not really sure why Pronger is a -1.0 but here goes: I don't know how to get rid of his salary.
User Generated Roster: Philadelphia FlyersMy Custom Lineup


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CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Valtteri Filppula ($4.500m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Simon Gagne ($2.000m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Damien Brunner ($2.000m)
Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
Tye McGinn ($0.775m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($5.100m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Erik Gustafsson ($1.100m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) / Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m)
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Bernier ($3.100m)
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
Buyout: Danny Briere ($0.000m)
Buyout: Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
Buyout: Chris Pronger (-$1.046m)
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CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,983,095; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $4,116,905
- flyersfan51

You cant buy out pronger...

amazing
- TrentKlatt

I know... Mind blowing right... Its like trying to summon Captain planet with "Heart".

You cant buy out pronger...
- jak521

Right - which means another D salary has to go. Even if it means Mez for a nickel on the dollar. Though I expect them to bring in another D guy (FA or trade) for depth. I wouldn't be surprised if they picked on one of the amnestied guys around the league (Keith Ballard?).

The question is, do you want to win one round in the playoffs or do you want to build a team that can seriously compete with the Bruins, Kings, Blackhawks, Red Wings, etc.

I certainly don't think it is easy to win a Cup, and I agree that this mentality of "implement whatever system the last cup winner used" doesn't work either. But let's face it, it is also completely valid that an organization with our resources has not won a cup in 35 or whatever years.

I personally think Hamilton would have been the better selection to build a team that is more likely, all things considered, to win a cup in the long run. That doesn't take anything away from Coots either.
- TheGreat28

Either selection would have been a good one, but the wailing and gnashing of teeth here (upon losing to the Pens last year) would have been as unbearable as the incessant trade proposals inspired by the EA Sports NHL series.

A defensive center is just as valuable to team defense as a good defenseman. I prefer to have Couturier.

So what do you know about Maata other then he's a defenseman?
- MJL

You mean other then he was draft by pittsburgh, is a solid defensive guy that is both mobil and has the ablitly to move the puck.

not much.

Sure you can.

The Isles should be willing to trade us DiPietro and a pick or prospect for Bryzgalov.

- Flyers buyout DiPietro following the trade (it's almost the same as buying out Bryz) and get pick(s) and/or prospect(s) out of the deal.

- The Isles get a serviceable goalie with a contract that can easily keep them at the cap floor.

Obviously, Bryz would have to agree to such a move. Which already makes it highly unlikely.
- bradleyc4

This is actually a brilliant idea.

You mean other then he was draft by pittsburgh, is a solid defensive guy that is both mobil and has the ablitly to move the puck.

not much.
- youarewrong

I can almost guarantee you that 99% of the fans that pooh-pooh the Laughton selection based on Maatta still being available have never watched him play hockey and are basing it purely on rankings, which about 10-12 teams in front of the Flyers thought were bunk as well.

In retrospect.....

Coots or Dougie Hamilton ?
- MrBigglesworth

The chances of Holmgren&Co finding another Couturier in the draft are way higher than acquiring a Hamilton. For that alone, Hamilton all the way. Of course this is in retrospect which is what you asked for. I was OK with picking Couturier at #8 at that time.

Hey Bill (or anyone else that wants to chime in),

Great blog as usual. I'm just wondering if Flyers might be so gutsy (or whatever you'd call it) to sign Joacim Eriksson as a backup to Mason, and buy out Bryz? I could see that it would be easier to sign Eriksson if Flyers could basically promise ice-time. It would be risky but the extra cap-space could be put into good use to make the team better defensively.

I think Bryz might agree to a trade. If he's bought out he will get a total of $8.21 million over the next five seasons instead of the $31 million he is due to be paid.

And I don't think he can make up that kind of shortfall by signing as a free agent.

You mean other then he was draft by pittsburgh, is a solid defensive guy that is both mobil and has the ablitly to move the puck.

not much.
- youarewrong

The real Yoda would rename you "wrongyouare". Just saying.

Hey Bill (or anyone else that wants to chime in),

Great blog as usual. I'm just wondering if Flyers might be so gutsy (or whatever you'd call it) to sign Joacim Eriksson as a backup to Mason, and buy out Bryz? I could see that it would be easier to sign Eriksson if Flyers could basically promise ice-time. It would be risky but the extra cap-space could be put into good use to make the team better defensively.
- PhillySteen

Unless he's a prodigy like Lundqvist (or rushed like Bob), he's going to need some time to relearn his angles on the smaller ice.

Hey Bill (or anyone else that wants to chime in),

Great blog as usual. I'm just wondering if Flyers might be so gutsy (or whatever you'd call it) to sign Joacim Eriksson as a backup to Mason, and buy out Bryz? I could see that it would be easier to sign Eriksson if Flyers could basically promise ice-time. It would be risky but the extra cap-space could be put into good use to make the team better defensively.
- PhillySteen

Ive been thinking the same thing. Mason with Eriksson as backup... but yea, its really risky. Not every Swedish goaltender signed is going to come in like Victor Fasth did in Anaheim

I think Bryz might agree to a trade. If he's bought out he will get a total of $8.21 million over the next five seasons instead of the $31 million he is due to be paid.

And I don't think he can make up that kind of shortfall by signing as a free agent.
- Feanor

Agree that, financially, a trade is better for Bryz.

The TFP article stated that buying out Bryz is not just financial but also because some of his teammates don't like him, don't want to play with him or for him. That's two teams now that say he's a locker room cancer. IMO, if he's bought out, he most likely goes to the KHL as I can't imagine any more NHL teams would be stupid enough to give him a big contract.

The real Yoda would rename you "wrongyouare". Just saying.
- phillydentist

Lame.

Come on I know you can do better then that.

You mean other then he was draft by pittsburgh, is a solid defensive guy that is both mobil and has the ablitly to move the puck.

not much.
- youarewrong

Exactly. So how can you say that they should've taken Maata instead of Laughton? Just because he plays defense?

Ive been thinking the same thing. Mason with Eriksson as backup... but yea, its really risky. Not every Swedish goaltender signed is going to come in like Victor Fasth did in Anaheim
- TrentKlatt

Who wants to give me odds the Flyers sign Tim Thomas to a 1 year deal?

Agree that, financially, a trade is better for Bryz.

The TFP article stated that buying out Bryz is not just financial but also because some of his teammates don't like him, don't want to play with him or for him. That's two teams now that say he's a locker room cancer. IMO, if he's brought out, he most likely goes to the KHL as I can't imagine any more NHL teams would be stupid enough to give him a big contract.
- phillydentist

Great point. Nobody is eating that contract through 2020. Nobody. Bit finding a replacement (even if young/short-term) is easier said than done and likely costs a Matt Read, or Laughton, or picks - you get the picture.

Exactly. So how can you say that they should've taken Maata instead of Laughton? Just because he plays defense?
- MJL

You completely missed his sarcasm. Intentional?

The chances of Holmgren&Co finding another Couturier in the draft are way higher than acquiring a Hamilton. For that alone, Hamilton all the way. Of course this is in retrospect which is what you asked for. I was OK with picking Couturier at #8 at that time.
- phillydentist

Really, there is so much unknown here to make that statement. Couturier could wind up being a much better player. Change the name and just put defense as the position the no name plays, and he would be the guy that they should've taken.

Who wants to give me odds the Flyers sign Tim Thomas to a 1 year deal?
- youarewrong

12%

You completely missed his sarcasm. Intentional?
- phillydentist

I didn't miss anything. The bottom line that all he and I know about Maata is what we read about him. Which amounts to nothing.

I think Bryz might agree to a trade. If he's bought out he will get a total of $8.21 million over the next five seasons instead of the $31 million he is due to be paid.

And I don't think he can make up that kind of shortfall by signing as a free agent.
- Feanor

I think you have the number wrong. He will get 2/3rds of the 31M.

Who wants to give me odds the Flyers sign Tim Thomas to a 1 year deal?
- youarewrong

So go from one "locker room cancer" to another? Although that one plays a better game... however, after a year off?

Really, there is so much unknown here to make that statement. Couturier could wind up being a much better player. Change the name and just put defense as the position the no name plays, and he would be the guy that they should've taken.
- MJL

Couturier had a decent rookie season, a great round of playoffs vs the Penguins and a disappointing shortened 2nd season. You can just as easily say Hamilton might wind up being the much better player too. Hamilton at least fills a bigger need.