Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Cap Space, Rinaldo, VandeVelde, Pronger & More

First

I agree with the assessment of them as a bubble playoff team -- too many unknowns, including exactly how Dave Hakstol will utilize the roster pieces -- but I honestly believe this franchise, as it stands right now (and with whatever moves are made to fill out the roster) is more equipped to compete in the NHL of today than last year's

They have better organizational depth with regard to prospects, have relieved themselves of some contract slots and financial outlays that were not helping them maximize their ability to compete by removing Pronger's hold and Rinaldo's slot, and can honestly say that whatever decision they make on Sam Gagner will be based on a clear-headed analysis of what he can bring to the team for this upcoming season -- or not -- instead of just having to drop a guy in there and hope for the best, since they can assess it before FA begins

It's summer, and that means it's time to be optimistic. But I truly believe there is more to be gotten from this roster, and I am choosing to be optimistic and say that this roster projects to be one that collects 90-ish points

Might not be good enough, ultimately, but at least they won't be eliminated with 15-20 games to go

This roster, along with the organizational depth and cap space, is more equipped to give them a chance

Bill, great blog as always. I can imanigne that some days during the off season you might be struggling for material. In the last week, your cup runith over.
Well, here is to you having great things to write about, seeing what Hexy does in the next few more days!!!

PS, can you imagine being the Bill Meltzer of Boston right now??

I agree with the assessment of them as a bubble playoff team -- too many unknowns, including exactly how Dave Hakstol will utilize the roster pieces -- but I honestly believe this franchise, as it stands right now (and with whatever moves are made to fill out the roster) is more equipped to compete in the NHL of today than last year's

They have better organizational depth with regard to prospects, have relieved themselves of some contract slots and financial outlays that were not helping them maximize their ability to compete by removing Pronger's hold and Rinaldo's slot, and can honestly say that whatever decision they make on Sam Gagner will be based on a clear-headed analysis of what he can bring to the team for this upcoming season -- or not -- instead of just having to drop a guy in there and hope for the best, since they can assess it before FA begins

It's summer, and that means it's time to be optimistic. But I truly believe there is more to be gotten from this roster, and I am choosing to be optimistic and say that this roster projects to be one that collects 90-ish points

Might not be good enough, ultimately, but at least they won't be eliminated with 15-20 games to go

This roster, along with the organizational depth and cap space, is more equipped to give them a chance
- AllInForFlyers

I am more excited about 16/17 than this year. The future is bright.

Bill, great blog as always. I can imanigne that some days during the off season you might be struggling for material. In the last week, your cup runith over.
Well, here is to you having great things to write about, seeing what Hexy does in the next few more days!!!

PS, can you imagine being the Bill Meltzer of Boston right now??
- FlyersFirst

Moving to Glendale right now

I am more excited about 16/17 than this year. The future is bright.
- FlyersFirst

exactly.
so stay out of free agency, get White done, and MDZ can pound sand if he doesn't want to be reasonable.

I think that once a limited guy like Rinaldo starts getting reputation calls the way he does, it is time to part ways.

That they turned him into a 3rd round pick is baffling.

Go home, Don Sweeney! You're drunk!

exactly.
so stay out of free agency, get White done, and MDZ can pound sand if he doesn't want to be reasonable.
- nails

I don't think I'd be looking into FA too heavily, either -- yeah, they could use a scoring LW, but I just don't see anybody worth the money they are going to get

As always, I want them to be aggressive, but that has to be tempered with rationality

I will always feel they could've done more last year. But at the same time, last year is gone

This roster, right now, I don't think needs a heavy hand. Be smart, definitely don't overpay, be patient for a couple of months, see how they start the season

Definitely not wanting to see anything like Matt Beleskey on a 5x5, some poop like that

The decline of Heatley is amazing.
Can the guy just not skate anymore?

Maybe he will head to the KHL like Cheechoo did. He's a PPG player there.

I don't think I'd be looking into FA too heavily, either -- yeah, they could use a scoring LW, but I just don't see anybody worth the money they are going to get

As always, I want them to be aggressive, but that has to be tempered with rationality

I will always feel they could've done more last year. But at the same time, last year is gone

This roster, right now, I don't think needs a heavy hand. Be smart, definitely don't overpay, be patient for a couple of months, see how they start the season

Definitely not wanting to see anything like Matt Beleskey on a 5x5, some poop like that
- AllInForFlyers

But in the past, Flyers would be the team that would go get Belesky. Or Fleischman/Cole or bring back Scotty.
I feel pretty confident those days are behind us...until the team gets younger and adding guys like that FOR DEPTH makes sense.
It's like overspending to add Vermette to the Hawks roster. If he is your 3rd line center, you are a legit cup contender. If he is on your first line, you probably aren't.

Any RFAs of interest that people don't think will be qualified by their current teams? I see the Phantoms having more of a facelift this summer than the Flyers.

Any RFAs of interest that people don't think will be qualified by their current teams? I see the Phantoms having more of a facelift this summer than the Flyers.
- Coleman

just for the phantoms?
Danny Kristo, but he is straight FA

Wonder if the blues will give up on Paajarvi

just for the phantoms?
Danny Kristo, but he is straight FA

Wonder if the blues will give up on Paajarvi
- nails

Flyers or Phantoms. I just don't see a lot of room on the Flyers roster as it stands today.

Flyers or Phantoms. I just don't see a lot of room on the Flyers roster as it stands today.
- Coleman

there isn't.
IF they resign MDZ, they actually have 7 D men and Manning.
At forward, when they sign white they are full and VL is sitting in the box.
so reality is, they have a filled out roster right now.

And I picked Kristo because he is a 25 goal scorer in Portland, is a FA, and
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went to UND.
Hey, Chip can do it, why can't Hakstol?

exactly.
so stay out of free agency, get White done, and MDZ can pound sand if he doesn't want to be reasonable.
- nails

Goalie? Zepp? Razor?

Goalie? Zepp? Razor?
- section32

I either wait till later in the summer on a goalie or let Zepp be the back up and sign a guy for the ahl

So far so good. If Viny terminates, MDZ re-signs for two years, resign White and sign a backup goalie I will be over the moon with this offseason. No need to chase a UFA this summer and be handcuffed capwise down the road. Stay patient Hexy you're doing an amazing job thus far (other then the Hartnell trade).

I'l be curious to see if Hextall looks at the guys who didn't get a QO like Del Zotto. The goalie from AZ interest me as a possible AHL goalie to pair with Stolarz. Maybe he can find another low risk/high reward type again.

I'm looking at guys like paranteau or Stalberg who might take a one year prove it deal. Stalberg made 4 a year on his last deal could he take a 2 million one year deal ? We do need another wing but I wouldn't over pay. I'd settle for a third liner and schenn read gagner playing a 2nd line lw role. Although I prefer simmonds jake schenn on the right side.

And I picked Kristo because he is a 25 goal scorer in Portland, is a FA, and
.
.
.
.
.
went to UND.
Hey, Chip can do it, why can't Hakstol?
- nails

he'd actually be a nice 2 way deal call up option. If a wing goes down you don't want laughton cousins getting out of position unless you don't see them ever being pro centers. I feel like cousins will get pushed to wing one day.

I'l be curious to see if Hextall looks at the guys who didn't get a QO like Del Zotto. The goalie from AZ interest me as a possible AHL goalie to pair with Stolarz. Maybe he can find another low risk/high reward type again.
- J35Bacher

Mdz was a really late signing. If timmonen never went down we'd never have had mdz. So that was a bit of luck there.

So far so good. If Viny terminates, MDZ resigns for two years, resign White and sign a backup goalie I will be over the moon with this offseason. No need to chase a UFA this summer and be handcuffed capwise down the road. Stay patient Hexy you're doing an amazing job thus far (other then the Hartnell trade).
- coffee junkie

I would be interested to see what a guy like Joel Ward gets. I know he is up there in age but he has been a solid player

he'd actually be a nice 2 way deal call up option. If a wing goes down you don't want laughton cousins getting out of position unless you don't see them ever being pro centers. I feel like cousins will get pushed to wing one day.
- Tfaehner

I actually wouldn't mind him either as a call up.
Already familiar with coaches systems.