Could be longer than 1-2 years for some.
- MJL

agree, but it will take longer than 1-2 years to shed all the current guys as well

I don't like how Bellemare physically matches up and I worry about his health at times because of this. I think White could hold up just fine as a center or winger on the fourth line who also killed penalties at times before the season ended.
- SuperSchennBros

Seemed to handle himself fine physically. Also even dropped the gloves a couple times. I never worried.

Was there a game or instance you saw that might help me see something?

Not to mention, there's no guarantee they'll all work out as NHL caliber. I'm hoping, but chances are one or two won't live up to expectation when the time comes.
- WarriorHockey21

but not all have to be 1-2 guys, you need 6 D

He's not a lazy/careless player who doesn't deign to play D... he just gives up a lot of size.
- Tomahawk

Who? Gagner?? he's not that small... 6', 200lbs, that's a pretty good size for a forward.

No thanks. It was bad enough the first time.
- Feanor

I'm confused by you. You are so mean when we're out in public together but the secret love notes you inbox me say something so different.

I don't think any player that is due a bonue on 07/01 is being dealt before the bonus is paid. Just my feeling.
- J35Bacher

Vinny, Kessel, etc getting a good chunk of cash tomorrow, teams taking them on will not want to pay them that. Kessel gets done this week, but after he gets his bonus tomorrow. Hopefully Vinny takes his, then mutual termination or trade.

I don't like how Bellemare physically matches up and I worry about his health at times because of this. I think White could hold up just fine as a center or winger on the fourth line who also killed penalties at times before the season ended.
- SuperSchennBros

I like White, but Bellemare is a significantly better player in my opinion. I don't see any indications of Bellemare not matching up physically, to worry about health.

What's wrong with the Schultz signing?

He played very well and is signed at a low cost. He is also a great vet to have if you continue to purge players like Grossmann/Schenn/MacDonald. He can be a good partner to a rookie like Morin or Ghost or Provorov. Also his deal doesn't really take any value away if a team would like to trade for him to add a vet.
- J35Bacher

Schultz played well last season but I'm not confident that he'll hold up. He's had as many bad seasons as he has good in his career.

Yes. $4 million.
- Feanor

I'll guess he won't get moved until Toronto issues that check.

agree, but it will take longer than 1-2 years to shed all the current guys as well
- Ross77

There won't be a problem creating roster space if any of the young defenseman fasttrack to the NHL.

I'm pretty sure Gagner gets bought out and they use that money for Del Zorro and White

I think the exact opposite. Vinny, Kessel, etc getting a good chunk of cash tomorrow, teams taking them on will not want to pay them that. Kessel gets done this week, but after he gets his bonus tomorrow. Hopefully Vinny takes his, then mutual termination or trade.
- Rocktane

I dont care how much money Vinny has, he will not walk away from 4.5 mill a year....the rich get richer

No thanks. It was bad enough the first time.
- Feanor

but not all have to be 1-2 guys, you need 6 D
- Ross77

True, but you'll still have a vet or two taking a spot in the mix somewhere, so figure on 4 spots, lets just say. And that isn't factoring in MacDonald, or any other Dmen they may be able to sign and/or trade for. The competition will still be stiff for those spots on the big club. Not that I think that's a bad thing, since I think the competition amongst themselves is a good thing. But I think it's going to be a little more crowded than people think, when thinking about our prospect Dmen.

But hey, who knows... maybe in a couple years we'll see Provorov, Sanheim, Morin, and Ghost all on the Flyers..

I dont care how much money Vinny has, he will not walk away from 4.5 mill a year....the rich get richer
- vejim

If he's adamant about moving on from the Flyers, he just might. He's still getting a goodly chunk of money from TB, and someone will sign him, albeit not for 4.5M.

Who? Gagner?? he's not that small... 6', 200lbs, that's a pretty good size for a forward.
- benjichronic

And the guys he's going up against on the wings are bigger than that.

Schultz played well last season but I'm not confident that he'll hold up. He's had as many bad seasons as he has good in his career.
- SuperSchennBros

Untrue. He's been a solid, 2nd pairing defender for most of his career.

If he's adamant about moving on from the Flyers, he just might. He's still getting a goodly chunk of money from TB, and someone will sign him, albeit not for 4.5M.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Best I could see him getting is a one year deal for maybe $2m, and even then he may find himself in the press box if he really is "done."

If Umberger and VLC weren't on this roster, that would be 9+ million in cap space.
It's hard to believe these two guys have the second and third highest cap hits on the team up front.

And the guys he's going up against on the wings are bigger than that.
- Tomahawk

What's the average weight for a forward in the NHL?

I like White, but Bellemare is a significantly better player in my opinion. I don't see any indications of Bellemare not matching up physically, to worry about health.
- MJL

I don't know about significantly better. White is easily the more physical player and they both had 12 points to end the season. White in 34 games, Bellemare in 81. I feel White can handle the same role as Bellemare. Bellemare might have a little more attention to detail defensively but I like White's drive much better.

I also could be looking too far into Bellemare's shoulder injury but I felt like he got bounced around a bit by opponents.

Untrue. He's been a solid, 2nd pairing defender for most of his career.
- Feanor

Untrue. He was signed here originally as a 7th defense for a reason.

I agree with the assessment of them as a bubble playoff team -- too many unknowns, including exactly how Dave Hakstol will utilize the roster pieces -- but I honestly believe this franchise, as it stands right now (and with whatever moves are made to fill out the roster) is more equipped to compete in the NHL of today than last year's

They have better organizational depth with regard to prospects, have relieved themselves of some contract slots and financial outlays that were not helping them maximize their ability to compete by removing Pronger's hold and Rinaldo's slot, and can honestly say that whatever decision they make on Sam Gagner will be based on a clear-headed analysis of what he can bring to the team for this upcoming season -- or not -- instead of just having to drop a guy in there and hope for the best, since they can assess it before FA begins

It's summer, and that means it's time to be optimistic. But I truly believe there is more to be gotten from this roster, and I am choosing to be optimistic and say that this roster projects to be one that collects 90-ish points

Might not be good enough, ultimately, but at least they won't be eliminated with 15-20 games to go

This roster, along with the organizational depth and cap space, is more equipped to give them a chance
- AllInForFlyers

I'm optimistic too but there are still a ton of question marks regarding this season.

New rookie head coach.

Can Medvedev make the transition and play top 4 minutes?

Really need a bounce back year from key guys like Read Amac and does RJU even have anything left?

Will VLC still be around?

Back up goalie?

If Umberger and VLC weren't on this roster, that would be 9+ million in cap space.
It's hard to believe these two guys have the second and third highest cap hits on the team up front.
- PLindbergh31

RJ Umberger C 4,600,000
Vincent Lecavalier C 4,500,000
Andrew MacDonald D 5,000,000
Luke Schenn D 3,600,000
Sam Gagner C 3,200,000


20.9 million in dead weight

I don't know about significantly better. White is easily the more physical player and they both had 12 points to end the season. White in 34 games, Bellemare in 81. I feel White can handle the same role as Bellemare. Bellemare might have a little more attention to detail defensively but I like White's drive much better.

I also could be looking too far into Bellemare's shoulder injury but I felt like he got bounced around a bit by opponents.
- SuperSchennBros

Bellemare is a better skater, a better forechecker, better defensively, and a good PKer, and a better fit for today's NHL. I like White, and he brings some intangibles, but I feel he's one of those players who went on a hot streak offensively, that isn't going to continue, and it might elevate his value for some teams. If he won't sign for around 700-800K, I'd walk away.