I'd stand pat now unless they can get Ryan for a Read, Gus/MAB, pick package.
- LordStanley88

I agree. Start the season with what you have and make a deal at the deadline if something comes up. This team is a playoff team right now IMO, so no need to make a move for the sake of making a move.

The Rangers have 20 players under contract and $13.4 million free to fill the last three roster slots. Two of those will be Del Zotto and Stralman, most likely, and the third... well, they want Doan, but we'll see what happens.
- dilbert719

If they get Doan, they will be murder. They just couldn't score last year IMO.. Add Nash for nothing and Doan as a UFA?? Dear lord.

If, and its a big if, the d stays healthy i think the team will be ok.

The Flyers have enough scoring up front. I wouldn't get tied into a multi-year, 35+ contract with Doan. It could make obtaining another defenseman (or any future moves) a lot more difficult.

So why did Kimmo make the all-star game last year then?

He was fantastic yet again last season.
- LordStanley88

I agree. His play was outstanding until very late in the season (when he was REALLY banged up and had to miss games and take as many maintenance days as possible -- knowing he needed back surgery and had a ligament issue in a knee).

Its Ryan next......

Well said, William.

As for the Flyers, I'd like them to take their shot at Doan and if that doesn't work out just wait for the deadline and see how the team stands.

On another note, I love seeing the fans that don't know anything about business and/or hockey that now want to submit offer sheets to everyone and their mother. Obviously, teams will only decline to match if the player sucks, the don't want/can't afford a player or if the team submitting the OS grossly overpays the signee of the OS.

Or, Nashville wasn't interested in such a trade.
- bradleyc4

From all reports, neither side bother to make contact more than one or two times. I'd have liked to see the Flyers be more proactive in trying to bridge any gap, instead of expecting to see Nashville fold.

They will do one if need be at the deadline.

I fully expect Enstrom to be Kimmo's long-term replacement, and perhaps they will trade for him then when his price is significantly lower.

People seem to forget that we added Luke Schenn and will have Grossman for a full season. Meszaros will hopefully be back and healthy too. We don't have much depth, but I like blue-line.
- LordStanley88

we are always told at the TDL that the best time to build your team is over the summer because prices at the TDL are grossly inflated and I tend to agree.

we certainly have health questions going forward on the blue line.

From all reports, neither side bother to make contact more than one or two times. I'd have liked to see the Flyers be more proactive in trying to bridge any gap, instead of expecting to see Nashville fold.
- Jsaquella

Do you think Nashville would have declined if the Flyers gave Weber, say, a $30 million signing bonus and up the AAV to around $8.2 million?

From all reports, neither side bother to make contact more than one or two times. I'd have liked to see the Flyers be more proactive in trying to bridge any gap, instead of expecting to see Nashville fold.
- Jsaquella

I'm sure both sides knew where each other stood in the process. I don't think more prodding would have helped.

Enstrom and Edler are the two prized defensemen of the 2013 UFA class. Would be wise to try to acquire either one prior to that, if possible.
- bradleyc4

edler

I suspect that Homer gave his best offer before the OS. Poile probably said.. we will match, which was true and said I want Giroux 2 firsts + + or cooter Schenn 2 firsts + +. Homer balked and said then I'll call your bluff and Nash came up with the match.
- Hextall271

If the rumor is true, and Holmgren's best offer was Matt Read, Andrej Meszaros, Erik Gustafsson and a 1st, then he shouldn't have expected to land anything close to Shea Weber.

I'm sure both sides knew where each other stood in the process. I don't think more prodding would have helped.
- bradleyc4

It's very probable. I just think that the Flyers should have been willing to be more flexible than the one reported offer.

If they get Doan, they will be murder. They just couldn't score last year IMO.. Add Nash for nothing and Doan as a UFA?? Dear lord.
- Hextall271

They didn't get Nash for nothing. They gave up close to 40 goals going the other way. The players they gave up were good defensivley as well.

Nash is kinda floater at times, but I fully expect him to be refocused and an offensive juggernaut. 40-45 from him, but expect similar numbers combined from the players going the other way.

I expect Edler to end up staying multiple more seasons in Vancouver when all is said and done, but we'll see.

The OS for Weber was a shock to all of us, great move by Homer. In the end, it didn't work out. So be it. No sour grapes here...
At the same time, the defesne is really not that bad. As a Flyer fan I am used to them making a big splash in the offseason and this year (at this time) it hasn't happen. But, on the flip side, I love the youth and the depth on this team. With them keeping them, they are going to get better on THIS team versus trading them away and watching them get better.

I'm enjoying all the trolls and snarky comments on other pages that call us sour grapes. Homer played within the rules. Now the Preds are on the hook. Can they sustain the hit? Frankly, who cares, I'm not a Preds fan.

Defense
Good group/not great/and now they have a right handed shot from the point.
Offense
Good group/young and growing. Still need a vet (IMO), maybe a Doan or an Arnott. They lost JVR but JVR was a no show last year so they might me used to him not being in the line up.
Goalie
Bryz - I believe he will get better and so many people have already lost faith so to that I say oh well go root for another team. His stats don't lie showing he's a good goalie.

In Homer I trust.
Good BloB Bill

Do you think Nashville would have declined if the Flyers gave Weber, say, a $30 million signing bonus and up the AAV to around $8.2 million?
- NickTheKid87

don't know...they have said all along they would match.

Well said, William.

As for the Flyers, I'd like them to take their shot at Doan and if that doesn't work out just wait for the deadline and see how the team stands.

On another note, I love seeing the fans that don't know anything about business and/or hockey that now want to submit offer sheets to everyone and their mother. Obviously, teams will only decline to match if the player sucks, the don't want/can't afford a player or if the team submitting the OS grossly overpays the signee of the OS.
- NickTheKid87

Nick did you read the Islanders fan on the Preds page. Quite comical since weren't they the first team to hand out crazy a$$ contracts. RDP and his 15 year contract and during this time, have they made the playoffs?

Do you think Nashville would have declined if the Flyers gave Weber, say, a $30 million signing bonus and up the AAV to around $8.2 million?
- NickTheKid87

The Flyers offer was basically the maximum they could give him. Cap hit is not the issue, it's the salary and bonus payments that were the real worry for the Preds.

At most the Flyers could have offered $400K more per year in bonuses.

don't know...they have said all along they would match.
- phi1671

I know but I'm just speculating as to what would have broken them because it seemed that the OS bent them pretty far. Either way, tough decision for Nashville. Could end up costing them a lot more than $110 million. Hopefully everything works out for them.

moving on. get our guys signed and let's roll.

Well said, William.

As for the Flyers, I'd like them to take their shot at Doan and if that doesn't work out just wait for the deadline and see how the team stands.

On another note, I love seeing the fans that don't know anything about business and/or hockey that now want to submit offer sheets to everyone and their mother. Obviously, teams will only decline to match if the player sucks, the don't want/can't afford a player or if the team submitting the OS grossly overpays the signee of the OS.
- NickTheKid87

There's no other RFA worth an offer sheet that wouldn't be matched in short order.

Flyers need to do a deal to improve their back end. They are not nearly as strong as what they were at this time last year.

I made it to one game (in Ottawa) against the Flyers. Spezza and Karlsson dominated Giroux, Karlsson owned the ice, I think he had four points. I love Giroux since his junior days with the Piques.

My point is the problem in that particular game was not Giroux. He plays a puck possession game as does Ottawa. But, he had nobody on his back end to support him. You cannot play up tempo puck possession without Dmen with the foot speed and smarts who can support the play and get back and protect your own end.

Holmgren is going to have to do a deal. Forget about Bobby Ryan for now. His best choice right now is Yendle, second is Boyle, third is J.Bo. Without the upgrade, I suspect the Flyers risk an organizational sophomore slump and are at risk of missing the playoffs.
- spatso

Is this national troll day?

The Flyers offer was basically the maximum they could give him. Cap hit is not the issue, it's the salary and bonus payments that were the real worry for the Preds.

At most the Flyers could have offered $400K more per year in bonuses.
- Jsaquella

Oh ok. Valiant effort by Holmgren. I think the Preds are crossing their fingers that them matching will show the fanbase they care and in turn increase tickets sales and revenue across the board. That way they can get real players around Weber & Rinne.