The Flyers lucked out with the timing of Giroux's extension and the ROI they've managed to get with it -- if they had waited just a few weeks longer, it would have likely looked more like the Drew Doughty extension.

With that said, the deal amounts to a very sensible second contract that sees compensation rise commensurate with future production -- I'm sure it's the model that GM's and owners will tout if they try to place limits on second contracts in CBA negotiations.
- Tomahawk

I agree on the first part of your comment that the Flyers "lucked out" on the timing of the Giroux contract and may have signed him for $2m to $3m less than he had signed a few weeks later.

I think the Doughty and Stamkos deals changed the landscape for the budding superstars. Tyler Myers got a big deal last year as well and Eric Karlsson got a monster deal in Ottawa this year and he is still 21 years of age. Even the Voracek contract, for more money than Giroux, suggests the shift that has taken place.

Young players, their agent's and teams all recognize that peak performance years are between ages 25 and 29 for the most gifted scores and offensive players. I think that you are going to see the art of contracting begin to focus on trying to get maximum value in that age range, knowing you have got to pay the big bucks to lock those guys up through their peak production years.

A few years fron now people will laugh at the idea of a 36 yearl Shane Doan wandering around looking for a $30m deal over 4 years. May as well pour the money in the last year of that deal down a sewer. If Doan is worth $7m a year, Giroux is worth $17m. a year even with two broken wrists.

book it
- FlyerMike18

I think posters here have had their fill of bookings, bankings and done deals...

Here is the harsh reality. The Rangers, which were a better team than the Flyers, got better. The Flyers are about the same, assuming the kids can step up and offset Jagr's production.

Boston, NJ, and Pitt got worse (as of now).

So being optimistic, we are the second best team in the East.

Is that enough for you fans? It may be for me, as there are not a lot of options.

However, I can be the smartest dude on HB (tallest midget anyone?) but it will have no impact on Homer. The reality is Homer IS NOT happy being number two. So he is working like hell. We can see he wants to keep the core, but damnit, don't think he is content. HE IS NOT.

Go USA.

-the patriot

Speaking of Giroux, much ado is being made of his comments that his wrist fractures in the playoffs are the direct result of Sidney Crosby repeatedly slashing him on faceoffs rather than going for the puck.

Pens fans just want to try to equate Giroux's comments to being a whiner like Crosby.

Not gonna happen.

Everyone is predicting the NYRs to win the cup.
Well, last summer it looked like the Caps year for a Cup, after they re signed Laich and got Brouewer, Vokoun etc. Then after a glorious first 10 games or so they fell apart.

I agree the Rangers look to be pre season favorites. But lets see what happens.
Saying goodbye to Prust and Dubinsky and to a lesser extent Anisemov and Fedetenko will hurt them to some degree. And Gaborik is going to miss significant time at the start.

book it

EDIT: habs might wanna wait a bit longer than christmas....make sure markov is healthy
- FlyerMike18

Homer is too smart for that bs.

I'd rather take a run at Rozsival if someone on the D gets hurt.

I never really liked Cote as a player as I'm not much for the staged fights but this is a fight I can get behind. Beat the crap out of MS buddy. Nice work.

Everyone is predicting the NYRs to win the cup.
Well, last summer it looked like the Caps year for a Cup, after they re signed Laich and got Brouewer, Vokoun etc. Then after a glorious first 10 games or so they fell apart.

I agree the Rangers look to be pre season favorites. But lets see what happens.
Saying goodbye to Prust and Dubinsky and to a lesser extent Anisemov and Fedetenko will hurt them to some degree. And Gaborik is going to miss significant time at the start.
- Marc D

the thing is...they have the cap space and resources to add a significant player on d and depth there might be their only weakness.

Homer is too smart for that bs.

I'd rather take a run at Rozsival if someone on the D gets hurt.
- Marc D

i'm just messing around with the kaberle bit....i want nothing to do with him. and i agree that i'd be willing to take a look at rozsival possibly, but it's not really needed right yet

but you think the rags are the favorite? i guess it shows a lack of creativity to just favor the champs, but i find it difficult to pick the rangers over LA. kings have a damn tough team

but your overall point is a good one... rangers definitely look like the best team in the east right now, but who knows what a few months of hockey will change? no need to panic now over simple projections

the thing is...they have the cap space and resources to add a significant player on d and depth there might be their only weakness.
- isaiah520

Girardi and McDonough playing 25-28 minutes a night may or may not work again, but if they get a little more depth on D though watch out.

(I'm glad Homer got Grossmann at the deadline rather then the Rangers.)

i'm just messing around with the kaberle bit....i want nothing to do with him. and i agree that i'd be willing to take a look at rozsival possibly, but it's not really needed right yet

but you think the rags are the favorite? i guess it shows a lack of creativity to just favor the champs, but i find it difficult to pick the rangers over LA. kings have a damn tough team

but your overall point is a good one... rangers definitely look like the best team in the east right now, but who knows what a few months of hockey will change? no need to panic now over simple projections
- FlyerMike18

sorry my sarcasm meter was still asleep.

I'd say yes the Rags are the pre season favorite, then Boston out of the East.
I guess it will be interesting to see how Rask does as the full time #1 this year.
He did get 45 games in 2009-10.

LA and maybe Vancouver in the west.

sorry my sarcasm meter was still asleep.

I'd say yes the Rags are the pre season favorite, then Boston out of the East.
I guess it will be interesting to see how Rask does as the full time #1 this year.
He did get 45 games in 2009-10.

LA and maybe Vancouver in the west.
- Marc D

those are definitely the four that jump out as the most likely contenders

maybe i'm foolish (or just THAT biased against the rangers, which isn't very far-fetched) but the bruins scare me most in the east. that big oaf is the difference, a guy like that can just take over a game/series so easily

I think posters here have had their fill of bookings, bankings and done deals...
- isaiah520

those are definitely the four that jump out as the most likely contenders

maybe i'm foolish (or just THAT biased against the rangers, which isn't very far-fetched) but the bruins scare me most in the east. that big oaf is the difference, a guy like that can just take over a game/series so easily
- FlyerMike18

Don't worry about him...Claude Julien won't make that much of a difference.

sorry my sarcasm meter was still asleep.

I'd say yes the Rags are the pre season favorite, then Boston out of the East.
I guess it will be interesting to see how Rask does as the full time #1 this year.
He did get 45 games in 2009-10.

LA and maybe Vancouver in the west.
- Marc D

Call me a bandwagoner, but I think the Wild are gonna be pretty damn good next year if they stay healthy.

Don't worry about him...Claude Julien won't make that much of a difference.
- Marc D

Has anyone kept up on the situation in Chicago? Last I heard there were rumors of dissension in the room and players wanted out. Any chance we could make a trade for Seabrook? Chicago is strong along the blue line but could use some forward help, would we make a good trade fit?

Call me a bandwagoner, but I think the Wild are gonna be pretty damn good next year if they stay healthy.
- Giroux_Is_God

forget about Parise and Suter...

Mikael Granlund!

Has anyone kept up on the situation in Chicago? Last I heard there were rumors of dissension in the room and players wanted out. Any chance we could make a trade for Seabrook? Chicago is strong along the blue line but could use some forward help, would we make a good trade fit?
- right-winger

Love him but not a chance in hell Chicago lets him go.
I guess if they offer Giroux Chicago would maybe not hang up the phone.

Everyone is predicting the NYRs to win the cup.
Well, last summer it looked like the Caps year for a Cup, after they re signed Laich and got Brouewer, Vokoun etc. Then after a glorious first 10 games or so they fell apart.

I agree the Rangers look to be pre season favorites. But lets see what happens.
Saying goodbye to Prust and Dubinsky and to a lesser extent Anisemov and Fedetenko will hurt them to some degree. And Gaborik is going to miss significant time at the start.
- Marc D

I think's that's why Sather signed depth guys before he made the trade. He went and got Halpern to center the 4th and asham to replace prust. i think prust is better than asham but asham costs 1.5 million les than prust so the move in terms of the cap is a good one. Pyatt will replace Dubinsky, Dubi probably has more upside because he's much younger but the rangers couldn't keep his 4.25 million on the books.

Girardi and McDonough playing 25-28 minutes a night may or may not work again, but if they get a little more depth on D though watch out.

(I'm glad Homer got Grossmann at the deadline rather then the Rangers.)
- Marc D

might have had something to do with the xtra N

Call me a bandwagoner, but I think the Wild are gonna be pretty damn good next year if they stay healthy.
- Giroux_Is_God

they gotta get PMB off their roster.

Love him but not a chance in hell Chicago lets him go.
I guess if they offer Giroux Chicago would maybe not hang up the phone.
- Marc D

I agree it may take a lot, but I wasn't sure if he was one of the guys that wanted out, which would impact their willingness to trade and how much they'd expect in return.

I agree it may take a lot, but I wasn't sure if he was one of the guys that wanted out, which would impact their willingness to trade and how much they'd expect in return.
- right-winger

He would obviously come with a big cost and also be a huge piece to the D here. What would you trade for him?

forget about Parise and Suter...

Mikael Granlund!

- Marc D

He is so unbelievably good it's not even funny.