Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: The Return of Rusty, Doan's Decision, Lilja

First.

Not that I want to see the turmoil continue in Phoenix but I hope the referendum fails. I hate using taxpayer money for professional sports teams.

Edit: First real post.

I think the chances of Doan leaving Phoenix are about as good as Suter wanting to play in the East. Obviously it doesnt hurt to make an offer, but I just dont see much of a chance it happens without a gross overpayment on our end. Not the best of ideas for a player over 35 imo...

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: The Return of Rusty, Doan's Decision, Lilja
- bmeltzer

Doan is really the only "name" FA left that I'd have much interest in. He's still a very capable top six player, works hard, is physical and has a nasty streak to his game.

He also brings leadership to the table, which could be even bigger than the offense and grit he'd add.

Gervais is a solid depth defenseman. The Hockey Guys' Charlie O'Connor wrote a solid column detailing Gervais' career. It points out that for most of his career he posted solid numbers for bad teams and is still fairly young at age 27.

http://thehockeyguys.net/...ment-philadelphia-flyers/

I do think that Holmgren is done, though, barring Doan or Shea Weber hitting the market, or unless the prices drop on guys like Ryan and Nash.

I'm fine with what Holmgren has done thus far. This is still a solid playoff team. He hasn't signed any ridiculous long term deals and he hasn't traded any of the good young core, except in the JvR deal, which he got a good young player with potential back.

Not that I want to see the turmoil continue in Phoenix but I hope the referendum fails. I hate using taxpayer money for professional sports teams.

Edit: First real post.
- Scoob

Fair enuff ...but pretty weak. Bill- I am concerned about the drop off in scoring. And
while I know the youngsters need more ice time, I still see a need for a bit more veteran experience. I think Doan is a long shot. Many people think of Semin as another Zherdev, but he has been more consistent and slightly less maligned than Nik. Not to mention if NJ is making a play for him I would love to drive the price up even if we don't sign him. Any thoughts on Semin as an option.

Fair enuff ...but pretty weak. Bill- I am concerned about the drop off in scoring. And
while I know the youngsters need more ice time, I still see a need for a bit more veteran experience. I think Doan is a long shot. Many people think of Semin as another Zherdev, but he has been more consistent and slightly less maligned than Nik. Not to mention if NJ is making a play for him I would love to drive the price up even if we don't sign him. Any thoughts on Semin as an option.
- section32

I don't want Semin at all. Even if he agrees to sign for the same money one would get working as a Wawa cashier.

I think Doan is a long shot.
- section32

Agreed. I think he's a lifer with Phoenix. Wouldn't mind at all seeing him in o&b though.

Many people think of Semin as another Zherdev, but he has been more consistent and slightly less maligned than Nik. Not to mention if NJ is making a play for him I would love to drive the price up even if we don't sign him. Any thoughts on Semin as an option.

Not a fan of Semin. Let NJ have him.

I don't want Semin at all. Even if he agrees to sign for the same money one would get working as a Wawa cashier.
- Jsaquella

1st shift or 3rd shift cashier?

I don't want Semin at all. Even if he agrees to sign for the same money one would get working as a Wawa cashier.
- Jsaquella

I'm with you on that one.

1st shift or 3rd shift cashier?
- section32

Homeless guy begging for change out front.

The only thing I like about Semin is that his nickname is Jizz

I don't want Semin at all. Even if he agrees to sign for the same money one would get working as a Wawa cashier.
- Jsaquella

That's crazy talk.

If he'll take a 1 year/$5 mil deal, you're not tied in long-term and can still pursue other free agents next off-season.

Other than possibly signning Doan, I agree, Homer appears set and done for the off-season.

I don't want Semin at all. Even if he agrees to sign for the same money one would get working as a Wawa cashier.
- Jsaquella

ditto. that's got trainwreck written all over it.

Homeless guy begging for change out front.

The only thing I like about Semin is that his nickname is Jizz
- Jsaquella

You hate Semin but like jizz. Got it.

Semin aint coming here.

Doan is a longshot but would be great. We all know this.

I think you'll be surprised by the contributions of Dustin Brown, ooops, I mean B. Schenn this year.

Scoring will go down but that is not a concern. The Kings couldn't score anything last year and won the Cup. The point I am making is that we should play better team D. And I think the 3rd line will be more a checking line this year and less a depth line. You'll see what I mean when the season starts.

I don't believe we have a perfect RW for Giroux, but time will tell. Not the end of the world.

We will make a push for Ryan for sure.

Our D is not exactly the Niedermeyer show but we should be physical and tougher down low. Mez Coburn Schenn Grossmann - should be fun to watch.

Perhaps we can see a breakout year from Coburn, who has all the physical tools IMO. One of the best Flyer trades ever.

We're in good shape - if you don't think so, what team would you rather put on the ice in the Eastern Conference? Rangers - Yes. Everyone else - we're right there.

That's crazy talk.

If he'll take a 1 year/$5 mil deal, you're not tied in long-term and can still pursue other free agents next off-season.
- bradleyc4

they have signed Semin before....his name was Zherdev

That's crazy talk.

If he'll take a 1 year/$5 mil deal, you're not tied in long-term and can still pursue other free agents next off-season.
- bradleyc4

I don't want him around the kids. I know that the rep is built up by the biased media, but I think there's some fire around that smoke. I think that guys like Simmonds and Voracek would benefit the team more from the added ice time and responsibility in the long run than the short term benefits of Semin.

You hate Semin but like jizz. Got it.
- bradleyc4

I just love that he got tagged with the nickname and is cool with it

they have signed Semin before....his name was Zherdev
- phi1671

Semin is better than Zherdev.

That's crazy talk.

If he'll take a 1 year/$5 mil deal, you're not tied in long-term and can still pursue other free agents next off-season.
- bradleyc4

ThinkingSemin would take a one year deal is talk if you ask me.

Semin is better than Zherdev.
- Jsaquella

smoke = fire = trainwreck = comparision, not based on who was better

ThinkingSemin would take a one year deal is talk if you ask me.
- hereticpride

So far there hasn't been a ton of interest in him. I bet if he's still not signed in a week or so, he'd take a one year deal.

Bill - I missed you on WIP last night. Maybe next time.

Has anyone seen the NHL series they run on certain players - Mike Richards and Neal come to mind.

Pretty awesome watching Richards again and I do think he has great leadership qualities. Nice trade for us but Kings got a great player as well.

smoke = fire = trainwreck = comparision, not based on who was better
- phi1671

I also don't think he'd be as much of a distraction as Zherdev became