To get any sort of step change in offense (enough to be a "legitmate Cup team"), they will need to trade away assets... Their assets lie in defensive corp (Suter / Weber), and picks to a lesser degree. They are not going to be even close to a favorite for the cup. So, it doesn't make sense to "sell the farm", by packaging up young defenseman, or prospects to pry away a player that could make a difference.

I would not make the trade if I was the Flyers, because of cap issues. We don't need 7.5M defenseman - I don't care who it is... Many fans complain about the Flyer's (Homers) cap management skills - how the cap handcuffs us. Picking up Weber would put a strain on the cap situation, with huge implications for next year. And, like I said... Pronger's ~5M could come back on the pay roll tomorrow or worse case he could retire and screw us long term.
- leon neon

There are other ways for a team to add offense. If it's true that next year that Nashville is going to spend up to the Cap. They can use Free Agency to add offense. That won't cost any assets. They also have some younger players that are going to improve. Such as Colin Wilson. They can also trade some of their good prospects to acquire more offense.

Pronger is not going to retire if he can't come back and play. There is no reason for him to do so. It doesn't favor him, or the Flyers to retire.

As long as Weber is willing, if the Flyers can get him, they can sign him to a deal similar to Bryzgalov that lowers the AAV considerably below the 7.5 mark, to help out on the Cap. And if you can steal Weber for that, you do it. No doubt about it.
But in my opinion, it's going to cost considerably more to trade For Weber. And that's why I'd be hesitiant.

Read yesterday, (can't remember where) Briere and JVR aren't even cleared to skate yet, so they are nowhere near returning.
- PLindbergh31

how about Jagr?

That's bad news about JVR/Briere. The Flyers need both healthy

I noticed that Roo and Hartnell gave a salute when they were introduced last night. Was that a nod to Jagr?
- Dkos

I took it as them giving props to their linemate.

how about Jagr?

That's bad news about JVR/Briere. The Flyers need both healthy
- Buts16

What I read, and I'm trying to find it now, didn't mention Jagr. I think it was a general article regarding concussions, and something that wasn't Flyers specific.

Yes, he tweeted it:
Scott Hartnell @Hartsy19
Not sure if my linemate saw the salute. But that was for u Mr. Jagr. #thisisunbelievable

Yes, he tweeted it:
Scott Hartnell @Hartsy19
Not sure if my linemate saw the salute. But that was for u Mr. Jagr. #thisisunbelievable
- bodiva88

I loved it, the Flyers seem like a close team.

I had hockey this morning, the guys on my team were all very impressed with Cooter and Read last night.

I think the Preds view themselves as a Cup contender. I think they will be buyers not sellers.

If the Flyers crave Weber/Suter I think it will have to happen this summer.

I'm guessing Homer will be kicking tires on the Gleason,Allen, Sutton, Grossman type dmen.

Just my guess. That said it's the Flyers so nothing would shock me.
- Buts16

Some trades are neither buy or sell. Some trades are reducing assets in a strength to increase a deficiency. If the Preds can upgrade via a sell, they'll do it.

I agree that the best option is Weber/Suter this summer. But, Homer likes to pull the trigger quick. If something is open he does it. And, with the Richards/Carter trade - we know he is willing to be bold.

Not sure if anyone saw Bettman's state of the NHL address from Ottawa, he was asked specifically regarding what is being done to try and prevent concussions, he had no answers. He admitted that concussion were up over 10%, but they are being diagnosed more precisely. I guess that makes it ok. So as guys continue to get bigger, faster, stronger, the amount of concussions will continue to increase.

Not sure if anyone saw Bettman's state of the NHL address from Ottawa, he was asked specifically regarding what is being done to try and prevent concussions, he had no answers. He admitted that concussion were up over 10%, but they are being diagnosed more precisely. I guess that makes it ok. So as guys continue to get bigger, faster, stronger, the amount of concussions will continue to increase.
- PLindbergh31

Could it be that there just aren't any real concrete solutions to the Concussion issue? I doubt that he suggested it's okay. The fact that concussions are more accurately being diagnosed is indeed a factor in why reported concussion are up around the League.

Some trades are neither buy or sell. Some trades are reducing assets in a strength to increase a deficiency. If the Preds can upgrade via a sell, they'll do it.

I agree that the best option is Weber/Suter this summer. But, Homer likes to pull the trigger quick. If something is open he does it. And, with the Richards/Carter trade - we know he is willing to be bold.
- leon neon

The Preds have always been a team that has operated far below the max salary cap amount. There is no way they are going to have three 7+ million per year cap hits eating up essentially half their cap space. I think they will either trade Suter at the deadline, or trade him at the draft. They probably plan to re-sign Weber, but I'm not sure he will want to stay in Nashville.

The Preds have always been a team that has operated far below the max salary cap amount. There is no way they are going to have three 7+ million per year cap hits eating up essentially half their cap space. I think they will either trade Suter at the deadline, or trade him at the draft. They probably plan to re-sign Weber, but I'm not sure he will want to stay in Nashville.
- PLindbergh31

There has been talk that Nashville management has given permission to spend up to the Cap next Season. And they can sign Weber and/or Suter to deals that can lower the AAV to well below 7M. I think a lot depends on what the two players decide to do. Nashvile already has solid offensive depth. They could use a front line offensive player, and some defensive depth. They have the Cap space to get it done.

No, they were recognizing Mike Rupp's irrelevance from the Winter Classic.
- PLindbergh31

Well played.

There are other ways for a team to add offense. If it's true that next year that Nashville is going to spend up to the Cap. They can use Free Agency to add offense. That won't cost any assets. They also have some younger players that are going to improve. Such as Colin Wilson. They can also trade some of their good prospects to acquire more offense.

Pronger is not going to retire if he can't come back and play. There is no reason for him to do so. It doesn't favor him, or the Flyers to retire.

As long as Weber is willing, if the Flyers can get him, they can sign him to a deal similar to Bryzgalov that lowers the AAV considerably below the 7.5 mark, to help out on the Cap. And if you can steal Weber for that, you do it. No doubt about it.
But in my opinion, it's going to cost considerably more to trade For Weber. And that's why I'd be hesitiant.
- MJL

The Preds need to sign Suter/Weber - that's going to eat up cap space. Rinnes new contract jump from 3.4M to 7M. Plus seven other UFA/RFA.

Nashville is a great town - I'd move there. So, no disrespect to Nashville... But, how many UFA just won't play there. Top talent players looking for the big money, generally are looking for big markets which Nashville is not.

With the Pronger thing and signing of deals... I'm just worried that the League changes thing that would hurt the Flyers. I think some view the Flyers as gaming the system. We are the last stop for LTIR old defensemen; Rathje, Hatcher, Pronger...

Yes, he tweeted it:
Scott Hartnell @Hartsy19
Not sure if my linemate saw the salute. But that was for u Mr. Jagr. #thisisunbelievable
- bodiva88

Could it be that there just aren't any real concrete solutions to the Concussion issue? I doubt that he suggested it's okay. The fact that concussions are more accurately being diagnosed is indeed a factor in why reported concussion are up around the League.
- MJL

There are definitely solutions... Although, undesirable to fans, players and the league.

1) Slow down the game (add in the red line, allow holding/hooking, etc...)
2) Limit to Remove checking
3) Make player wear those goofy padded sumo suits...

There are definitely solutions... Although, undesirable to fans, players and the league.

1) Slow down the game (add in the red line, allow holding/hooking, etc...)
2) Limit to Remove checking
3) Make player wear those goofy padded sumo suits...
- leon neon

Sure there are ways, but it has to be balanced for the good of the game. Play every game like you'll see in the All Star game today, and I'd bet that concussions would be drastically reduced. But who wants to see that?

The Preds need to sign Suter/Weber - that's going to eat up cap space. Rinnes new contract jump from 3.4M to 7M. Plus seven other UFA/RFA.

Nashville is a great town - I'd move there. So, no disrespect to Nashville... But, how many UFA just won't play there. Top talent players looking for the big money, generally are looking for big markets which Nashville is not.

With the Pronger thing and signing of deals... I'm just worried that the League changes thing that would hurt the Flyers. I think some view the Flyers as gaming the system. We are the last stop for LTIR old defensemen; Rathje, Hatcher, Pronger...
- leon neon

Nashville has a very good team. And they sell out almost every night. If they put the dollars on the table, they can sign a top UFA. I don't see LTIR changing. Nor are the Flyers doing anything differently then any of the other teams that are currently using LTIR.

I forgot Manson. He had a cannon, too.
- Jsaquella

i used to call him "the charles". wonder what he's up to these days?

i used to all him "the charles". wonder what he's up to these days?
- hammarby31

Living out in California. Spahn Ranch I believe.

weber 106 mph slapshot, git homer
- mydoglicks

he'll just end up breaking the feet, hands, and faces of our own players.

The Preds have always been a team that has operated far below the max salary cap amount. There is no way they are going to have three 7+ million per year cap hits eating up essentially half their cap space. I think they will either trade Suter at the deadline, or trade him at the draft. They probably plan to re-sign Weber, but I'm not sure he will want to stay in Nashville.
- PLindbergh31

Im expecting Weber to be signed to a long-term contract. Suter wont be traded before the deadline as Nashville is one of the top teams in the West (unless they receive a ridiculous package). I think your right that he is more likely to have his rights traded during the draft. I dont think they can afford to have those three players signed with high cap hits either.

i used to call him "the charles". wonder what he's up to these days?
- hammarby31

http://www.raiderhockey.com/page/staff

Im expecting Weber to be signed to a long-term contract. Suter wont be traded before the deadline as Nashville is one of the top teams in the West (unless they receive a ridiculous package). I think your right that he is more likely to have his rights traded during the draft. I dont think they can afford to have those three players signed with high cap hits either.
- stveshdy

Yeah. It will be interesting to see what Poile does. Nashville is great at drafting and developing defensemen, I think they are a little short up front in terms of talent and goal scoring. If they can get a solid package for Suter, I think they could deal him at the deadline, and do damage in the playoffs without him if they get a solid return. Trading Suter's rights at the draft would net Nashville far less. I think they plan to sign Weber, I'm not sure whether he will want to stay there, they haven't had any playoff success, and he may want to play in a larger market.

come on holmgren

Good lord, Gary Thorne is a bowling announcer for ESPN now? WTF? How is this guy not calling hockey games somewhere? I know he works for MASN and broadcasts Orioles games, (must be exciting announcing 100 losses every year) I would love to see the Flyers hire him to replace Jim Jackson. How great would it be to have Thorne and Clement calling all the Flyers games?