Dead on with the cap space. As much as I think Giroux is in decline and it may be time to move on, what the hell are they going to do with that cap space anyway.
- flyer_nutter

Resign there own guys, sign a good FA when they are ready to compete for a cup, make a trade for a vet on a higher cap hit to fill a need for a cup run

For all the complaints about the 4th line and how it needs to be improved, why the lazze faire attitude over players who might be able to improve the 4th line in the future? If Laughton can come up and be a solid 4th liner, who can skate, check well, and provide more offense, then why wouldn't he be a player we'd value?
- MJL

+10 respect for using the term laissez faire, but -5 respect for butchering the spelling...+5 is good though, especially around here

That's right. They had Sullivan in between Bylsma and Johnston
- J35Bacher

...they still have Sullivan

I think people are overstating Giroux's decline. He's having a rough year, but he's also having horrific luck. It reminds me of the year Ovechkin finished -35 and people thought he'd never be a good player again. Giroux's PDO is 95.2.
- PhillySportsGuy

We just need Giroux to start playing with a horseshoe, rabbit's foot, and a four leaf clover in his hockey gear, and maybe his luck will change.

I think if Vegas makes a smart pick, it's going to be annoying regardless of who it is. It's generally easier to find a goalie in the UFA or trade market then it is with impact forwards and defensemen.
- Baxter27

not sure how easy its been for the Flyers dating back to Hextall

If Vegas sees Giroux available, they will hands down select him and work around him to make the monies work.

But there is a 0% chance Giroux is exposed.
- Streit2ThePoint

Giroux has a NMC doesnt he? If that is the case he has to be protected I believe. They can only be exposed if the clause is waived.

...they still have Sullivan
- YuenglingJagr

My bad.

Bylsma, Johnston, Sullivan

Resign there own guys, sign a good FA when they are ready to compete for a cup, make a trade for a vet on a higher cap hit to fill a need for a cup run
- J35Bacher

I dont think cap space will be an issue when it comes to re-signing the kids. With the move toward youth, and Hextal trying damn hard to rid the team of dead money cap space is looking much better heading into the future.

Free Agency is what my comment was alluding to. Its dead. For better or worse basically all you generally find there are bottom 6 players, or stars on the verge of decline looking for a last payday.

If other guys were having regular scoring seasons at even strength, then I'd be more worried, but it's the entire team except for Voracek.
- PhillySportsGuy

Simmonds is trending for a normal year. Couts is trending for a high.

Yes Schenn (4) and Raffl (8) are on bad years but really can we say what a normal Raffl is after years of 9 ,18 and 12?

We just need Giroux to start playing with a horseshoe, rabbit's foot, and a four leaf clover in his hockey gear, and maybe his luck will change.
- MJL

Simmonds is trending for a normal year. Couts is trending for a high.

Yes Schenn (4) and Raffl (8) are on bad years but really can we say what a normal Raffl is after years of 9 ,18 and 12?
- dragonoffrost

13.

+10 respect for using the term laissez faire, but -5 respect for butchering the spelling...+5 is good though, especially around here
- YuenglingJagr

Well in my defense, I'm not French.

I dont think cap space will be an issue when it comes to re-signing the kids.

Free Agency is what my comment was alluding to. Its dead. For better or worse basically all you generally find there are bottom 6 players, or stars on the verge of decline looking for a last payday.
- flyer_nutter

I am not looking at this year.

I am looking at years after. This year I don't want to play in FA as there are no guys that wow me.

I have said the only guy that really interest me is Dwight King for the right price. but I think he might get a big deal from someone.

They are used to the Flyers being up against the cap and can't look 4 years into the future. His deal, while it wont be a bargain in any sense of the word, just isnt that bad all things considered
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah. I think people also have a difficult time understanding that just because he's overpaid at 8.275M doesn't mean that the Flyers are wasting 8.275M per year. Maybe Giroux is worth more like $5M over the next 5 years. So he's overpaid by $3.275M. Whatever. He's very important to the franchise, the team isn't really going anywhere any time soon and (hopefully) they'll be rebuilding with youth on cheap contracts anyway.

People want to clear his money so they can sign who? Backes? Eriksson? Ladd? Okposo?

I am not looking at this year.

I am looking at years after. This year I don't want to play in FA as there are no guys that wow me.

I have said the only guy that really interest me is Dwight King for the right price. but I think he might get a big deal from someone.
- J35Bacher

I don't think I'd have interest in Bishop but I do wonder if the Flyers might. Would rather just keep Mason another year or two and give more games to Stolarz.

Radulov is another I'd have interest in but he will be 31, and probably seeking big money/term. After that - you are basically looking at Oshie or Hanzal - again guys I'd maybe have interest in but would cost too much imo.

Some more intriguing names the year after but it seems more and more that teams trade these guys before FA hits or sign them themselves. Want nothing to do with Tavares if he gets to FA.

Yeah. I think people also have a difficult time understanding that just because he's overpaid at 8.275M doesn't mean that the Flyers are wasting 8.275M per year. Maybe Giroux is worth more like $5M over the next 5 years. So he's overpaid by $3.275M. Whatever. He's very important to the franchise, the team isn't really going anywhere any time soon and (hopefully) they'll be rebuilding with youth on cheap contracts anyway.

People want to clear his money so they can sign who? Backes? Eriksson? Ladd? Okposo?
- PhillySportsGuy

Its about the tank good sir. Something I go back and forth about.

Yeah. I think people also have a difficult time understanding that just because he's overpaid at 8.275M doesn't mean that the Flyers are wasting 8.275M per year. Maybe Giroux is worth more like $5M over the next 5 years. So he's overpaid by $3.275M. Whatever. He's very important to the franchise, the team isn't really going anywhere any time soon and (hopefully) they'll be rebuilding with youth on cheap contracts anyway.

People want to clear his money so they can sign who? Backes? Eriksson? Ladd? Okposo?
- PhillySportsGuy

It's simple, really.....

Phase 1:
- Expose Giroux at the Expansion Draft

Phase 2:
- ???

Phase 3:
- Profit

Yeah. I think people also have a difficult time understanding that just because he's overpaid at 8.275M doesn't mean that the Flyers are wasting 8.275M per year. Maybe Giroux is worth more like $5M over the next 5 years. So he's overpaid by $3.275M. Whatever. He's very important to the franchise, the team isn't really going anywhere any time soon and (hopefully) they'll be rebuilding with youth on cheap contracts anyway.

People want to clear his money so they can sign who? Backes? Eriksson? Ladd? Okposo?
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed. At some point you have to look at the team and its cap in aggregate. Way too often people focus too much on the individual parts. Matt Read is a good example. Sure he's overpaid, but he makes the team better. They are under the cap with his hit, and its not like they have better options to use his money on.

As long as the Hextall continues to stay away from big UFA deals, they should be in a good position to resign all their youth when the time comes.

Simmonds is trending for a normal year. Couts is trending for a high.

Yes Schenn (4) and Raffl (8) are on bad years but really can we say what a normal Raffl is after years of 9 ,18 and 12?
- dragonoffrost

I'm not just talking about goals. Look at overall point production for each guy. They simply aren't creating as many chances.

Agreed about people having no loyalty. Giroux is going to have his name in the rafters one day.

Also, I think cap space is overrated. People just want it, but then don't know what to do with it. It's like the dog chasing the car.
- PhillySportsGuy

Good point about cap space. Its not like there is anyone in this upcoming FA class worth throwing money at as well.

not sure how easy its been for the Flyers dating back to Hextall
- nastyflyergirl

I'd argue that Neuvirth was a pretty quality signing. Regardless of how bad the goalie stats appear this season due to the Flyers limiting shots against but conceding critical breakdowns frequently.

For all the complaints about the 4th line and how it needs to be improved, why the lazze faire attitude over players who might be able to improve the 4th line in the future? If Laughton can come up and be a solid 4th liner, who can skate, check well, and provide more offense, then why wouldn't he be a player we'd value?
- MJL

The same could be said but to thrice the degree for Raffl, who plenty don't care if he leaves.

It's simple, really.....

Phase 1:
- Expose Giroux at the Expansion Draft

Phase 2:
- ???

Phase 3:
- Profit
- steelydan

Pretty much

Agreed. At some point you have to look at the team and its cap in aggregate. Way too often people focus too much on the individual parts. Matt Read is a good example. Sure he's overpaid, but he makes the team better. They are under the cap with his hit, and its not like they have better options to use his money on.

As long as the Hextall continues to stay away from big UFA deals, they should be in a good position to resign all their youth when the time comes.
- JFlyers00

Well now that Ek has said Giroux is safe, cancel the rest of my day's meetings. I have to start compiling the clips for the tribute video