Guys like Giroux, Read and Couturier will all have increased salaries. Giroux's will increase by $5M
- PhillySportsGuy

With the estimated cap increase, without resigning anyone, with cap hit increases, and without LTIRing Pronger, we have 16.5-17mil this upcoming offseason. Whether or not that's enough to resign everyone and still make a substantial FA addition is up for debate.

Probably not feeling great after the WJC. I'm sure he took his lumps from captaining an underachieving team. I didn't think he was at fault for their poor play. I think Sutter did a poor job.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think he got back until Wednesday.

would you prefer him or yandle given a preference?
- stayinthefnnet

Yandle

but see i dont know. i always saw a good deal of value in bouwmeesters game. just thought he was a little overpaid and that the return flames fans expected was delusional.
- stayinthefnnet

Whenever he was brought up, the most common word was "soft". But he's a top pairing, all situation defenseman, who would have been a stellar fit. The thing is, any guy who is-or is close to being-a top pair defenseman is going to be expensive.

There's zero way around that.

With the estimated cap increase, without resigning anyone, with cap hit increases, and without LTIRing Pronger, we have 16.5-17mil this upcoming offseason. Whether or not that's enough to resign everyone and still make a substantial FA addition is up for debate.
- JAKEw1234

I'm not so sure about that. Remember that they need to re-sign schenn as well. He will be an rfa

would you prefer him or yandle given a preference?
- stayinthefnnet

Yandle. No question. Yandle would be my top trade target, regardless.

would you prefer him or yandle given a preference?
- stayinthefnnet

Well neither of them made team USA, so I don't see how either could be any good a all

I'm not so sure about that. Remember that they need to re-sign schenn as well. He will be an rfa
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't know if Schenns hit will go up very much.

Whenever he was brought up, the most common word was "soft". But he's a top pairing, all situation defenseman, who would have been a stellar fit. The thing is, any guy who is-or is close to being-a top pair defenseman is going to be expensive.

There's zero way around that.
- Jsaquella

i wouldnt use that word with buff. just like i hate it with letang as well. the two s words that sum up their negatives, rather than soft, are slow and stupid respectively

i still think laughton is going to be a very solid NHLer. not a point producing stud, but thats not what he is designed for. there may be some potential overlap between couturier and him though.
- stayinthefnnet

Laughton will be very solid. There is no such thing as too many good two-way forwards. In hindsight, it would have been nice to have Maata instead though. We were all clamoring for him during the draft. We trust the Flyers on drafting in the first round. They rarely miss. I wouldn't be surprised if Laughton overachieves.

Yandle. No question. Yandle would be my top trade target, regardless.
- Jsaquella

yeah i like yandle.

Last year's TDL wasn't Sheros best moment, but you're right, puck moving dman are invaluable. Guys like Maata and Depres are highly coveted.
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah he definitely overcomplicated things then. absolutely adore maatta. despres, just ugh. frustrating beyond words.

I don't know if Schenns hit will go up very much.
- JAKEw1234

It will actually go down, but most websites don't have Schenn's hit listed for next year.

The kings negotiated some ridiculous deal with unobtainable incentives. His cap hit is much higher than his actual salary.

yeah he definitely overcomplicated things then. absolutely adore maatta. despres, just ugh. frustrating beyond words.
- stayinthefnnet

That's young defenseman though. It takes time. Even forwards have their ups and downs. Couturier was driving us crazy last year. This year, he's been fantastic. Defenseman are even more volatile when they're young. I wouldn't be surprised if Maata struggles next year and Despres looks better.

With the estimated cap increase, without resigning anyone, with cap hit increases, and without LTIRing Pronger, we have 16.5-17mil this upcoming offseason. Whether or not that's enough to resign everyone and still make a substantial FA addition is up for debate.
- JAKEw1234

Per cap geek they have $16,758,571 in cap room with a $71mm cap. That's 9 forwards ( Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Hartnell, Couturier, Read, Lecavalier, Rosehill & Rinaldo), 4 Defensemen (Streit, Schenn, Grossmann & Coburn) and zero goalies.

There's not likely going to be a good UFA defenseman, so they're probably going to trade for one. That will require trading some of those players. They will also get the $4.91mm off Pronger's deal once the season starts.

Per cap geek they have $16,758,571 in cap room with a $71mm cap. That's 9 forwards ( Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Hartnell, Couturier, Read, Lecavalier, Rosehill & Rinaldo), 4 Defensemen (Streit, Schenn, Grossmann & Coburn) and zero goalies.

There's not likely going to be a good UFA defenseman, so they're probably going to trade for one. That will require trading some of those players. They will also get the $4.91mm off Pronger's deal once the season starts.
- Jsaquella

They need 2 goalies, 4 forwards and 2 defenseman. That's 8 players for $17M. (They don't want to use Pronger's LTIR because it makes it difficult to make in season moves).

Not really, just wondering why people don't feel Byfuglien would be a very good addition to the Flyers.

It reminds me of Jay Bouwmeester. When he was a Flame, most people on this board wouldn't have touched him for anything. He goes to St Louis and people are saying he'd be a great fit.

Byfuglien's strengths are exactly what the Flyers lack on the blueline.
- Jsaquella

So he's got speed and isn't scary in his own end?

They need 2 goalies, 4 forwards and 2 defenseman. That's 8 players for $17M. (They don't want to use Pronger's LTIR because it makes it difficult to make in season moves).
- PhillySportsGuy

They're gonna use Pronger's LTIR...I guarantee it.

That's young defenseman though. It takes time. Even forwards have their ups and downs. Couturier was driving us crazy last year. This year, he's been fantastic. Defenseman are even more volatile when they're young. I wouldn't be surprised if Maata struggles next year and Despres looks better.
- PhillySportsGuy

thats the thing though. i can deal with the lumps. you need to play through them to get better. it isnt as though he is 18 and being thrown to the wolves. i dont expect him to be perfect, but he isnt young enough where he cant handle himself and is going to be destroyed by having two consecutive poor outings. more often than night, he is damn good out there. at the very least, not very noticeable which is fine for a young defender since theyre not making mistakes. but he just doesnt get consistent enough time.

i love his skill set and potential, but i dont see him with the organization for more than another year.

So he's got speed and isn't scary in his own end?
- Yosimar89

Actually, he has decent speed for such a big guy, but he is scary in his own end. But he can also make a breakout pass with regularity and actually skate the puck up ice and out of danger, without getting two feet from the red line and icing it while unchallenged

He has struggled in his own end. But he's very good in transition. He's also elite among defensemen in terms of producing points.

He definitely has warts to his game, and he's not my top choice...but some people here treat him like he's a leper.
- Jsaquella

What would you trade for him?

He's no leper, but i sure as hell wouldn't part with BSchenn for a Dmen who is a forward made to play D aka not the answer to the Flyers D.

They're gonna use Pronger's LTIR...I guarantee it.
- Jsaquella

Even if they do, they will have $22M for 8 players. Guys like Schenn and Mason will be re-signed for significant cap hits. Laughton will provide a cheap forward.

I see money to make moves, but not enough to make a big move unless someone is traded.

They need 2 goalies, 4 forwards and 2 defenseman. That's 8 players for $17M. (They don't want to use Pronger's LTIR because it makes it difficult to make in season moves).
- PhillySportsGuy

Give a forward spot or 2 to cheap rookies and maybe one D spot to a rookie.

Even if they do, they will have $22M for 8 players. Guys like Schenn and Mason will be re-signed for significant cap hits. Laughton will provide a cheap forward.

I see money to make moves, but not enough to make a big move unless someone is traded.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree. There's nobody in UFA that fills their need, unless they go after a guy like Boyle or Markov on an over 35 deal. Even Girardi, who is a very good defenseman, isn't a top guy. They're gonna have to make a trade.

I agree. There's nobody in UFA that fills their need, unless they go after a guy like Boyle or Markov on an over 35 deal. Even Girardi, who is a very good defenseman, isn't a top guy. They're gonna have to make a trade.
- Jsaquella

There is still a chance Kimmo comes back. Best case scenario would be to have him come back halfway through the season.