Bill Meltzer: Stadium Series Gameday: 2/25/17 @ PIT (Heinz Field)

Let's begin the selling after this game please

Bill Meltzer: Stadium Series Gameday: 2/25/17 @ PIT (Heinz Field)
- bmeltzer

Bill-
How much of MDZ's play has him as a healthy scratch vs. the likelihood of moving him by the TDL? And would you think they would be getting more calls on him or Mark Streit if either are made available? Or is MDZ just still a bit fragile from the recent injury?

MDZ should be with Gudas. Manning was bad against the Caps.

Bill-
How much of MDZ's play has him as a healthy scratch vs. the likelihood of moving him by the TDL? And would you think they would be getting more calls on him or Mark Streit if either are made available? Or is MDZ just still a bit fragile from the recent injury?
- section32

I think MDZ is tradable either way. But I think there is more interest in Streit.

Phantoms are on Fios tonight.

I think MDZ is tradable either way. But I think there is more interest in Streit.
- bmeltzer

They'll def get something for Streit. A conditional 2nd sounds appropriate.

I like the conditionals in trades. It actually makes the playoffs more interesting...like rooting for kimmo and the hawks

If a few more D are traded in the next few days then that conditional might end up being 2 picks...supply and demand baby.....as well if Hextall doesn't add anything he can retain salary and really open up his options on the UFAs.

Hoping for non-embarrassment

I think MDZ is tradable either way. But I think there is more interest in Streit.
- bmeltzer

So is the healthy scratch more due to shoddy play or injury or too many bodies and still coming off his injury? I know...it's all speculation/opinion. But we value yours.

You look at that Pens Dcore and it doesn't seen to stand out especially with their injuries but.... Their best players up front are consistent not to mention they have some guys with "speed".. Speed and consistency ... Sounds like something we could use

It will be what it's going to be tonight. If they win, great, I always want them to win. If they lose though, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it and I hope that Hexy begins to make some moves on Sunday.

I am a bit surprised to see Neuvirth getting yet another start, while his play has been generally ok recently, he's been far from lights out and I think Mason deserves a shot. Oh well, if neither of them are back next year, I'd be fine with it.

So is the healthy scratch more due to shoddy play or injury or too many bodies and still coming off his injury? I know...it's all speculation/opinion. But we value yours.
- section32

Both are at play, but more in the subpar play category. But he's played well enough alone in the past that some teams will still have interest.

It will be what it's going to be tonight. If they win, great, I always want them to win. If they lose though, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it and I hope that Hexy begins to make some moves on Sunday.

I am a bit surprised to see Neuvirth getting yet another start, while his play has been generally ok recently, he's been far from lights out and I think Mason deserves a shot. Oh well, if neither of them are back next year, I'd be fine with it.
- BiggE

Mason or Neuvirth, I would take at least one of them back at the right price. I don't get these "rumours " about the Flyers and Bishop. Don't see Hextall putting up big bucks and term for a goalie with the youth that is waiting in the wings

It will be what it's going to be tonight. If they win, great, I always want them to win. If they lose though, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it and I hope that Hexy begins to make some moves on Sunday.

I am a bit surprised to see Neuvirth getting yet another start, while his play has been generally ok recently, he's been far from lights out and I think Mason deserves a shot. Oh well, if neither of them are back next year, I'd be fine with it.
- BiggE

Hextall brought up an interesting point in regards to playing young guys. Beats mentioned the pens doing it last year. Hextall shot back saying they were young but their 23 year old young. Not 20. He's right rust, Kuhnackl, sheary are all 24 now.

Besides the flyers drafting like crap they didn't have enough kicks at the can either over the years. It's all coming to roost and the window of this team I think is out a lot further than many fans would like to admit.

Let's begin the selling after this game please
- jmdodgeser4

Hex think they are still in it with a win

Mason or Neuvirth, I would take at least one of them back at the right price. I don't get these "rumours " about the Flyers and Bishop. Don't see Hextall putting up big bucks and term for a goalie with the youth that is waiting in the wings
- 3flyerkids

The youth "waiting in the wings" may be further away than many realize. Let's look at their top 4 goal prospects.

Stolarz, in his 3rd pro season, has played pretty well, but he still has his ups and downs. While I think he will begin 17-18 as the Flyers backup goalie, he has done nothing that makes me think that he will be a top flight NHL starting goalie any time soon.

Lyon, after a bad start, has, for the most part, played pretty well in his first pro season. However, he will need at least one, if not 2 more years in the AHL before he is ready to play in the NHL and again, there is no guarantee that he develops into a starting NHL goaltender.

Now, lets take a look at what I feel are their top 2 goal prospects, Sandstrom and Hart.

Bill has said that he thinks that Sandstrom will stay in Sweden for one more year and following that, he will need at least one, if not 2 years in the AHL to refine his game and adapt to the smaller rinks and north american style of play. Best case, he's ready to be a backup in 19-20 and challenge for a starting spot in 20-21, but it's probably more realistic to see him making his full time NHL debut in 20-21

Hart is not AHL eligible next year, so it's almost guaranteed that he returns to Junior for the 17-18 season. He will then need at least one year in the AHL, and possibly 2, before he is ready for NHL action. So, even if he takes the fast track, he is likely making his NHL debut in the 19-20 season at the earliest.

With all this being said, I'd have no problem saying buh-bye to Mason and Neuvirth and signing a guy like Bishop in free agency, as long as the deal is for no more than 4 years. IF they were to do so, here is how I see it shaking out over the next four seasons:

17-18: Bishop/Stolarz
18-19: Bishop/Stolarz or Lyon
19-20: Bishop/Stolarz, Lyon or possibly Hart
20-21: TBD

Even if one of Sandstrom or Hart supplants Bishop as the starter in 20-21, both would still be on their ELC so Bishop's cap hit becomes a non-issue, and, if both kids are NHL ready, Bishop can be traded with 50% retention of his final year, and the Flyers would still be ahead of the game cap wise.

Hextall brought up an interesting point in regards to playing young guys. Beats mentioned the pens doing it last year. Hextall shot back saying they were young but their 23 year old young. Not 20. He's right rust, Kuhnackl, sheary are all 24 now.

Besides the flyers drafting like crap they didn't have enough kicks at the can either over the years. It's all coming to roost and the window of this team I think is out a lot further than many fans would like to admit.
- Just5

I agree, the window has not opened yet, nor will it for a while. The young D and goaltenders, won't be hitting their peaks for at least 4 or 5 years and Hextall will need a couple more drafts to continue to load up on forward prospects. I don't see this team becoming any kind of threat before 19-20 at the earliest, and 20-21 would be more likely.

The youth "waiting in the wings" may be further away than many realize. Let's look at their top 4 goal prospects.

Stolarz, in his 3rd pro season, has played pretty well, but he still has his ups and downs. While I think he will begin 17-18 as the Flyers backup goalie, he has done nothing that makes me think that he will be a top flight NHL starting goalie any time soon.

Lyon, after a bad start, has, for the most part, played pretty well in his first pro season. However, he will need at least one, if not 2 more years in the AHL before he is ready to play in the NHL and again, there is no guarantee that he develops into a starting NHL goaltender.

Now, lets take a look at what I feel are their top 2 goal prospects, Sandstrom and Hart.

Bill has said that he thinks that Sandstrom will stay in Sweden for one more year and following that, he will need at least one, if not 2 years in the AHL to refine his game and adapt to the smaller rinks and north american style of play. Best case, he's ready to be a backup in 19-20 and challenge for a starting spot in 20-21, but it's probably more realistic to see him making his full time NHL debut in 20-21

Hart is not AHL eligible next year, so it's almost guaranteed that he returns to Junior for the 17-18 season. He will then need at least one year in the AHL, and possibly 2, before he is ready for NHL action. So, even if he takes the fast track, he is likely making his NHL debut in the 19-20 season at the earliest.

With all this being said, I'd have no problem saying buh-bye to Mason and Neuvirth and signing a guy like Bishop in free agency, as long as the deal is for no more than 4 years. IF they were to do so, here is how I see it shaking out over the next four seasons:

17-18: Bishop/Stolarz
18-19: Bishop/Stolarz or Lyon
19-20: Bishop/Stolarz, Lyon or possibly Hart
20-21: TBD

Even if one of Sandstrom or Hart supplants Bishop as the starter in 20-21, both would still be on their ELC so Bishop's cap hit becomes a non-issue, and, if both kids are NHL ready, Bishop can be traded with 50% retention of his final year, and the Flyers would still be ahead of the game cap wise.
- BiggE

I think you're understating Bishop's cap hit. His cap hit now is almost 6M. What will he sign for in free agency? I'd think seriously about bringing back Mason on a one or two year deal.

The youth "waiting in the wings" may be further away than many realize. Let's look at their top 4 goal prospects.

Stolarz, in his 3rd pro season, has played pretty well, but he still has his ups and downs. While I think he will begin 17-18 as the Flyers backup goalie, he has done nothing that makes me think that he will be a top flight NHL starting goalie any time soon.

Lyon, after a bad start, has, for the most part, played pretty well in his first pro season. However, he will need at least one, if not 2 more years in the AHL before he is ready to play in the NHL and again, there is no guarantee that he develops into a starting NHL goaltender.

Now, lets take a look at what I feel are their top 2 goal prospects, Sandstrom and Hart.

Bill has said that he thinks that Sandstrom will stay in Sweden for one more year and following that, he will need at least one, if not 2 years in the AHL to refine his game and adapt to the smaller rinks and north american style of play. Best case, he's ready to be a backup in 19-20 and challenge for a starting spot in 20-21, but it's probably more realistic to see him making his full time NHL debut in 20-21

Hart is not AHL eligible next year, so it's almost guaranteed that he returns to Junior for the 17-18 season. He will then need at least one year in the AHL, and possibly 2, before he is ready for NHL action. So, even if he takes the fast track, he is likely making his NHL debut in the 19-20 season at the earliest.

With all this being said, I'd have no problem saying buh-bye to Mason and Neuvirth and signing a guy like Bishop in free agency, as long as the deal is for no more than 4 years. IF they were to do so, here is how I see it shaking out over the next four seasons:

17-18: Bishop/Stolarz
18-19: Bishop/Stolarz or Lyon
19-20: Bishop/Stolarz, Lyon or possibly Hart
20-21: TBD

Even if one of Sandstrom or Hart supplants Bishop as the starter in 20-21, both would still be on their ELC so Bishop's cap hit becomes a non-issue, and, if both kids are NHL ready, Bishop can be traded with 50% retention of his final year, and the Flyers would still be ahead of the game cap wise.
- BiggE

Nice post and very well thought out. Bishop is making almost 6M now. I don't know what he will look for but if it is 6.5-7 at 4 years I would be surprised if Flyers sign him

I think you're understating Bishop's cap hit. His cap hit now is almost 6M. What will he sign for in free agency? I'd think seriously about bringing back Mason on a one or two year deal.
- MJL

Hard to say, I don't think too many teams will be looking to spend big bucks on a goalie this offseason, so that may hurt Bishop's bargaining leverage. At the end of the day, if Bishop was going to be paired with guys on bridge contracts and/or ELC's during his time here (again if he wants more than 4 years, I have no interest), I don't think it's that big of an issue. Right now, they are spending nearly 6 million for mediocre goaltending. If that has to increase to 8 million for Bishop and his back-up and it means they get better and more consistent goaltending, I'm fine with that. Especially when you factor in Streit, MDZ, and Schultz (over 11 million) coming off the books and being replaced by guys on ELC's next year.

Nice post and very well thought out. Bishop is making almost 6M now. I don't know what he will look for but if it is 6.5-7 at 4 years I would be surprised if Flyers sign him
- 3flyerkids

See my response to MJL

Hard to say, I don't think too many teams will be looking to spend big bucks on a goalie this offseason, so that may hurt Bishop's bargaining leverage. At the end of the day, if Bishop was going to be paired with guys on bridge contracts and/or ELC's during his time here (again if he wants more than 4 years, I have no interest), I don't think it's that big of an issue. Right now, they are spending nearly 6 million for mediocre goaltending. If that has to increase to 8 million for Bishop and his back-up and it means they get better and more consistent goaltending, I'm fine with that. Especially when you factor in Streit, MDZ, and Schultz (over 11 million) coming off the books and being replaced by guys on ELC's next year.
- BiggE

Bishop is going to want term. I don't even think 4 years would be responsible for the Flyers considering the talent they have waiting in the wings.

The Flyers shouldn't be signing any free agent for over 3 years unless they feel he makes them legit contenders next season IMHHO!!!!!!!

See my response to MJL
- BiggE

He is an upgrade to what we have now. If he is looking for 5 years I think that just may be too much. I still have nightmares over the last UFA goalie we signed to a big deal

Thoughts on Hexy not buying at this deadline?

TBH, I think it makes sense. The Flyers are barely competing for a playoff spot let alone the cup which would warrant them buying.

My belief is Hexy expects the fans to deal with one more season of this before he starts to be aggressive.