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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Free Agency Season Open, Lecavalier, Ott and More
Author Message
AllInForFlyers
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Call Me Sweetcheeks
Joined: 03.18.2013

Jul 1 @ 7:56 PM ET
What does waiting for them mean? It is foolish to wait 3-5 years for players to develop to the point where they can play a significant role on the team, as top defenseman. Because they may never get there. My point is that you can do both. You can try to win now smartly, and develop players for the future. That's what the best teams do. You don't put winning now on hold and pass up moves to make the team better now to wait for players. You also don't completely abandon the future, as the Flyers have been guilty of in the past. There is a middle ground. The Flyers are not, and should not put themselves in a 3-5 year holding pattern.
- MJL


Winning smartly? What does that even mean? I'd really like to know.

Would you please provide one example of a team that "wins smartly?"
flyler
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: LA, CA
Joined: 05.23.2008

Jul 1 @ 7:58 PM ET
MacDonald was hated by the Isles fan base. So if we're gonna use that excuse, let's remember that most Isles fans were ecstatic they traded MacDonald
- Jsaquella


Yes, everyone is hated.

http://www.wingingitinmot...is-kyle-quincey-the-worst






Feanor
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: DE
Joined: 02.13.2013

Jul 1 @ 7:59 PM ET
Raptor Jesus help us if it is
- PhillySportsGuy


Hextall's talk about getting quicker up front doesn't jive with signing Ott.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jul 1 @ 8:00 PM ET
Winning smartly? What does that even mean? I'd really like to know.

Would you please provide one example of a team that "wins smartly?"

- AllInForFlyers


That applies to not just making moves, but making the right moves. If you're going to delve into the free agent market, make sure the player is a fit for how you want to play going forward. For example, Lecavalier might be able to bounce back and play better. But is he a fit on this team going forward, with how Berube wants to play, and are there the right players to play with him. Another example is the Hartnell trade. Hartnell is probably the better play when compared one to one with Umberger. But is Umberger a better fit for the team, and how they want to play? Time will tell. That's what I'm talking about. The Flyers shouldn't sit back and wait for players to develop, and not try to get better now. You can do both. But it has to be done smartly.
stayinthefnnet
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 01.12.2012

Jul 1 @ 8:01 PM ET
You watched Orpik on a team last year that was dysfunctional defensively. That exposes defenseman. Not sure that Orpik is going to a better situation in Washington in that regard. But he'll help them in certain roles and situations for sure. Can still play in defensive situations and on the PK. And they have a new Coach in Barry Trotz.
- MJL

the one thing i will say, is when paired with paul martin pre concussion, he looked pretty good. but paulmart made everyone he was paired with look better.

and the pens actually had large stretches during the regular season in which they were an extremely solid club defensively. (come on everyone knows they save their best (frank) two way hockey skates for the playoffs).

but he has lost pretty much all speed. even as far as getting players out of the crease. he struggles with his footwork in that regard as well. he still tries to go for the big hit, which every now and then, he will connect on. but more often than not, it just leads to him being out of position. thats a deadly combination when you consider he cant get back to cover any ground at all.

he will bring grit, a few hard hits, and definite leadership to the team. he will however offer 0 puck movement/offense, next to no positional awareness, and will struggle to clear the crease much more than you would think.

even if we concede that he will provide the grit and leadership, that is a HELL of a price to pay, for an astoundingly long term for a guy of his age. (who plays a style that is prone to breaking down early regardless. he isnt a kimmo timonen type guy based on smarts and positioning).

he is a warrior, and a team guy through and through. im glad he got a fat check to ride out, but its a laugher.
Bill Meltzer
Editor
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 07.13.2006

Jul 1 @ 8:03 PM ET
Hextall's talk about getting quicker up front doesn't jive with signing Ott.
- Feanor


Well... Devin Setoguchi can certainly skate fast. Hasn't done much else in recent years but he can certainly skate.
AllInForFlyers
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Call Me Sweetcheeks
Joined: 03.18.2013

Jul 1 @ 8:04 PM ET
That applies to not just making moves, but making the right moves. If you're going to delve into the free agent market, make sure the player is a fit for how you want to play going forward. For example, Lecavalier might be able to bounce back and play better. But is he a fit on this team going forward, with how Berube wants to play, and are there the right players to play with him. Another example is the Hartnell trade. Hartnell is probably the better play when compared one to one with Umberger. But is Umberger a better fit for the team, and how they want to play? Time will tell. That's what I'm talking about. The Flyers shouldn't sit back and wait for players to develop, and not try to get better now. You can do both.
- MJL


Yeah. I'm just gonna save myself the agitation, let this non-answer stand on its own.

The key, folks, is not getting sucked in
hammarby31
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: it's been 84 years, AZ
Joined: 01.02.2007

Jul 1 @ 8:04 PM ET
Hexy just said it on media conference call. Also said team would like to add a veteran depth D as well.
- bmeltzer


i bet they would. i guess hall gill doesn't cut it.
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

Jul 1 @ 8:05 PM ET
FIXED.

Hextall probably spent majority of the day looking for someone to take VL's corpse, in the mean time players who could have helped this team signed with other teams.

- PLindbergh31


Um.....hello.......did you not hear the Holmer interview yesterday? He "likes our team" sheeeeeesh
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jul 1 @ 8:07 PM ET
Yeah. I'm just gonna save myself the agitation, let this non-answer stand on its own.

The key, folks, is not getting sucked in

- AllInForFlyers


Non answer?


It was a complete and intelligent answer. And it's how the best teams go about their business. Waiting would be foolish. Can't afford to wait while the primes of players like Giroux, Voracek, and Simmonds, flush down the drain.
Feanor
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: DE
Joined: 02.13.2013

Jul 1 @ 8:07 PM ET
Well... Devin Setoguchi can certainly skate fast. Hasn't done much else in recent years but he can certainly skate.
- bmeltzer


I would mind taking a chance on him if they can trade Vinny to make room. Maybe 1 year at $2 million. Hopefully he can play LW.
Tomahawk
Ottawa Senators
Location: Driver's Seat: Mitch Marner bandwagon. Grab 'em by the Corsi.
Joined: 02.04.2009

Jul 1 @ 8:08 PM ET
Yeah. I'm just gonna save myself the agitation, let this non-answer stand on its own.

The key, folks, is not getting sucked in

- AllInForFlyers



landros 2
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Centre of universe
Joined: 02.07.2007

Jul 1 @ 8:08 PM ET
Hexy just said it on media conference call. Also said team would like to add a veteran depth D as well.
- bmeltzer



So when's the Blair Jones Presser?
PhillaBully
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 07.20.2010

Jul 1 @ 8:08 PM ET
Per bill on twitter

@billmeltzer: Hextall (on value of goalie relationship): "I have been on some teams where the goalies haven't gotten along, and it can divide the team."
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jul 1 @ 8:09 PM ET
I would mind taking a chance on him if they can trade Vinny to make room. Maybe 1 year at $2 million. Hopefully he can play LW.
- Feanor


I really think there's a chance that's what we see. The Flyers taking a one year chance without a lot of risk on a 2nd tier free agent forward.
landros 2
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Centre of universe
Joined: 02.07.2007

Jul 1 @ 8:09 PM ET
Um.....hello.......did you not hear the Holmer interview yesterday? He "likes our team" sheeeeeesh
- Just5


He built it !!!!! What's he gonna say ?
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Jul 1 @ 8:09 PM ET
Yeah. I'm just gonna save myself the agitation, let this non-answer stand on its own.

The key, folks, is not getting sucked in

- AllInForFlyers


Yep...you have to be like Pitfall Harry
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Jul 1 @ 8:11 PM ET
I wonder what Hextall is looking for as a depth Dman....I doubt he means guys like Del Zotto or McBain.
Feanor
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: DE
Joined: 02.13.2013

Jul 1 @ 8:12 PM ET
I really think there's a chance that's what we see. The Flyers taking a one year chance without a lot of risk on a 2nd tier free agent forward.
- MJL


Sorry for another capgeek roster, but this one gets us under the cap although it relies on trading Vinny for a pick with no salary retained.

FORWARDS
Devin Setoguchi ($2.500m) / Claude Giroux ($8.275m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
R.J. Umberger ($4.600m) / Brayden Schenn ($2.500m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Matt Read ($3.625m) / Sean Couturier ($1.750m) / Jason Akeson ($0.715m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.675m) / Michael Raffl ($1.100m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($5.250m) / Andrew MacDonald ($5.000m)
Chris Pronger ($4.941m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Luke Schenn ($3.600m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Kimmo Timonen ($2.000m) /
GOALTENDERS
Steve Mason ($4.100m)
Ray Emery ($1.000m)
BONUS OVERAGE
$345,000
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,951,429; BONUSES: $1,500,000
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $48,571
sulshawn
Joined: 07.28.2008

Jul 1 @ 8:13 PM ET
Hexy just said it on media conference call. Also said team would like to add a veteran depth D as well.
- bmeltzer


Keaton Ellerby
Tomahawk
Ottawa Senators
Location: Driver's Seat: Mitch Marner bandwagon. Grab 'em by the Corsi.
Joined: 02.04.2009

Jul 1 @ 8:14 PM ET
I wonder what Hextall is looking for as a depth Dman....I doubt he means guys like Del Zotto or McBain.
- Jsaquella


With two 35+ relied upon for most of the puck-moving, having a back-up like those guys you mentioned (add Diaz) might not be such a bad idea.
PhillySportsGuy
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: any donut with a hole in the middle can get (frank)ed right in its hole, NJ
Joined: 04.08.2012

Jul 1 @ 8:14 PM ET
are you done lashing out at me because i inquired as to your thoughts about jussi jokinen
- stayinthefnnet




I was just clowning. I'm mad about Ehrhoff. The dream is to have a really good player sign with your team for much less money than he's worth
PhillySportsGuy
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: any donut with a hole in the middle can get (frank)ed right in its hole, NJ
Joined: 04.08.2012

Jul 1 @ 8:14 PM ET
Hextall's talk about getting quicker up front doesn't jive with signing Ott.
- Feanor


Throw Ott in the pot
flyerfan28
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: CA
Joined: 02.06.2012

Jul 1 @ 8:15 PM ET
Your 2014-2015 Flyers!!
CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Jakub Voracek ($4.250m) / Claude Giroux ($8.275m) / Matt Read ($3.625m)
R.J. Umberger ($4.600m) / Brayden Schenn ($2.500m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare ($0.600m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($4.500m) / Scott Laughton ($0.863m)
Michael Raffl ($1.100m) / Sean Couturier ($1.750m) / Jason Akeson ($0.715m)
Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Andrew MacDonald ($5.000m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Mark Streit ($5.250m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Kimmo Timonen ($2.000m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Sheldon Brookbank ($1.250m) /
GOALTENDERS
Steve Mason ($4.100m)
Ray Emery ($1.000m)
BUYOUTS
Daniel Briere ($0.000m)
Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
LTIR
Chris Pronger ($4.941m)
BONUS OVERAGE
$345,000
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,048,333; BONUSES: $1,712,500
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $951,667
PLindbergh31
Location: NJ
Joined: 02.01.2008

Jul 1 @ 8:15 PM ET
Um.....hello.......did you not hear the Holmer interview yesterday? He "likes our team" sheeeeeesh
- Just5


Remember the extra year given to Lilja?

I recall some arguing it was a "solid move" Hilarious.
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