schultz was playing 1st pair type minute with streit at 5 v 5

of course his play tailed off

but he was one of their most reliable guys at a bargain price and also fills a stop gap need for viable NHL D men while the prospects mature
- Marc D

And he's no longer at a "bargain price" for 2 years. If he signed a 2-year deal at this year's salary, I'd be all about it.

At some point, management has to let one of these kids have a shot. What happens is both Ghost and Morin come into camp and preseason and dazzle? Do we carry 9 defenseman and put $3-$6M on the healthy scratch list?

We should give MDZ 4 years so that Ghost spends his entire career in the AL where he belongs. Why would we ever want to have a home-grown defenseman at low cost on our NHL roster when we can keep paying other teams' picks?
- jmatchett383

Did the NHL take away trades?

If he gets outperformed you move him at the TDL for an asset

This is the truth -- I don't know why people want to fight, here.

This isn't anything that we haven't seen before. The guy doesn't have to do another "prove it" year -- he just did one!

Since January 8, does anybody want to guess how many times Del Zotto played fewer than 20 minutes? That would be once.

The least he has played since Feb. 17 was 21:48 -- he was on the PK and the PP.

What do people think this guy has been doing for the Flyers? He played 30 minutes two weeks ago!

You are going to pay this guy
- AllInForFlyers

Yup yup.

schultz was playing 1st pair type minute with streit at 5 v 5

of course his play tailed off

but he was one of their most reliable guys at a bargain price and also fills a stop gap need for viable NHL D men while the prospects mature
- Marc D

I could have done w/o the Schultz extension...

He's a productive young top-4 defender about to enter his prime.
- Tomahawk

His defense and possession numbers aren't top 4 worthy. Like I said he tries hard defensively, including on the PK, but the results aren't there.

This is the truth -- I don't know why people want to fight, here.

This isn't anything that we haven't seen before. The guy doesn't have to do another "prove it" year -- he just did one!

Since January 8, does anybody want to guess how many times Del Zotto played fewer than 20 minutes? That would be once.

The least he has played since Feb. 17 was 21:48 -- he was on the PK and the PP.

What do people think this guy has been doing for the Flyers? He played 30 minutes two weeks ago!

You are going to pay this guy
- AllInForFlyers

the writers that follow the team already have said the team has earmarked coburn's $s for mdz

I don't see Hexy going crazy here but I think they like mdz and see him as a part of the future going forward

I would be fine with a three deal, and that absolutely will not block any home grown prospects from moving up when they are ready

Did the NHL take away trades?

If he gets outperformed you move him at the TDL for an asset
- J35Bacher

Oh good, we only have to put a few million dollars on the scratch list until early March.

I could have done w/o the Schultz extension...
- Tomahawk

I liked it.

He played well and he fits as a steady player you could probably pair with maybe a ghost or morin next season.

I think all this D talk is short sighted. It needs to be about the unit as a whole. Who is playing 1st pair on this team? We should wait until after the draft to discuss as it can't look the same at that point. Seriously, it is one of the worst in the NHL right now. Next year is probably a wash if it isn't addressed which would also affect the strategy.

the writers that follow the team already have said the team has earmarked coburn's $s for mdz

I don't see Hexy going crazy here but I think they like mdz and see him as a part of the future going forward

I would be fine with a three deal, and that absolutely will not block any home grown prospects from moving up when they are ready
- Marc D

What if they're ready come training camp next year?

This is the truth -- I don't know why people want to fight, here.

This isn't anything that we haven't seen before. The guy doesn't have to do another "prove it" year -- he just did one!

Since January 8, does anybody want to guess how many times Del Zotto played fewer than 20 minutes? That would be once.

The least he has played since Feb. 17 was 21:48 -- he was on the PK and the PP.

What do people think this guy has been doing for the Flyers? He played 30 minutes two weeks ago!

You are going to pay this guy
- AllInForFlyers

Paying guys a lot of money based on minutes played on a bad defense is a bad idea.

I could have done w/o the Schultz extension...
- Tomahawk

well when Grossmann and/or LSchenn are gone they may need Schultz's minutes this year

Paying guys a lot of money based on minutes played on a bad defense is a bad idea.
- Feanor

AMac what?

Oh good, we only have to put a few million dollars on the scratch list until early March.
- jmatchett383

Del Zotto isn't 30 year old vet.

He is a younger vet. Even if he is making 3.5 on a 3 year deal. That's a deal that could be moved even at next seasons TDL if prospects are ready to take on those minutes.

Defenseman are a premium right now. His skill set is something all teams can use.

AMac what?
- jmatchett383

What team would take AMAC? DisasterMAC

Edit: this isn't directed at you just the few that thought someone would take him

why?

he is coming into his prime years

the prospects may not all pan out

he provides a skill set they need

3 years at his age would be great
- Marc D

I need to see more is basically what it comes down to. Do a one year or two year deal and then we can talk down the line. If he proves his worth then so be it. If our kids are ready we have a tradable deal because of the term.

His defense and possession numbers aren't top 4 worthy. Like I said he tries hard defensively, including on the PK, but the results aren't there.
- Feanor

He's just that kind of dman... his attack-side numbers are borderline top-pair. I'm not gonna refuse to pay him fair value because he isn't Scott Neidermeyer.

We should give MDZ 4 years so that Ghost spends his entire career in the AL where he belongs. Why would we ever want to have a home-grown defenseman at low cost on our NHL roster when we can keep paying other teams' picks?
- jmatchett383

What if they're ready come training camp next year?
- jmatchett383

They can still move others like Grossmann, Schenn, MacDonald and even Schultz if they wanted.

Del Zotto isn't 30 year old vet.

He is a younger vet. Even if he is making 3.5 on a 3 year deal. That's a deal that could be moved even at next seasons TDL if prospects are ready to take on those minutes.

Defenseman are a premium right now. His skill set is something all teams can use.
- J35Bacher

You're assuming his play is at the level it was this year, not to previous 4 season where he was pretty abysmal. $3.5M for a defender who supplies minimal offense and very little defense wouldn't be too appetizing to most GMs.

They can still move others like Grossmann, Schenn, MacDonald and even Schultz if they wanted.
- J35Bacher

All 4 of them can be moved around training camp? Right after FA has ended and before the season has started? Please put down the controller and turn the console off.

Paying guys a lot of money based on minutes played on a bad defense is a bad idea.
- Feanor

$3.5 million isn't a lot of money, especially when you can move Schenn at $3.6 or Grossmann at $3.5

I would bet my own paycheck that guy isn't coming in at less than Nicklas Grossmann's $3.5

$3.5 million isn't a lot of money, especially when you can move Schenn at $3.6 or Grossmann at $3.5

I would bet my own paycheck that guy isn't coming in at less than Nicklas Grossmann's $3.5
- AllInForFlyers

Ooooh, who are we moving them to and what are we getting in return? I'm sure Hexy was turning down offers for those 2 studs left and right this year.

NO ONE WANTS A BAD TEAM'S WORST PLAYERS! Especially when they're overpaid.

the writers that follow the team already have said the team has earmarked coburn's $s for mdz

I don't see Hexy going crazy here but I think they like mdz and see him as a part of the future going forward

I would be fine with a three deal, and that absolutely will not block any home grown prospects from moving up when they are ready
- Marc D

Hextall seems appropriately restrained here.

http://articles.philly.co...aching-staff-third-season

To this point, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said negotiations have not begun. The Flyers will retain Del Zotto's rights so long as they offer him a $1.3 million qualifying offer, which his agent, Mark Guy, said he fully expects.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Del Zotto said. "I love it here. I love the group of guys here, I strongly believe in this room. It's kind of a weird year, an inconsistent year. I feel we have a team that could do some damage if we stayed consistent. I love everything about it here. It's an unbelievable sports city. I love the fans. It's the closest group of guys I've ever played with."

Could this be a complicated negotiation?

"I have no idea," Hextall said. "Personally, I don't think it should be difficult. I think we know where he was, we know where he is. I think two reasonable people can probably put something together that's fair for both sides. I don't anticipate [it], but until you get there, you don't know."

Hextall said the Flyers could be interested in a longer term deal "depending on the numbers." They'll probably need to pay to buy up a few of his unrestricted years. Del Zotto is also arbitration-eligible should an impasse arrive.

Should have won the Ashbee.
- Tomahawk

That would've given him a lot more negotiating leverage