go on
- Crimsoninja

I'm guessing Grossmann's concussion news

go on
- Crimsoninja

I could, but I'll spare you

Exactly. Qualifying him at his current salary was a non-option and he was going to take a pay cut wherever he went. A one-year deal at a cap-friendly figure gives him a chance to re-establish himself without having to worry about getting signed this summer AND leaves the door open to a raise in 2014-15 and beyond if he has a strong season. The deal made sense for him as well as the Flyers.
- bmeltzer

Aligning Mason's 1-year deal with the remainder of the compliance buyout window is a pretty smart move. If Mason somehow plays well enough supplant Bryz, the Flyers can buyout Bryz and extend Mason. If Mason is a disaster, they can just let him walk and reassess their options.

I'm guessing Grossmann's concussion news
- Jsaquella

Fluff piece. Stats. Whatever.

Still, you're question was whether or not Bobs is a front-runner, and he clearly is. ie, in the mix, near the top of the list, etc. So I'm not understanding your question.
- wolfhounds

No, my question was if Bobrovsky is THE front runner.

Relax, it was meant as a funny. I know they have beat both teams.
- ggunky

I am relaxed.

give the guy a break...i mean, those sinus meds are really...
- isaiah520

Obviously that blog lacks hockey acumen
- Jsaquella

No, my question was if Bobrovsky is THE front runner.
- MJL

He's a front runner, not THE FRONT.

I am relaxed.
- Flyskippy

oh, well then ummm, how about them Phillies... ummmm wait...

sigh!

oh, well then ummm, how about them Phillies... ummmm wait...

sigh!
- ggunky

I said relaxed, not comatose.

oh, well then ummm, how about them Phillies... ummmm wait...

sigh!
- ggunky

Lovely weather we're having!

No, my question was if Bobrovsky is THE front runner.
- MJL

I guess I'd answer by saying, imo, there is NO front runner. Just a few strong candidates.

Lovely weather we're having!
- BulliesPhan87

Thanks for reminding me when i'm stuck at work!

I guess I'd answer by saying, imo, there is NO front runner. Just a few strong candidates.
- wolfhounds

I would agree.

Lovely weather we're having!
- BulliesPhan87

yes! But i am stuck in an office! I went out to the car to get a something, I didn't want to go back in.

Seriously, someone needs to come up with a convertable office.

I guess I'd answer by saying, imo, there is NO front runner. Just a few strong candidates.
- wolfhounds

I'd say rask, niemi, crawford, rinne, and maybe fluery are ahead of bob at this point.

I would agree.
- MJL

But who would you vote for?

Pronger cant be bought out.
- jak521

Pronger's probably never going to play again, but if his health improves to the point where he can get baseline medical clearance, the Flyers could either press for a pure compliance buyout or arrange for a buyout in exchange for a paid position with the club (to offset the 1/3 salary loss) depending on how they want to manage the player relations/public relations end.

You're ignoring Briere's NMC
- MJL

Well, that's why I said ,"if he wanted to be moved". He's never been asked to waive his NMC so we do not know how he's going to react. However in the face of waiving or being bought out, he might be open to a trade to the right team. Which would net us at least a few assets and negate the idea that we HAD to buy him out.

However even without the eminent threat of the buyout I don't know many players who have been asked to waive their NMC and simply said, "No, I want to force an organization that wants to trade me to keep me. Because I feel so wanted and appreciated there."

But all of that is if the Flyers want to move him... which I do not believe they do. I'm just pointing out that actually buying out Briere's contract is probably a longshot. And I don't think Danny is the guy would put the team in the position where they had to.

Well, that's why I said ,"if he wanted to be moved". He's never been asked to waive his NMC so we do not know how he's going to react. However in the face of waiving or being bought out, he might be open to a trade to the right team. Which would net us at least a few assets and negate the idea that we HAD to buy him out.

However even without the eminent threat of the buyout I don't know many players who have been asked to waive their NMC and simply said, "No, I want to force an organization that wants to trade me to keep me. Because I feel so wanted and appreciated there."

But all of that is if the Flyers want to move him... which I do not believe they do. I'm just pointing out that actually buying out Briere's contract is probably a longshot. And I don't think Danny is the guy would put the team in the position where they had to.
- flyler

I think the Flyers absolutely want to move him. And if they don't. I think the chances of a buyout are very high for Briere. Don't see how they have much choice.
Think about the situation. If Briere get's bought out. Then he get's that money. And he's a UFA who can make his own deal. I think the NMC is really going to limit the teams that Briere is willing to go to. Along with his cap hit of 6.5 with two years remaining after this year. Is going to make it difficult to trade him. In the example you used of Tim Thomas. He is in the last year of his deal.

I'm guessing Grossmann's concussion news
- Jsaquella

wow just saw it


sigh

Sorry, but 2 Flyers got concussions during practice on that 5 day break?

F'n brilliant.

Aligning Mason's 1-year deal with the remainder of the compliance buyout window is a pretty smart move. If Mason somehow plays well enough supplant Bryz, the Flyers can buyout Bryz and extend Mason. If Mason is a disaster, they can just let him walk and reassess their options.
- Tomahawk

that does make sense, but w/ this org, it could be mason and tim thomas sharing the net, who knows?

Not sure you can open and close the book on the kid before he's really had an extended NHL stay... we still don't even know what we ultimately have with B Schenn and Couturier, much less a guy who hasn't even played 10-games at the top level. Laughton could still fall anywhere between a Ben Holmstrom and a Rod Brind'Amour, it's just too hard to tell right now.
- Tomahawk

I would actually be quite happy if Laughton is the player I described him as. You can never have enough skilled scrappy guys on are the go to when it comes to penalty killing and momentum changing type hits/goals.

If he is our version of John Madden/Mike Peca then I will be quite satisfied with that. I don't see him being a big points guy per se. Its very rare that a player who doesn't produce big numbers in Juniors suddenly become big points guys in the NHL.

But, like Coots, he already has a well rounded responsible defensive game. So that part you don't need to worry about.