http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...vorov-says-hes-nhl-ready/

Ivan Provonorrisrov says he is ready.

I wonder who in the Flyers front office leaked their plans to this Edmonton journalist. Maybe Hextall called him up personally to let him know what they were thinking.
- Feanor

Edmonton journalist = very, very bored this time of year.

Giroux is already signed, and 2 seasons into his deal. How many 8+M cap hit players should we have? If our defenseman develop, including Gostisbehere, will eventually need to re-sign them to deals comparable, if they become very good defenseman. He is 26, but players can begin to decline before 30. I would think we're looking at a 7 year deal for Stamkos. Why not see how the team develops, and how young wingers like Konecny turn out, and whoever else they might draft? It's a timing thing in my opinion. This team is not at the point where it should be going out and signing a top free agent to top money and term, in my opinion. The teams needs both player wise, and financially wise could be very different in a couple of years.
- MJL

It's fairly unlikely that a player like Stamkos (young, top goal scorer) will be available as a UFA in a few years. If you want one, now may be the only time this decade to get one.

I'm not advocating either way, but they probably won't have the option of adding a player like Stamkos in a couple of years.

It's a good thing the Flyers won't have to compete against his current team for Stamkos as they've apparently decided the amount of money he wants is not worth it. Meanwhile they are progressing thru the playoffs quite nicely without him while he deals with his latest major injury.

So the Flyers will just have to outbid teams like Toronto who have just as much money to burn as Philly, and far more cap space.

It's fairly unlikely that a player like Stamkos (young, top goal scorer) will be available as a UFA in a few years. If you want one, now may be the only time this decade to get one.

I'm not advocating either way, but they probably won't have the option of adding a player like Stamkos in a couple of years.
- jmatchett383

If they were to make it happen, I would let Schenn go via RFA or trade, and then use that money.


But as has been said, having close to 30 million tied up in three forwards would be tough to work with down the road.

then bring Primeau back as assistant coach
- funmaster18

Make him head coach. It's only a matter of time anyway. Right after they retire his number.

excellent. at some point they will have to add bryzgalov as the goalie coach
- funmaster18

If you're sticking with the theme it has to be Boucher.

It's a good thing the Flyers won't have to compete against his current team for Stamkos as they've apparently decided the amount of money he wants is not worth it. Meanwhile they are progressing thru the playoffs quite nicely without him while he deals with his latest major injury.

So the Flyers will just have to outbid teams like Toronto who have just as much money to burn as Philly, and far more cap space.
- Feanor

Makes you wonder if they'll bury the hatchet with Drouin or cash in on his increased value. He's looked good in the playoffs.

All good points. But i still say that using the rationale that he may decline and not be ready for when the rest of the team catches up just doesn't hold water when compared to the other, older, players we already consider the core. You cant use it for one player and not apply it to other older players the same way.

And as I said in a later post, putting too much money in to too few players makes it a difficult pill to swallow. And therein lies the reason for probably not going after him.
- MBFlyerfan

I think it does hold water, because why do we want multiple very high cap hit deals for older declining players on the team? We want the window to stay open as long as possible. We want to spend cap assets on players entering their prime as much as possible, not on the tail end, or out of it. I understand that both Giroux and Stamkos will still be good players in their late 20's into their 30's, but probably not as good as they were in their mid 20's.

It's fairly unlikely that a player like Stamkos (young, top goal scorer) will be available as a UFA in a few years. If you want one, now may be the only time this decade to get one.

I'm not advocating either way, but they probably won't have the option of adding a player like Stamkos in a couple of years.
- jmatchett383

I agree, it's not likely in the future. They may not need to add a Stamkos type of player, along with his cap hit in a couple of years. That's one of my main points. I advocate seeing where the team is in a few seasons, and then use free agency to bolster and address a need, rather than use big cap space in free agency now, in building the team. Draft, and trade, then use free agency.

I agree, it's not likely in the future. They may not need to add a Stamkos type of player, along with his cap hit in a couple of years. That's one of my main points.
- MJL

Yes...but on the other hand, if they think that is the type of player they will need, both now and in the near future, this may be the only time to do so.

I'd lean towards not signing him, but I do see the appeal.

Yes...but on the other hand, if they think that is the type of player they will need, both now and in the near future, this may be the only time to do so.

I'd lean towards not signing him, but I do see the appeal.
- jmatchett383

I see the appeal also, and if the Flyers did do that, I don't think it would be a terrible thing. I just don't think it's the right move now.

I had to leave the house for the Leafs game. My family couldn't take it anymore. I was pumping gas and listening to the game on the radio when Roenick won it. I high fived all the people at the pumps and drove home to watch the replays.
- mayorofangrytown

LOL amazing.

I think it does hold water, because why do we want multiple very high cap hit deals for older declining players on the team? We want the window to stay open as long as possible. We want to spend cap assets on players entering their prime as much as possible, not on the tail end, or out of it. I understand that both Giroux and Stamkos will still be good players in their late 20's into their 30's, but probably not as good as they were in their mid 20's.
- MJL

Well, then we just disagree on that point. The notion that he may decline is the last reason I would use to not sign him.

Hopefully, three years down the line, when it is time, there will be a bevy of 50 goal scorers in their mid 20's available in free agency.

Edmonton journalist = very, very bored this time of year.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Except when there are wildfire refugees from Fort McMurray pouring into town. Wow, that's scary stuff there.

Stamkos is a pure sniper, which is something the Flyers sorely lack. If they can get him for a cap hit under 10 million, go for it. They may not be a contender next year, but in a year or 2 they could be right there.

Stamkos is a pure sniper, which is something the Flyers sorely lack. If they can get him for a cap hit under 10 million, go for it. They may not be a contender next year, but in a year or 2 they could be right there.
- BiggE

I love Wayne Simmonds, but if they needed to lose Simmonds and/or Schenn to add Stamkos, I'd be, at the very least, indifferent.

I like both players but not sure I want to invest assets and money into those two.

Rather just spend money on Stamkos.
- J35Bacher

Stamkos isn't the prototypical number 1 center in today's NHL anymore. I don't see the same leadership and prowess in the dot that I do with the likes of the Toews, Backstrom's, and Giroux's of the league. No doubt he can put the puck in the net. What he's going to get on this - the biggest payday of his career I want nothing to do with.

I love Wayne Simmonds, but if they needed to lose Simmonds and/or Schenn to add Stamkos, I'd be, at the very least, indifferent.
- jmatchett383

You got 10M lying around?

Stamkos is a pure sniper, which is something the Flyers sorely lack. If they can get him for a cap hit under 10 million, go for it. They may not be a contender next year, but in a year or 2 they could be right there.
- BiggE

If they sign him, I would guarantee they let Schenn walk. That would take half the sting out of it.

You got 10M lying around?
- Pixote Andolini

No, which is why I used "they" referring to the Flyers. I'm sure they've got some more money in the bank than I do.

It's fairly unlikely that a player like Stamkos (young, top goal scorer) will be available as a UFA in a few years. If you want one, now may be the only time this decade to get one.

I'm not advocating either way, but they probably won't have the option of adding a player like Stamkos in a couple of years.
- jmatchett383

Lecavalier signing was an extremely "unique" situation as well

Well, then we just disagree on that point. The notion that he may decline is the last reason I would use to not sign him.

Hopefully, three years down the line, when it is time, there will be a bevy of 50 goal scorers in their mid 20's available in free agency.




- MBFlyerfan

We both know there won't be. Stamkos last scored 50 goals, 4 seasons ago. I think the bigger question is, three years down the line, will they need to pay top dollar for a 50 goal scorer in free agency?

Finally, I'll add that I don't think anyone who wants the Flyers to pursue Stamkos for the right price is wrong. It makes sense on some levels.

If they sign him, I would guarantee they let Schenn walk. That would take half the sting out of it.
- MBFlyerfan

Maybe, maybe not. If they can move Streit and Read, even if they have to give them away, they may be able to keep Schenn too.

Makes you wonder if they'll bury the hatchet with Drouin or cash in on his increased value. He's looked good in the playoffs.
- TobyFlenderson

I hope they bury the hatchet if he doesn't become a Flyer, which is unlikely to happen. But for the sake of argument, in the 5% chance he doesn't come to Philly, it makes them all look better to have gotten over their nasty quarrel, and it probably gives Drouin a taste of humble pie. With Stamkos possibly gone to Philly, they will need some offensive help and a more mature Drouin can help.

Of course with Stamkos and Drouin coming to the Flyers, this is all hypothetical.