If Howson really lowered the demands to something reasonable for both sides, I wouldn't be absolutely appalled by acquiring Nash. I'd probably be bummed for a while at how much was lost (even with lowered demands), but I don't know, that feeling could go away quickly when I see Nash and Giroux jumping over the boards together in October.

Even if he can do it without losing Schenn and Couturier, it'll still sting and be questioned until we see if Nash becomes a perennial 40-50 goal guy here or not.
- eayost

I agree with everything you just said. I prefer the Rags overpay for him, but if he can be had for a reasonable price I wouldn't be totally opposed to it. Nash would be a monster with Giroux.

I agree with everything you just said. I prefer the Rags overpay for him, but if he can be had for a reasonable price I wouldn't be totally opposed to it. Nash would be a monster with Giroux.
- PLindbergh31

x2

Truth is, we are not getting Parise.

Ryan and Nash aren't available at a price that makes sense

Suter isn't signing here.

I still think we can either target the second tier or keep powder dry until the trade deadline. If Anaheim sucks, they may be making deals a plenty. Same with Weber.


Dry powder. Chill.
- Daman

Not so sure why Parise is completely ruled out. If the rumors ar accurate that Parise wants to play with Crosby, why wouldn't his next best situation be to play with Giroux? Top 2 playmaking centers in the league.

Just because he ruled out the Rangers, doesn't mean he is gonna rule out the Flyers.

I think the Flyers are absolutely legitimate players to acquire Parise.

If Konopka's vaunted faceoff prowess and toughness are so valuable to his teams, why aren't the Sens very interested in bringing him back even though he only made $700,000 last year? Why did he only get into 55 games last season? Why was he on the market as a UFA for so long last summer? Why didn't the lowly Islanders decide they didn't want him back last summer? Why has he been on three different teams in the last three years? Why has he been on four different teams in the last five years? Why will his next team be sixth NHL club?

Those things tell me that the cons (constant dumb penalties, lack of speed, lack of hockey sense) outweigh any benefits he brings.
- bmeltzer

Bill, If all the "big name players" fall through... On the same line of thought about bringing in a 4th line center. What's your thoughts on Jay McClement. Not quite as tough as a Konopka, but should be smarter and better defensively. Give the Flyers a good PK unit (McClement/Talbot)... Talbot showed to me that he deserves to play 3rd line wing. He didn't impress me as a center.

I agree with everything you just said. I prefer the Rags overpay for him, but if he can be had for a reasonable price I wouldn't be totally opposed to it. Nash would be a monster with Giroux.
- PLindbergh31

He would.. I think Nash and Ryan are solid players. That's not the issue.. it's the asking price. We have a solid young nucleus and I just don't want to re set and then take a huge cap hit as well. Also, not knowing what the new CBA will look like worries me. If they can sign say Suter and start to re shape the D.. I'd be happy.

I agree with everything you just said. I prefer the Rags overpay for him, but if he can be had for a reasonable price I wouldn't be totally opposed to it. Nash would be a monster with Giroux.
- PLindbergh31

What is a reasonable price tho? We don't really have contracts to just send the other way to even out the cap hit that won't hurt the Flyers more than help them.

I truly think our shot at Nash ended with the trade of JVR.

I agree with everything you just said. I prefer the Rags overpay for him, but if he can be had for a reasonable price I wouldn't be totally opposed to it. Nash would be a monster with Giroux.
- PLindbergh31

I honestly haven't seen a ton of Nash with my own eyes for much of his career, but my impression is that he's a big guy that does actually use his size, and is pretty fast. With those skills in mind, he would fit very nicely into Laviolette's overall style of play. He should really able to forecheck like there's no tomorrow. I don't know how Columbus has been trying to play all these years, but Nash may fit better here than anywhere. While it's easy to say a trade makes no sense, there are aspects of acquiring Nash that do. .... For the right price of course.

Not so sure why Parise is completely ruled out. If the rumors ar accurate that Parise wants to play with Crosby, why wouldn't his next best situation be to play with Giroux? Top 2 playmaking centers in the league.

Just because he ruled out the Rangers, doesn't mean he is gonna rule out the Flyers.

I think the Flyers are absolutely legitimate players to acquire Parise.
- Flyers2821

I think the Crosby thing goes back to the fact he is good friends with him more than anything.

Not so sure why Parise is completely ruled out. If the rumors ar accurate that Parise wants to play with Crosby, why wouldn't his next best situation be to play with Giroux? Top 2 playmaking centers in the league.

Just because he ruled out the Rangers, doesn't mean he is gonna rule out the Flyers.

I think the Flyers are absolutely legitimate players to acquire Parise.
- Flyers2821

Don't think Giroux is chilling out with Parise's parents

Possible scenario...

1. Penguins sign Parise
2. Rangers acquire Nash
3. Flyers trade for Bobby Ryan


In that order. Extremely likely to happen in my opinion. With Parise and Nash off the board, price for Bobby Ryan could drop and the Flyers could make out like bandits.

Possible scenario...

1. Penguins sign Parise
2. Rangers acquire Nash
3. Flyers trade for Bobby Ryan


In that order. Extremely likely to happen in my opinion. With Parise and Nash off the board, price for Bobby Ryan could drop and the Flyers could make out like bandits.
- Flyers2821

If anything, I think that would raise Ryan's worth...

I think the Crosby thing goes back to the fact he is good friends with him more than anything.
- hereticpride

I understand that, but if Parise to Pitt doesn't happen, why wouldn't Parise want to play with Giroux?

I think Flyers fans are extremely under estimating the power a player like Claude Giroux has in getting players to sign with the Flyers.

If you can get Parise, you do it.
- Flyers2821

I agree... If you're going to overpay - go for Parise.

If anything, I think that would raise Ryan's worth...
- hereticpride

Lower demand = lower price.

Lower demand = lower price.
- Flyers2821

But he instantly becomes the best available forward with those two gone. Lots of other teams will be just as "in" on Ryan still...

But he instantly becomes the best available forward with those two gone. Lots of other teams will be just as "in" on Ryan still...
- hereticpride

But those teams are already in right now for him, along with Pitt and NY. If those teams bail out your looking at less teams bidding. It is a numbers game.

Lower demand = lower price.
- Flyers2821

??? With Parise and Nash gone... Supply decreased. Lower supply = Higher price. The pens and the rags aren't the only teams looking for top forwards, demand drops a bit - but not that much - you still have 28 teams going after Ryan.

I agree but they can add all the top-flight defensemen in the world and it won't mean a thing unless the forwards buy into the team D concept. The Flyers already have more money committed to their blueline than any team in the NHL. Sadly, the Pronger situation really threw a wrench in the works for the team.
- bmeltzer

Bill,

About cap restrictions during the offseason:
Since all players count towards the cap such as Pronger (LTIR) and Walker (1-Way contract), does that mean a team can technically remove salary off its cap if the contract is an Entry level deal during the offseason if they meet requirements B Schenn, Couturier, Wellwood, Rinaldo?

I'm not sure if Schenn and Cooter meet requirements to be technically sent down, even though they are slated for roster spots. Is there a minimum roster size limit during the offseason as well?

Basically I am wondering if a team can "hide" salary during the offseason until they can utilize LTIR and waivers?

??? With Parise and Nash gone... Supply decreased. Lower supply = Higher price. The pens and the rags aren't the only teams looking for top forwards, demand drops a bit - but not that much - you still have 28 teams going after Ryan.
- leon neon

The demand for Bobby Ryan decreases one players start signing places. Way more teams are likely to sign Parise then they are to trade away pieces to get Bobby Ryan.

It is similar to the idea that if players wait longer in free agency, the bargaining power shifts to the team because there are less suitors for that player. It is the same situation here, it's just a trade situation. The longer they wait, the more the price will drop.

Bill,

Change of topic. How many years until Oilers make some noise. Would be cool to see them back in the game.

Same question for Islanders. Always a Flyer fan but I also like to see what's best for the game. Hate to see franchises that suck forever.

??? With Parise and Nash gone... Supply decreased. Lower supply = Higher price. The pens and the rags aren't the only teams looking for top forwards, demand drops a bit - but not that much - you still have 28 teams going after Ryan.
- leon neon

Do the Pens really have the right assets if they have to go the trade route though? I'm not sure they have the right ones for Ryan. Your point remains though, I think Anaheim gets a bit more leverage once those guys are gone.

But those teams are already in right now for him, along with Pitt and NY. If those teams bail out your looking at less teams bidding. It is a numbers game.
- Flyers2821

Sorry, I don't really agree. Ryan will be just as pricey with those two gone. His trade may come sooner rather than later if those two go first but I don't think it really effects the asking price significantly. It will cost an arm and a leg to get any perennial 30 goal scorer in this league.

Sorry, I don't really agree. Ryan will be just as pricey with those two gone. His trade may come sooner rather than later if those two go first but I don't think it really effects the asking price significantly. It will cost an arm and a leg to get any perennial 30 goal scorer in this league.
- hereticpride

The longer Aneheim waits to trade him, the more the price drops. Especially when the player is pushing to be traded.

I'll stick my head out now and say when the Bobby Ryan trade goes down the response will be that the acquiring team got the better end of the deal.

Now lets talk about how much Parise is gonna get... 8-10 years 6.5-8 mill?

The longer Aneheim waits to trade him, the more the price drops. Especially when the player is pushing to be traded.
- Flyers2821

Not significantly tho. Not unless he threatens to hold out.