4th of July all makes sense for Philly. I'm very doubtful though. Can't wait for the mayhem to start for teams who lose out.
- stveshdy

Well one thing is for sure.. if they make their decision at noon... there are going to be major fireworks today before it is even dark out.

Pretty sure it is a foregone conclusion that #28 will be the Flyers captain for the next decade.
- Flyers2821

No...

If they learned anything from the Richards debacle, they'd be best served in the short-term by assigning it to a vet like Timonen or Briere.

As far as the future is concerned, I think you'll see Luke Schenn emerge as a very strong candidate. He handles all the off-ice stuff and the media with aplomb, and that was under the lights of hockey-mad Toronto.

Link?
- Flyers2821

Happy July 4th to my American friends and followers south of the border. Two great American hockey players set to make their decision today. -- Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun)

It's a miracle that the Flyers have survived thus far in free-agency w/o blundering yet... thanks to Suter/Parise/Doan delaying their decisions, many members of the overrated/overpaid club that the Flyers might have considered are already off the table: Garrison, Wideman, Parenteau, etc.

I'm surprised that a guy like Colaiacovo is still on the board. He averaged about 19:00 TOI during the regular season, played against top competition, held his own as Pietrangelo's d-partner, was the Blues best d-man in terms or pushing the play up the ice, and has the tools to contribute on the PP. Durability is always going to be an issue with him, but as far as him being a great short-term plugin for Carle, there probably isn't a more affordable/effective option on the UFA market.

I'd also steer clear of handing Doan a 3-4 year contract, especially when a comparable guy like B. Morrow would most likely be available for pennies on the dollar, with only a year left on his contract.
- Tomahawk

CC's 2nd home is the training room...always hurt

No...

If they learned anything from the Richards debacle, they'd be best served in the short-term by assigning it to a vet like Timonen or Briere.

As far as the future is concerned, I think you'll see Luke Schenn emerge as a very strong candidate. He handles all the off-ice stuff and the media with aplomb, and that was under the lights of hockey-mad Toronto.
- Tomahawk

I think Talbot would make a fine Captain.

No...

If they learned anything from the Richards debacle, they'd be best served in the short-term by assigning it to a vet like Timonen or Briere.

As far as the future is concerned, I think you'll see Luke Schenn emerge as a very strong candidate. He handles all the off-ice stuff and the media with aplomb, and that was under the lights of hockey-mad Toronto.
- Tomahawk

Claude Giroux is going to be the Flyers captain. I don't have any doubt in my mind about that.

Speaking of, kinda...any thoughts or rumors on how the captaincy is going to be handled next year?
- Glak18

I'd give it to the most well respected voice in the locker room, whomever that may be.

First line center, 6th d-mam, doesn't matter. I never subscribed to the - best player gets the "C" - theory. I've seen it's weight adversely affect a few careers.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun
Told that over the past 36 hours, the dialogue between Parise and Suter picked up considerably...


So the teams rumored to offer both players deals were... Philly, Minnesota, Detroit, Pitt... right?

Basically narrows down nothing?

Nope, Maatta went two picks later to the Penguins....
- PLindbergh31

given their track record in that spot in the first round over the last ten years, i think the flyers have earned a pass on second guessing their picks.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun
Told that over the past 36 hours, the dialogue between Parise and Suter picked up considerably...


So the teams rumored to offer both players deals were... Philly, Minnesota, Detroit, Pitt... right?
- Flyers2821

No, Pittsburgh can't afford both, and I don't think Detroit offered Parise a deal. I think the only two teams in on both guys are Minnesota and Philadelphia.

Happy July 4th to my American friends and followers south of the border. Two great American hockey players set to make their decision today. -- Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun)
- stveshdy

Also, they are announcing on a Wednesday, widely known to be Ed Snider's favorite day of the week.

I think Talbot would make a fine Captain.
- PLindbergh31

definitely a nice dark horse candidate.... he has all the tools

my vote would probably go for briere, but talbot would be an interesting choice. he was probably my favorite player on the team last year, such a hard worker

given their track record in that spot in the first round over the last ten years, i think the flyers have earned a pass on second guessing their picks.
- OrangeBlack27

Yep. I said as much in a previous post.

definitely a nice dark horse candidate.... he has all the tools

my vote would probably go for briere, but talbot would be an interesting choice. he was probably my favorite player on the team last year, such a hard worker
- FlyerMike18

Agreed. Great signing by Holmgren. What a bargain.

Noon announcement
- stveshdy

Eastern or Central?

I'd give it to the most well respected voice in the locker room, whomever that may be.

First line center, 6th d-mam, doesn't matter. I never subscribed to the - best player gets the "C" - theory. I've seen it's weight adversely affect a few careers.
- 77rams

I believe the same, never liked the idea that the best player has to have the C. Rather have Giroux keep the A for a while.

did anyone hear any reasons why that guy gragnani wasn't qualified by the canucks? seems strange.... he's definitely an interesting option if the big moves fall through

No, Pittsburgh can't afford both, and I don't think Detroit offered Parise a deal. I think the only two teams in on both guys are Minnesota and Philadelphia.
- PLindbergh31

Pittsburg has more cap space than we do. I am almost certain I read several times they made offers to both.

And the front runner for Parise and Suter at 10:24 a.m. EST appears to be....the Wild. -- Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull)
- stveshdy

He cited no sources and is usually full of poop

I think Talbot would make a fine Captain.
- PLindbergh31

There's definitely no shortage of viable present and future candidates on the current squad.

He cited no sources and is usually full of poop
- Phifly10

Anything cited by Sam should be marked with an (e<)

It's a miracle that the Flyers have survived thus far in free-agency w/o blundering yet... thanks to Suter/Parise/Doan delaying their decisions, many members of the overrated/overpaid club that the Flyers might have considered are already off the table: Garrison, Wideman, Parenteau, etc.

I'm surprised that a guy like Colaiacovo is still on the board. He averaged about 19:00 TOI during the regular season, played against top competition, held his own as Pietrangelo's d-partner, was the Blues best d-man in terms or pushing the play up the ice, and has the tools to contribute on the PP. Durability is always going to be an issue with him, but as far as him being a great short-term plugin for Carle, there probably isn't a more affordable/effective option on the UFA market.

I'd also steer clear of handing Doan a 3-4 year contract, especially when a comparable guy like B. Morrow would most likely be available for pennies on the dollar, with only a year left on his contract.
- Tomahawk

Garrison and Parenteau were actually compensated rather fairly, imo.

I believe the same, never liked the idea that the best player has to have the C. Rather have Giroux keep the A for a while.
- Glak18

Do you remember his first shift against Pitt when we eliminated them? The guy is not only the best player on this team but the best leader as well. Not to mention he is tremendous with the media/fans.

Everything about Claude Giroux screams face of the franchise and leader of the team.

He will absolutely be wearing the C. I would be stunned if anyone else got it

With that said I would not be surprised if it did end that way, yet he never breaks anything so I know that was just his opinion

Eastern or Central?
- hereticpride

Eastern I hope.