Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings -- Hartnell and Long-Term Planning

Buehler, buehler!!!

I think a nice 3 year contract would be suitable, with a slight raise. He has become a nice vocal team guy this past year.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings -- Hartnell and Long-Term Planning
- bmeltzer

I'm one of those who has been back and forth on Hartnell. At times he drove me nuts with poor play and bad penalties, but over time I recognized that he did bring certain qualities to the table-namely that he was good for 20+ goals every year, almost without exception, and he was usually the team's most physical forward among it's top 9.

One other thing I noticed was that, generally, Hartnell was a member of the team's most important offensive line in most of the last few years. In the 2008-09 season, he teamed with Jeff Carter and Joffrey Lupul and that season all three players had, at the time, career years. Late in the 2009-10 season he was placed on a line with Danny Briere and Ville Leino and that line was key to the Flyers advancing to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final and was the team's most consistent offensive unit in the 2010-11 season.

We all saw his great 2011-12 season, where he really bloomed playing next to Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr. In addition to playing very good hockey, he also showed a public persona that had been hinted at-a genuinely funny guy who would get knocked down, but get back up and battle through.

After his highly publicized marital issues, it seemed as if Hartnell was truly enjoying himself on the ice. There is no guarantee that he'll replicate 2011-12's level of play, but if he can bring his normal 20-30 goal production and continue to be a team leader and provide the personality and embrace the role he played so well this year, the Flyers should sbsolutely find a spot for Hartnell past this upcoming year

I wouldn't mind seeing a 2-3 year deal at a modest increase.

One other thing I noticed was that, generally, Hartnell was a member of the team's most important offensive line in most of the last few years.
- Jsaquella

That's an excellent point. He deserves credit in that regard for sure.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings -- Hartnell and Long-Term Planning
- bmeltzer

If it weren't for the NTC, I would be selling high on Hartnell.

That being said, I look forward to another 20-goal, 50-point season from him.

That's an excellent point. He deserves credit in that regard for sure.
- bmeltzer

Credit Mayor Of Angry Town for that insight.

I believe you can offer Hartnell the same contract, or a slight increase, but without the NTC or NMC. Homer has to give himself wiggle room with the guys making the big buck. If Hartnell wants a huge raise, I say nope. Also, I wouldnt give him anything more then a limited no trade clause. I think going forward, that is all you offer guys. They can select 10 teams they dont want to be traded to, that's it.

I believe you can offer Hartnell the same contract, or a slight increase, but without the NTC or NMC. Homer has to give himself wiggle room with the guys making the big buck. If Hartnell wants a huge raise, I say nope. Also, I wouldnt give him anything more then a limited no trade clause. I think going forward, that is all you offer guys. They can select 10 teams they dont want to be traded to, that's it.
- RooNosHockey

Hartnell's probable list using the above criteria:Columbus, Columbus, Columbus, Columbus, Columbus, Columbus, Columbus, Columbus, Columbus, Columbus.

I was just listeneing to the Preston and Steve show this morning, and one of the guys was with Giroux over the weekend. He had both wrists in bandages. The guy said Giroux told him off the record that this wrists were bad since January. I guess you can kind of tell looking back on it. Guess the on-air guy doesnt know what off the record means.

On a side note, I laughed at a story they told about Giroux. He went over to the guy and pointed at his shirt. The guy looked down and Giroux did the "flick the nose" bit. Then said, "You know what.. That only works and Girls, and you."

I believe you can offer Hartnell the same contract, or a slight increase, but without the NTC or NMC. Homer has to give himself wiggle room with the guys making the big buck. If Hartnell wants a huge raise, I say nope. Also, I wouldnt give him anything more then a limited no trade clause. I think going forward, that is all you offer guys. They can select 10 teams they dont want to be traded to, that's it.
- RooNosHockey

If Hartnell continues to play at the same level next Season as this one. How realistic is it to expect Hartnell to sign for the same contract or a slight increase? What gives you any reason to think he would sign it? You never know what players will do, but you have to be realistic.

I believe you can offer Hartnell the same contract, or a slight increase, but without the NTC or NMC. Homer has to give himself wiggle room with the guys making the big buck. If Hartnell wants a huge raise, I say nope. Also, I wouldnt give him anything more then a limited no trade clause. I think going forward, that is all you offer guys. They can select 10 teams they dont want to be traded to, that's it.
- RooNosHockey

You can offer him anything, whether he accepts or not is another matter. The risk is in losing him for nothing. Then you have to replace him. While there are some solid UFA wingers in that UFA class, there's not anyone who plays the style of game Hartnell does that will come cheaper than he likely will.

If they can sign him to a 3 year deal at his current hit or even slightly higher, I have no issue with a NTC. If he's hunting for a serious raise, then the clause is immaterial, because I wouldn't have interest in a $6-7mm per year Hartnell.

Hartnell sucks

Credit Mayor Of Angry Town for that insight.
- Jsaquella

ahem.. not to toot my own horn, but I started preaching that last off-season. MOAT, can you beat that?

Hartnell sucks
- jak521

gone by Thanksgiving, imo

ahem.. not to toot my own horn, but I started preaching that last off-season. MOAT, can you beat that?
- jak521

MOAT started preaching that during the 2010 playoffs, if not earlier.

Hartnell is a bad skater, bad fighter, and has bad hair.

But he gets results. He is the a-hole on the team that every team seems to have and need. Personally, I don't include him in the core of forwards that we should keep (Giroux, Schenn, Coots, JVR, Read, etc.) but it would be nice to get him at 3 - 4 years at 4m per.

If Hartnell continues to play at the same level next Season as this one. How realistic is it to expect Hartnell to sign for the same contract or a slight increase? What gives you any reason to think he would sign it? You never know what players will do, but you have to be realistic.
- MJL

I dont think it would be far fetched to see him sign a similar contract.

He was paid nicely the first go around (some would say over paid). He loves the city, and as Bill pointed out, he is a power forward, who is 30+.

If the Flyers offered him a 3 year extension at the same hit, I believe he would agree to it. He wants a Cup. He wants to stay in Philly. He'll make it happen.

MOAT started preaching that during the 2010 playoffs, if not earlier.
- Jsaquella

Where have I been?

I did a statistical break down of each line going back to the unlikely run to the ECF where the Pens beat us... He has been the only player to be a part of the top scoring line every year.

Hartnell is a bad skater, bad fighter, and has bad hair.

But he gets results. He is the a-hole on the team that every team seems to have and need. Personally, I don't include him in the core of forwards that we should keep (Giroux, Schenn, Coots, JVR, Read, etc.) but it would be nice to get him at 3 - 4 years at 4m per.
- Daman

Hey while were at it, let's just offer him 3 and get him for that.

If it weren't for the NTC, I would be selling high on Hartnell.

That being said, I look forward to another 20-goal, 50-point season from him.
- bradleyc4

I agree with you completely.

Hey while were at it, let's just offer him 3 and get him for that.
- MJL

Why wouldn't he take a paycut? If he doesn't you can just put him on the free agent list and recreate a player from scratch using his name at a lower cap hit. Oh wait, this is reality, not an EA sports simulation.

I dont think it would be far fetched to see him sign a similar contract.

He was paid nicely the first go around (some would say over paid). He loves the city, and as Bill pointed out, he is a power forward, who is 30+.

If the Flyers offered him a 3 year extension at the same hit, I believe he would agree to it. He wants a Cup. He wants to stay in Philly. He'll make it happen.
- jak521

You never know what a player is willing to take to stay somewhere that he wants to stay. But it is very far fetched to expect Hartnell to sign for less then he did in a deal that was signed 6 years ago.

If Hartnell continues to play at the same level next Season as this one. How realistic is it to expect Hartnell to sign for the same contract or a slight increase? What gives you any reason to think he would sign it? You never know what players will do, but you have to be realistic.
- MJL

IMO you cant afford to tie up more then 5 million in Hartnell. If he doesnt want that, that's his choice. He is a career 20-25 goal scorer. The Flyers cant afford to let 1 good year sway thier judgment. I really can't justify having him being the second highest paid forward, even though the 5 million a year will make him just that. If I'm Homer, I offer him 5 million with a limited NTC for 3 years.