We don't know what his contract demands are. If they are reasonable I would much rather see him stay than chase an overpaid ufa this summer to replace him.
- coffee junkie

You're not trading potential for potential similar to the JvR/Schenn deal here.

Here you're moving a proven, reliable, versatile, twenty-something goal scorer for an unproven, 5'11" goaltender who doesn't, IMO, fit the Flyers makeup as it's currently constructed.

That worked well before the cap. Since then, you need to be a little more prudent with the money you throw at all the bright shiny objects you see. Homer's become a little too fixated on certain players too often at the detriment of the bigger, long term picture.
- 77rams

well...this off season he said we're gonna "get bigger", so...

...well, read is small and so is danny and there you go

That's what I remember. He was in Redden-land playing for the Phantoms and Homer released him from exile. The cost unloading his of his contract was a second rounder.
- 77rams

yea, that's what happened

Well either way after this year Read or his replacement is getting paid. At least with trading him we get something back for him, and in this case with the hypothetical scenario of acquring Bernier for him, you're getting in my opinion a pretty good return, who has a higher potential to flourish than Read ever did. Or Bernier (or whoever they may or may not trade him for) may flop and it ends up being a wash anyway, since Read cost us nothing to obtain.
- iroc4me2

I'm not against a trade that improves the team but I don't see trading Read as a wash. The Flyers scouts liked him and the GM signed him...he's an asset to the Flyers regardless of what the "cost" was to get him. Also, it can't be assumed that a player of his ilk is available and for the same or less money.

That worked well for Mason last year in Columbus.
- Jsaquella

well the flyers did get mason

Really, the question is two-fold:

1. What are you willing to pay Matt Read in his next contract, and...

2. What is Matt Read worth if he has a 50-point season?

I'm one of those people who could care less if a guy is a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent. If he's productive, he's productive.

But the Flyers have to make this call -- if they haven't already, which they likely have. Is Matt Read a piece you want going forward, or are you simply planning to cash in the asset for a different piece?

Again, the Flyers' cap issues are overstated, as always, by the breathless media -- Daniel Briere's leaving, and I'll be stunned if both Ilya Bryzgalov and Andrej Meszaros are both on the team next year, which frees up at least $10 million. Kimmo Timonen's $6 million comes off next year, though most of that will be consumed by Claude Giroux's extension.

But there's probably enough room to sign Matt Read to something like...3 years, $2.5 million per year.

The question becomes do you want to do that, and does Matt Read himself want to stay at that kind of salary? Because there's likely no way the Flyers could do more.

I heard on the NHL network this morning that the Flyers are close to re-signing Giroux to an extension. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

if you're referring to the need to do a better job hanging onto their draft picks/prospects and developing from within, then i'm 100% with you. the constantly chasing whatever big name is out there in free agency or the trade market mentality is certainly not what i want to see either

but all that aside.....that mentality should've paid off more than it has on that one particular move
- FlyerMike18

Asset management, cap management, prudent contract negotiating, just plain old understanding of the CBA/Cap, sticking to one long-range plan of action... none of that is on the level of where it needs to be.

It predates Homer, though... the Flyers have always been act first, think later kind of franchise.

Really, the question is two-fold:

1. What are you willing to pay Matt Read in his next contract, and...

2. What is Matt Read worth if he has a 50-point season?

I'm one of those people who could care less if a guy is a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent. If he's productive, he's productive.

But the Flyers have to make this call -- if they haven't already, which they likely have. Is Matt Read a piece you want going forward, or are you simply planning to cash in the asset for a different piece?

Again, the Flyers' cap issues are overstated, as always, by the breathless media -- Daniel Briere's leaving, and I'll be stunned if both Ilya Bryzgalov and Andrej Meszaros are both on the team next year, which frees up at least $10 million. Kimmo Timonen's $6 million comes off next year, though most of that will be consumed by Claude Giroux's extension.

But there's probably enough room to sign Matt Read to something like...3 years, $2.5 million per year.

The question becomes do you want to do that, and does Matt Read himself want to stay at that kind of salary? Because there's likely no way the Flyers could do more.
- AllInForFlyers

Good points.
If Read puts up 25 goals and 50+ points, some GM is going to offer him a 6 year 24 million or more deal. The only way the Flyers can get him for 3 mil or less is if he has a poor season or misses much of the year with injuries.

This is why I would have no problem moving Read, alone or in a package, for a goalie or defenseman. Some deals I would do:

Read and this years or next years 2nd for JayBo, if, and only if, St. Louis eats 20% of the contract and of course more importantly the cap hit. This would give the Flyers JayBo for 1 year at at cap hit of 5.35 million or so. Assuming they sign Streit, they could then move Mez for a 2nd round pick or a forward to replace Read (while Mez's value is down due to injuries, there is such a premium on dmen that I still think they could get a mid to late round 2nd or 40 point plus 3rd line forward who can kill penalties for him)

Read and this years or next years 2nd for Edler. Again I would then look to move Mezaros

Read and next years 2nd for Bernier. I would also be willing to throw in this years 3rd, but that is far as I would go.

Really, the question is two-fold:

1. What are you willing to pay Matt Read in his next contract, and...

2. What is Matt Read worth if he has a 50-point season?

I'm one of those people who could care less if a guy is a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent. If he's productive, he's productive.

But the Flyers have to make this call -- if they haven't already, which they likely have. Is Matt Read a piece you want going forward, or are you simply planning to cash in the asset for a different piece?

Again, the Flyers' cap issues are overstated, as always, by the breathless media -- Daniel Briere's leaving, and I'll be stunned if both Ilya Bryzgalov and Andrej Meszaros are both on the team next year, which frees up at least $10 million. Kimmo Timonen's $6 million comes off next year, though most of that will be consumed by Claude Giroux's extension.

But there's probably enough room to sign Matt Read to something like...3 years, $2.5 million per year.

The question becomes do you want to do that, and does Matt Read himself want to stay at that kind of salary? Because there's likely no way the Flyers could do more.
- AllInForFlyers

The real question is what are the odds of the Flyers finding another Read down the road vs another Bernier. As with 1st pairing dmen, quality starting goalies have eluded the Flyers the past 20 years. I have way more faith the Flyers will dig up another Read type player. That's what's saved the franchise from being the Islanders. That and ownership's ability to spend to the cap limit.

Really, the question is two-fold:

1. What are you willing to pay Matt Read in his next contract, and...

2. What is Matt Read worth if he has a 50-point season?

I'm one of those people who could care less if a guy is a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent. If he's productive, he's productive.

But the Flyers have to make this call -- if they haven't already, which they likely have. Is Matt Read a piece you want going forward, or are you simply planning to cash in the asset for a different piece?

Again, the Flyers' cap issues are overstated, as always, by the breathless media -- Daniel Briere's leaving, and I'll be stunned if both Ilya Bryzgalov and Andrej Meszaros are both on the team next year, which frees up at least $10 million. Kimmo Timonen's $6 million comes off next year, though most of that will be consumed by Claude Giroux's extension.

But there's probably enough room to sign Matt Read to something like...3 years, $2.5 million per year.

The question becomes do you want to do that, and does Matt Read himself want to stay at that kind of salary? Because there's likely no way the Flyers could do more.
- AllInForFlyers

I think I take into consideration that Read is only heading into his 3rd season (second full season) and the fact he's not as young as Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier. He's not even as young as Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds or Luke Schenn as another few examples. Am I wrong but wasn't yesterday his 28th Birthday? This isn't to say Matt Read is old but I think he's old enough to do well in the League, whether it's here or someone else. So I think you can cash him in for a younger piece that could only benefit the Flyers move forward before Read reaches a new deal. I'm sure the return won't be anything Mike Richards or Jeff Carter have brought back but I do feel if can afford to walk away from Matt Read should the Flyers decide they want to re-sign Simon Gagne. In fact, I think Gagne will do just as good as Matt Read in a winger's role and be much cheaper in a year from now. It may even come down to Gagne vs. Read.

I think I take into consideration that Read is only heading into his 3rd season (second full season) and the fact he's not as young as Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier. He's not even as young as Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds or Luke Schenn as another few examples. Am I wrong but wasn't yesterday his 28th Birthday? This isn't to say Matt Read is old but I think he's old enough to do well in the League, whether it's here or someone else. So I think you can cash him in for a younger piece that could only benefit the Flyers move forward before Read reaches a new deal. I'm sure the return won't be anything Mike Richards or Jeff Carter have brought back but I do feel if can afford to walk away from Matt Read should the Flyers decide they want to re-sign Simon Gagne. In fact, I think Gagne will do just as good as Matt Read in a winger's role and be much cheaper in a year from now. It may even come down to Gagne vs. Read.
- dingo8urbaby

there's very little that gags does better than read @ this point of their careers and durability is a concern as well. gags wouldn't factor into my decision on read- just the cost/benefit of what we could get in return for him . very unlikely we could get value as great as read unless we hit a home run on a guy like bernier...and that's a gamble.

Good points.
If Read puts up 25 goals and 50+ points, some GM is going to offer him a 6 year 24 million or more deal. The only way the Flyers can get him for 3 mil or less is if he has a poor season or misses much of the year with injuries.

This is why I would have no problem moving Read, alone or in a package, for a goalie or defenseman. Some deals I would do:

Read and this years or next years 2nd for JayBo, if, and only if, St. Louis eats 20% of the contract and of course more importantly the cap hit. This would give the Flyers JayBo for 1 year at at cap hit of 5.35 million or so. Assuming they sign Streit, they could then move Mez for a 2nd round pick or a forward to replace Read (while Mez's value is down due to injuries, there is such a premium on dmen that I still think they could get a mid to late round 2nd or 40 point plus 3rd line forward who can kill penalties for him)

Read and this years or next years 2nd for Edler. Again I would then look to move Mezaros

Read and next years 2nd for Bernier. I would also be willing to throw in this years 3rd, but that is far as I would go.
- BiggE

I'd love for it to happen but no chance the Flyers can get a 2nd for Mez even with the premium on d-men. If we move Mez this offseason, I think it will be for a late round pick (maybe conditional) or possibly even having to take back a little money. The only way the Flyers can come close to your 2nd round asking price for Mez would be if he shows himself to be healthy and effective the first half of the season and he's moved at the deadline. Of course, if he's healthy and effective for that time period, we most likely won't be looking to move him.

It's a very bad thing if the Flyers move Read.

there's very little that gags does better than read @ this point of their careers and durability is a concern as well. gags wouldn't factor into my decision on read- just the cost/benefit of what we could get in return for him . very unlikely we could get value as great as read unless we hit a home run on a guy like bernier...and that's a gamble.
- isaiah520

I'll have to agree to disagree on this. The upside to re-sign Gagne is he's likely to sign for less now, then what Read should sign for in a year from now. The NHL experience favors Gagne, where as I think we're all waiting to see exactly what we have in Matt Read. We have yet to see what he can do in his second full season in the NHL. There is no question Matt Read had a fantastic rookie season but although I wouldn't call his second season a failure, because it wasn't, Matt Read had his fair share of slumps and injuries. In my opinion, we could head into another Ville Leino situation contract wise with Matt Read if we're not careful. I think what impressed me most about Gagne's return is his play away from the puck. He still hustles and works hard. He can still forcheck. What impressed me most though is how quickly he gets back to help the D, almost as if he's a 3rd defenseman.

It's a very bad thing if the Flyers move Read.
- Pixote Andolini

id rather keep read, he really showed some flashes this past season and believe he has higher ceiling

The Flyers should just so what George Costanza did on Seinfeld in regards to NHL goalies and goalie prospects. Whatever their instinct to do is, do the opposite.

The Flyers should just so what George Costanza did on Seinfeld in regards to NHL goalies and goalie prospects. Whatever their instinct to do is, do the opposite.

id rather keep read, he really showed some flashes this past season and believe he has higher ceiling
- mydoglicks

I'm not sure the Flyers can keep Read after this season. I'm not sure I'm in favor of trading him now but if we can fill a position of need, why not?

Asset management, cap management, prudent contract negotiating, just plain old understanding of the CBA/Cap, sticking to one long-range plan of action... none of that is on the level of where it needs to be.

It predates Homer, though... the Flyers have always been act first, think later kind of franchise.
- Tomahawk

i dunno, i feel like the vast majority of nhl franchises could stand to improve in most of those areas (pretty much any org w/o a cup in the past two/three years). no organization is perfect. and i think you can point to quite a few instances of the flyers doing a great job in some of those areas (say the jake and simmonds extensions for example)

for me their main issue is the seemingly constant belief that they are one big move away from the cup. it makes them appear (?) schizophrenic , and i believe it has an effect on the players. no continuity

It's a very bad thing if the Flyers move Read.
- Pixote Andolini

I think they lose him anyways. Doubt he accepts a deal until free agency begins so he doesn't get moved before a ntc kicks in. If I were read that's what I'd do unless I was more concerned with injury than my next big payday. Jmo.

I think they lose him anyways. Doubt he accepts a deal until free agency begins so he doesn't get moved before a ntc kicks in. If I were read that's what I'd do unless I was more concerned with injury than my next big payday. Jmo.
- moylander

I'd like to keep him around, especially over some other players.

Way I see it, this team cant lose any of the forwards they have that actually know something about playing defense.

I think they lose him anyways. Doubt he accepts a deal until free agency begins so he doesn't get moved before a ntc kicks in. If I were read that's what I'd do unless I was more concerned with injury than my next big payday. Jmo.
- moylander

I think Read would sign a contract extension was offered especially if the money is in the range of player's with similar stats (I'm assuming probably around $4million/yr). If they move Hartnell or Simmonds, I believe there is a place for Read within the salary cap. G is going cost around $8 million/yr on his extension. Simmonds and Voracek are signed at I believe reasonable cap hits for their production.

Which of course, leads us to Hartnell. In today's NHL, forwards don't take near the pounding even as recently as LeClair. I believe Hartnell has a chance (not given) to have a similar career as Doan in his 30's. Potting mid 20 goals, playing a gritty, sometimes stupid, at times dirty game. I don't expect Hartnell to just get lazy and ride out his contract, I expect him in shape and focused at training camp.

The real question is what are the odds of the Flyers finding another Read down the road vs another Bernier. As with 1st pairing dmen, quality starting goalies have eluded the Flyers the past 20 years. I have way more faith the Flyers will dig up another Read type player. That's what's saved the franchise from being the Islanders. That and ownership's ability to spend to the cap limit.
- phillydentist

I think this is an important point. Straka and/or Raffl have the potential to become the next Read. They certainly could end up more like Nodl, which also has to be considered.

Read is actually my second fav Flyer, and considering what he brings to the table, I'd rather they keep him and trade Simmonds (could backfill with someone like Horton or Clarkson). But I'd have to consider trading him for Bernier or a top young d-men, depending upon the rest of the strategy.

I'll have to agree to disagree on this. The upside to re-sign Gagne is he's likely to sign for less now, then what Read should sign for in a year from now. The NHL experience favors Gagne, where as I think we're all waiting to see exactly what we have in Matt Read. We have yet to see what he can do in his second full season in the NHL. There is no question Matt Read had a fantastic rookie season but although I wouldn't call his second season a failure, because it wasn't, Matt Read had his fair share of slumps and injuries. In my opinion, we could head into another Ville Leino situation contract wise with Matt Read if we're not careful. I think what impressed me most about Gagne's return is his play away from the puck. He still hustles and works hard. He can still forcheck. What impressed me most though is how quickly he gets back to help the D, almost as if he's a 3rd defenseman.
- dingo8urbaby

that's fair enuf, but read is at least as good a skater, a better scorer and has nowhere near the rough miles on the tread as gags. both are all situations plyrs, but there is nary a situation, that i'd prefer gags out on the ice for.