I'd go the trade route before an offer sheet. Due to the pitfalls of the offer sheet (7-day match period, overpayment to not be matched, player must agree to sign), it's only used for superstar players, and it rarely works. I'd be interested in trying to trade from Barrie, Despres, or Gelinas. Even though they hate us, the Penguins seem intent on not using Despres, and I think he's a top-4 defenseman right now.
- jmatchett383

It rarely works because it is used for superstar players bcause you pretty much know what they are going to getm piad and it helps get a deal done. For a younger player your bankingonpotential. So I think it makes the other team really think about matching or taking the pick. They might only want to pay player X so much because he might on be number 5 on the list of people they need to resign so depending on the money you might get wha you want. It happened to chicago witgh the Hjalesmann OS and they lost Neimi.

The thinking is he'd add more mobility and better puck skills to the second pairing while costing less than Grossmann.
- Feanor

And he's also not as good on the PK, or as physical as Grossmann is.

I'd possibly do a trade where you would "buy low" on a young defenseman, but I wouldn't offer sheet anyone right now.
- johndewar

I like Dillon from dallas and Vatanen from Ana

I don't understand this fascination/love affair people have for Ville Leino. Even at the minimum he is NOT a player that would be a very good fit for a Craig Berube system.

The guy parlayed one good regular season and playoff into a monster contract in Buffalo, where he proceeded to LITERALLY steal money from them for 3 seasons.

We do not want Ville Leino.
- MBFlyerfan

Ville Leino at $900K for one season is not a bad idea, to me. He has a decent two-way game, but injuries hampered him and he was counted on to be a major point producer for Buffalo. That he is not. If he's counted on as a third-line player for depth scoring, then he works (assuming he's healthy). Also, you'd want to sign him to a contract that you could bury, if need be, if things don't work out or he is not healthy.

It rarely works because it is used for superstar players bcause you pretty much know what they are going to getm piad and it helps get a deal done. For a younger player your bankingonpotential. So I think it makes the other team really think about matching or taking the pick. They might only want to pay player X so much because he might on be number 5 on the list of people they need to resign so depending on the money you might get wha you want. It happened to chicago witgh the Hjalesmann OS and they lost Neimi.
- J35Bacher

And that's done wonders for the Sharks while crippling the Blackhawks.

But, assuming one of them (let's say Barrie) signs, you need to overpay for there to be incentive 1) for the player to be enticed to sign and 2) to not have it matched. Then, you have to wait up to 7 days with that money accounted for in your cap, which hinders you from making other roster changes (see: Jagr, Carle). So unless it's for a superstar, I'll pass.

Would anyone throw an OS to one of the young RFA dmen out there. Not sure of teams cap hit but Hextall wants to stay young and not overpay vets. How about something where you only give up 2nd or third round pick. Maybe a team in cap or budget mess can match. Any interest?

J.Shultz
J.Demers
M. Del Zotto
E. Grudbranson
S. Vatanen
B. Dillon
T. Barrie
A. Larsson
S.Despres
D. Olsyn
E. Gelinas
- J35Bacher

That's who I would target, but via trade. Maybe Grossmann and something else for him, if the Ducks want to add more size to their back-end.

Ville Leino at $900K for one season is not a bad idea, to me. He has a decent two-way game, but injuries hampered him and he was counted on to be a major point producer for Buffalo. That he is not. If he's counted on as a third-line player for depth scoring, then he works (assuming he's healthy). Also, you'd want to sign him to a contract that you could bury, if need be, if things don't work out or he is not healthy.
- jmatchett383

I see your point and simply don't agree. I don't see him as anywhere near a decent 2 way player. I dont see that he has any ability to score anymore. He scored no goals in 58 games and only generated 38 shots. That seems almost impossible, no matter how bad your team is. Ill pass.

Is he better (overall) than Coburn, Streit, and AMac when all is taken into consideration? Not knocking the guy, I honestly don't know. I'm not mentioning Kimmo because I'm assuming Fayne would get multiple years and am counting on some of the kids to make the NHL starting next year.
- jmatchett383

He's about as good as Stralman, IMO, but he'll probably only command a fraction of the price. He's definitely not going to be anchoring either of the top pairs, but he could be a part of a group that is solid, if unspectacular, overall.

Btw, tsn has a Tsujimoto tribute vid up.

And that's done wonders for the Sharks while crippling the Blackhawks.

But, assuming one of them (let's say Barrie) signs, you need to overpay for there to be incentive 1) for the player to be enticed to sign and 2) to not have it matched. Then, you have to wait up to 7 days with that money accounted for in your cap, which hinders you from making other roster changes (see: Jagr, Carle). So unless it's for a superstar, I'll pass.
- jmatchett383

Money isn't the only thinkg to entice someone. A guy like Despres might sign because of a better chance of making the lineup or maybe he is told because they want him in the top 6 where he seems to have moved behind guys in Pittsburgh.

Lets not rehash the Carle and Jarg things again because I don't think theFlyers were going to pay for what those two got in the open market.

Money isn't the only thinkg to entice someone. A guy like Despres might sign because of a better chance of making the lineup or maybe he is told because they want him in the top 6 where he seems to have moved behind guys in Pittsburgh.

Lets not rehash the Carle and Jarg things again because I don't think theFlyers were going to pay for what those two got in the open market.
- J35Bacher

I know it's not the only thing, but if a team has an RFA that is obviously getting interest from other teams, they'd likely prefer to match (and possibly trade him to the offering team, which they can do) unless the offer and compensation make it in the team's best interest to not sign.

As for Jagr and Carle, I was using them as examples that you kind of handcuff yourself a bit by using an offer sheet. There's a reason why they're almost never used, and also why they almost never succeed.

He's about as good as Stralman, IMO, but he'll probably only command a fraction of the price. He's definitely not going to be anchoring either of the top pairs, but he could be a part of a group that is solid, if unspectacular, overall.

Btw, tsn has a Tsujimoto tribute vid up.
- Tomahawk

Taro on TSN? OH BABY!

That's who I would target, but via trade. Maybe Grossmann and something else for him, if the Ducks want to add more size to their back-end.
- Rocktane

I would go trade too but the guys I listed aren't guys that can just be plucked away? That's why the offer sheet would be my try. I don't think you get a young d without adding Schenn or another young player to the trade. I don't think a trade of Grossmann for young offensive potential dmen works.

At least the OS you control money your offering and Your only giving up a pick in 2nd or 3rd round. We want to the Flyers to buld with youth. If the team takes 7 days to match what FA out there would they miss on? they have most of their team signed, except Schenn.

I know it's not the only thing, but if a team has an RFA that is obviously getting interest from other teams, they'd likely prefer to match (and possibly trade him to the offering team, which they can do) unless the offer and compensation make it in the team's best interest to not sign.

As for Jagr and Carle, I was using them as examples that you kind of handcuff yourself a bit by using an offer sheet. There's a reason why they're almost never used, and also why they almost never succeed.
- jmatchett383

I thought that if you matched an offer sheet you have to keep him on your roster for at least a year. Only then can he be traded?

I know it's not the only thing, but if a team has an RFA that is obviously getting interest from other teams, they'd likely prefer to match (and possibly trade him to the offering team, which they can do) unless the offer and compensation make it in the team's best interest to not sign.

As for Jagr and Carle, I was using them as examples that you kind of handcuff yourself a bit by using an offer sheet. There's a reason why they're almost never used, and also why they almost never succeed.
- jmatchett383

I got you. I just think with th lack of FA this offseason and the Flyers kind of in a transition with Hextall wanting more youth and development I think this year could be a year to use it. What FA out there do the Flyers really want to go after that they need to move in a rush? I mean I only see them really improving the bottom 6 and maybe a wing if Vinny is moved and Schenn signed.

Ville Leino at $900K for one season is not a bad idea, to me. He has a decent two-way game, but injuries hampered him and he was counted on to be a major point producer for Buffalo. That he is not. If he's counted on as a third-line player for depth scoring, then he works (assuming he's healthy). Also, you'd want to sign him to a contract that you could bury, if need be, if things don't work out or he is not healthy.
- jmatchett383

At the most, I would offer Leino a tryout at Camp. Flyers can't afford to have another one way contract taking up off season cap space, that may or may not work out.

I thought that if you matched an offer sheet you have to keep him on your roster for at least a year. Only then can he be traded?
- FlyersGrace

I think he can be traded to the team that made the offer. But that may only be during the 7-day period.

New blog

I got you. I just think with th lack of FA this offseason and the Flyers kind of in a transition with Hextall wanting more youth and development I think this year could be a year to use it. What FA out there do the Flyers really want to go after that they need to move in a rush? I mean I only see them really improving the bottom 6 and maybe a wing if Vinny is moved and Schenn signed.
- J35Bacher

I have no clue what they intend to do via the UFA pool. But with an offer sheet, you usually end up having to overpay as well as give up assets. I'd rather give up more assets if it means keeping the price down.

He's about as good as Stralman, IMO, but he'll probably only command a fraction of the price. He's definitely not going to be anchoring either of the top pairs, but he could be a part of a group that is solid, if unspectacular, overall.

Btw, tsn has a Tsujimoto tribute vid up.
- Tomahawk

I disagree that fayne is as good as Stralman. I think there is a significant difference between the two players.

I thought that if you matched an offer sheet you have to keep him on your roster for at least a year. Only then can he be traded?
- FlyersGrace

it is more like Team X send OS

Team Y says we will match or we can make a trade.

Team Y promises not to match but with the promise of a deal from Team x to send the assets that Team Y wants for some low assets or picks to team X.

it is more like Team X send OS

Team Y says we will match or we can make a trade.

Team Y promises not to match but with the promise of a deal from Team x to send the assets that Team Y wants for some low assets or picks to team X.
- J35Bacher

I know you can do that, which was the Gratton offer sheet. But I thought you had at least the 7-day period to actually make a trade to the offering team, at least with the old CBA

Is he better (overall) than Coburn, Streit, and AMac when all is taken into consideration?
- jmatchett383

No, but he's probably better than Grossmann or LSchenn.