I'm simply looking at the realities of the cap, not a possible return of Pronger.

The fact is, if the Flyers have more than $4.91mm in cap room, Pronger won;t be LTIR'd. There's no reason to do it if he fits under the cap
- Jsaquella

Oh, I agree there, although I'm sure he'd be placed on LTIR around the deadline if he makes no further progress.

Believe it or not, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility.

That doesn't mean that I believe he'll play again, but just hear me out.

Perron went down with a serious concussion in November of 2010 and din't even return until December of 2011. That's over 13 months, and he came back, didn't miss a beat, and put up 20-20 numbers in 60 games.

Kariya had similar long-term absences during his career, including in the latter stages.

Right now Pronger has been out for nearly 8 months. Who's to say he won't turn the corner in say 5 or 6 more months?

The odds are slim, but, my point is that it's not out of the realm of possibility, and as Flyers fans, and fans of hockey in general, we might as well hope for the best.
- LordStanley88

I wish we could see him play again in O&B, but I think it would be more surprising than seeing Cote suit up again.. The difference between him and those other players is that he is 38. At 26 and 38 you are two totally different people physically.

Those players were still in their prime and were much younger. And weren't 37 years old like Pronger was, in the twilight of his career.
- MJL

You agree with me?

I'm signing out for the day....headed to A.C. and the craps tables.

Wish me luck!

(Sounds like you are over 37 yourself and have first hand knowledge of additional knee, ankle, back, etc problems that can happen over time. I get it).

As I have said here before, I think Rinaldo was one of the most noticeable players in the last playoff game. They can still make an impact.
- Daman

he'll still only play 5-7. mins a gm

Those players were still in their prime and were much younger. And weren't 37 years old like Pronger was, in the twilight of his career.
- MJL

Again, I point to Kariya, who returned from a serious concussion when he was both in his prime and in his twilight years.

Pronger has never had a serious concussion before this latest one, which is the good news, unlike a guy like say Primeau, who had many before the final one which ultimately forced him to retire.

Oh, I agree there, although I'm sure he'd be placed on LTIR around the deadline if he makes no further progress.
- LordStanley88

Not sure how we can fit our future D-man J-Bo under the cap unless we mame the LTIR move.

Oh, I agree there, although I'm sure he'd be placed on LTIR around the deadline if he makes no further progress.
- LordStanley88

Nobody will be placed on LTIR unless cap needs dictate it. If the Flyers make a move that will leave them with less than $4.91mm in cap room, Pronger will be moved to LTIR. If they don't, he won't be moved there.

he'll still only play 5-7. mins a gm
- isaiah520

The thing is, Rinaldo has enough skill and defensive ability to play a bigger role. Only problem is that he will never catch a break from the refs.. EVER

I wish we could see him play again in O&B, but I think it would be more surprising than seeing Cote suit up again.. The difference between him and those other players is that he is 38. At 26 and 38 you are two totally different people physically.
- jak521

I don't disagree with you.

Simply saying that I think there's still some slight hope, however small that percentage might be.

he'll still only play 5-7. mins a gm
- isaiah520

A guy can do a lot in 5 minutes. Christ, even in 30 seconds.

You should have seen me back in the day with the ladies.

Nobody will be placed on LTIR unless cap needs dictate it. If the Flyers make a move that will leave them with less than $4.91mm in cap room, Pronger will be moved to LTIR. If they don't, he won't be moved there.
- Jsaquella

Right, I'm simply assuming they'd make a deal at the deadline though, which, if he doesn't return, I'd expect.

Again, I point to Kariya, who returned from a serious concussion when he was both in his prime and in his twilight years.

Pronger has never had a serious concussion before this latest, which is the good news, unlike a guy like say Primeau, who had many before the final one which ultimately forced him to retire.
- LordStanley88

My guess is that Pronger being 37, if he starts feeling better and turning the corner as you had said. Will think that maybe I can live a normal life now, grow old with my kids, play sports with them in the back yard etc. And think I had a great career, I've got plenty of money. No reason to risk further injury and setbacks. If he was smart that's what he would think.

Right, I'm simply assuming they'd make a deal at the deadline though, which, if he doesn't return, I'd expect.
- LordStanley88

I get it, but they won't put him on LTIR until they make a deal. If you don't have to use LTIR, there's no reason to. They won't put him on LTIR a week before the deadline to make moves, it will happen right before they make the trade call with the NHL.

I don't disagree with you.

Simply saying that I think there's still some slight hope, however small that percentage might be.
- LordStanley88

For his and his families sake.. I hope he never plays again.. Id hate to see him convince himself to play again and have his post hockey life ruined.

Not sure how we can fit our future D-man J-Bo under the cap unless we mame the LTIR move.
- Daman

Pronger has a better chance of suiting up again in a Flyers uniform than Jay-Bo. He is not coming here.

My guess is that Pronger being 37, if he starts feeling better and turning the corner as you had said. Will think that maybe I can live a normal life now, grow old with my kids, play sports with them in the back yard etc. And think I had a great career, I've got plenty of money. No reason to risk further injury and setbacks. If he was smart that's what he would think.
- MJL

A guy can do a lot in 5 minutes. Christ, even in 30 seconds.

You should have seen me back in the day with the ladies.
- Daman

Yea?

My guess is that Pronger being 37, if he starts feeling better and turning the corner as you had said. Will think that maybe I can live a normal life now, grow old with my kids, play sports with them in the back yard etc. And think I had a great career, I've got plenty of money. No reason to risk further injury and setbacks. If he was smart that's what he would think.
- MJL

Right, but I don't believe he thinks that. Obviously none of us can know for sure what he's thinking, but Eskin did report a few months back that he wants, more than anything, to play hockey again.

I'd hate to see that happen too though, no doubt about it.

I get it, but they won't put him on LTIR until they make a deal. If you don't have to use LTIR, there's no reason to. They won't put him on LTIR a week before the deadline to make moves, it will happen right before they make the trade call with the NHL.
- Jsaquella

I could be wrong, but haven't the Flyers sent guys down to the AHL and/or moved players onto LTIR in anticipation of moves around the deadline in years past, or was that simply because we were so up against the cap those years?

Right, but I don't believe he thinks that. Obviously none of us can know for sure what he's thinking, but Eskin did report a few months back that he wants, more than anything, to play hockey again.

I'd hate to see that happen too though, no doubt about it.
- LordStanley88

Some people as they get older and wiser, even though they want something more then anything, are smart enough to know that's not a wise choice. I think Pronger is smart enough. And if I was the Flyers, I'd tell Pronger thanks for your service, but we don't want you coming back and risking long term medical issues.

The thing is, Rinaldo has enough skill and defensive ability to play a bigger role. Only problem is that he will never catch a break from the refs.. EVER
- jak521

I usually like what Zac brings, but you're right.

Right, but I don't believe he thinks that. Obviously none of us can know for sure what he's thinking, but Eskin did report a few months back that he wants, more than anything, to play hockey again.

I'd hate to see that happen too though, no doubt about it.
- LordStanley88

If Eskin reported that, there is a 0% chance of a comeback.

The next clue Eskin finds would be his first.

If Eskin reported that, there is a 0% chance of a comeback.

The next clue Eskin finds would be his first.
- Daman

Eskin is a very reputable journalist.

I could be wrong, but haven't the Flyers sent guys down to the AHL and/or moved players onto LTIR in anticipation of moves around the deadline in years past, or was that simply because we were so up against the cap those years?
- LordStanley88

They have sent guys to the AHL, sure, but LTIR is really only used when a team knows it's going to be over the cap and has no other recourse.

From Capgeek's FAQ:

Teams receive cap relief when a player is considered to have a "bona-fide long-term injury" — injuries that cause a player to miss at least 10 games or 24 days. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the CBA.

Just because a player is on LTIR does not automatically grant the team extra cap space. In the event a player is placed on LTIR, his cap hit still counts toward the team's overall cap payroll. Relief only comes if replacing the player's salary pushes the team's cap payroll to date over the cap. The amount of relief is limited to the amount the team has gone over the cap (less the amount of payroll room the team had at the time the LTIR transaction took place), not the entire amount of the injured player's salary.

There is no formal designation of "replacement players."

Basically that's saying that LTIR can't even be used unless the team is actually going to be over the cap after a particular move.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Gustafsson, Willcox
- bmeltzer

Bill, where do you see Kessel in the Flyers plans? do you think he has a shot at the NHL (whether here or someplace else) or do you see him as a career AHLer?