Both the League and the NHLPA have agreed to two CBO's to help teams deal with the reduced Cap. There has to be some mechanism for team's to do so.

Let's say the Flyers want to keep Briere, but can't afford the Cap hit of 6.5M. So behind doors, Briere and the Flyers come to an agreement. We'll buy you out, you'll get 2/3rds of the 5M we owe you. Now we'll resign you to a 2 year deal for 5M. So now his cap hit is reduced from 6.5M to 2.5M. And the Flyers keep the player for a reduced hit, and save 4M on the Cap. Briere get's some extra money in his pocket. Everyone is happy, except the NHL.
They're already allowing the Flyers to circumvent by allowing the buyout with no Cap hit. But they don't have much of a choice, because there has to be a mechanism in place to deal with the artificially lowered Upper Limit
- MJL

Perfect example, but my question is, to the NHL I suppose, is what is the difference? Between him going to NJ, or NYI, or some team that is close, compared to the Flyers. Either way teams are going to be saving money, that's the point.

I won't miss his all around defensive play, but god that fist pump is beautiful. He was a lion when need be. He brought his whole bag of peanuts to be unleashed on a big game day.
- GirouxForTheShow

You know what though? A huge part of his time here he was thrown around from line to line, without too much consistency. They continously wanted to force him to play wing, when it was obvious to anyone that he needed to play in the middle to be effective.

That was a monster signing, and frankly I dont care how he played on D. The things he did for the young players on this team, and how he dominated in the playoffs, thats what I will remember. Awesome player, and will always remember his time in Philly. (frank) the haters.

I'm really going to miss that little guy. On the nights it meant the most, he had the heart of a lion.


Tough last few years for me as a fan. Losing Lappy, Pronger, Briere and soon to be Timonen. All of my favourite players. I would respect Briere if he went to Montreal. All the best of luck, wherever he goes.
- flyer_nutter

That team has come and gone. Who knows how long Lavi and Hartnell have left.

That team has come and gone. Who knows how long Lavi and Hartnell have left.
- hereticpride

To me though, those guys. Lappy, Pronger, Timonen and Briere... In 30 years, those are the guys I will remember most from these times.

The current team has guys I like, but nobody is even close to the status of what those guys meant to me as a fan.

I could care less about the drama party crew of Richards and Carter, etc. This should have been known as the Briere era.

I'm really going to miss that little guy. On the nights it meant the most, he had the heart of a lion.


Tough last few years for me as a fan. Losing Lappy, Pronger, Briere and soon to be Timonen. All of my favourite players. I would respect Briere if he went to Montreal. All the best of luck, wherever he goes.
- flyer_nutter

It's always wild watching an era come to it's end. Lindros, Roenick, Forsberg, Richards and Carter. Briere. I shudder to think what this team might look like once Giroux goes. Talents like these don't grow on trees.

Perfect example, but my question is, to the NHL I suppose, is what is the difference? Between him going to NJ, or NYI, or some team that is close, compared to the Flyers. Either way teams are going to be saving money, that's the point.
- GirouxForTheShow

Here is the difference. The single biggest fundamental issue with the League, is that in the end, for every player. They want Cap dollars paid, and salary paid, to be equal. Paying a player more salary, then you've been charged in Cap dollars. Is circumventing the Cap. It's the entire idea of the League limiting front loaded contracts and term limits. For example, here's how the Flyers have been allowed to circumvent the Cap with the CBO. I'm not going to include what the Flyers are going to pay Briere for the buyout, so keep in mind that the salary total is even higher

The Flyers to this point, have paid Danny Briere, 47M in salary.
The Flyers to this point, have paid in Cap dollars for Briere, 39M

That is a Cap savings of 8M that the Flyers will never have to repay. Now if you allow the Flyers to simply re-sign Briere at a lower rate. That circumvents the Cap even more. And the Flyers are already getting away with murder here.

i hope timonen is worth something at the tdl

It's always wild watching an era come to it's end. Lindros, Roenick, Forsberg, Richards and Carter. Briere. I shutter to think what this team might look like once Giroux goes. Talents like these don't grow on trees.
- dingo8urbaby

Its a big year for Giroux next year.

I am not so high on him as many.

You are for sure right that its a transition period for this team. Man though, I am going to miss some of those guys. A healthy Mez, Pronger, OD, Knuble, Briere, Timonen, Lappy, Gagne and Betts. Those are the guys I will probably remember most from this last "Flyer generation".

Edit: Those guys mentioned, the best way I could put it, is I think of them as "hard" players. I know this team is young, but I get an impression that they are kind of flakey.

Its a big year for Giroux next year.

I am not so high on him as many.

You are for sure right that its a transition period for this team. Man though, I am going to miss some of those guys. A healthy Mez, Pronger, OD, Knuble, Briere, Timonen, Lappy, Gagne and Betts. Those are the guys I will probably remember most from this last "Flyer generation".
- flyer_nutter

There is a slight overrating of Giroux. He'll more then likely never reach the level of Crosby, Stamkos, or Ovechkin but for the most part, since he's begun his career, he has yet to disappoint. He has a chance to become an elite playmaker in the NHL and I choose to believe he can. His playoff numbers look like they can continue to be every bit that Briere's has been. Claude Giroux has a certain fire and determination that none of us can deny. Personally I favor "tough star players" such as Chris Pronger, Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn, all of whom can be difference makers at any given time. With this said, Giroux deserves to be our Captain and is easily our best player. This is his team!

Its a big year for Giroux next year.

I am not so high on him as many.

You are for sure right that its a transition period for this team. Man though, I am going to miss some of those guys. A healthy Mez, Pronger, OD, Knuble, Briere, Timonen, Lappy, Gagne and Betts. Those are the guys I will probably remember most from this last "Flyer generation".

Edit: Those guys mentioned, the best way I could put it, is I think of them as "hard" players. I know this team is young, but I get an impression that they are kind of flakey.
- flyer_nutter

Giroux scored at an 81 point pace last year. And was tied for 6th in the entire League in assists. And that's on a team that struggled to score at ES.

There is a slight overrating of Giroux but for the most part, since he's begun his career, he has yet to disappoint. He has a chance to become an elite playmaker in the NHL and I choose to believe he can. His playoff numbers look like they can continue to be every bit that Briere's has been. Claude Giroux has a certain fire and determination that none of us can deny. Personally I favor "tough star players" such as Chris Pronger, Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn, all of whom can be difference makers at any given time. With this said, Giroux deserves to be our Captain and is easily our best player. This is his team!
- dingo8urbaby

I like Roo, but he showed me some things this year that I didnt like. A lot of really dumb careless plays, and he seemed to over rely on his skill. He has shown, a much better ability to play defense, and he needs to bring that every night instead of just fancy plays.

Kind of nitpicking anyway, he is a good player, but this team will need good players around him also. I dont think he is the kind of guy to go out there and dominate on his own, say like Crosby. Who knows, but just my thoughts.

The one thing with Roo, injuries are a little bit of a creeping red flag.

Edit: The one thing I really want to see. Is Giroux back in the playoffs, and this really being his team. Seeing what kind of game he brings. I believe in him as the #1 guy of the team, they just need a good 2nd line center also.

I like Roo, but he showed me some things this year that I didnt like. A lot of really dumb careless plays, and he seemed to over rely on his skill. He has shown, a much better ability to play defense, and he needs to bring that every night instead of just fancy plays.

Kind of nitpicking anyway, he is a good player, but this team will need good players around him also. I dont think he is the kind of guy to go out there and dominate on his own, say like Crosby. Who knows, but just my thoughts.

The one thing with Roo, injuries are a little bit of a creeping red flag.

Edit: The one thing I really want to see. Is Giroux back in the playoffs, and this really being his team. Seeing what kind of game he brings. I believe in him as the #1 guy of the team, they just need a good 2nd line center also.
- flyer_nutter

I'll say again. Ryan Getzlaf is a great playmaker but he's often injured these past few seasons and I happen to feel Giroux is better and more dangerous today. Whether or not the Flyers pull the trigger ona Bobby Ryan trade or not, I think Giroux could make the career of a sniper who is ready to take the next step.

I'll say again. Ryan Getzlaf is a great playmaker but he's often injured these past few seasons and I happen to feel Giroux is better and more dangerous today. Whether or not the Flyers pull the trigger ona Bobby Ryan trade or not, I think Giroux could make the career of a sniper who is ready to take the next step.
- dingo8urbaby

My one thing is this.

The stars, or most of the (hopefully) future stars on this team, arent exactly really physical players.

Its why I dont like bringing in Ryan. I tend to believe that forward core is too soft as it is, and filled with too many players who have sub-par or average at best defensive games. Dont want Ryan for those reasons. I have a real feeling a team like Boston or LA would expose a forward core like this anyway, working them along the boards and pouncing on careless plays.

My one thing is this.

The stars, or most of the (hopefully) future stars on this team, arent exactly really physical players.

Its why I dont like bringing in Ryan. I tend to believe that forward core is too soft as it is.
- flyer_nutter

Last summer when there was a trade watch for Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan, I compared the 2. Nash is easily the more skilled winger but Bobby Ryan is younger and by far more physical then Rick Nash.

I like Roo, but he showed me some things this year that I didnt like. A lot of really dumb careless plays, and he seemed to over rely on his skill. He has shown, a much better ability to play defense, and he needs to bring that every night instead of just fancy plays.

Kind of nitpicking anyway, he is a good player, but this team will need good players around him also. I dont think he is the kind of guy to go out there and dominate on his own, say like Crosby. Who knows, but just my thoughts.

The one thing with Roo, injuries are a little bit of a creeping red flag.

Edit: The one thing I really want to see. Is Giroux back in the playoffs, and this really being his team. Seeing what kind of game he brings. I believe in him as the #1 guy of the team, they just need a good 2nd line center also.
- flyer_nutter

Giroux played all 48 games last Season. And since becoming a full time Flyer in 09/10, he has played in 289 out of 294 games. He has missed 5 games in 4 Seasons.
He missed 5 games in his partial Season of 08/09.

Giroux played all 48 games last Season. And since becoming a full time Flyers in 09/10, he has played in 289 out of 294 games. He has missed 5 games in 4 Seasons.
He missed 5 games in his partial Season of 08/09.
- MJL

We all remember the Corey Perry head shot!

Last summer when there was a trade watch for Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan, I compared the 2. Nash is easily the more skilled winger but Bobby Ryan is younger and by far more physical then Rick Nash.
- dingo8urbaby

Its cool dingo, we all have our thoughts.

I always thought both were overrated, but thats just me. I'd be in favour of Ryan, but having to give up assests for a guy who isnt great in his own zone, and doesnt do much to improve the "soft" aspect of this forward crew... I'd stay away.

The price would be rediculous I think too. If Ryan really wants to be a Flyer, he will become a UFA. I'd maybe make a run on him then.

We all remember the Corey Perry head shot!
- dingo8urbaby

That was in 09 right?

That was in 09 right?
- MJL

I believe Giroux's rookie season, yes.

We all remember the Corey Perry head shot!
- dingo8urbaby

He has an ability it seems, to play through a lot of pain like Timonen.

I worry about the injuries though. We will see.

Here is the difference. The single biggest fundamental issue with the League, is that in the end, for every player. They want Cap dollars paid, and salary paid, to be equal. Paying a player more salary, then you've been charged in Cap dollars. Is circumventing the Cap. It's the entire idea of the League limiting front loaded contracts and term limits. For example, here's how the Flyers have been allowed to circumvent the Cap with the CBO. I'm not going to include what the Flyers are going to pay Briere for the buyout, so keep in mind that the salary total is even higher

The Flyers to this point, have paid Danny Briere, 47M in salary.
The Flyers to this point, have paid in Cap dollars for Briere, 39M

That is a Cap savings of 8M that the Flyers will never have to repay. Now if you allow the Flyers to simply re-sign Briere at a lower rate. That circumvents the Cap even more. And the Flyers are already getting away with murder here.
- MJL

But I don't see how it circumvents the cap more than already allowed. If you just continue with those same numbers, say Briere signs for 3 years at 2 million per. The cap dollars and actual dollars will still have an 8 million dollar difference. 53M and 45M respectively. I mean maybe its just the NHL saying you can't have your cake and eat it too, but I don't see why the fuss. And in a case like Briere, he has kids which are rooted in the area yada yada. Just hope he finds a good home in the division, doesn't make the playoffs, and keeps up his sub par defensive play

i hope timonen is worth something at the tdl
- 2Real

No he's gonna retire a flyer and it shouldn't be any other way.

I believe Giroux's rookie season, yes.
- dingo8urbaby

He missed 5 games for that I believe. So two partial Seasons. One in 08/09, in which he spent half of the Season with the Phantoms. And the lockout shortened past Season. Plus 3 full Seasons in between. Giroux has missed 9 games in that time due to injury. Don't see how injuries for Giroux are a concern in my opinion.

i hope timonen is worth something at the tdl
- 2Real

Good to know we're already missing the playoffs next year.

Its cool dingo, we all have our thoughts.

I always thought both were overrated, but thats just me. I'd be in favour of Ryan, but having to give up assests for a guy who isnt great in his own zone, and doesnt do much to improve the "soft" aspect of this forward crew... I'd stay away.

The price would be rediculous I think too. If Ryan really wants to be a Flyer, he will become a UFA. I'd maybe make a run on him then.
- flyer_nutter

As silly as it may make me sound, I want Bobby Ryan. I wanted one of Ryan or Nash last summer. Rick Nash might not be a 40 goal scorer anymore but he has been "The guy" for the Rangers this year. In my opinion he was wasting away with the Jackets and I'm still a little surprised at what it took for the Rangers to get Nash. I like Jake Voracek but I want to see more impact star power back in Philly. Eric Lindros and John LeClair. Peter Forsberg and Simon Gagne. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. Call me crazy but Claude Giroux and Bobby Ryan do it for me especially because of the supporting cast. Again, I want Ryan but not for what's being reported (The 11th pick nd Coburn).