end we are one!

Damn I hurt today! Iron Maiden was a great show.

Weber- figured they would match, oh well move on. How about a offer sheet to pk? 5 mill sounds about right, worst case the Habs over pay. Handle would be nice but I like the giving up draft pick route.

I'm a firm believer that they thought so because that contract will hurt that franchise.
- JoeRussomanno

Or, I believe, they thought Poile is going to think about this and realize that even though he gets the green light on the match he is better off long term in dealing Weber. I was certain that today Weber would be a Flyer and one of Schenn or Couturier would have been a Predator. I kind of want to believe that Poile announced a match but did not file the papers and is secretly talking to Holmgren still trying to finalize the deal before 11:30pm. It would have been a great deal for both teams.

And who are you trading for who?
- MJL

semin free agent

meszaros couturier wellwood MAB and draft picks for Ryan Fowler and Sbisa

Or, I believe, they thought Poile is going to think about this and realize that even though he gets the green light on the match he is better off long term in dealing Weber. I was certain that today Weber would be a Flyer and one of Schenn or Couturier would have been a Predator. I kind of want to believe that Poile announced a match but did not file the papers and is secretly talking to Holmgren still trying to finalize the deal before 11:30pm. It would have been a great deal for both teams.
- spatso

that's fine just no more of that flyers missing the playoffs noise until it's march and we are 15 points out of 8th place okay?

Damn I hurt today! Iron Maiden was a great show.

Weber- figured they would match, oh well move on. How about a offer sheet to pk? 5 mill sounds about right, worst case the Habs over pay. Handle would be nice but I like the giving up draft pick route.
- Manitobakid

I don't like PK very much. I'd like to get Yandle but not for the rumor of mesz read +. that's a wash. we need more d so we can't trade d.

Damn I hurt today! Iron Maiden was a great show.

Weber- figured they would match, oh well move on. How about a offer sheet to pk? 5 mill sounds about right, worst case the Habs over pay. Handle would be nice but I like the giving up draft pick route.
- Manitobakid

Montreal would match any offer sheet for PK unless we offered him something ridiculous which Homer would probably never even consider. As for Yandle, I'm afraid of what the Yotes would want.

I'm in fear that the Flyers will overpay for Bouwmeester. He seems to be the next best defenseman available.
- stveshdy

Can one really overpay when dealing with Feester?

that's fine just no more of that flyers missing the playoffs noise until it's march and we are 15 points out of 8th place okay?
- JoeRussomanno

I think with all the excitement nobody has taken into consideration the loss of Carle. I like Luke Schenn, I believe the Leafs messed up his development and Holmgren won that trade. But Schenn cannot make up for the loss of Carle and Holmgren needs to add a Dman who can support a puck possession attack. You cannot beat a strong defensive team like the Rangers if your own D cannot control their own end.