Think Brad Richards makes it into the HOF before Vinny? Probably MSL too.
- Tomahawk

I think MSL is the only one of the 3 to make it for sure, Richards and Vinny are on the bubble, IMO

the Flyers organization will now be rich with goaltending and defense....who knew?

Think Brad Richards makes it into the HOF before Vinny? Probably MSL too.
- Tomahawk

MSL gets in, I would assume, but are we sure that Wheels and Richards get in?

Very good players, certainly, but HOFers? Ugh

I think MSL is the only one of the 3 to make it for sure, Richards and Vinny are on the bubble, IMO
- BiggE

Jinx, beeyotch

Well, when Hextall was asked if Gagner would be staying, he did not say even a qualified yes (ala "We like Sam and we think he can help our team, but a lot of things can happen"). His answer was basically that he didn't know right now.

When asked if Gagner was a candidate for a buyout, Hextall gave the answer that he had internal meetings planned on Monday and wasn't sure yet what the team would be doing.

Asked to give a percentage on his certainty that the team would be keeping Gagner, Hextall completely deflected it and refused to answer. He reiterated the above point that they have to have meetings first and then added that the team still needs to open more cap space.

All those things suggest that Gagner will never wear a Flyers uniform.
- bmeltzer

Sounds like Hexy has another target for the cap dollars he is looking to free up.

Jinx, beeyotch
- AllInForFlyers

Bill,

Buying out Gagner doesn't make sense to me. If that is their intention, why not just trade Pronger for a conditional pick and find somewhere else to send Grossmann without taking a contract back?
- FlyerFan16

Probably not possible to do that. How many teams are willing to take $4.91mm in dead space for two years? I'm guessing most other teams would want a pick to do so.

The coyotes were going to buy out Gagner anyhow, this move just saves them cash and fills a hole, while getting them closer to the cap floor.

The Flyers get an easy buyout shared by TB and will get an additional $2.6mm in cap savings. It really boils down to the Flyers thinking Gagner fits or not. If they don't think he fits into what they're trying to do, buy him out and take the space.

From what Maloney said, Gagner didn't play well

MSL gets in, I would assume, but are we sure that Wheels and Richards get in?

Very good players, certainly, but HOFers? Ugh
- AllInForFlyers

Richards should probably make it, based on how many championships he's won (2 Cups, Mem Cup, Q Championship, and MVP in all but the last run). He's got a better per game scoring rate than Vinny too.

Vinny really is borderline -- his fame/name was always > his game.

Sounds like Hexy has another target for the cap dollars he is looking to free up.
- wolfhounds

Or he's just getting an early start on freeing up $$ to re-sign Voracek, Raffl, Couturier and B. Schenn during and/or after next year.

Probably not possible to do that. How many teams are willing to take $4.91mm in dead space for two years? I'm guessing most other teams would want a pick to do so.

The coyotes were going to buy out Gagner anyhow, this move just saves them cash and fills a hole, while getting them closer to the cap floor.

The Flyers get an easy buyout shared by TB and will get an additional $2.6mm in cap savings. It really boils down to the Flyers thinking Gagner fits or not. If they don't think he fits into what they're trying to do, buy him out and take the space.

From what Maloney said, Gagner didn't play well
- Jsaquella

Agreed. I think you will see them buyout Gagner tomorrow.

Richards should probably make it, based on how many championships he's won (2 Cups, Mem Cup, Q Championship, and MVP in all but the last run). He's got a better per game scoring rate than Vinny too.
- Tomahawk

Yup, of the 3, VLC has the least chance, IMO

Agreed. I think you will see them buyout Gagner tomorrow.
- BiggE

Wouldn't surprise me. Gagner had decent numbers, but I think the goal was maxing their cap space.

Sounds like Hexy has another target for the cap dollars he is looking to free up.
- wolfhounds

I'm not so sure their going to sign anyone on a multiyear deal this summer

I'd rather they remain flexible.

Or he's just getting an early start on freeing up $$ to re-sign Voracek, Raffl, Couturier and B. Schenn during and/or after next year.
- BiggE

Yup. Could be MDZ dollars as well. Schenn's $3.6 coming off the books next season will also be helpful.

I'm not so sure their going to sign anyone on a multiyear deal this summer

I'd rather they remain flexible.
- Just5

True. You just have to wonder at the goals and conversations in the room if the team doesn't plan on giving Gagner a shot to play next season. Buying him out still dents the cap a bit, so it just makes me curious.

watching konecny highlights... and this kid looks really good. hexy is doing all the right things. flyers hockey will be exciting again in a few years.

Bill - with the goalie coach position now filled by Dillabaugh, do you see the team adding a goaltending development coach to the org? They did a good job of strengthening the system yesterday by adding 3 more guys to the depth chart, so would it make sense to add a guy (or two) who will travel around to work with them? Maybe 1 in Europe and one in NA...

watching konecny highlights... and this kid looks really good. hexy is doing all the right things. flyers hockey will be exciting again in a few years.
- moylander

i think it's gonna be exciting this year myself.

I wonder if they're going to try Konecny at LW at all? I would think that in a year or two either him or Simmonds is going to have to make the switch.

Probably not possible to do that. How many teams are willing to take $4.91mm in dead space for two years? I'm guessing most other teams would want a pick to do so.

The coyotes were going to buy out Gagner anyhow, this move just saves them cash and fills a hole, while getting them closer to the cap floor.

The Flyers get an easy buyout shared by TB and will get an additional $2.6mm in cap savings. It really boils down to the Flyers thinking Gagner fits or not. If they don't think he fits into what they're trying to do, buy him out and take the space.

From what Maloney said, Gagner didn't play well
- Jsaquella

I guess I was trying to say trade Pronger to the Coyotes for a conditional pick. Trade Grossmann elsewhere and not take a contract back. That would save the full amount of both of their cap hits.

I honestly don't know how the buyout works in Gagner's case. Is it for 1 year or 2? I guess if it is minimal than it is essential clearing the full amount.

Too bad we couldn't have flipped RJ with Pronger to AZ and let them keep their pick. Probably still could've later flipped Grossmann to someone else. Can't really complain tho. Pronger is off the books. Woot.

Too bad we couldn't have flipped RJ with Pronger to AZ and let them keep their pick. Probably still could've later flipped Grossmann to someone else. Can't really complain tho. Pronger is off the books. Woot.
- hereticpride

would be nice to get a mulligan on that hartsy trade. RJ is painful to watch.

I guess I was trying to say trade Pronger to the Coyotes for a conditional pick. Trade Grossmann elsewhere and not take a contract back. That would save the full amount of both of their cap hits.

I honestly don't know how the buyout works in Gagner's case. Is it for 1 year or 2? I guess if it is minimal than it is essential clearing the full amount.
- FlyerFan16

It's a $633K for two years, frees up $2.6mm this season. Gagner being under age 26 means the buyout is only 1/3rd of the cost, and TB is on the hook for some. Basically it's two teams helping each other out. The Flyers wanted to dump Pronger's deal, the Yotes wanted a physical, veteran D-man and to dump Gagner.

To me, if they think Gagner's a fit, keep him. Its one year and maybe he can be dealt at the TDL for more picks. But if they don't think he fits and share Maloney's harsh assessment-thinking that Gagner couldn't play C at the NHL level for them-then a buyout is essentially painless and it frees up significant cap room

Too bad we couldn't have flipped RJ with Pronger to AZ and let them keep their pick. Probably still could've later flipped Grossmann to someone else. Can't really complain tho. Pronger is off the books. Woot.
- hereticpride

Hextall is a genius, not a miracle worker....yet.

I wonder if Edmonton is finally open for business moving one of their top 6 forwards with McDavid being drafted. Chiarelli hasn't be opposed to trading young talent under control for awhile (see: Seguin trade). Maybe Hexy plans on moving young assets for more expensive young assets. I don't think Gagner plays for the Flyers.