So Chris Rooney gets a Game 7 reffing assignment for NYR-WASH. Could be quite interesting to see the league's most thin-skinned ref vs. Tortorella, with whom he has clashed several times (BTW, the Flyers have also had their share of problems with Rooney, including this season).

It has been said of Rooney that he gets the red-ass if anyone questions him. He will not explain calls and he is accused of holding grudges and sticking it to certain teams and coaches.
- bmeltzer

If everyone knows this, why is the guy still a ref? Why does the NHL have no interest in qualified refs with the right temperament to be officials?

I don't agree totally with that. Many times the play is to keep the puck to the outside, and put the puck in a 50/50 puck battle high up in the zone. If a defenseman is stripped of the puck skating it out, then there's nothing but the goaltender left. Sometimes the play is to chip it out high off the glass. But a defenseman is not always in a position to do so. So many times I see a defenseman blamed for a giveaway, when that's not correct. A forward was in the wrong position. When a defenseman is pressured down low, he knows where his help is supposed to be. Where the support is supposed to be. He knows where the puck is supposed to be sent. I recognize a true giveaway versus one that isn't.

Of course it wouldn't hurt to add a top defenseman, and it would improve their chances. But don't make a move just to make one. Make the right move.
- MJL

Forwards need to help out no doubt but the defenseman has to make the play from his zone, he's the first to touch that puck. It's 50/50 but I think at times it goes both ways and the forwards get blamed. Sometimes the Flyers defenseman don't make the right play an that mistake hurts as much as the forwards not supporting.

Forwards need to help out no doubt but the defenseman has to make the play from his zone, he's the first to touch that puck. It's 50/50 but I think at times it goes both ways and the forwards get blamed. Sometimes the Flyers defenseman don't make the right play an that mistake hurts as much as the forwards not supporting.
- stveshdy

There's no question that the Defenseman make mistakes. There isn't anybody on the team that is mistake free. All I'm saying is recognize the position the defenseman is in. How many times have we seen a Flyers defenseman outnumbered on the puck, so he does the best he can, and wraps it around. And there's no Flyer there, and it leads to a goal or a good scoring chance against. And I'll read so and so turned the puck over! Really? What the hell was he supposed to do? It's not a one man team.

The bottom line to all of this is, play a more committed team defense. And we'll see how inconsistent this group of defenseman are. And you'll make the goaltender better also. But the defenseman and the goaltender have room for improvement also.

There's no question that the Defenseman make mistakes. There isn't anybody on the team that is mistake free. All I'm saying is recognize the position the defenseman is in. How many times have we seen a Flyers defenseman outnumbered on the puck, so he does the best he can, and wraps it around. And there's no Flyer there, and it leads to a goal or a good scoring chance against. And I'll read so and so turned the puck over! Really? What the hell was he supposed to do? It's not a one man team.

The bottom line to all of this is, play a more committed team defense. And we'll see how inconsistent this group of defenseman are. And you'll make the goaltender better also. But the defenseman and the goaltender have room for improvement also.
- MJL

That's why Lavi needs to adjust his system slightly. This will help out everyone. It's nice to out score teams during the regular season but come playoff time you have to play defense cause the game tightens up.

That's why Lavi needs to adjust his system slightly. This will help out everyone. It's nice to out score teams during the regular season but come playoff time you have to play defense cause the game tightens up.
- stveshdy

I personally feel that a less aggressive style that doesn't gamble on the offensive side of the puck as much, would help out in that regard. I prefer a style that forechecks hard and attacks the puck when the play is there. Rather then a team that tries to attack regardless of the situation. And plays a more defensive posture when it's not there and looks to turn pucks over and transistion the other way. But given that, without the players committing to playing better team defense, it won't matter how the Coach adjusts his system.

But remember, under the previous Coach, a lot of fans didn't like his style of play. They wanted an attack the puck style. And instantly anointed Laviolette's system, the better system. I had who knows how many conversations talking about the double edged sword of Laviolette's style of play. And how systems weren't the be all to end all. Seems as though it's returning full circle.

What are some of the thoughts, if any, of some of the defensemen that will be available when the Flyers will be picking in this draft?

I'm all for picking the best player, but with the quality and number of D in the first two rounds of this draft, I just don't see how they don't take a dman.
- mochoson

I WANT TROUBA!!!

Capgeek needs to correct Schenn's cap hit.

Yes, with bonuses he could carry a $3.11 million cap hit next season. However, the odds are 99.999999 percent his actual cap hit will be $1.75 million.

To collect his bonus, he would have to dress in all 82 regular season games (potentially doable) and play at least 25 minutes in every game (unheard of for a forward).

In 2013-14, the final year of his ELC, he would have to be named to the NHL All-Star team, finish among the top scorers in the league and win any among the Art Ross, Hart Trophy, Maurice Richard Trophy and/or Selke Trophy to collect his full $3.11 million.



.

Capgeek needs to correct Schenn's cap hit.

Yes, with bonuses he could carry a $3.11 million cap hit next season. However, the odds are 99.999999 percent his actual cap hit will be $1.75 million.

To collect his bonus, he would have to dress in all 82 regular season games (potentially doable) and play at least 25 minutes per game (unheard of for a forward).

In 2013-14, the final year of his ELC, he would have to be named to the NHL All-Star team, finish among the top scorers in the league and win any among the Art Ross, Hart Trophy, Maurice Richard Trophy and/or Selke Trophy to collect his full $3.11 million.



.
- bmeltzer

Is this the norm in contracts for young forwards these days?

Is this the norm in contracts for young forwards these days?
- hereticpride

When LA negotiated Schenn's entry-level contract, they came up with some crazy requirements for his bonuses.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=377385

Capgeek needs to correct Schenn's cap hit.

Yes, with bonuses he could carry a $3.11 million cap hit next season. However, the odds are 99.999999 percent his actual cap hit will be $1.75 million.

To collect his bonus, he would have to dress in all 82 regular season games (potentially doable) and play 25 minutes per game (unheard of for a forward).

In 2013-14, the final year of his ELC, he would have to be named to the NHL All-Star team, finish among the top scorers in the league and win any among the Art Ross, Hart Trophy, Maurice Richard Trophy and/or Selke Trophy to collect his full $3.11 million.



.
- bmeltzer

Capgeek goes by the letter of the law of the CBA. And the Flyers will have to account for Schenn's full Cap hit in the off season, as well as in submitting their roster to start the Season. And until it is deemed that he won't meet a bonus, they'll have to account for it. And that won't obviously be until the first game is over, and/or Schenn misses a game. And we won't know if there is a Bonus Cushion until the new CBA is negotiated.

I've crunched the numbers. The Flyers are in real good shape with Cap space during the Season. It's the off season Cap requirements that are going to be a major hindrance for them.

Capgeek goes by the letter of the law of the CBA. And the Flyers will have to account for Schenn's full Cap hit in the off season, as well as in submitting their roster to start the Season. And until it is deemed that he won't meet a bonus, they'll have to account for it. And that won't obviously be until the first game is over, and/or Schenn misses a game. And we won't know if there is a Bonus Cushion until the new CBA is negotiated.
- MJL

Correct. Schenn's cap hit will drop -- even without a bonus cushion -- right after the first game of the regular season (unless he for some freak reason happens to play 25+ mins; the bonus will disappear the first game he doesn't.

But, yes, unless Timonen were to end up having to start season on LTIR, complying with opening game cap will be a little trickier than cap thereafter.

Thing is, Schenn's cap hit will drop -- even without a bonus cushion -- right after the first game of the regular season (unless he for some freak reason happens to play 25+ mins; the bonus will disappear the first game he doesn't).

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=377385
- bmeltzer

I understand that. But the CBA rules are that you still have to account for all bonuses until it is determined that they won't be met, when there is no bonus cushion. That won't happen until the Season starts. Or the new CBA is done and we know there will be a bonus cushion.

I personally feel that a less aggressive style that doesn't gamble on the offensive side of the puck as much, would help out in that regard. I prefer a style that forechecks hard and attacks the puck when the play is there. Rather then a team that tries to attack regardless of the situation. And plays a more defensive posture when it's not there and looks to turn pucks over and transistion the other way. But given that, without the players committing to playing better team defense, it won't matter how the Coach adjusts his system.

But remember, under the previous Coach, a lot of fans didn't like his style of play. They wanted an attack the puck style. And instantly anointed Laviolette's system, the better system. I had who knows how many conversations talking about the double edged sword of Laviolette's style of play. And how systems weren't the be all to end all. Seems as though it's returning full circle.
- MJL

I think you have to adjust to what your personnel is. That's what great coaches do to put there players in a better position to succeed.

There's a 10 minute video of the pregame festivities between the Flyers and Habs in 87 on ProHockeyTalk.com

When LA negotiated Schenn's entry-level contract, they came up with some crazy requirements for his bonuses.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=377385
- bmeltzer

It was the same for the Czeck forward that Calgary just signed out of the KHL.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Carle, Timonen, Nashville FAs
- bmeltzer

Shea Weber: right-handed shot

I think you have to adjust to what your personnel is. That's what great coaches do to put there players in a better position to succeed.
- stveshdy

The point is that after playing one way for 82 games, and how many playoff games. That's not the time to change your style of play.

The point is that after playing one way for 82 games, and how many playoff games. That's not the time to change your style of play.
- MJL

I'm talking about the upcoming year. Last year is over.

Great/interesting read... But I (for the first time possibly ever) would be surprised if the Flyers made a huge splash this offseason. I think all three of those players end up wearing a jersey that's not o&b

I understand that. But the CBA rules are that you still have to account for all bonuses until it is determined that they won't be met, when there is no bonus cushion. That won't happen until the Season starts. Or the new CBA is done and we know there will be a bonus cushion.
- MJL

This could ultimately be a hidden benefit for the flyers. It forces them to be cap compliant until he plays a game then opens up a few more mill that could be used later in the season (tdl)

'm talking about the upcoming year. Last year is over.

- stveshdy

Gotcha!

what would it take to trade for weber and suters rights in a package?

what would it take to trade for weber and suters rights in a package?
- mydoglicks

Probably more than what the Flyers are willing to offer. That's a lot of picks and players going the other way. Don't know if it's worth it.

what would it take to trade for weber and suters rights in a package?
- mydoglicks

at the very minimum what it took to get pronger x2. I don't think either side is going to pull that off without one getting robbed.

Probably more than what the Flyers are willing to offer. That's a lot of picks and players going the other way. Don't know if it's worth it.
- stveshdy

Even if homer could talk them into that trade it won't happen unless Kimmo retires.